PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Katsuro Sato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tyler Richards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Sato
vs
Richards

187 cm
33
196 lbs
28 - 14 - 0

179 cm
28
189 lbs
24 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Heisenberg

Hellbent
Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 14 - 0, fighting out of London, Katsuro Sato!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tyler Richards!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, John Roberts and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Richards scores with a nice head shot.
Richards takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Sato misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Richards.
Richards throws a predictable looking body shot

and Sato counters with a single leg into guard. Richards didn't expect that.
Sato advances position into side control!
Richards is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Sato seems to be looking for submissions.

Richards looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sato missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Sato wants to pass to mount but Richards is defending the position.
Richards is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richards wants to control but Sato is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Sato controlling the action here.
Sato tries to pass the half guard into mount. Richards knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
We've been hearing that Sato has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

Richards looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Sato is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richards wants to control but Sato is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Sato trying to control from half guard but Richards is working away.
Richards blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sato.
Sato passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Richards!
Sato is landing with some decent strikes but Richards is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Richards is hanging on here. He's in a desperate position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Sato unloading with bombs!
Richards in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Sato throws some wild stikes that Richards manages to avoid easily.
Sato cracks Richards with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Richards tries to reverse the position but Sato maintains control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Richards gets back to half guard.
Sato is looking to advance position but Richards won't allow it.
Richards keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Sato wants to pass the guard but Richards is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richards is looking to control Sato's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Richards avoid being mounted?
Sato content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Richards desperately trying to maintain half guard.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Tyler Richards wasn't active enough on the ground.
Decent striking displayed by Sato there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sato throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Katsuro Sato dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Richards throws a push kick but Sato slaps the foot to one side.
Sato misses with a low kick.
Sato shoots in for a double leg but Richards sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Richards blocks a jab.
Richards is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sato.
Sato checks a leg kick.
Sato will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Richards avoids the body shot from Sato.
Richards connects with a solid leg kick.
Richards misses with a kick to the body.
Richards misses with a straight left.
Sato delivers a nice body kick.
Richards lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Sato.
Richards tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sato was well out of range. Poor timing from Richards.

Sato gets caught flat footed, as Richards shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Richards trying to control but Sato is working from the bottom.
Richards postures up.
Katsuro Sato overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Richards throws a big right hand that misses.
Richards preventing the sweep.
Sato not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sato bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Richards's guard.
Richards seems keen to control Sato's posture.
Sato has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sato trying to control but Richards is working from the bottom.
Richards looking for a sweep. Not yet Richards, not yet.

Richards had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sato defends it easily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Richards is trying to keep Sato in close.
Sato is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Richards wants to sweep but no luck.
Sato makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards pulls Sato in close to prevent any damage.
Richards is trying to keep Sato in close.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Sato trying to control the position from guard on top but Richards is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A nice inside leg kick there by Sato. That's going to slow Richards down.
A head kick by Richards misses

and Sato counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Richards's guard now.
Sato looking to sit in guard and control but Richards gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Richards postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sato wants to sweep but no luck.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Sato had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Richards defends it easily.
Richards working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sato's head.
Sato not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Richards trying to control but Sato is working from the bottom.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Richards working his ground and pound in the gym.
Sato wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Katsuro Sato will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Richards connects with a body shot.
Sato jabs at Richards's body.
Richards steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sato.
Richards throws a push kick but Sato slaps the foot to one side.
Sato stuffs the takedown.
Richards ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Richards scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Sato doesn't seem bothered though.
Richards is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Richards moves out of range of the body kick from Sato.
Sato on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Richards throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sato is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sato takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Richards throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tyler Richards seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Richards fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Richards lands with a nice body punch.
Richards lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Richards looks to score with a jab to the body but Sato is just out of range.
Richards slips under a jab from Sato.
Richards is looking to slow Sato down with leg kicks.
Richards defending well as Sato loads up on a big left hand.
Sato tests Richards's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Richards throws a predictable looking body shot

and Sato counters with a shoot takedown. Richards fights it but they end up in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sato wants to control from the top but Richards keeps moving.
Sato distracts Richards with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Richards has control of Sato's left arm, preventing Sato from doing any damage.
Sato connects with a couple of short punches.
Sato working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Sato wants to control from the top but Richards keeps moving.
Richards looking to control.

Richards looking for a guillotine here but Sato defends easily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sato accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sato wants to pass the guard but Richards is keeping the position.
Sato throws a big right hand that misses.
Richards looking to control.
Sato trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sato missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sato postures up and lands a big shot to Richards's brow.
Richards looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Richards is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sato scoring with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sato throwing strikes from guard but Richards blocks nicely.
Sato sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Richards's guard.
Richards is looking to control Sato's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Richards avoid being mounted?
Sato not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sato missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Richards trying to control but Sato postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Sato tries to pass to full mount but Richards defends it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Katsuro Sato did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sato throws a head kick that misses.
Sato misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Richards.
Richards lands the left hand.
Richards throws a nice outside leg kick.
Sato wants to slow Richards down by chopping away at his legs.
Richards throws a body kick that misses.
Tyler Richards seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A jab from Sato finds it's way through Richards's defenses.
Sato fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Richards.
Sato avoids the body shot from Richards.
Richards lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Sato lands with a kick to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sato checks the leg kick nicely there.
Sato leaves Richards with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Richards thumps Sato with a low kick.
Richards scores with a nice head shot.
Richards throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sato sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Richards throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Good leg kick by Richards there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Sato throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Richards tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Sato is in Richards's guard.
Sato scoring with some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Richards is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richards looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sato is one step ahead there.
Sato throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Richards works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Richards working a defensive guard but Sato manages to pass into side control anyway.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sato tries to score with some ground and pound. Richards controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Richards can't do much from the bottom here.
Richards is looking to regain half guard here but Sato keeps moving and retains side control.
Richards gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sato.
Sato prevents Richards from improving his position.
Richards is in trouble now - Sato has advanced to mount!
Sato wants to control the pace but Richards is squirming around nicely.

Sato working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Richards tries to hold on but Sato postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richards is bucking up trying to escape but Sato cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Richards keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
A nice elbow there by Sato.
Richards really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sato lands with some strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Richards is desperately trying to improve his position but Sato has a good base and remains in mount.
Sato connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Katsuro Sato had his way with Tyler Richards in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Richards is looking to chop away at Sato's legs.

Sato gets caught napping as Richards dives in and scores a takedown. Sato manages to retain guard.

Sato has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Richards can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sato looking to hit a scissor sweep but Richards is one step ahead there.
Richards is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Sato working for a triangle but Richards defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richards looking to pass the guard.
Richards wants to control from the top but Sato keeps moving.
Richards connects with a couple of short punches.
Sato is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Richards works over Sato with some ground and pound from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richards working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Sato has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Richards can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Tyler Richards has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sato working a defensive guard here.
Richards wants to control from the top but Sato keeps moving.
Richards looking to sit in guard and control but Sato gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Sato trying to control the position from guard on top but Richards is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sato postures up and lands a big shot to Richards's brow.
Sato working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Richards throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sato postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Sato postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sato with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sato wants to pass the guard but Richards is keeping the position.
Richards has Sato pulled in close to control his posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richards's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sato trying to control but Richards is working from the bottom.

Richards throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Sato drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sato jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Katsuro Sato.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sato, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 50:45
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 50:45
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Katsuro Sato!
Katsuro Sato seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.