PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Hiroshimo Sakamoto (ranked 634 p4p, 68 weight class) and Gracie Allen (ranked 337 p4p, 44 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sakamoto
vs
Allen

168 cm
32
152 lbs
28 - 15 - 1

170 cm
33
163 lbs
24 - 17 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Project Mayhem

KAISER Nutrition - Q160
Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hiroshimo Sakamoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 17 - 1, fighting out of New York, Gracie Allen!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Bruno Lombardi and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Allen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Good exchange - Sakamoto coming out on top.
Allen takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Sakamoto lands a jab to the head.
Allen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Sakamoto.
Sakamoto throws a low kick, looking for Allen's leg but Allen calmly moves out of range.
Allen takes one on the button.
Sakamoto gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Allen holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Sakamoto wants to break free but Allen has control.
Allen just leaning against Sakamoto, taking a breather.
Sakamoto misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sakamoto lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Allen backwards.

Sakamoto manages to pull guard.
Allen told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Allen wants to stand but Sakamoto has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Sakamoto working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Allen throwing strikes but missing.

Sakamoto escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Allen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Allen trying to control but Sakamoto is working from the bottom.
Allen landing some decent shots from guard.
Allen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sakamoto controls Allen momentarily but Allen frees himself.

That's two 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.

Sakamoto throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Allen wanted to stand there but Sakamoto had control of the position.
Allen throwing strikes but missing.
Allen wants to get up but he can't break Sakamoto's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Sakamoto has momentary wrist control but Allen slips an elbow through the middle.
Allen showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Sakamoto had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Allen defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sakamoto has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Allen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Allen preventing the sweep.

Allen postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Sakamoto is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Allen, into his guard.

Sakamoto throwing strikes but missing.

That's four 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.
Sakamoto is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Sakamoto landing some decent shots from guard.
Sakamoto is looking to pass into half guard but Allen pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Allen is in guard.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sakamoto is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Allen defends well.
Sakamoto is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiroshimo Sakamoto 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.

Sakamoto scores with a spinning back kick!
Sakamoto tries to land a leg kick but Allen saw it coming and moves away.
Sakamoto tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Allen defends well and Sakamoto ends up having to push Allen into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Allen tries to counter with a clinch but Sakamoto shakes him off and moves away.
Allen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sakamoto.
Sakamoto misses with a straight left.
Allen checks a low kick from Sakamoto.
Allen let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
A low kick from Sakamoto is predictable there
and Allen makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Sakamoto turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakamoto cracks Allen with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Sakamoto tries to land a front kick but Allen steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Sakamoto misses with a body kick.
A punch lands to the side of Allen 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Allen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sakamoto.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Allen! But no joy.
A bone on bone clash there as Allen blocks the leg kick.
Sakamoto looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A leg kick checked by Allen.
Allen is looking for the big counter here.
A cross from Sakamoto lands.
Sakamoto bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Allen's head backwards.
Sakamoto throws a hook but Allen blocks it.
Sakamoto loads up on a big right hand but Allen slips the punch.
Allen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sakamoto.
Sakamoto throws a nice inside leg kick.
Allen avoids the body shot from Sakamoto.
Sakamoto tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Allen was well out of range. Poor timing from Sakamoto.
Sakamoto throws a leg kick but Allen checks it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Allen! But no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakamoto tries to work over Allen's front leg with a kick but Allen checks it.
The fighters circling - Sakamoto throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Allen throws out a counter right but Sakamoto avoids it with no problem.
Sakamoto lands with a cross.
Hiroshimo Sakamoto is winning the standup battle so far.
Sakamoto scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sakamoto misses with a body kick.
Allen follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Gracie Allen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Allen blocks a leg kick.
Allen is looking for the big counter here.
Sakamoto misses with a body kick.
Sakamoto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It seemed like Allen was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sakamoto throws a body kick that misses.
Sakamoto buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Sakamoto ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Sakamoto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Allen is trying to counter with his kicks.
Sakamoto misses with a hook
and Allen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Sakamoto as he connects with a hook.
Sakamoto throws a big shot that misses.
Allen is looking for the big counter here.
Hiroshimo Sakamoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sakamoto shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Sakamoto scores with a jab. Allen acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Allen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Sakamoto looks to score with a jab to the body but Allen is just out of range.
A low kick from Sakamoto misses
and Allen counters with a nice uppercut.
Sakamoto definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Sakamoto looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Allen wants to counter with a clinch but Sakamoto pushes him away.
Sakamoto looks to land a body kick but Allen moved away.
Allen checks a low kick from Sakamoto.
Allen now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Sakamoto pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Allen tries to counter with a clinch but Sakamoto shakes him off and moves away.
Sakamoto throws a body kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lazy left from Sakamoto finds it's target.
Allen walks forward, straight into a front kick from Sakamoto.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Sakamoto lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Allen has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Allen and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Sakamoto is looking to score with low kicks.
Allen is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Allen slips a straight right by Sakamoto.
A nice inside leg kick there by Sakamoto. That's going to slow Allen down.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sakamoto tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Allen was well out of range. Poor timing from Sakamoto.
Sakamoto punishes Allen's body with a nice straight punch.
Sakamoto connects with a solid leg kick.
Sakamoto is looking to slow Allen down with leg kicks.
Allen moves out of range of the leg kick from Sakamoto.
Sakamoto swings away with a body shot that misses
and Allen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiroshimo Sakamoto dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Allen defending well as Sakamoto loads up on a big left hand.

It looks like Hiroshimo Sakamoto has been cut.
Sakamoto connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Allen avoids the body shot from Sakamoto.
A slapping leg kick lands for Sakamoto.
Allen on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Sakamoto throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
It seemed like Allen was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Sakamoto thumps Allen with a low kick.
Sakamoto throws a lazy body kick
and Allen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sakamoto jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakamoto lands a nice leg kick that just misses Allen's sensitive parts.
Allen moves out of range of the body kick.
Allen lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Sakamoto loads up on a big right hand but Allen slips the punch.
Allen is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Sakamoto, right into the meat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakamoto scores with a nice strike.
Sakamoto tries to land a front kick but Allen steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Sakamoto throws a looping overhand right but Allen ducks down to avoid it.
Allen's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Sakamoto looks to land a left hand but Allen moved out of range nicely.
Sakamoto pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Sakamoto sets himself, and Allen steps forward looking for the clinch! Sakamoto avoids it this time.
Allen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sakamoto.
Allen replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Sakamoto blocks it well.
Sakamoto scores with a nice body kick.
Allen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Allen unleashes a big counter combination but Sakamoto bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Sakamoto throws the kick towards the body but Allen avoids it.
Sakamoto lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sakamoto works the jab nicely.
Sakamoto tries to land a leg kick but Allen saw it coming and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakamoto throws a low kick but Allen avoids it.
Allen is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Sakamoto with a body shot.
Sakamoto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A nice side step and Allen releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Sakamoto misses the body punch
letting Allen counter with a right hand.
Sakamoto tries to work over Allen's front leg with a kick but Allen checks it.
Sakamoto misses with a looping left.
Sakamoto connects with a solid leg kick.
Sakamoto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Allen manages to avoid it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sakamoto throws a looping overhand right but Allen ducks down to avoid it.
Allen thinks about the counter body kick.
Sakamoto lands a glancing blow to the side of Allen's head.
Sakamoto throws a lazy body kick
and Allen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sakamoto lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Sakamoto is looking to land body kicks.
Allen throws a counter combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakamoto rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Allen counters with a one-two to the body.
Sakamoto connects with a leg kick. Allen looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Sakamoto is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Allen can do to turn this around?
A leg kick checked by Allen.
Allen is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Sakamoto throws a wild body kick that Allen sees coming a mile off.
Allen throws a counter combo.
Sakamoto misses with a looping left.
Allen lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
A head kick misses from Sakamoto.
Sakamoto lands a nice leg kick that just misses Allen's sensitive parts.
Allen ducks under a wild hook from Sakamoto.
Allen tries to counter with a clinch but Sakamoto shakes him off and moves away.
Sakamoto misses with an uppercut
and Allen counters with a straight right hand.
That kick from Sakamoto tenderised Allen's leg. Allen is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sakamoto turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Sakamoto lands a jab to Allen's midsection.
Allen blocks the body kick.
Allen throws a counter combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakamoto swings widly with a right hand
and Allen counters with a lovely shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Allen's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Sakamoto connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Allen scrambles back to his feet.
Sakamoto feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Allen's calf.
Gracie Allen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Allen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sakamoto.
A little jabbing left from Allen on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

Sakamoto closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Allen to the mat! Allen manages to get full guard.

Allen has an active guard here but Sakamoto has managed to pass into half guard.
Hiroshimo Sakamoto is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sakamoto is controlling the pace.
Allen won't allow Sakamoto to pass to mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hiroshimo Sakamoto showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Sakamoto has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hiroshimo Sakamoto!
Hiroshimo Sakamoto made sure to give a little speech post fight, saying 'Still worried about my eyes tough guy?'.