PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 3263 p4p, 426 weight class) and Izzy Oddesangria (ranked 4128 p4p, 496 weight class). Izzy Oddesangria has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sakuraba
vs
Oddesangria

175 cm
25
211 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

193 cm
18
197 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Powerful

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kazushi Sakuraba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Izzy Oddesangria!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Michael Johnstone and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown but Oddesangria shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sakuraba definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Nice sprawl there from Oddesangria as Sakuraba shoots in.
Sakuraba throws a looping overhand right but Oddesangria ducks down to avoid it.
Oddesangria scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Sakuraba misses with a looping left.
Oddesangria cracks Sakuraba with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Sakuraba uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Oddesangria.
Sakuraba swings widly with a right hand
letting Oddesangria counter with a right hand.

It looks like Kazushi Sakuraba has been cut.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sakuraba.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kazushi Sakuraba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Sakuraba misses.
Oddesangria throws a counter combo.
Sakuraba looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Sakuraba throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba throws the left hand but Oddesangria avoids the punch easily.
Oddesangria throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Sakuraba counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Oddesangria wants to improve his position but Sakuraba is controlling well.

Sakuraba is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Sakuraba is keen to just control but Oddesangria is a slippery customer.
Oddesangria is controlling Sakuraba's trapped leg to prevent Sakuraba from advancing to side control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Oddesangria can do anything to dispel that myth.
Oddesangria is trying to stand up here but Sakuraba is controlling him well.

Sakuraba is looking for a kimura but Oddesangria is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sakuraba to get the leverage.
Sakuraba trying to control from half guard but Oddesangria is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oddesangria is trying to get back to full guard.

Oddesangria is defending against the submission attempts here by Sakuraba.
Oddesangria is looking for a sweep. Sakuraba is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sakuraba trying to control the pace.
Oddesangria is doing well to control the position and prevent Sakuraba from advancing to side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Oddesangria looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Sakuraba seems to be working for a kimura but Oddesangria defends the submission attempt.
Sakuraba controlling the action here.
Sakuraba trying to control the action but Oddesangria is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Oddesangria wants to improve his position but Sakuraba is controlling well.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Sakuraba wants to take a breather but Oddesangria is having none of it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Some wild striking there from Oddesangria.
A lazy left from Oddesangria finds it's target.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sakuraba takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Oddesangria lands a glancing blow to the side of Sakuraba's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Izzy Oddesangria dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kazushi Sakuraba's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sakuraba keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Oddesangria tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Oddesangria misses with an uppercut. Sakuraba saw that one coming.
Sakuraba throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A little jabbing left from Oddesangria on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Sakuraba uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Oddesangria.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Oddesangria. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Sakuraba takes a swing at Oddesangria's ribcage but misses.
A head kick misses from Oddesangria.
Oddesangria has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Oddesangria lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Oddesangria feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Sakurabas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Oddesangria misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Oddesangria missing with a left hand there. Sakuraba was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Oddesangria connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Sakuraba's hands.
Oddesangria is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Sakuraba changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Oddesangria tries to avoid it but Sakuraba manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Oddesangria to the ground. Oddesangria escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Oddesangria lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Sakuraba shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Oddesangria pinned against the cage. Oddesangria gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Oddesangria throws a head kick that misses.
Sakuraba feinted with a counter takedown.
Sakuraba gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Sakuraba is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Oddesangria's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Oddesangria throws a sloppy head kick and Sakuraba moves out of range easily.
A big left from Oddesangria misses.
Oddesangria cracks Sakuraba with an open hand slap.
Sakuraba gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Oddesangria counters with a lovely shot to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kazushi Sakuraba. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba misses with a wild body shot.
A nice side step and Oddesangria releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Oddesangria lands a body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Oddesangria pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Oddesangria defending well as Sakuraba loads up on a big left hand.
Izzy Oddesangria seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sakuraba moves out of range as Oddesangria strikes.
Sakuraba attempts a counter takedown but Oddesangria avoids it well and moves away.
Sakuraba walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Sakuraba pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Oddesangria throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sakuraba half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Sakuraba shoots and misses
and Oddesangria counters with a head kick.

Kazushi Sakuraba's cut is getting worse.
A jab from Oddesangria misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oddesangria lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sakuraba circles away quickly and effectively.
Sakuraba looks to land a left hand but Oddesangria moved out of range nicely.
Oddesangria misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sakuraba throws a lazy uppercut
and Oddesangria counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Oddesangria has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Oddesangria throws out a powerful jab.
Sakuraba takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Oddesangria tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sakuraba blocks a head kick by Oddesangria.
Oddesangria lands with a kick to the temple. Sakuraba shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Oddesangria pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown but Oddesangria shows good takedown defense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oddesangria displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sakuraba throws out the jab.
Oddesangria raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Oddesangria lands with a right hand.
Oddesangria throws a sloppy head kick and Sakuraba moves out of range easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sakuraba avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sakuraba doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Oddesangria cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sakuraba throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Oddesangria sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Oddesangria throws a shot to the body.
Sakuraba closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Sakuraba misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Oddesangria.
Oddesangria is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Sakuraba with a body shot.
Oddesangria tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Izzy Oddesangria showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kazushi Sakuraba's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Oddesangria throws a head kick that misses.
Sakuraba changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Sakuraba jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Oddesangria throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sakuraba throws a big shot that misses.
Oddesangria throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sakuraba blocks a jab.
Sakuraba ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sakuraba is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Oddesangria.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Oddesangria lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Oddesangria.
Oddesangria fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Sakuraba on the side of the head.
Oddesangria pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Oddesangria steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sakuraba.
Oddesangria raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Sakuraba closes this distance looking for a takedown but Oddesangria circles away.
Oddesangria throws a big counter head kick but Sakuraba avoids it with no problem.
A jab from Oddesangria misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Oddesangria misses the target.
Sakuraba bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Oddesangria lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Sakuraba on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Sakuraba scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Sakuraba is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Oddesangria has managed to free his arm - good work.
Oddesangria really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sakuraba. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Sakuraba is working for a kimura but Oddesangria is defending it quite comfortably.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oddesangria is doing well to control the position and prevent Sakuraba from advancing to side control.

Sakuraba seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Oddesangria is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:52 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Kazushi Sakuraba!
Kazushi Sakuraba decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.