PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hayate Sakurai (ranked 3259 p4p, 301 weight class) and BJ Penn (ranked 4376 p4p, 354 weight class). BJ Penn acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Sakurai
vs
Penn

166 cm
26
151 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

175 cm
26
150 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hayate Sakurai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, BJ Penn!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Dirk Anderson and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakurai lands the left hand.
A big right from Sakurai misses.
BJ Penn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Penn looks to score with a jab to the body but Sakurai is just out of range.
Penn with a nice cross.
Sakurai shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Penn counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Penn takes a swing at Sakurai's ribcage but misses.

Sakurai shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Sakurai was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Sakurai is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Penn knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Penn tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Sakurai wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Sakurai is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Penn is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Sakurai thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sakurai tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Penn is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Sakurai in the domination position with Penn hanging on.

Sakurai working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Sakurai wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Penn, who protects the arm well.

Sakurai tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sakurai wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Penn, who protects the arm well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Sakurai looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Sakurai working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Sakurai wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Penn, who protects the arm well.

Sakurai working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Penn is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn holding on.

Sakurai thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Sakurai looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Sakurai is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Penn knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Penn is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Sakurai's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Penn tries to roll over but Sakurai keeps him under control.
Penn gets back to full guard.
Penn looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Sakurai stands and throws Penn's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Sakurai looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

Sakurai has hold of Penn's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Penn tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Sakurai cranks the arm and Penn screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Penn, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Hayate Sakurai!
During a confident post fight interview, Hayate Sakurai thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.