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). Frankie Gold told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Sakuragi
vs
Gold

185 cm
25
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
197 lbs
2 - 5 - 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 1 - 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 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Frankie Gold!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Reed Andrews and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuragi slips a straight right by Gold.
Sakuragi shoots in for a takedown but Gold shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sakuragi fails with a takedown attempt.

Sakuragi changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Gold looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Gold throws Sakuragi to one side and escapes!
Gold rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sakuragi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sakuragi changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Sakuragi takes the fight 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!
Gold wants to get back to striking at distance but Sakuragi won't allow it.
Sakuragi misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gold.
Gold misses with some punches.

Gold breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gold looks winded!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gold closes the distance and lands a one-two.

It looks like Hanamichi Sakuragi has been cut.
Gold throws a series of punches but Sakuragi avoids them all with ease.
Gold misses with a shot to the body
and Sakuragi counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Sakuragi throws a sloppy head kick and Gold moves out of range easily.
Sakuragi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hanamichi Sakuragi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gold throws a combination that misses

and Sakuragi counters by moving into the clinch.

Sakuragi breaks from the clinch.

Sakuragi fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Gold sprawls well initially but Sakuragi persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sakuragi stops Gold from getting back to his feet.
Sakuragi keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Gold keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuragi is controlling the pace.
Sakuragi stops Gold from getting back to his feet.
Sakuragi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Sakuragi controlling the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sakuragi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Gold.
Gold rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Sakuragi to counter with a crisp jab.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sakuragi or perhaps it was just good defense by Gold, which made it look bad.
Sakuragi dives in for a single leg takedown but Gold sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Sakuragi gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Gold pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sakuragi scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Gold looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gold throws a series of punches but Sakuragi avoids them all with ease.
Sakuragi darts in looking for a takedown but Gold gets double underhooks and turns Sakuragi into the cage.
Gold throws a series of punches but Sakuragi avoids them all with ease.
Gold misses with a wild combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gold doesn't manage to clinch there - Sakuragi circles away.

Sakuragi looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Gold!

Gold throws Sakuragi to one side and escapes!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Sakuragi moves into the clinch.
Gold wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Sakuragi is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Gold is defending well.
Gold is trying to force a seperation but Sakuragi has the dominant position.
Gold has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Gold gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Sakuragi.
Sakuragi tries to pull guard but Gold forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frankie Gold dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hanamichi Sakuragi's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gold displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Sakuragi shoots for a double leg takedown but Gold sprawls well. He's pushed Sakuragi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sakuragi shoots in but no luck this time.
Gold throws a series of punches but Sakuragi avoids them all with ease.
Sakuragi darts in looking for a takedown but Gold gets double underhooks and turns Sakuragi into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hanamichi Sakuragi. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sakuragi closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Gold's guard.
Sakuragi prevents Gold from getting back to his feet.
Sakuragi sitting in guard here, content to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gold wants to stand and escape but Sakuragi is having none of it.
Frankie Gold has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sakuragi postures up in Gold's guard and throws a big left but Gold blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gold wants to stand and escape but Sakuragi is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Sakuragi is in close to Gold's body, working some short punches and elbows.

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

Sakuragi scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Gold is trying to buck Sakuragi off.

Sakuragi has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Sakuragi dives in and grabs Gold's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gold pushes down on Sakuragi's head and hops out.
Gold misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gold throws a left and a right that both miss

and Sakuragi moves into the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Gold's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Sakuragi is looking for a takedown.

Sakuragi turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Sakuragi manages to end up in side control.
Sakuragi throwing strikes but Gold manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Gold tries for a kimura but Sakuragi is defending well.
Gold trying to control the position but Sakuragi is working away.
Sakuragi looks to move to half guard but instead Gold has passed into mount! Damn!
Gold dominating with strikes here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuragi is working to get back to half guard.
Gold with the ground and pound from mount.
Gold in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Gold raining down shots from the mount!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sakuragi in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Sakuragi working to try and regain half guard.

Gold with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gold working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Gold has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Sakuragi's face.
Gold has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gold misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Sakuragi really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Sakuragi tries to lock up and control but Gold gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The referee warns Sakuragi that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Sakuragi is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Gold working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Gold lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Sakuragi is working to get back to half guard.
Sakuragi throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sakuragi walks into a left hand.
Sakuragi moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Frankie Gold has been cut.
Sakuragi throws a head kick but Gold moves out of range.
Gold looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gold lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Sakuragi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

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

Sakuragi breaks from the clinch.
Sakuragi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gold swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Sakuragi counters with a three punch combo that has Gold backing up. Gold nods at Sakuragi to acknowledge the strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gold closes the distance looking to clinch
and Sakuragi counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuragi darts in looking for a takedown but Gold gets double underhooks and turns Sakuragi into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hanamichi Sakuragi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sloppy strikes from Gold. Those never looked like landing.
A head kick misses from Gold.
Gold swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gold throws a series of strikes that have Sakuragi backpedaling.
Frankie Gold seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gold throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nice sprawl there from Gold as Sakuragi shoots in.
Gold throws a body punch but Sakuragi moves out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Gold misses the target.
Gold fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Gold scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Sakuragi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gold circles away.
Sakuragi misses with a takedown attempt - Gold sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Frankie Gold is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sakuragi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gold as he jumps to the side.
Hanamichi Sakuragi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gold leaves Sakuragi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Gold lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Gold misses with the combination.
Sakuragi shoots in but Gold avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Gold is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Gold tries to clinch up.
Gold jabs Sakuragi to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuragi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gold lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Sakuragi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sakuragi seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Sakuragi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gold sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A combination from Gold does no damage.
It looked like Sakuragi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Gold thuds a left hand into Sakuragi's body.
Sakuragi dives in and grabs Gold's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gold pushes down on Sakuragi's head and hops out.
A combination from Gold does no damage.
Sakuragi shoots in for a takedown but Gold shows good takedown defense.
Some wild striking there from Gold.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gold lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sakuragi circles away quickly and effectively.
No luck for Sakuragi with that takedown attempt.
Gold lands with a nice combination. Sakuragi backs away looking to recover.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gold lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Sakuragi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gold swivels and escapes.
Gold throws a counter combo.
Sakuragi closes the distance and clinches up with Gold, looking for a takedown. Sakuragi pushes Gold against the cage but Gold circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Gold tries to bum rush Sakuragi with a series of wild strikes but Sakuragi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gold lands a lovely overhand right.
Frankie Gold is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gold with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Frankie Gold seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice takedown defense from Gold. No joy for Sakuragi on that attempt.
Hanamichi Sakuragi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gold will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frankie Gold comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Gold 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frankie Gold!