PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cat Fhin (ranked 8019 p4p, 248 weight class) and Yoshimitzu Sakuraba (ranked 8363 p4p, 252 weight class). Cat Fhin has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Fhin
vs
Sakuraba

225 cm
25
300 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

198 cm
25
300 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Intelligent

Arcticus University: London

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Cat Fhin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Yoshimitzu Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Ben Watson and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuraba has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Sakuraba misses with a hook.
Fhin throws a series of punches but Sakuraba moves out of range.
A little jabbing left from Sakuraba on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Sakuraba swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Sakuraba. Those never looked like landing.
Fhin steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sakuraba.
A nice leg kick lands there from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Sakuraba has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Fhin lands with a good body shot.
Sakuraba takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Sakuraba feints and then cracks Fhin's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Fhin down.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fhin checks the leg kick nicely there.
Fhin throws a series of punches but Sakuraba moves out of range.
Fhin lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Fhin throws a right and a left that Sakuraba avoids nicely.
Sakuraba misses with an uppercut.
Sakuraba tries to bum rush Fhin with a series of wild strikes but Fhin uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Fhin throws a nice looking combination but Sakuraba bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Fhin connects with a nice looking jab.
Sakuraba dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Fhin. That did some damage!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fhin throws a series of punches but Sakuraba avoids them all with ease.
Fhin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sakuraba manages to avoid it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Sakuraba.
Fhin looks to land a combination but Sakuraba avoids it well.
Sakuraba bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Fhin swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
enabling Sakuraba to counter with a crisp jab.

It looks like Cat Fhin has been cut.
Sakuraba cracks the inside of Fhin's front leg.
A nice combination there by Fhin.
Sakuraba misses with a looping right.
Fhin digs a good hook to Sakuraba's body.
Fhin loads up on a big right hand but Sakuraba slips the punch.
Sakuraba dodges the punch combination from Fhin.
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!
An inside leg kick from Sakuraba misses.
Sakuraba is looking to chop away at Fhin's legs.
Sakuraba takes a jab right on the kisser.
Sloppy strikes from Fhin. Those never looked like landing.
Sakuraba is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Fhin slips a jab from Sakuraba.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fhin moves away.
Fhin moves away from the strike by Sakuraba.
Fhin looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Fhin throws a series of punches but Sakuraba moves out of range.
Sakuraba has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Fhin finds it's way round the side to connect with Sakuraba's head.
Sakuraba throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Sakuraba throws a jab when Fhin was well out of range.
Fhin misses the shot to the body.
Fhin moves out of range of the leg kick from Sakuraba.
Fhin looks to score with a jab to the body but Sakuraba is just out of range.
Fhin misses with the combination.
Fhin misses with an uppercut.
Sakuraba slips under a jab.
Fhin throws a shot from downtown. Sakuraba moves away and avoids it.
Sakuraba looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Sakuraba throws a head kick that misses.
Donk. Sakuraba catches Fhin right on the button with a cross.
Fhin throws a combination that misses
and Sakuraba counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fhin manages to avoid it.
Sakuraba is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Fhin.
Sakuraba misses with a series of wild punches.
Sakuraba showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fhin.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Sakuraba! But no joy.
Sakuraba throws a big shot that misses.
Fhin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Fhin swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Sakuraba.
Fhin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Fhin misses with an uppercut. Sakuraba saw that one coming.
A big left from Sakuraba misses.
Sakuraba fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Sakuraba misses with a body kick.
Sakuraba throws a shot from downtown. Fhin moves away and avoids it.
Fhin misses with a two punch combination.
Sakuraba throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba misses with a head kick.
Fhin throws a combination that misses
and Sakuraba counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fhin loads up on a big right hand but Sakuraba slips the punch.
A head kick by Sakuraba misses
and Fhin counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Sakuraba throws a hook but Fhin avoids it easily.
Fhin darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Fhin misses with a combination
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Sakuraba throws a head kick but Fhin moves out of range.
Fhin throws a big shot that misses.
Fhin takes one on the button.
Fhin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fhin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nice body punch from Fhin.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sakuraba. Fhin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fhin went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Fhin slips a straight right by Sakuraba.
Fhin swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Cat Fhin will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Cat Fhin's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Fhin cracks Sakuraba with a right hand to the side of the head.
Sakuraba looks to score with a jab to the body but Fhin is just out of range.
Sakuraba throws a body punch but Fhin moves out of range.
Fhin ducks under a wild hook from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba misses with a kick to the body.
Fhin misses with the combination.
Sakuraba lets loose with a powerful body kick. Fhin will feel that in the morning.
Sakuraba scores with a decent looking hook.
Fhin moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Fhin throws a hook to the side of Sakuraba's head but Sakuraba sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fhin just misses with a punch to the body.
Fhin throws a right hand that Sakuraba ducks under and follows up with a left that Sakuraba also avoids with ease.
Sakuraba on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Donk. Fhin catches Sakuraba right on the button with a cross.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sakuraba walks into a straight right hand from Fhin.
Fhin throws a right hand that misses
and Sakuraba connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba lands with a slapping head kick.
Sakuraba takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Fhin steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sakuraba.
Fhin misses with a combination
and Sakuraba counters with a nice low kick that buckles Fhin's knee momentarily.
Cat Fhin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sakuraba throws a head kick but Fhin moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba looks for the body kick but Fhin saw that one coming.
Sakuraba misses with a low kick as Fhin jumps back.
Sakuraba bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Fhin fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sakuraba is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Sakuraba throws a hook to the side of Fhin's head but Fhin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Fhin misses with a series of wild punches.
Fhin lands with a straight right. Sakuraba didn't see that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fhin lands a slapping body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fhin throws a series of punches but Sakuraba avoids them all with ease.
Fhin misses with a wild body shot.
Sakuraba misses with a hook. Fhin ducked under it nicely.
Sakuraba thows a body kick. Fhin tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A swing and a miss from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba throws an overhand right that lands on Fhin's shoulder, as Fhin tries to avoid the shot.
Fhin lands with a nice combination. Sakuraba backs away looking to recover.
Sakuraba cracks a nice hook into Fhin's ribs.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fhin. Sakuraba does a little dance to reset his feet.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Fhin is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Fhin blocks a head kick by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Sakuraba throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Fhin throws an overhand right that lands on Sakuraba's shoulder, as Sakuraba tries to avoid the shot.
Fhin throws a shot from downtown. Sakuraba moves away and avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fhin throws a combination that misses
enabling Sakuraba to counter with a crisp jab.
Fhin slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Fhin tries to bum rush Sakuraba with a series of wild strikes but Sakuraba uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Fhin rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sakuraba moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Fhin is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Fhin blocks a jab.
Fhin digs a good hook to Sakuraba's body.
Fhin takes a swing at Sakuraba's ribcage but misses.
Sakuraba throws out a counter right but Fhin avoids it with no problem.
Sakuraba slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Fhin moves out of range as Sakuraba strikes.
Fhin misses with a double jab.
Sakuraba throws a good cross that connects.
Fhin throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Fhin fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Sakuraba on the side of the head.
Sakuraba moves away from the strike by Fhin.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sakuraba misses with a looping right.
Sakuraba throws a series of punches but Fhin avoids them all with ease.
An attempted straight right counter from Fhin misses the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fhin.
Fhin looks to land a left hand but Sakuraba moved out of range nicely.
Fhin misses with a hook.
Sakuraba thinks about the counter body kick.
Fhin misses with a two punch combination.
Fhin looks to score with a jab to the body but Sakuraba is just out of range.
Sakuraba looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Fhin slips a jab and a cross from Sakuraba.
Fhin went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Fhin throws out a loose jab but Sakuraba uses good head movement to avoid it.
Some wild striking there from Fhin.
Despite the aggression on Sakuraba's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Sakuraba tries a head kick but it misses.
Sakuraba throws a head kick but Fhin moves out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Fhin misses the target.
Sakuraba throws a nice inside leg kick.
Sakuraba fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fhin manages to avoid it.
Fhin avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fhin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Cat Fhin will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Cat Fhin's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Nice shot by Fhin.
Sakuraba jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sakuraba throws a hook but Fhin blocks it.
Fhin is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Fhin throws a one two combo.
Fhin fails to land with a series of punches.
Sakuraba let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Fhin just misses with a punch to the body.
Sakuraba throws a hook to the side of Fhin's head but Fhin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Fhin avoids a punch combination nicely.
Fhin throws a series of punches but Sakuraba avoids them all with ease.
Fhin tries to bum rush Sakuraba with a series of wild strikes but Sakuraba uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakuraba walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
No joy there for Fhin, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Fhin throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
As Fhin backs off Sakuraba throws a huge counter combo but Fhin manages to avoid it all.
Fhin blocks the body kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A jab from Fhin misses.
Sakuraba throws out a counter right but Fhin avoids it with no problem.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sakuraba jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba tries to bum rush Fhin with a series of wild strikes but Fhin uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Fhin throws a right and a left that Sakuraba avoids nicely.
Sakuraba lands with a kick to the temple. Fhin shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Fhin rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sakuraba moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cat Fhin is winning the standup battle so far.
Fhin connects with a body shot that sends Sakuraba's belly button to the back.
Fhin misses with a series of wild punches.
Sakuraba misses with a head kick.
Fhin is looking for a counter combo.
Fhin keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Sakuraba avoids the body shot from Fhin.
Fhin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sakuraba circles away quickly and effectively.
Sakuraba swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fhin throws a hook to the side of Sakuraba's head but Sakuraba sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sakuraba has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Fhin throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sakuraba is looking for the big counter here.
A swing and a miss from Fhin.
Sakuraba waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Fhin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sakuraba scores with a kick to the body.
Sakuraba connects with an inside leg kick.
Sakuraba lands a head shot.
Fhin has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Sakuraba.
No joy there for Fhin, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sakuraba is looking for the big counter here.
Sakuraba swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sakuraba misses with the body kick
and Fhin counters with a two punch combo.
Sakuraba will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Fhin was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Fhin throws a body punch but Sakuraba moves out of range.
Sakuraba looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Fhin crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Sakuraba - the referee stops the clock and Fhin gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Sakuraba. Fhin manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Sakuraba keeps Fhin at a distance using the push kick.
Fhin ducks under a wild hook from Sakuraba.
A swing and a miss from Sakuraba.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Fhin avoids the head kick by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Sakuraba.
Fhin avoids the head kick by Sakuraba.
Fhin blocks a leg kick.
Sakuraba throws a nice looking combination but Fhin bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Jab by Fhin.
Fhin rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sakuraba moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Fhin throws an overhand right that lands on Sakuraba's shoulder, as Sakuraba tries to avoid the shot.
Cat Fhin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fhin throws a series of strikes that have Sakuraba backpedaling.
Decent striking displayed by Fhin there.
Yoshimitzu Sakuraba has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sakuraba misses with a few strikes there.
Fhin lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
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!
Some wild striking there from Fhin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Fhin.
Sakuraba keeps Fhin at a distance using the push kick.
Fhin takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A clash of legs there as Fhin blocks the low kick.
Fhin misses with a body shot.
Fhin throws a body shot but no joy.
Fhin scores with a nice right hand.
Fhin on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Nice defenses there by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba throws a body punch but Fhin moves out of range.
Sakuraba misses with a straight right.
Cat Fhin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sakuraba lands with a thumping leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Cat Fhin.
Well Fhin 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cat Fhin!
Cat Fhin thanked the fans post fight for their support.