PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Suporn Red Gym (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sakuraba comes into the arena with Lose yourself blaring out of the sound system. Red Gym has chosen It's a long road as his entrance music. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Sakuraba
vs
Red Gym

185 cm
28
199 lbs
18 - 2 - 2

178 cm
32
189 lbs
28 - 19 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

BeastMode
Australian Xtreme Elite Supplements 160Q

Speedy Supps + Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 2 - 2, fighting out of Sydney, Kazushi Sakuraba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Suporn Red Gym!
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, Damien Edna and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Red Gym takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sakuraba tries a low kick but Red Gym avoids it.
Red Gym blocks the body kick.
A big left from Red Gym misses.
Sakuraba looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Sakuraba tries a head kick but it misses.
Sakuraba slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Sakuraba stuffs the takedown attempt from Red Gym. Red Gym gets slowly back to his feet.
Red Gym takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Red Gym takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Red Gym looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sakuraba is fending him off so far but Red Gym persists. Nope, Sakuraba circles away and we're back to standing.
Good work by Red Gym as he checks the leg kick.
Sakuraba scores with a nice body kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Red Gym misses with a hook.
Sakuraba loads up on a big right hand but Red Gym slips the punch.
Sakuraba stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sakuraba wants it to stay on the feet.
Kazushi Sakuraba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Suporn Red Gym.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sakuraba moves into the clinch.
Sakuraba misses with a short punch on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Sakuraba scores with a nice short uppercut.
Sakuraba lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Red Gym takes an elbow to the forehead.
Sakuraba misses with the head strike.
Sakuraba misses with some punches.
Sakuraba softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Sakuraba lands a left hand that snaps the head of Red Gym backwards.
Sakuraba digs a right hand underneath Red Gym's ribcage. Red Gym let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Red Gym blocks the elbow strike.
Sakuraba scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Sakuraba lands a damaging elbow.
Red Gym goes for a takedown attempt but Sakuraba pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Decent striking displayed by Sakuraba there.
Red Gym tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Sakuraba defends well and Red Gym ends up having to push Sakuraba into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Sakuraba gets underhooks to prevent Red Gym's takedown attempt.
Sakuraba misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sakuraba presses Red Gym against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Sakuraba lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Our sources have told us that Sakuraba has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Sakuraba is pressed up against the cage. Red Gym has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sakuraba down to the mat. Sakuraba avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Sakuraba ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Red Gym moves away.
Sakuraba throws a sloppy head kick and Red Gym moves out of range easily.
Sakuraba scores with a sloppy right hand. Red Gym should have avoided that one.
Red Gym misses with a body shot.
Sakuraba moves in looking to clinch but Red Gym pushes him off.
Sakuraba cracks Red Gym with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Red Gym uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Red Gym shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sakuraba keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Red Gym.
Sakuraba scores with a decent looking hook.
Sakuraba scores with a kick to the midsection.
No joy there for Sakuraba, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Good leg kick by Sakuraba there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Sakuraba swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Red Gym is trying desperately to land a takedown but Sakuraba is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Red Gym.
Red Gym uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sakuraba.
Red Gym moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Red Gym throws out a loose jab but Sakuraba uses good head movement to avoid it.
A left lands for Red Gym.
Sakuraba is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Sakuraba lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Kazushi Sakuraba seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Red Gym checks a low kick from Sakuraba.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba is looking to clinch but Red Gym is avoiding it.
Red Gym goes for a double leg but Sakuraba avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Sakuraba continues to drive forward.
Sakuraba goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sakuraba lands an elbow just above Red Gym 's eye.
Sakuraba lands a right hand that snaps the head of Red Gym backwards.
A right hand to the body from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba lands a right hand that snaps the head of Red Gym backwards.
Sakuraba lands an elbow inside that Red Gym shrugs off.
Sakuraba gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Red Gym prevents a body shot from Sakuraba.
Red Gym changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sakuraba fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sakuraba takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kazushi Sakuraba dominated that round.
That's time! Sakuraba's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sakuraba is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Red Gym looking to score a takedown here. Sakuraba is defending well but Red Gym drives through and ends up in Sakuraba's guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Red Gym landing with the ground and pound.
Sakuraba trying to keep a closed guard but Red Gym is proving a slippery customer.
Red Gym with a flurry of punches that miss.
Red Gym throws a big elbow that misses.
Red Gym won't allow Sakuraba to sweep him here.

Sakuraba throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sakuraba looking for a sweep. Not yet Sakuraba, not yet.

Sakuraba is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Red Gym is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Red Gym postures up.
Red Gym trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakuraba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Red Gym postures up.
Red Gym missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Red Gym works over Sakuraba with some ground and pound from guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Red Gym landing with the ground and pound.
Sakuraba avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Red Gym trying to control but Sakuraba is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Red Gym is looking to work some ground and pound but Sakuraba has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba controls Red Gym momentarily but Red Gym frees himself.
Red Gym pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sakuraba is keeping the position for now.
Sakuraba trying to control the position here.
Sakuraba has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Kazushi Sakuraba has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Sakuraba throws the left hand but Red Gym avoids the punch easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Sakuraba misses the target.
Sakuraba slips a jab from Red Gym.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Red Gym shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Sakuraba manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Sakuraba is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba looking for a sweep. Not yet Sakuraba, not yet.
Red Gym trying to control but Sakuraba is working from the bottom.
Sakuraba manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Suporn Red Gym has got the better of the ground game so far.
Red Gym is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Red Gym felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Red Gym is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Red Gym is wriggling around trying to escape.
Red Gym tries to improve his position but instead Sakuraba has taken his back!

Sakuraba is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Red Gym knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Red Gym for a finish.
Red Gym controlling Sakuraba 's hands.
Red Gym is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Sakuraba off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Sakuraba working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Suporn Red Gym will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Sakuraba moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Sakuraba slips under a jab from Red Gym.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Sakuraba - that will leave a mark!
That kick from Sakuraba tenderised Red Gym's leg. Red Gym is trying to keep his angry face on.
Red Gym shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sakuraba defends it nicely.
Sakuraba slips under a jab from Red Gym.
Sakuraba lands with an uppercut that bounces Red Gym off the cage and back into range.
Sakuraba throws a leg kick which misses Red Gym's front leg but catches the back leg as Red Gym tries to avoid it.
Sakuraba missing with a left hand there. Red Gym was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Red Gym looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sakuraba is fending him off so far but Red Gym persists. Nope, Sakuraba circles away and we're back to standing.
Red Gym scores with a decent looking hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Sakuraba as Red Gym shoots in.
Kazushi Sakuraba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Suporn Red Gym.
Sakuraba with a jab.
Sakuraba misses with an attempted mid kick.
Sakuraba doesn't manage to clinch there - Red Gym circles away.
Sakuraba moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Sakuraba fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sakuraba lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sakuraba lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sakuraba ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Red Gym moves away.
Red Gym misses with a body shot.
Red Gym misses with a right hand
and Sakuraba counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Red Gym throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Red Gym walks into a straight right hand from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crunch! Sakuraba slams his shin into Red Gym's torso.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Red Gym shoots in but Sakuraba avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sakuraba avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Red Gym misses with a left hand
and Sakuraba counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Donk. Sakuraba catches Red Gym right on the button with a cross.
Sakuraba misses with a kick to the body.
Red Gym moves out of range of the body kick.
Sakuraba bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Red Gym's head backwards.
Sakuraba moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Sakuraba looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sakuraba keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Sakuraba misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Red Gym.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Red Gym shoots in for a double leg but Sakuraba sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sakuraba tries to clinch there but Red Gym circles away.
Sakuraba swinging wildly here.
Sakuraba throws a nice looking combination but Red Gym bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sakuraba catches Red Gym with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Red Gym has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Red Gym throws a big shot that misses.
Red Gym lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sakuraba at a distance.
Nice takedown defense from Sakuraba. No joy for Red Gym on that attempt.
Sakuraba lands a front kick.
Sakuraba throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Red Gym's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Sakuraba connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Red Gym scrambles back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

Red Gym gets the takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sakuraba takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Red Gym throws a strike aimed at the side of Sakuraba's head but Sakuraba avoids it well.
You can see the frustration on Sakuraba's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Red Gym working the head and body with strikes.
Sakuraba gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Red Gym missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Red Gym wants to take a breather but Sakuraba is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kazushi Sakuraba showed his dominance in that final round.
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 Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 29:28
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kazushi Sakuraba!
A very excited looking Kazushi Sakuraba made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.