PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Katsuro Sato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seyran Zeynalabdinov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zeynalabdinov has chosen Saku as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sato
vs
Zeynalabdinov

187 cm
35
196 lbs
32 - 18 - 0

180 cm
33
205 lbs
26 - 16 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Kemists ↑ 5x160Q
Union Fight Gear

Sparta Fightware

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 32 - 18 - 0, fighting out of London, Katsuro Sato!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Seyran Zeynalabdinov!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Sam Margolis and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sato throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Zeynalabdinov has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Sato is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Sato cracks Zeynalabdinov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Sato lands with a straight right. Zeynalabdinov didn't see that one coming.

Zeynalabdinov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Sato's guard.
Sato looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zeynalabdinov is one step ahead there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zeynalabdinov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Sato is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Zeynalabdinov trying to control the position from guard on top but Sato is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zeynalabdinov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sato works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sato looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zeynalabdinov is one step ahead there.
Zeynalabdinov trying to control but Sato is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sato wants to sweep here but Zeynalabdinov controlling him for the moment.
Sato trying to control the position here.
Zeynalabdinov wants to control from the top but Sato keeps moving.
Zeynalabdinov throws a strike but Sato rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Sato trying to control but Zeynalabdinov is working from the bottom.
Sato trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Zeynalabdinov has his foot on Sato's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sato works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zeynalabdinov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sato defends well.

Zeynalabdinov looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Sato passes into side control.
Sato working the head and body with strikes.
Zeynalabdinov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Zeynalabdinov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Sato's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zeynalabdinov regains full guard. Nicely done.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zeynalabdinov keeping moving, preventing Sato from controlling successfully.
Sato throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zeynalabdinov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Zeynalabdinov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sato.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zeynalabdinov has his foot on Sato's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sato works his way back into a safe position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sato lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Zeynalabdinov tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Zeynalabdinov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sato gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Zeynalabdinov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sato postures up in Zeynalabdinov's guard and throws a big left but Zeynalabdinov blocks it.
Zeynalabdinov keeping moving, preventing Sato from controlling successfully.

Zeynalabdinov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sato defends it easily.
Sato tries to free his leg and advance position but Zeynalabdinov is retaining full guard.

Zeynalabdinov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sato wants to control from the top but Zeynalabdinov keeps moving.
Sato pushing down on Zeynalabdinov's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
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 passes to full mount!
Sato controlling the pace for now.
Zeynalabdinov is squirming around, avoiding Sato's attempts to control the action.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sato raining down hammerfists from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Katsuro Sato dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Zeynalabdinov throws a looping overhand right but Sato ducks down to avoid it.
Sato fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Sato will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sato pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Zeynalabdinov throws a jab when Sato was well out of range.
Nice defenses there by Zeynalabdinov.
Sato connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Zeynalabdinov missing with a left hand there. Sato was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zeynalabdinov steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Sato. That one must have hurt.
Zeynalabdinov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sato swivels and escapes.
Sato is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A left lands for Sato.
Zeynalabdinov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Sato throws a solid leg kick but Zeynalabdinov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Sato.
Zeynalabdinov throws out a loose jab but Sato uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zeynalabdinov bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Zeynalabdinov throws a low kick but Sato moves out of range easily.
Sato scores with a head kick. Zeynalabdinov tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

It looks like Seyran Zeynalabdinov has been cut.
Zeynalabdinov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sato pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sato misses the body punch
and Zeynalabdinov counters with a left and a right that stings Sato.
Sato throws a leg kick but Zeynalabdinov checks it.
Sato moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Zeynalabdinov looks to land a right hand but Sato moved out of range.
Sato shoots in for a takedown but Zeynalabdinov shows good takedown defense.
Sato displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zeynalabdinov throws out the jab.
Zeynalabdinov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Zeynalabdinov throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Sato.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zeynalabdinov misses with a hook.
Sato jabs Zeynalabdinov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A head kick misses from Sato.
Zeynalabdinov looks to land a right hand but Sato moved out of range.
Zeynalabdinov misses with a lunging right hand

and Sato counters with a nice double leg into side control. Zeynalabdinov won't be happy with that.
Zeynalabdinov tries to improve position but can't.
Sato working away.
Sato working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Sato trying to control the position but Zeynalabdinov is working away.
Zeynalabdinov can't do much from the bottom here.
Zeynalabdinov gets back to half guard.

Zeynalabdinov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sato pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sato winds up and cracks Zeynalabdinov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Nice strikes from Sato there.
Sato is looking to advance position but Zeynalabdinov won't allow it.
Zeynalabdinov wants to improve his position but Sato is controlling well.
Sato trying to control the action but Zeynalabdinov is working from the bottom.
Sato content to control rather than advance.

Zeynalabdinov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sato is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zeynalabdinov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sato wants to control but Zeynalabdinov is keeping him busy.
Zeynalabdinov moves into full guard.
Sato is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Sato postures up.
Sato makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
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!
Zeynalabdinov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sato is one step ahead there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sato controlling from the top position.

Zeynalabdinov looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Sato passes into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Katsuro Sato dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Seyran Zeynalabdinov's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

A swing and a miss from Zeynalabdinov.
Sato smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
That kick from Sato tenderised Zeynalabdinov's leg. Zeynalabdinov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sato takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Sato throws a chopping leg kick but Zeynalabdinov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Zeynalabdinov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sato was well out of range. Poor timing from Zeynalabdinov.
Zeynalabdinov misses with a straight left.
Sato pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Zeynalabdinov lands an overhand right.
Zeynalabdinov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Sato misses with a body shot.
Sato ducks under a wild hook from Zeynalabdinov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zeynalabdinov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sato was well out of range. Poor timing from Zeynalabdinov.
Zeynalabdinov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Sato is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A lazy left from Zeynalabdinov finds it's target.
Sato steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zeynalabdinov.
Katsuro Sato is winning the standup battle so far.
Sato misses with a wild body shot.
Zeynalabdinov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Zeynalabdinov fails with a takedown attempt.
Sato swings for the body but Zeynalabdinov moves out of range.
Sato moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Zeynalabdinov misses with an uppercut

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

Sato avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sato slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Seyran Zeynalabdinov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sato cracks Zeynalabdinov with a solid left hand.
Zeynalabdinov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sato.
Sato lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Sato preventing the sweep.
Sato landing some decent shots from guard.
Sato's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Sato trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sato working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Sato landing some decent shots from guard.

Sato avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sato working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Zeynalabdinov's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zeynalabdinov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sato is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Katsuro Sato overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Sato drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sato jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Sato cracks Zeynalabdinov with a solid left hand.
Sato working some strikes from top position.

Zeynalabdinov throws his legs up looking for a submission but Sato uses it to pass to side control.
Zeynalabdinov is looking to regain half guard here but Sato keeps moving and retains side control.
Zeynalabdinov is still trying to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sato landing strikes.
Sato working away.
Zeynalabdinov is trying to get back to half guard.
Sato passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Zeynalabdinov!
Zeynalabdinov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sato landing strikes, looking to finish!

Zeynalabdinov is rocked!
Sato tries to control but Zeynalabdinov wriggling away.
Zeynalabdinov sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Sato wants to free his trapped foot but Zeynalabdinov is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zeynalabdinov is staying active underneath Sato, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Sato is nestled in close to Zeynalabdinov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

And that's the end of the fight!
Katsuro Sato showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Sato has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Katsuro Sato!
Post fight, an emotional Katsuro Sato said 'I'm just that good!'.