PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 2711 p4p, 359 weight class) and Gustaf Alexandersson (ranked 5466 p4p, 550 weight class). Alexandersson has chosen Amon Amarth - Twilight of the Thunder God as his entrance music. Gustaf Alexandersson will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Sakuraba
vs
Alexandersson

175 cm
26
211 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

196 cm
25
205 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Prefers standup

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 4 - 2 - 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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Gustaf Alexandersson!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Michael Johnstone and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuraba dodges the punch combination from Alexandersson.
Sakuraba appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Alexandersson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sakuraba throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Alexandersson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sakuraba.
Alexandersson misses with a left hand

and Sakuraba counters with a single leg into guard. Alexandersson didn't expect that.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Sakuraba drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sakuraba jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Sakuraba works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Alexandersson tries to kick Sakuraba off but Sakuraba keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakuraba works his way into side control.

Sakuraba is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Alexandersson looks calm but he's in trouble here. Sakuraba gets his leg over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Alexandersson is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! Sakuraba lets go of the hold and Alexandersson can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Kazushi Sakuraba!
A victorious Kazushi Sakuraba thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
The defeated Gustaf Alexandersson had this to say: 'Good fight, man!'.