PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 2666 p4p, 333 weight class) and Kahuna Kiele (ranked 2922 p4p, 358 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sakuraba
vs
Kiele

175 cm
26
211 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

174 cm
25
200 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
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 5 - 3 - 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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kahuna Kiele!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Bart Greer and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuraba ducks under a wild hook from Kiele.
A slow jab from Kiele misses its intended target.
Sakuraba misses with a hook. Kiele ducked under it nicely.
Jab from Sakuraba.
Kiele lands an overhand right.
Sakuraba throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Sakuraba fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kiele to the ground. Sakuraba is now in Kiele's guard.

Kiele working for a triangle but Sakuraba defends it easily.
Sakuraba pushing down on Kiele's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Kiele is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Kiele looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba wants to pass to mount but Kiele is defending the position.

Kiele looking for submissions off his back.

Sakuraba is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kiele defends it well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Sakuraba is trying to work for a kimura but Kiele is defending well.
Sakuraba prevents Kiele from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Kiele looking for a kimura from the bottom but Sakuraba passes into side control!

Sakuraba thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Kiele manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Kiele wants to get back to full guard.
Kiele is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sakuraba's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sakuraba's back!
Sakuraba is really stuck here.

Sakuraba is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Kiele gets his way!
My spies in Temp Spar Gym inform me that Kiele has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kiele is cranking Sakuraba's head sideways - that looks painful. He's managed to get his other arm under the chin and this looks bad for Sakuraba! He's tightened the choke and Sakuraba is tapping out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:21 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Kahuna Kiele!
After winning the bout, Kahuna Kiele thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.