PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joaquim Rapture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hiroshimo Sakamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rapture's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, For Heavy Metal we will die!. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Rapture
vs
Sakamoto

175 cm
32
150 lbs
25 - 13 - 0

168 cm
28
148 lbs
21 - 10 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Lion Fightwear

Reaper Combatwear
Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joaquim Rapture!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hiroshimo Sakamoto!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Daniel Franklin and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rapture slips under a jab from Sakamoto.
Rapture loads up on a big right hand but Sakamoto slips the punch.
Rapture bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Rapture misses with a looping right.
Rapture takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Sakamoto scoring well with a low kick there.
Sakamoto misses with a body kick.
Rapture tries to bum rush Sakamoto with a series of wild strikes but Sakamoto uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A jab from Sakamoto misses.
Sakamoto throws a front kick aimed at Rapture's knee but Rapture avoids it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakamoto misses with a body kick.
Sakamoto lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rapture circles away quickly and effectively.
Sakamoto misses with a kick to the body

and Rapture counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Sakamoto!
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!
Rapture slows the pace down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakamoto is trying to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rapture tries to advance to mount but Sakamoto denies him.
Sakamoto takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
You can see the frustration on Sakamoto's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Rapture trying to control the position but Sakamoto is working away.
Sakamoto on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Rapture tries to move into full mount but can't pass Sakamoto's legs.
Rapture working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rapture wants to control but Sakamoto is keeping him busy.
Sakamoto is looking for a sweep.
Sakamoto felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Sakamoto can't do much from the bottom here.
Sakamoto being controlled for a moment.
Rapture wants to control but Sakamoto is keeping him busy.
Sakamoto is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rapture is putting a hurting on Sakamoto here, landing some big shots from side control.
Sakamoto defending against the ground and pound.
Sakamoto dodges the ground and pound from Rapture.
Rapture connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Sakamoto some visible discomfort.
Sakamoto is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on Sakamoto's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Sakamoto is not content to let Rapture control the position.
Rapture lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Rapture scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakamoto is looking to regain half guard here but Rapture keeps moving and retains side control.
Rapture throws a strike aimed at the side of Sakamoto's head but Sakamoto avoids it well.
Rapture is looking to take a break and control but Sakamoto is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rapture working away.
Sakamoto managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Rapture.
Sakamoto is looking to regain half guard here but Rapture keeps moving and retains side control.
You can see the frustration on Sakamoto's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Sakamoto is looking to reverse the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joaquim Rapture dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Sakamoto is looking to land body kicks.
Rapture moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sakamoto misses with a kick to the body.
Rapture throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sakamoto lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Sakamoto attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Sakamoto fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Rapture checks it well.
Rapture was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Sakamoto explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
That kick from Rapture tenderised Sakamoto's leg. Sakamoto is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sakamoto looks to land a body kick but Rapture moved away.
Rapture drops down looking for a counter takedown but Sakamoto sprawls and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakamoto gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Rapture counters with an inside leg kick.
Sakamoto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sakamoto scores with a nice body kick.
Rapture throws a body kick that misses.
Sakamoto moves out of range of the body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rapture moves out of range of the body kick.
Rapture moves out of range of the body kick from Sakamoto.
Sakamoto lands a lovely overhand right.
Rapture chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Sakamoto can pounce on him.
Sakamoto misses with an attempted mid kick.
Sakamoto pushes Rapture away with a front kick.
Rapture walks into a straight right hand from Sakamoto.
Sakamoto scores with a jab to the jaw.

Rapture is rocked!
Rapture throws a nice head kick!
Sakamoto looks to land a right hand but Rapture moved out of range.
Sakamoto scores with a nice body kick.
Rapture fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sakamoto manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Rapture throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sakamoto.
Rapture goes for a double leg but Sakamoto avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Sakamoto continues to drive forward.
It seemed like Sakamoto was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Rapture checks a leg kick.
Rapture is looking to counter punch.
Sakamoto connects with an inside leg kick.
Sakamoto lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sakamoto scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rapture in his tracks.
Rapture connects with a leg kick. Sakamoto looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sakamoto.
Sakamoto takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Hiroshimo Sakamoto seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sakamoto keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Sakamoto fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Rapture is out of range.
Sakamoto lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sakamoto stalks Rapture and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Rapture's face. Rapture staggers backwards, shaken.
Oh Rapture is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Rapture misses.
Rapture feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Sakamotos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Rapture thuds his right hand into Sakamoto's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Sakamoto misses with a head kick.
Rapture seems to have got his legs back now.
Sakamoto connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Rapture uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sakamoto.
Sakamoto uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rapture.
Sakamoto keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Rapture throws a quick inside leg kick.
A solid body kick from Rapture.
Sakamoto misses with a body shot.
Rapture thinks about countering with a body kick.
Rapture throws a leg kick which misses Sakamoto's front leg but catches the back leg as Sakamoto tries to avoid it.
Rapture shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rapture shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Rapture has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sakamoto trying to control here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sakamoto tries to roll over but Rapture keeps him under control.

Rapture is working for a kimura but Sakamoto is defending it quite comfortably.
Sakamoto is refusing to be controlled, as Rapture sits in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiroshimo Sakamoto showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rapture is looking to land body kicks.
Sakamoto was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Rapture throws a right and a left that Sakamoto avoids nicely.
Hiroshimo Sakamoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Sakamoto gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Rapture to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Rapture working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sakamoto's head.
Rapture working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rapture wants to control from the top but Sakamoto keeps moving.
Rapture pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sakamoto is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rapture trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakamoto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sakamoto has momentary wrist control but Rapture slips an elbow through the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakamoto preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rapture wants to control from the top but Sakamoto keeps moving.

Sakamoto is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sakamoto keeping moving, preventing Rapture from controlling successfully.
Rapture loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Sakamoto throws his legs up looking for a submission but Rapture uses it to pass to side control.
Rapture working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

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.
Rapture scoring with punches and elbows.
The referee asks Rapture politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Rapture prefers to stall for the moment though.
Sakamoto manages to work his way to half guard, despite Rapture's best efforts.
Rapture seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sakamoto does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rapture working over Sakamoto with some ground and pound. Sakamoto looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Sakamoto is trying to get back to full guard.
Rapture seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sakamoto does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Sakamoto is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rapture pulls his head out easily.
Sakamoto keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rapture is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sakamoto can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakamoto taking some punishment here, with Rapture in his half guard.
Rapture wants to pass to mount but Sakamoto is defending the position.
Sakamoto moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Rapture passes into half guard.
Sakamoto trying to hold on to Rapture's head to control him but Rapture postures up.
Rapture throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rapture lands with a punch from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rapture wants to take a breather but Sakamoto is having none of it.
Sakamoto tries to get to full guard but Rapture has control of the leg.
Rapture scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Sakamoto trying to control here.

Sakamoto looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sakamoto is not content to let Rapture control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sakamoto is looking to control Rapture's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sakamoto avoid being mounted?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joaquim Rapture clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sakamoto misses with a lunging right hand
and Rapture finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Rapture lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
A nice combination there by Rapture.
Sakamoto misses the jab.
Rapture drops down looking for a counter takedown but Sakamoto sprawls and moves away.
Sakamoto moves out of range of the leg kick from Rapture.
Rapture keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Rapture looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sakamoto is fending him off so far but Rapture persists. Nope, Sakamoto circles away and we're back to standing.
Sakamoto looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Rapture avoids the body shot from Sakamoto.
Sakamoto stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sakamoto wants it to stay on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakamoto drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Sakamoto motions for Rapture to come forward. Sakamoto throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sakamoto throws a body punch but Rapture moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rapture misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sakamoto misses with an attempted mid kick.
Sakamoto throws a solid leg kick but Rapture takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Sakamoto.
Jab, jab by Rapture - just one landing.
A slow jab from Sakamoto misses its intended target.
Sakamoto lands a right hook to the body.
Sakamoto throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rapture throws a front kick aimed at Sakamoto's knee but Sakamoto avoids it well.
Sakamoto throws out a counter right but Rapture avoids it with no problem.
A slow jab from Sakamoto misses its intended target.
Rapture is looking to counter punch.
Sakamoto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rapture tries to counter with a takedown but Sakamoto is quick to defend against it.
Sakamoto scores with a jab. Rapture acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Rapture blocks a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rapture lands with a straight right. Sakamoto didn't see that one coming.
Sakamoto goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Sakamoto throws a leg kick

and Rapture counters with a single leg into guard. Sakamoto didn't expect that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sakamoto not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rapture trying to control but Sakamoto is working from the bottom.

Sakamoto is looking for a triangle but Rapture pushes his legs off easily.
Rapture with a nice head shot there.
Rapture is working Sakamoto over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sakamoto is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rapture passes Sakamoto's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Rapture is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sakamoto is just riding it out for now. Rapture eventually gives up the hold.

Rapture is looking for a kimura here.
Rapture passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Sakamoto!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rapture can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Sakamoto is looking to escape.
Sakamoto has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Rapture's lack of action.
Sakamoto is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sakamoto is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rapture's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rapture's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joaquim Rapture had his way with Hiroshimo Sakamoto in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Sakamoto explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Sakamoto wants to land a leg kick but Rapture is out of range.

Rapture gets a takedown into half guard.
Sakamoto moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Rapture tries to free his leg and advance position but Sakamoto is retaining full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rapture working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Sakamoto trying to control the position here.

Sakamoto is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rapture trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sakamoto keeping moving, preventing Rapture from controlling successfully.
Rapture is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Rapture trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakamoto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hiroshimo Sakamoto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two 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.
Rapture preventing the sweep.
Rapture chips away with some ground and pound.
Rapture looking to sit in guard and control but Sakamoto gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Sakamoto cracks Rapture with a solid left hand.
Sakamoto pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rapture is keeping the position for now.

Rapture is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Joaquim Rapture overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Rapture is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sakamoto defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakamoto's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Sakamoto lands a couple of elbows.
Rapture avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rapture tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rapture is trying to control the position but Sakamoto postures up.
Sakamoto throws a big right hand that misses.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sakamoto's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Rapture looking to control.

That's four 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.
Rapture has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Sakamoto has passed into side control.
Rapture is looking to regain half guard here but Sakamoto keeps moving and retains side control.
Sakamoto wants to control but Rapture is keeping him busy.
Rapture taking a bit of punishment here - Sakamoto scoring with strikes.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rapture manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Rapture is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sakamoto 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.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Hiroshimo Sakamoto.
I think Rapture 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 48:47
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 48:47
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joaquim Rapture!
Joaquim Rapture is the new featherweight champion!
A less than humble Joaquim Rapture misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.