PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Pablo Merritt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hanamichi Sakuragi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sakuragi has chosen Slam Dunk Opening Theme as his entrance music. Pablo Merritt has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Merritt
vs
Sakuragi

158 cm
23
177 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

188 cm
25
181 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

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 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Pablo Merritt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hanamichi Sakuragi!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuragi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hanamichi Sakuragi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sakuragi throws a left and a right that both miss

and Merritt counters by moving into the clinch.
Merritt tries to throw a body punch but Sakuragi avoids it by throwing Merritt back against the cage.
Merritt just leaning against Sakuragi, taking a breather.

Merritt manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Sakuragi won't allow Merritt to sweep him here.

Merritt is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sakuragi defends well.
Sakuragi with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sakuragi with a nice head shot there.
Sakuragi wants to control from the top but Merritt keeps moving.

Merritt had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sakuragi defends it easily.
Sakuragi trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merritt working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sakuragi.
Merritt could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Sakuragi is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Sakuragi with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Merritt might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sakuragi scoring with punches to the head and body.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sakuragi's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sakuragi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Sakuragi stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Sakuragi throws a right hand that Merritt ducks under and follows up with a left that Merritt also avoids with ease.

Sakuragi gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sakuragi working hard to break the clinch.
Sakuragi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Merritt leaning his opponent against the cage.
Merritt prevents Sakuragi from breaking the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuragi has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sakuragi is trying to push Merritt away but Merritt has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Merritt prevents Sakuragi from breaking the clinch.
Sakuragi is looking to break free of the clinch but Merritt has double underhooks.
Merritt lands a hook to the side of the head.
Merritt taking a breather.
Sakuragi is trying to break free.
Sakuragi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Merritt has him pressed against the cage.
Merritt manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Merritt manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Merritt is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuragi working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Sakuragi lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Sakuragi distracts Merritt with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Sakuragi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
We've been informed that Sakuragi has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Sakuragi with a flurry of punches that miss.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sakuragi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sakuragi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Merritt. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sakuragi landing with the ground and pound.
Sakuragi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Merritt preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sakuragi landing with the ground and pound.
Sakuragi keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Merritt's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sakuragi lands a couple of elbows.
Sakuragi working some strikes from top position.
Sakuragi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sakuragi chips away with some ground and pound.
Sakuragi postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Merritt manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sakuragi sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Sakuragi keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Merritt throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Merritt is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Sakuragi doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Merritt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hanamichi Sakuragi dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sakuragi throws a series of punches but Merritt moves out of range.
Merritt showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sakuragi.
Sakuragi throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Merritt makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Sakuragi closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Merritt taking a breather.

Merritt breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sakuragi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Merritt moves into the clinch.
Merritt has Sakuragi pressed against the cage, preventing Sakuragi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sakuragi has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Merritt clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Sakuragi misses with punches from the back.
Sakuragi lands a shot to the body.
Merritt breaks Sakuragi's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Sakuragi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sakuragi keeps trying to improve his position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Merritt accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sakuragi is trying to keep Merritt in close.
Sakuragi pulls Merritt in close to prevent any damage.
Merritt is looking to work some ground and pound but Sakuragi has wrist control.
Sakuragi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Merritt throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sakuragi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Merritt trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hanamichi Sakuragi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Merritt preventing the sweep.
Merritt is looking to work some ground and pound but Sakuragi has wrist control.
Sakuragi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Merritt.
Merritt is looking to work some ground and pound but Sakuragi has wrist control.

Merritt stands and steps away. Sakuragi gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Pablo Merritt is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No joy there for Sakuragi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Merritt dives in and grabs Sakuragi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sakuragi pushes down on Merritt's head and hops out.
Sakuragi misses with a double jab

and Merritt moves into the clinch.
Sakuragi tries to break the clinch but Merritt is controlling the position.
Sakuragi is trying to force a seperation but Merritt has the dominant position.
Sakuragi is looking to break free of the clinch but Merritt has double underhooks.
Merritt has Sakuragi pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merritt throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Merritt's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Sakuragi wants to get back to striking at distance but Merritt won't allow it.
Merritt prevents Sakuragi from breaking the clinch.
Merritt prevents Sakuragi from breaking the clinch.

Merritt breaks from the clinch.
Sakuragi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Sakuragi gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sakuragi throws a punch but it's blocked by Merritt.
Merritt stalling in the clinch but Sakuragi improves position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuragi tries to break free but Merritt pushes him back against the cage.
Sakuragi is trying to break the clinch but Merritt has him pressed against the cage.

Sakuragi has clasped his hands together around Merritt's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Merritt takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Merritt wants to get back to his feet but Sakuragi is dominant here and he's now got Merritt's back!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Merritt has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Merritt turns into Sakuragi and is now in his guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sakuragi has control of Merritt's left arm, preventing Merritt from doing any damage.
Merritt loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Merritt throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Merritt with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Hanamichi Sakuragi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Sakuragi keeps the fight on the outside.
Merritt showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sakuragi.

Merritt tries to keep at a distance but Sakuragi has taken the fight into the clinch.
Sakuragi is trying to break the clinch but Merritt has him pressed against the cage.
Sakuragi tries to break the clinch but Merritt is controlling the position.
Merritt throws a knee to the head but misses.
Sakuragi working hard to break the clinch.
Merritt dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Merritt trying to stall but Sakuragi improves his position.
Sakuragi wants to break free but Merritt has control.
Sakuragi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Merritt has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuragi looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Sakuragi tries to circle away but Merritt has him pinned against the cage.
Sakuragi has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hanamichi Sakuragi seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Merritt lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A frustrated look appears on Sakuragi's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Merritt.
Sakuragi is trying to force a seperation but Merritt has the dominant position.
Sakuragi tries to break free but Merritt pushes him back against the cage.

Merritt breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Merritt looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Merritt showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sakuragi.
Merritt showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sakuragi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuragi thuds his right hand into Merritt's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Merritt clinches up with Sakuragi and pushes him back against the cage.
Sakuragi wants to get back to striking at distance but Merritt won't allow it.
Sakuragi wants to break the clinch but can't.
Merritt keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sakuragi's efforts to push away.
A frustrated look appears on Sakuragi's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Sakuragi is trying to break the clinch but Merritt is controlling him.
Sakuragi is trying to break the clinch but Merritt has him pressed against the cage.
Sakuragi is trying to break the clinch but Merritt has him pressed against the cage.
Merritt prevents Sakuragi from breaking the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuragi is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Sakuragi can't break the clinch.
Merritt has Sakuragi pressed against the cage, preventing Sakuragi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Sakuragi can't break the clinch.
Merritt keeps control of Sakuragi as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Sakuragi is trying to push Merritt away but Merritt has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Merritt creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Sakuragi's defenses.
A frustrated look appears on Sakuragi's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Merritt is stalling here.

Merritt breaks from the clinch.
Sakuragi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Merritt moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Merritt fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuragi throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Merritt counters with a two punch combo.
Merritt tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sakuragi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Merritt misses with a double jab.
Sakuragi lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

It looks like Pablo Merritt has been cut.
Sakuragi throws a series of punches but Merritt moves out of range.

Merritt forces Sakuragi back against the cage and clinches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sakuragi tries to break the clinch but Merritt is controlling the position.
Merritt dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Merritt seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sakuragi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sakuragi is trying to break the clinch but Merritt has him pressed against the cage.
Pablo Merritt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hanamichi Sakuragi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Merritt connects with a nasty looking knee right to Sakuragi's face.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hanamichi Sakuragi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sakuragi has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hanamichi Sakuragi!
Hanamichi Sakuragi was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.