PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yoshi Mucao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takanori Sakurai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sakurai comes into a darkened arena with his song building. number girl syndrome kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Yoshi Mucao had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 146.5lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Takanori Sakurai has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Yoshi Mucao's chin.

Mucao
vs
Sakurai

170 cm
20
160 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

176 cm
19
149 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Urban Vandal fight gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoshi Mucao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takanori Sakurai !
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Shigeki Fujiwara and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mucao misses with a looping right.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
No luck for Sakurai with that takedown attempt.
Sakurai has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Sakurai there as he acknowledges the shot.
Sakurai keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Sakurai looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mucao is fending him off so far but Sakurai persists. Nope, Mucao circles away and we're back to standing.
Mucao scores with a sloppy right hand. Sakurai should have avoided that one.
Sakurai shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mucao as he jumps to the side.
Yoshi Mucao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Takanori Sakurai .
Mucao catches Sakurai napping and connects with a big right hand that sends Sakurai to the canvas!

Sakurai is rocked!

Mucao gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Sakurai drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Mucao 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.
Mucao is working hard here to advance position.
Sakurai in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Mucao is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Sakurai 's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Mucao wants to control but Sakurai is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mucao makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Mucao.

Mucao looking for a guillotine here but Sakurai defends easily.
Mucao is breathing heavily.
Sakurai pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mucao is keeping the position for now.

Mucao working for a triangle but Sakurai defends it easily.

Mucao looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mucao tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Sakurai sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Sakurai is looking for a sweep. Mucao is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sakurai regains full guard. Nicely done.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sakurai is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Mucao wants to control from the top but Sakurai keeps moving.

Sakurai had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Mucao is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Sakurai Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Mucao's back instead.
Mucao wants to control his opponent's hands but Sakurai gets his hands free.
Mucao breaks Sakurai 's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Sakurai manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mucao manages to get himself to full guard.
Mucao controls Sakurai momentarily but Sakurai frees himself.

Mucao had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Sakurai is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Mucao Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Sakurai 's back instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mucao keeps control of the position as Sakurai tries to break free.

Mucao goes for a risky armbar from back mount and it's not paid off. Sakurai escapes and is now in half guard on top.
Sakurai sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Mucao defending well though.

Sakurai is looking for a kimura here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sakurai trying to pass the guard but Mucao defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sakurai avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Sakurai fails with the takedown.
Sakurai takes one to the side of the head.
Sakurai has a takedown stuffed.
Mucao darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Sakurai shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mucao pinned against the cage. Mucao gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Yoshi Mucao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Takanori Sakurai .
Mucao bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Sakurai 's head backwards.
Mucao connects with a crisp jab.
Yoshi Mucao is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mucao connects with a body shot.
Mucao lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sakurai circles away quickly and effectively.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice uppercut lands for Mucao. That snapped Sakurai 's head back.
Sakurai takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Mucao punishes Sakurai 's body with a nice straight punch.
Mucao throws a series of strikes that have Sakurai backpedaling.
Jab by Mucao.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice shot by Mucao.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nice straight punches there by Mucao. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Mucao.
Sakurai ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mucao moves away.
Mucao dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mucao lands a nice looking body shot.
Mucao misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sakurai fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Mucao walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sakurai checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Sakurai has a takedown stuffed.
A left lands for Mucao.
Sakurai throws a head kick that misses.
Mucao lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Sakurai throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Mucao's head.
Mucao tries to bum rush Sakurai with a series of wild strikes but Sakurai uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sakurai shoots in for a takedown but Mucao shows good takedown defense.
A nice inside leg kick there by Sakurai . That's going to slow Mucao down.
Sakurai looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mucao is fending him off so far but Sakurai persists. Nope, Mucao circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Mucao there.
Danga de danga de dang - Mucao scores with a four punch combination!
Sakurai scores with a hook to the body. Mucao takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Sakurai takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Sakurai with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Mucao to score with a decent uppercut.
Sakurai misses with a takedown attempt - Mucao sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sakurai looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mucao is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sakurai .
Mucao keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Sakurai checks the leg kick nicely there.
Sakurai buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Mucao moves into range and connects with a jab.
Sakurai misses with a takedown attempt - Mucao sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sakurai has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Sakurai looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mucao lands with a cross.
Sakurai lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mucao's sensitive parts.
Mucao takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Mucao lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Mucao lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Mucao.
Sakurai throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mucao's waist but Mucao gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sakurai off to one side.
Mucao throws a right and a left that Sakurai avoids nicely.

Sakurai looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Mucao!
Mucao is looking to improve his position but Sakurai isn't that keen on the idea.

Sakurai looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Mucao keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Sakurai moves to take his opponent's back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sakurai is looking for the choke from the back position but Mucao is controlling his hands well.

Sakurai is looking for a choke. Mucao gets to his feet with his opponent on his back and slams him to the mat. Mucao manages to squirm out of the attempted choke and turns into his opponent's guard.

Mucao is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Sakurai wants to sweep but no luck.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Mucao drops back looking for a leg! Sakurai is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sakurai manages to kick Mucao off! Mucao jumps back into Sakurai 's guard.
Sakurai striking off his back but it's not causing Mucao any problems.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoshi Mucao dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Sakurai fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Mucao lands with a cross.
Sakurai throws a head kick that Mucao semi-blocks.
Sakurai takes one on the button.

Mucao closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Mucao lands in his opponent's guard.
Mucao throwing strikes but missing.
Sakurai looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mucao is one step ahead there.
Mucao works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Sakurai tries to roll over but Mucao keeps him under control.

Mucao seems to be looking for submissions.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mucao wants to advance to full mount but Sakurai doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.

Sakurai has an active guard here but Mucao has managed to pass into half guard.

Mucao is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Sakurai doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Mucao.

Sakurai looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Yoshi Mucao is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Mucao controlling the pace.
Sakurai wants to sweep but Mucao has passed to side control!
Mucao moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Sakurai manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Mucao is taking a breather. Sakurai says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai wants to improve his position but Mucao is controlling well.
Sakurai flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Mucao takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Mucao is trying to control. Sakurai wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Sakurai slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Sakurai keeping moving, preventing Mucao from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Yoshi Mucao just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Sakurai chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Sakurai closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sakurai lands in his opponent's guard.
Mucao is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sakurai forces his way into half guard.
Sakurai thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Mucao is pressing down on Sakurai 's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sakurai wants to pass the guard but Mucao is keeping the position.
Takanori Sakurai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mucao is pulling down on Sakurai 's head. It's preventing any offense from Sakurai , at least for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yoshi Mucao showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mucao, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Sano scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yoshi Mucao!