PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sakari Sammio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Miyamoto Musashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Sammio
vs
Musashi

185 cm
30
194 lbs
13 - 3 - 1

178 cm
34
197 lbs
16 - 18 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sakari Sammio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Miyamoto Musashi!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Musashi tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sammio manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sammio swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sammio throws a body punch but Musashi moves out of range.
Musashi misses with a few strikes there.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sammio. Musashi does a little dance to reset his feet.

Musashi rushes Sammio and presses him up against the cage.
Sammio is trying to drag Musashi to the mat but Musashi just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Musashi scores with a hook to the body.
Musashi digs a right hand into Sammio's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Sammio's gas tank.
Musashi scores with a shot to the side of Sammio's head.
Sammio blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sammio has Musashi pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Musashi manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sammio blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Musashi successfully pulls guard.
Sammio wants to control from the top but Musashi keeps moving.
Sammio works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Musashi wants to get back to full guard.
Musashi is trying to stand back up but Sammio is controlling him
Sammio takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Musashi is looking for a sweep. Sammio is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Musashi fails in his attempt to clinch.

Musashi closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Musashi prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sakari Sammio. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sammio wants to take the fight to the mat but Musashi manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Musashi pulls guard successfully.

Musashi manages to escape and get back to his feet.
We've been told by Sammio's head coaches at Team Beta Male that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Musashi moves out of range of the leg kick from Sammio.
Sammio getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Sammio tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sammio takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Sammio stuns Musashi with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Musashi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sammio.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sammio fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Musashi tries a head kick but it misses.
Musashi wants to clinch up but Sammio keeps it at a distance.
A low kick from Sammio misses
and Musashi counters with a straight right hand.
Sammio keeps the fight on the outside.
Sammio looks to land a right hand but Musashi moved out of range.

Musashi moves into the clinch successfully.

Musashi gets control of Sammio's arms and successfully pulls guard. Musashi will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Sammio engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sammio wants to control from the top but Musashi keeps moving.
Sammio 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.
Musashi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Musashi trying to keep a closed guard but Sammio is proving a slippery customer.
Sammio looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sammio is stalling in the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Musashi darts in and clinches Sammio up against the cage.
Musashi stops a takedown attempt from Sammio.
Sammio goes for a takedown attempt but Musashi pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Sammio throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Musashi's head.
Sammio looks to land a left hand but Musashi moved out of range nicely.
Sammio thows a leg kick but Musashi checks it
and Musashi makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Sammio throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Musashi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sammio pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Musashi forces Sammio back against the cage and clinches.
Sammio has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Musashi is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Musashi stops a takedown attempt from Sammio.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sammio scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Musashi closes the distance and clinches.
Musashi has a couple of punches blocked by Sammio.
Musashi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Musashi is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Musashi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Sammio is trying to drag Musashi to the mat but Musashi just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Musashi prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sakari Sammio. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Musashi has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Sammio uses from the top position.
Sammio trying to control but Musashi is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Musashi trying to control the position.
Musashi wants to stand but Sammio is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Musashi keeping moving, preventing Sammio from controlling successfully.
Sammio has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Musashi manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sammio manages to get himself to full guard.
Musashi throwing strikes from guard but Sammio blocks nicely.
Musashi postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Musashi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sammio trying to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Good shot there by Sammio.
Musashi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sammio scores with the left hand. Musashi knows he should have avoided that one.
Musashi slips under a jab from Sammio.
Sammio looking to land some kicks to the body here.
As Sammio backs off Musashi throws a huge counter combo but Sammio manages to avoid it all.
Miyamoto Musashi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sammio fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Musashi is out of range.
Sammio throws a jab when Musashi was well out of range.
Sammio is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Musashi.
Musashi tries to clinch there but Sammio circles away.
Sammio circles away from the clinch attempt.
Musashi takes one to the side of the head.
A head kick misses from Sammio.
Sammio swats away the attempt to clinch by Musashi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sammio clobbers Musashi with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Musashi keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Musashi throws a head kick that misses.
Sakari Sammio is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sammio shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Sammio misses with a head kick.
Musashi blocks the body kick.
Musashi blocks a jab.
Sammio throws an overhand right that lands on Musashi's shoulder, as Musashi tries to avoid the shot.

Musashi closes the distance and pushes Sammio back into the cage.
Musashi tries to throw a body punch but Sammio avoids it by throwing Musashi back against the cage.
Sammio blocking some punches.
Musashi prevents a takedown attempt there.

Musashi has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Sammio uses from the top position.
Musashi keeping moving, preventing Sammio from controlling successfully.
Sammio is fighting to break Musashi's control of his arms but Musashi is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sammio trying to control the position from guard on top but Musashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Musashi is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Sammio tries to get to full guard but Musashi has control of the leg.
Musashi trying to control from half guard but Sammio is working away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sammio works his way to full guard. Good work.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Sakari Sammio will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Musashi slips under a jab.
A slapping body kick lands there for Sammio.
Sammio tries to land a leg kick but Musashi saw it coming and moves away.
Musashi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sammio circles away.

Musashi gets a clinch.
Musashi tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sammio just stands there and leans against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sammio.
A short left from Musashi.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sammio as Musashi tries to tie him up.
Sammio is working for takedown but Musashi is calmly controlling the position for now.
Come on Musashi - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Musashi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Musashi tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sammio just stands there and leans against the cage.
Sakari Sammio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Miyamoto Musashi.
Sammio goes for a takedown attempt but Musashi pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Musashi closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sammio blocking the ground and pound attempt from Musashi.
Sammio is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Musashi jumps into side control!
Musashi tries to advance to mount but Sammio denies him.
Miyamoto Musashi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sammio is looking to reverse the position.

Musashi goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Sammio has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Musashi but great work by Sammio.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sammio swats away the attempt to clinch by Musashi.
Musashi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
An inside leg kick lands from Sammio.
Musashi takes one on the button.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sammio. Musashi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sammio avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Musashi takes the fight into the clinch.
Sammio is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Musashi is defending well.
Sammio tries to score a body lock takedown but Musashi shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sammio is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Musashi gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sammio can't get the takedown.
Sammio drops down looking for an ankle pick but Musashi pulls his leg out and moves away.

Musashi moves into the clinch.
Musashi prevents a takedown attempt there.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Musashi kicks Sammio off and gets to his feet.
Musashi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Musashi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sammio swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Musashi fails with a takedown attempt.

Musashi closes the distance and clinches.
Sammio is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sammio prevents a body shot from Musashi.
Musashi tries a body shot but Sammio blocks it.
Sammio changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Musashi fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sammio throws a body shot but no joy.
Musashi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sammio.

Musashi moves into range and clinches up with Sammio.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sammio goes for a takedown in the clinch but Musashi prevents it.
Sammio has Musashi pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Musashi manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Sammio goes for a takedown in the clinch but Musashi prevents it.
Sammio's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Musashi lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Sammio.
Musashi stalls.
Musashi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Musashi pulls guard successfully.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Musashi is looking to stand up but Sammio isn't so interested in that idea.
Sammio looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Miyamoto Musashi really dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Musashi looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Sammio pushes Musashi off and gets back to his feet.
Sammio throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Despite the aggression on Musashi's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Sakari Sammio is winning the standup battle so far.

Musashi moves into the clinch.
Musashi is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Musashi lands a hook that snaps the head of Sammio backwards.
Sammio tries for a takedown. No joy.

Musashi pulls guard successfully.
Sammio looking to sit in guard and control but Musashi gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Musashi wants to control from the top but Sammio keeps moving.
Musashi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sammio bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Musashi's guard.
Musashi looking for a sweep. Not yet Musashi, not yet.
Musashi wants to stand up but Sammio is controlling him.
Musashi looking for a sweep. Not yet Musashi, not yet.
Sammio prevents Musashi from getting back to his feet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Musashi ducks right into an uppercut from Sammio.
Musashi ducks under a wild hook from Sammio.
Sammio loads up on a big right hand but Musashi slips the punch.
Sammio looks to throw the jab but Musashi is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Musashi is looking to clinch but Sammio is avoiding it.
Sakari Sammio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Musashi checks the leg kick nicely there.
Musashi doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Sammio misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sammio misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Musashi.

Musashi clinches.
Miyamoto Musashi seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Musashi works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Musashi scores with a shoulder strike.
Musashi lands a body punch in the clinch.

Musashi jumps guard and drags Sammio to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Musashi is pulling down on Sammio's head to control his posture.

Musashi is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Sammio presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A short uppercut from Musashi.
Musashi gets through Sammio's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Musashi has Sammio pressed against the cage.
Sammio wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sakari Sammio. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Musashi lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Musashi successfully pulls guard.
Sammio stops Musashi from standing up.
Sammio preventing the sweep.
Sammio is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sammio won't allow Musashi to get back to his feet.
Musashi trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Musashi wants to stand but Sammio is controlling the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Musashi has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Sammio.
Sammio will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Musashi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sammio paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Musashi checks a leg kick nicely.
Sammio misses with a hook.
Musashi is looking to clinch but Sammio is avoiding it.
Sammio stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sammio wants it to stay on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Miyamoto Musashi dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Sammio misses with a leg kick.

Musashi gets a clinch.
Sammio is looking for a takedown.
A head punch on the inside from Musashi fails to land.
Musashi has a couple of punches blocked by Sammio.
Sammio is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Musashi has a couple of punches blocked by Sammio.
Sammio is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Musashi is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sakari Sammio. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Musashi successfully pulls guard.
Musashi is controlling Sammio's posture.
Musashi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sammio wants to control from the top but Musashi keeps moving.
Sammio looking to sit in guard and control but Musashi gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sammio is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sammio looking to control.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Musashi's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Musashi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sammio thows a leg kick but Musashi checks it
and Musashi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Decent striking displayed by Sammio there.
Musashi moves in looking to clinch but Sammio pushes him off.
Sammio pivots, looking for a leg kick but Musashi is out of range and Sammio settles back down.
Musashi tries to close the distance and clinch but Sammio swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sakari Sammio has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sammio missing with a left hand there. Musashi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sammio swats away the attempt to clinch by Musashi.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sammio. Musashi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Musashi tries to clinch up.
Sammio throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Musashi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sammio connects with a jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Musashi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Musashi checks a low kick from Sammio.
Musashi doesn't manage to clinch there - Sammio circles away.
Sammio misses with a low kick.
Sammio misses with a leg kick.
Sammio tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sammio misses the body punch
and Musashi makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Musashi gets a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sammio is looking for a takedown.
Musashi just leaning against Sammio, taking a breather.
Sammio lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Musashi or not.
Sammio goes for a takedown attempt but Musashi pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Sammio shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Musashi closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Musashi gets control of Sammio's arms and successfully pulls guard. Musashi will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Sammio throws a big right hand that misses.
Sammio throws an elbow that misses. Musashi uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sammio's guard. Nice move by Musashi!

Musashi stands up from Sammio's guard - Musashi perhaps looking for a knockout.
Musashi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sammio is fending him off so far but Musashi persists. Nope, Sammio circles away and we're back to standing.
Sammio misses with a body kick.
Musashi blocks a jab.
Miyamoto Musashi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sammio throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Musashi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Sammio avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sammio fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Sammio ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Musashi moves away.
Sammio misses the shot to the body.

Musashi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Musashi decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Sammio, up you get!
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!
Sammio throws a sloppy body shot
and Musashi counters with a nice body shot.
Musashi needs to keep his hands up - Sammio had a free shot at his head there.
Sammio misses with a leg kick
and Musashi counters with a three punch combo that has Sammio backing up. Sammio nods at Musashi to acknowledge the strikes.
Musashi needs to keep his hands up - Sammio had a free shot at his head there.
Sammio throws the left hand but Musashi avoids the punch easily.
Sammio throws a low kick but Musashi moves out of range easily.

Musashi clinches with his opponent.
Sammio swings wildly with an uppercut but Musashi uses good head movement to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Miyamoto Musashi.
I think Musashi has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Miyamoto Musashi!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Miyamoto Musashi!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Miyamoto Musashi!

Miyamoto Musashi wins by unanimous decision!
Miyamoto Musashi bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.