PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mayato Sakurai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rulon Gardner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Sakurai
vs
Gardner

185 cm
22
250 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

195 cm
22
255 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mayato Sakurai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rulon Gardner!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Hirohito Nitta and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakurai misses with the combination.
Sakurai displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Gardner showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sakurai.
Sakurai rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gardner moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sakurai throws a series of punches but Gardner moves out of range.
Sakurai lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Sakurai misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sakurai misses with a wild combination.

Gardner scores with a takedown into Sakurai's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gardner in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gardner lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Gardner stops Sakurai from standing up.
Sakurai is breathing heavily.
Gardner throwing strikes from guard but Sakurai blocks nicely.
Gardner lands a couple of elbows.
Gardner working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gardner scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gardner stands up over Sakurai, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Gardner lands a couple of digs.
Gardner throwing strikes but missing.
Gardner cracks Sakurai with a solid left hand.
Gardner lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Gardner advances to half guard.
Gardner winds up and cracks Sakurai with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Gardner connects with a nice short shot to Sakurai's temple.
Sakurai is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Gardner scores with a couple of nice shots.
Gardner drops an elbow to the side of Sakurai's head.
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!
Gardner working over Sakurai with some ground and pound. Sakurai looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Sakurai taking some punishment here, with Gardner in his half guard.
Gardner takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Sakurai on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Sakurai tries to get out of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gardner lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Sakurai on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Sakurai could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Gardner winds up and cracks Sakurai with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Sakurai wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Gardner connects with a nice short shot to Sakurai's temple.
Gardner looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Sakurai blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gardner.
Gardner lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Sakurai looks like he's trying to stand up.
Gardner throwing shots but Sakurai is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Gardner closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Gardner working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Gardner has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gardner is chipping away with strikes.
Gardner working the ground and pound but Sakurai is defending the strikes.
Gardner creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Gardner scoring with punches and elbows.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Check out the look on Gardner's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Gardner postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Gardner working the ground and pound from side control.
Gardner scores with a couple of short elbows.
Sakurai on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Sakurai on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Gardner landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Gardner looks up at the clock and then as Sakurai takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Gardner smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Gardner is controlling him well.
Gardner landing a few strikes.
Gardner fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Sakurai is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but Gardner has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Gardner scores with punches from side control.
Gardner prevents Sakurai from escaping the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sakurai scores with a three punch combo!
Gardner shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sakurai as he jumps to the side.
Mayato Sakurai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gardner slips a jab and a cross from Sakurai.
Nice sprawl there from Sakurai as Gardner shoots in.
Sakurai throws a right hand that Gardner ducks under and follows up with a left that Gardner also avoids with ease.
A slapping body kick lands there for Sakurai.
Mayato Sakurai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Gardner.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gardner landing strikes.
Gardner working the ground and pound.
Sakurai on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Sakurai pushes Gardner away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Gardner gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Gardner lands an elbow.
Gardner lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Sakurai taking punishment in the form of punches.
Sakurai takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Gardner throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Sakurai works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Sakurai won't allow Gardner to pass to mount.

That's six 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.
Gardner works his way into side control.
Gardner scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Sakurai to see if he's OK.
Gardner scores with punches from side control.
Sakurai is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Gardner asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Sakurai on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Gardner in side control lands a decent elbow.
Gardner misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Sakurai is trying to get back to his feet.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sakurai will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gardner shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sakurai pinned against the cage. Sakurai gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Mayato Sakurai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rulon Gardner.
A left and a right from Sakurai both land. Nice combination.
Gardner tries for a takedown but Sakurai sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sakurai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A left and a right from Sakurai both land. Nice combination.
Sakurai fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Gardner shoots for a double leg takedown but Sakurai sprawls well. He's pushed Gardner's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Gardner scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Sakurai is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Sakurai trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Gardner landing a few strikes.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Gardner scores with a couple of short elbows.
Sloppy strikes there by Gardner.
Gardner creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Sakurai is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Sakurai takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gardner shoots for a double leg takedown but Sakurai sprawls well. He's pushed Gardner's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A punch combination from Sakurai misses.
Sakurai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Gardner shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Sakurai kicks Gardner off and gets back to his feet.
A punch combination from Sakurai misses.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Gardner closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Gardner lands in his opponent's guard.
Gardner in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gardner is working Sakurai over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Sakurai is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gardner keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sakurai's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rulon Gardner dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gardner tries for a takedown but Sakurai sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sakurai will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Gardner gets the takedown into side control.
Gardner tries to score with some ground and pound. Sakurai controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Gardner throws a strike aimed at the side of Sakurai's head but Sakurai avoids it well.
Gardner misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Sakurai wants to get back to his feet.
Gardner working the ground and pound.
Sakurai is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but Gardner has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Gardner working the ground and pound.
Check out the look on Gardner's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Gardner gets a takedown into half guard.
Sakurai wants to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gardner lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Gardner seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Gardner working the head and body with strikes.
Gardner throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sakurai tries to kick Gardner off but Gardner keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sakurai misses with a few strikes there.

Gardner shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Gardner is looking to work some ground and pound but Sakurai has wrist control.

Sakurai pushes Gardner off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gardner dodges the punch combination from Sakurai.
A punch combination from Sakurai misses.
Sakurai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Gardner shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Gardner is in close to Sakurai's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Gardner throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sakurai works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Gardner landing some decent shots from guard.
Sakurai is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Gardner is controlling him.
Sakurai has momentary wrist control but Gardner slips an elbow through the middle.
Gardner content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gardner loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Gardner cracks Sakurai with a solid left hand.
Sakurai keeping full guard, as Gardner tries to pass.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Sakurai misses with a series of wild punches.
Sakurai rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gardner moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Gardner decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Sakurai taking some punishment here, with Gardner in his half guard.
Gardner thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sakurai's head.
Gardner throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sakurai looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Gardner there.
Gardner stops Sakurai from getting back to his feet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sakurai throws a right hand that Gardner ducks under and follows up with a left that Gardner also avoids with ease.
Sakurai will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sakurai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gardner looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sakurai is fending him off so far but Gardner persists. Nope, Sakurai circles away and we're back to standing.
Sakurai misses with a jab, cross combination.
A punch combination from Sakurai misses.

Gardner shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Sakurai's guard.
Gardner prevents Sakurai from getting back to his feet.
Gardner working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Gardner prevents Sakurai from getting back to his feet.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gardner with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gardner scoring with some ground and pound.
Sakurai is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Gardner is controlling him.
Gardner makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Gardner won't allow Sakurai to get back to his feet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Sakurai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Gardner fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Sakurai sprawls well initially but Gardner persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Gardner prevents Sakurai from standing back up.
Gardner missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Gardner looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Gardner thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sakurai's head.

Sakurai has one foot on Gardner's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Sakurai will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Gardner shoots in but no luck this time.
Mayato Sakurai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rulon Gardner.
Sakurai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sakurai throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Gardner will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Gardner drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Gardner missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Sakurai is edging up against the ropes. He's using the ropes to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Gardner wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Gardner has Sakurai pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Sakurai manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Sakurai fails to pull guard.
Sakurai using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Sakurai wants a takedown.
Sakurai effectively controlling the action here.
Gardner tries to score a body lock takedown but Sakurai shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai lands with a short shot to the head.

Sakurai ties up his opponent against the ropes and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Sakurai no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Sakurai wants to get back to his feet but Gardner is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Gardner connects with a couple of short punches.
Gardner throwing strikes from guard but Sakurai blocks nicely.
Gardner throwing strikes but missing.
Gardner stops Sakurai from standing up.

That's eight 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.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Gardner's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Gardner throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sakurai works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
No joy there for Sakurai, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Sakurai gets caught flat footed, as Gardner shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Gardner trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gardner postures up in Sakurai's guard and throws a big left but Sakurai blocks it.
Gardner won't allow Sakurai to get back to his feet.
Gardner is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Gardner with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Gardner stands up over Sakurai, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Gardner working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gardner thows a big elbow that misses.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gardner dodges the punch combination from Sakurai.
Sakurai misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gardner shoots for a double leg takedown but Sakurai sprawls well. He's pushed Gardner's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nice sprawl there from Sakurai as Gardner shoots in.
Sakurai throws a series of punches but Gardner moves out of range.
Some wild striking there from Sakurai.
Gardner tries for a takedown but Sakurai sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mayato Sakurai is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sakurai misses with a series of wild punches.
Some wild striking there from Sakurai.

Gardner drives through with a takedown into guard.
Gardner connects with a couple of short punches.
Gardner throws a strike but Sakurai rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Gardner manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sakurai manages to get himself to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rulon Gardner showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Nice sprawl there from Sakurai as Gardner shoots in.

Gardner closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Rulon Gardner has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gardner looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Sakurai is avoiding damage well.
Gardner prevents Sakurai from escaping the position.
The ground and pound from Gardner seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Gardner sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Sakurai is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Sakurai regains half guard, as Gardner was trying to land strikes.
Sakurai pushes Gardner off looking to stand but Gardner dives back in and keeps control.
Gardner takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sakurai misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai stuffs the takedown attempt from Gardner. Gardner gets slowly back to his feet.
Sakurai looks to land a combination but Gardner avoids it well.
Sakurai misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gardner throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sakurai's waist but Sakurai gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gardner off to one side.
Mayato Sakurai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rulon Gardner.
Sakurai tries to bum rush Gardner with a series of wild strikes but Gardner uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sakurai scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Gardner fails with the takedown.
Sakurai misses with a two punch combination.
Gardner dodges the punch combination from Sakurai.
Sakurai throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Gardner.
Gardner working the head with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gardner landing strikes.
Sakurai taking punishment in the form of punches.
Gardner in side control lands a decent elbow.
Gardner working the ground and pound but Sakurai is defending the strikes.
Gardner tries to score with some ground and pound. Sakurai controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
An elbow from Gardner crashes against the mat.
Check out the look on Gardner's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Sakurai is working to avoid the ground and pound but Gardner connects with a decent elbow.
Gardner working the head and body with strikes.
Gardner working the ground and pound from side control.
Sakurai takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Gardner lands a few punches from side control.
Sakurai is trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gardner working the head with strikes.
Sakurai is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Sakurai explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Gardner dodges the punch combination from Sakurai.
Gardner avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gardner shoots in for a takedown but Sakurai shows good takedown defense.
Gardner avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sakurai throws a series of punches but Gardner moves out of range.
Sakurai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sakurai misses with the combination.
Gardner shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sakurai but Sakurai pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Sakurai rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gardner moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sakurai lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Sakurai.
Sakurai throws a nice looking combination but Gardner bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sakurai keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Sakurai misses with a jab, cross combination.

Gardner shoots in and bounces Sakurai off the ropes to secure the takedown into guard.
Gardner lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Gardner makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Gardner with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Gardner loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai keeping full guard, as Gardner tries to pass.
Sakurai working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gardner.
Sakurai wants to stand but Gardner is controlling the position.
Gardner is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gardner.
Sakurai will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Gardner scores with a takedown into Sakurai's guard.
Gardner working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gardner has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gardner with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Sakurai pushes Gardner off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Sakurai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sakurai fails to land with a series of punches.
Sakurai throws a series of punches but Gardner moves out of range.
Sakurai misses with a few strikes there.

Gardner decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Gardner not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gardner prevents Sakurai from standing back up.
Gardner working the head and body with strikes.
Gardner working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Sakurai is trying to stand back up but Gardner is controlling him
Gardner is nestled in close to Sakurai, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Gardner missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sakurai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sakurai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sakurai misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gardner shoots in but Sakurai avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Gardner closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sakurai circles away.
Left hook, right uppercut from Sakurai.
Sakurai looks to land a combination but Gardner avoids it well.
Gardner shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Gardner feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Sakurai has his feet on Gardner's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
No joy there for Sakurai, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
No joy there for Sakurai, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gardner misses with a takedown attempt - Sakurai sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Gardner looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sakurai is fending him off so far but Gardner persists. Nope, Sakurai circles away and we're back to standing.
Sakurai rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gardner moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sakurai throws a series of punches but Gardner avoids them all with ease.
Gardner takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Sakurai misses with a wild combination.
Gardner shoots in and drives through. Sakurai sprawls well.
Gardner is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Sakurai.
Gardner showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sakurai.
Sakurai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Gardner closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Gardner lands in his opponent's guard.
Sakurai keeping full guard, as Gardner tries to pass.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai wants to stand but Gardner is controlling the position.
Gardner chips away with some ground and pound.
Sakurai keeping full guard, as Gardner tries to pass.
Gardner scoring with some ground and pound.
Gardner throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gardner accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gardner trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Gardner scores with a takedown into Sakurai's guard.
Gardner won't allow Sakurai to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rulon Gardner comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Gardner winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Rulon Gardner!
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Rulon Gardner!
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Rulon Gardner!

Rulon Gardner wins by unanimous decision!