PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Naruto Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Amazing Game (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Game is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Spirit in the Sky. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sakuraba
vs
Game

175 cm
24
155 lbs
9 - 3 - 1

165 cm
31
152 lbs
11 - 13 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Knockout power

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Firebird Designs - 10% Laundry commission

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Naruto Sakuraba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Amazing Game!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Dillan Fox and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some wild striking there from Game.
Sakuraba with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Game throws a lazy uppercut
and Sakuraba counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Game lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sakuraba circles away quickly and effectively.
Game uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Sakuraba has time to react.
Game throws a leg kick but Sakuraba sees it coming and moves out of range.
Game throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sakuraba.
Game looks to land a left hand but Sakuraba moved out of range nicely.

Game gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Sakuraba postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sakuraba trying to control but Game is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Naruto Sakuraba just wasn't active enough.
Game throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Sakuraba cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Sakuraba closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Game did well to prevent Sakuraba getting side control.
Sakuraba is trying to control the action in half guard but Game is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Game can do anything to dispel that myth.
Sakuraba thows a huge punch but Game dodges it nicely.
Sakuraba thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Game's head.
Game trying to hold on to Sakuraba's head to control him but Sakuraba postures up.
Game really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sakuraba. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Sakuraba is trying to work for a kimura but Game is defending well.
Sakuraba wants to stand up but Game has a hold of him and won't allow it.

Sakuraba is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Game sees it coming and defends 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!
Sakuraba seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Game is positioning himself well to prevent Sakuraba advancing to mount.
Sakuraba perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Sakuraba wants to lay and pray for a moment but Game keeps working.
Sakuraba wants to pass to mount but Game is defending the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Sakuraba is thwarting Game's attempts to control the position.

Sakuraba wants to work for an arm triangle but Game is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Game avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sakuraba.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Game is staying active underneath Sakuraba, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Sakuraba wants to stand up but Game is controlling the position.
Game is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sakuraba throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sakuraba is pressing down on Game's thigh, looking to free his foot. Game is holding on for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakuraba not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Naruto Sakuraba dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sakuraba ducks under a wild hook from Game.
A jab from Sakuraba misses.
Sakuraba is looking to clinch.
Game pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Sakuraba back to the cage. Game follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Game throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba wants to clinch.
Game avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Game misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sakuraba shoots in looking for a takedown. Game tries to sprawl out of it but Sakuraba keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Game manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sakuraba scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Sakuraba misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Game.
Game connects with the punch.
Game throws a series of strikes that have Sakuraba backpedaling.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sakuraba closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Game breaks the clinch.
Game throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Sakuraba moves into the clinch.

Sakuraba breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sakuraba looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Game displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sakuraba.
Game misses with a series of wild punches.
Sakuraba fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Game.
Game lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sakuraba circles away quickly and effectively.
Sakuraba is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Game misses with a straight right.
Sakuraba fails to land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Game misses with a double jab
and Sakuraba finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Game just misses with a punch to the body.
Game throws a right and a left that both miss.
A telegraphed right hand from Game misses the target.
Sakuraba tries to clinch there but Game circles away.
Sakuraba swings for the body but Game moves out of range.
Game swinging wildly here.
Naruto Sakuraba is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sakuraba tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Game manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Amazing Game is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sakuraba keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Game.
Game thows a left - swing and a miss!
Game misses the jab.
Game might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Game misses with a low kick.
Sakuraba takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba moves into the clinch successfully.
Game is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Sakuraba is keeping busy.
Game seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
Sakuraba tries to pull guard but Game holds him up against the cage and eventually Sakuraba drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Naruto Sakuraba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sakuraba is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Game tries to stall but Sakuraba uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Game is pushing Sakuraba up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Amazing Game.
Sakuraba blocks a head kick by Game.
Sakuraba looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Game is fending him off so far but Sakuraba persists. Nope, Game circles away and we're back to standing.
A punch combination from Game misses.
Sakuraba tries to clinch up but Game circles away and keeps his distance.
Game throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba moves out of range of the leg kick from Game.

Sakuraba looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Game!
Game avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Sakuraba.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakuraba trying to control the position but Game is working away.
Sakuraba working the head and body with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Amazing Game will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Sakuraba's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Game circles away from the clinch attempt.
Game looks to land a right hand but Sakuraba moved out of range.
Game moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Game feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Sakurabas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Game misses with an uppercut. Sakuraba saw that one coming.
Game avoids the head kick by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba moves away from the strike by Game.
Sakuraba tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Game defends well and Sakuraba ends up having to push Game into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Sakuraba can't get the takedown.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Game as Sakuraba tries to tie him up.

Game breaks from the clinch.
Game stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Game wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Naruto Sakuraba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Game throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sakuraba.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Sakuraba fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Game, pushing him back against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
The crowd are getting on Game's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Sakuraba wants a takedown.
Game is pushing Sakuraba up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Sakuraba lands with a left to the head.

Sakuraba breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba moves away from the strike by Game.
Sakuraba is looking to clinch.
Sakuraba is looking to wear down Game with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Game misses with a double jab.
Game throws a hook to the side of Sakuraba's head but Sakuraba sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Game throws a poor cross that misses
and Game takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sakuraba avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Game throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sakuraba.
Game dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sakuraba. That did some damage!
Game throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sakuraba.
Game stuffs the takedown.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sakuraba dives in for a single leg takedown but Game sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Game leaning his opponent against the cage.
Sakuraba goes for a takedown attempt but Game pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Game throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Game rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sakuraba moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Game throws a right hand that Sakuraba ducks under and follows up with a left that Sakuraba also avoids with ease.
Game throws a right hand that Sakuraba ducks under and follows up with a left that Sakuraba also avoids with ease.
Game takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Game scores with a crisp jab that stopped Sakuraba in his tracks.
Sakuraba fakes the leg kick and cracks Game in the body.
Sakuraba closes the distance and clinches up with Game, looking for a takedown. Sakuraba pushes Game against the cage but Game circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Game misses with an uppercut
and Sakuraba counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Game scores with a sloppy right hand. Sakuraba should have avoided that one.
Sakuraba tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Sakuraba fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Game to the ground. Sakuraba is now in Game's guard.
Sakuraba is looking to work some ground and pound but Game has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sakuraba trying to control but Game is working from the bottom.
Sakuraba postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Game preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sakuraba lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Game keeping moving, preventing Sakuraba from controlling successfully.
Sakuraba throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Game is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sakuraba's corner is telling him to maintain 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 Naruto Sakuraba.
I think Sakuraba has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Naruto Sakuraba!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Naruto Sakuraba waved his t-shirt featuring Vitality's logo in front of the cameras.