PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Legionarivs Sakara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gregory Scarpa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sakara's entrance music is The Rise of Sakara. A fine choice. On his way into the cage it seems that Legionarivs Sakara has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Legionarivs Sakara seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Sakara
vs
Scarpa

185 cm
34
200 lbs
22 - 16 - 1

187 cm
24
189 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 22 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Legionarivs Sakara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Gregory Scarpa!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Steve Erwin and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Scarpa shoots in for a takedown but Sakara shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Scarpa walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sakara checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

Sakara closes the distance and clinches.
Sakara misses with a short punch on the inside.
Scarpa goes for a takedown attempt but Sakara pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Sakara misses with a body shot.
Scarpa tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sakara swivels and escapes.
Legionarivs Sakara has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gregory Scarpa.
Sakara lands a slapping body shot.
Sakara jabs at Scarpa's body.
We've been told by Sakara's head coaches at Palazzo Paisano that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Sakara scores with a one two! Scarpa had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Sakara swinging wildly here.

Scarpa throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Sakara tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Scarpa is in Sakara's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sakara is pulling down on Scarpa's head to control his posture.
Scarpa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sakara is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scarpa trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sakara not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Scarpa is looking to pass into half guard but Sakara pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Sakara is in guard.

Sakara stays in close to Scarpa's body and controls the position.

Scarpa escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sakara gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Scarpa keeping moving, preventing Sakara from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Scarpa is trying to control the position but Sakara postures up.

Sakara got a little sloppy there for a moment and Scarpa has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sakara has managed to get both his arms back between Scarpa's legs - danger averted.
Sakara trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Scarpa is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Sakara trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Scarpa manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Scarpa accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sakara bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Scarpa's guard.

Sakara controls from within his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scarpa keeping full guard, as Sakara tries to pass.

Scarpa has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sakara can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sakara preventing the sweep.
Scarpa keeping moving, preventing Sakara from controlling successfully.
Sakara controls from within his opponent's guard.
Scarpa is trying to control the position but Sakara postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Scarpa keeping moving, preventing Sakara from controlling successfully.

Scarpa looking for subs off his back but Sakara has passed one foot through into half guard.
Sakara blocks the strikes from Scarpa.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sakara perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Scarpa looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Legionarivs Sakara dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Sakara swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sakara connects with a body shot that sends Scarpa's belly button to the back.
Sakara misses the shot to the body.
Sakara looks to score with a jab to the body but Scarpa is just out of range.
Sakara displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Scarpa.
Scarpa closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Scarpa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sakara tries to avoid it but Scarpa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sakara to the ground. Sakara escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sakara throws a body punch but Scarpa moves out of range.
Scarpa tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Sakara scores with a shot to the body.
Sakara swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Scarpa shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Scarpa showed some decent athleticism there.
Sakara has his hands clasped together around Scarpa's back. He's all about the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakara tries to roll over but Scarpa keeps him under control.
Scarpa stalling away here and it's allowed Sakara to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Sakara keeping moving, preventing Scarpa from controlling successfully.
Sakara working a defensive guard here.
Sakara wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Scarpa is now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Sakara trying to control but Scarpa postures up.
Scarpa tries to pass to full mount but Sakara defends it.
Sakara wants to control but Scarpa is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Scarpa throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Scarpa controlling the action here.

Scarpa is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Sakara defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scarpa throwing shots but Sakara is blocking nicely.
Sakara is in trouble now - Scarpa has advanced to mount!

Scarpa jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Sakara is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Sakara and Scarpa has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Scarpa trying to control the action but Sakara is working from the bottom.
Sakara is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Scarpa off and has taken his back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Scarpa staying busy and making it hard for Sakara to control.
Scarpa is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Sakara.
Scarpa tries to break free.
Scarpa looking very determined here, making life difficult for Sakara.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sakara not allowing Scarpa to control his hands.
Sakara is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Scarpa can do to turn this around?
Scarpa is trying to break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Legionarivs Sakara dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Sakara defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Scarpa.
Sakara throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Scarpa on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Scarpa fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sakara throws a series of punches but Scarpa avoids them all with ease.
Sakara looks to score with a jab to the body but Scarpa is just out of range.
Nice defenses there by Sakara.
Sakara throws out a powerful jab.
Sakara throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Scarpa.
Scarpa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sakara's waist but Sakara gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Scarpa off to one side.
Legionarivs Sakara has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gregory Scarpa.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Scarpa doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Sakara counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Sakara lands with a shot to the body.
Legionarivs Sakara seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sakara swings away with a body shot that misses
letting Scarpa counter with a right hand.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Sakara.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scarpa has his takedown stuffed
letting Sakara counter with a right hand.
Scarpa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sakara misses with a body kick.
Scarpa has a takedown stuffed.
A little feinted left hand from Sakara on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Sakara swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sakara is looking to wear down Scarpa with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Sakara fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Scarpa manages to avoid it.
Sakara scores with a three punch combo!
Scarpa tries to clinch but Sakara is having none of it.
Sakara throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Legionarivs Sakara is winning the standup battle so far.
Scarpa takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Sakara connects with a good right hand that stumbles Scarpa. Scarpa circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Nice body punch from Sakara.
Sakara jabs Scarpa to the body, keeping him at a distance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Scarpa throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Sakara buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Gregory Scarpa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Scarpa on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Sakara lands with an overhand left.
Scarpa throws a body kick that misses.
Sakara moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Legionarivs Sakara is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A big right from Scarpa misses.
Sakara lands a body shot.
Scarpa doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Sakara digs a good hook to Scarpa's body.
Scarpa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sakara throws a push kick but Scarpa slaps the foot to one side.
Scarpa scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Sakara scores with a nice right hand.
Sakara scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Sakara lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Scarpa circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakara throws a push kick but Scarpa slaps the foot to one side.
Scarpa jabs at Sakara's body.
Sakara throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Scarpa sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sakara fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Scarpa manages to avoid it.
Sakara leaves Scarpa with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sakara tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Scarpa manages to circle out of the way.
Sakara fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Scarpa manages to avoid it.
The fighters circle momentarily. Scarpa darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Scarpa moves into the clinch.
Sakara working aggressively here.
Sakara goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Scarpa is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Scarpa blocks a body shot from Sakara.
Sakara lands an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Sakara.
A short body shot lands from Sakara as the two fighters clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Sakara - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Scarpa.
Sakara misses with a punch to the body.
Sakara lands with a short shot to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sakara lands a nice shot to the body.
Sakara goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Still in the clinch, Scarpa scores with a nice short uppercut.
Scarpa can't get the takedown.
Scarpa tries to work over Sakara's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sakara tries to throw a body punch but Scarpa avoids it by throwing Sakara back against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Scarpa fails to land.
Sakara lands with a light punch inside.
Sakara lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Scarpa or not.
Scarpa has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sakara avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Scarpa.

And that's the end of the fight!
Legionarivs Sakara showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sakara, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Legionarivs Sakara!
Legionarivs Sakara seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.