PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hanamichi Sakuragi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frankie Gold (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Sakuragi
vs
Gold

185 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
197 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hanamichi Sakuragi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Frankie Gold!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, John Kavanagh and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuragi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gold with a jab.

It looks like Hanamichi Sakuragi has been cut.
Gold tries to bum rush Sakuragi with a series of wild strikes but Sakuragi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gold misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Sakuragi rushes Gold and presses him up against the cage.
Sakuragi wants a takedown.

Sakuragi pulls guard.

Sakuragi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Sakuragi has his feet on Gold's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Gold looks winded!
Gold throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Sakuragi closes the distance and pushes Gold back into the cage.
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!

Gold manages to break the clinch.

Gold gets tackled into the cage by Sakuragi. Sakuragi maintains the clinch.
Sakuragi lands a nice uppercut.
Gold is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sakuragi manages to pull guard.

Sakuragi is working an open guard so Gold takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Gold misses with a wild combination.
Sakuragi seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

Sakuragi drives through and clinches with Gold against the cage.

Sakuragi breaks from the clinch.

Sakuragi clinches with his opponent.
Gold is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Sakuragi pulls Gold into guard.
Sakuragi looking for a sweep. Not yet Sakuragi, not yet.
Sakuragi knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gold on the ground.
Sakuragi doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Sakuragi is controlling Gold's posture.

Sakuragi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gold gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuragi tries to land a sweep but no joy.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Sakuragi holds on and takes a little breather.

Sakuragi pushes Gold off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Sakuragi moves into the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Sakuragi pulls guard successfully.
Gold connects with a couple of short punches.
Sakuragi pulls Gold in close to prevent any damage.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Sakuragi manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Gold wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sakuragi works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Gold keeping full guard, as Sakuragi tries to pass.
Sakuragi looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Sakuragi won't allow Gold to get back to his feet.
Sakuragi has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Sakuragi controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

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.
Sakuragi trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Gold manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Sakuragi is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Gold gets to his feet - Sakuragi follows without any prompting.
Gold misses with a combination

and Sakuragi counters by clinching up.
Sakuragi stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Gold breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hanamichi Sakuragi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hanamichi Sakuragi's cut.
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.

Gold throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gold thuds a left hand into Sakuragi's body.

Sakuragi pushes Gold up against the cage in a clinch.
Gold working hard to break the clinch.
Sakuragi goes for a takedown in the clinch but Gold prevents it.
Sakuragi pushes Gold back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Gold working hard to break the clinch.

Sakuragi pulls guard successfully.

Sakuragi is looking for a triangle but Gold pushes his legs off easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gold stands up and waves to Sakuragi to follow him.
Sakuragi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gold but Gold pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gold throws a sloppy head kick and Sakuragi moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gold's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Gold duly obliges.

Sakuragi feints and as Gold raises his hands in defense, Sakuragi changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sakuragi lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Sakuragi is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Gold uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Sakuragi fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hanamichi Sakuragi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Gold!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice shot by Sakuragi.
Sakuragi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gold sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sakuragi somewhat.
Frankie Gold seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gold looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gold will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hanamichi Sakuragi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gold stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gold wants it to stay on the feet.
Gold cracks Sakuragi with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Gold misses with a double jab.
Sakuragi avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gold changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Sakuragi misses with a few strikes there.
Sakuragi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Gold misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gold moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Sakuragi dodges the punch combination from Gold.
It looked like Sakuragi was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Gold throws a right hand that Sakuragi ducks under and follows up with a left that Sakuragi also avoids with ease.
Sakuragi tries to counter by clinching up but Gold breaks away and moves out of range.
Gold dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gold fails to land with a series of punches.
Sakuragi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gold circles away.
Sakuragi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sakuragi clinches with his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gold wants to get back to striking at distance but Sakuragi won't allow it.
Gold prevents a takedown attempt there.

Sakuragi jumps guard and drags Gold to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Gold gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Gold fails in his attempt to clinch.
Frankie Gold seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gold misses with a two punch combination.
We've been informed that Gold has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Sakuragi misses with a series of wild punches.
Gold misses with a double jab.
Gold rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sakuragi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frankie Gold showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Hanamichi Sakuragi's cut.
That's time! Sakuragi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Sakuragi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gold.

Sakuragi scores with a takedown into Gold's guard.
Hanamichi Sakuragi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Sakuragi stands and steps away. Gold gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Sakuragi has taken the fight to the clinch.

Sakuragi jumps guard.
Sakuragi controlling Gold's posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gold trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gold won't allow Sakuragi to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sakuragi has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Gold has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

Sakuragi breaks the clinch.

Sakuragi clinches up against the cage.

Sakuragi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gold has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Frankie Gold is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gold looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Sakuragi instigates a clinch.
Gold tries to circle away but Sakuragi has him pinned against the cage.
Sakuragi jumps guard but Gold turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Sakuragi breaks from the clinch.
Sakuragi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gold sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sakuragi somewhat.
Sakuragi misses with a looping left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuragi lands with a thumping leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A head kick misses from Gold.
Gold takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Sakuragi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gold.

Sakuragi throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Gold tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Sakuragi is in Gold's guard.

Gold is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Gold tries to break free but Sakuragi pushes him back against the cage.
Sakuragi tries to pull guard but Gold forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hanamichi Sakuragi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The referee is keeping an eye on Sakuragi - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gold is trying to force a seperation but Sakuragi has the dominant position.

Sakuragi gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Sakuragi trying to control from Gold's half guard. Gold has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

Sakuragi gets to his feet. Gold looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Gold moves to clinch but Sakuragi breaks away
and Sakuragi counters with a one-two to the body.
Gold tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Sakuragi forces Gold back against the cage and clinches.
Sakuragi has Gold pressed against the cage, preventing Gold from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Gold ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Gold no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gold is looking to stand up but Sakuragi isn't so interested in that idea.

Gold pushes Sakuragi off and scrambles back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gold tries a head kick but it misses.
Gold showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sakuragi.

Sakuragi rushes Gold and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hanamichi Sakuragi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sakuragi has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hanamichi Sakuragi!