PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Will Leatherton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryuji Saka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Leatherton
vs
Saka

165 cm
25
145 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
196 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Will Leatherton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ryuji Saka!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Leatherton moves into the clinch.
Saka is pressed up against the cage. Leatherton has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Saka down to the mat. Saka avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Saka is looking to clinch.
Saka shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Leatherton tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Saka swivels and escapes.
Saka swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Leatherton decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Saka's guard.

Leatherton thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Saka is trying to control the position but Leatherton postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Leatherton trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Leatherton trying to control but Saka is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Leatherton drops back, looking for a kneebar! Saka looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Saka looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Saka!

Leatherton is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saka working the head with strikes.
Saka is looking to take a break and control but Leatherton is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Leatherton tries to bench press Saka off him but Saka keeps the position.
Saka trying to control the position but Leatherton is working away.
Leatherton is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Saka scores with a couple of short elbows.

Saka thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Saka should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Leatherton is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Leatherton is working hard here to advance position.
Saka trying to control the position but Leatherton is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leatherton wants to control but Saka postures up.
Saka working the head with strikes.
Saka throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Saka lands a few punches from side control.
Saka in side control, throwing shots but Leatherton defends.
Saka wants to control but Leatherton is keeping him busy.
Leatherton trying to remain calm as Saka controls from the top position.
Saka working the head with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saka is looking to take a break and control but Leatherton is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Leatherton might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Saka landing strikes.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Leatherton manages to get back to half guard.
Leatherton is pressing down on Saka's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryuji Saka 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.

Nice takedown defense from Leatherton. No joy for Saka on that attempt.
Leatherton checks a leg kick.
Saka shoots in but Leatherton avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Leatherton smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Leatherton misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nice defenses there by Saka.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saka shoots in for a double leg but Leatherton sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Will Leatherton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryuji Saka.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Saka.
Leatherton lands with a nice combination. Saka backs away looking to recover.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saka fails in his attempt to clinch.
Leatherton half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Saka shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Leatherton but Leatherton pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Leatherton is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Saka.
Saka tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Saka has a takedown stuffed.
Saka is breathing heavily.
Leatherton circles away from the clinch attempt.
Leatherton throws a front kick aimed at Saka's knee but Saka avoids it well.
Leatherton shoots in looking for a takedown but Saka manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Leatherton's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Leatherton gets the takedown into side control.
Leatherton wants to control but Saka is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Leatherton tries for a kimura but Saka is defending well.

Leatherton has hold of Saka's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Saka seems comfortable defending it but Leatherton has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Saka is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Saka is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Leatherton couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:18 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Will Leatherton!