PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Kowalski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kazushi Sakuraba could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Alex Kowalski's chin.

Sakuraba
vs
Kowalski

170 cm
22
186 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

178 cm
26
169 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kazushi Sakuraba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Alex Kowalski!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Roger Salmon and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kowalski misses with a series of wild punches.
Kazushi Sakuraba seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Sakuraba takes the fight into the clinch.

Sakuraba turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Sakuraba tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
A lull in the action here.
Kowalski tries to bench press Sakuraba off him but Sakuraba keeps the position.
Sakuraba scores with punches from side control.
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 content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Kowalski gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sakuraba looking for a guillotine from mount but Kowalski is having none of it.
Sakuraba connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Sakuraba raining down shots from the mount!

Kowalski is rocked!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A big strike lands for Sakuraba! That's really hurt Kowalski and he's turned his back - Sakuraba keeps firing away and the ref dives in to stop the fight! Sakuraba jumps to his feet to celebrate the victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:52 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kazushi Sakuraba!
After winning the bout, Kazushi Sakuraba thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.