PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sao Alela (ranked 3996 p4p, 394 weight class) and Takuya Sakamoto (ranked 3479 p4p, 364 weight class). Alela comes to the cage accompanied by Ground Zero (MOP). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Alela
vs
Sakamoto

180 cm
22
176 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

183 cm
22
175 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Sao Alela!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Takuya Sakamoto!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Donald Grub and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sakamoto closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Sakamoto is trying to get an arm triangle but Alela is defending well.

Sakamoto tries for a kimura but Alela is defending well.
Alela tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Alela pushes Sakamoto away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Sakamoto gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Sakamoto swings around for an armbar but Alela sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Sakamoto's guard.

Sakamoto throws his legs up looking for a submission but Alela uses it to pass to side control.
Sakamoto is looking for a sweep.
Alela tries to stand but Sakamoto is controlling his head.

Alela is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sakamoto knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakamoto is trying to improve his position.
We've been hearing that Alela has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Sakamoto sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Sakamoto looking for submissions off his back.
Alela trying to control from half guard but Sakamoto is working away.

Sakamoto looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Alela frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Alela tries to control but Sakamoto wriggling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakamoto is in all sorts of trouble here.

Alela is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Sakamoto takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Sakamoto dives in for a single leg takedown but Alela sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Sakamoto tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Alela swivels and escapes.
Alela defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sakamoto.
Sao Alela has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Takuya Sakamoto.
Sakamoto walks into a stiff left hand from Alela.
A decent looking cross lands there for Alela.
Sakamoto slips under a jab.
Sakamoto bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Alela buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Alela scores with a nice head shot.
Sakamoto shoots in and drives through. Alela sprawls well.
A little feinted left hand from Alela on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Takuya Sakamoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Alela lands with a right hand.
Alela throws a hook to the side of Sakamoto's head but Sakamoto sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sakamoto fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sakamoto shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Alela but Alela pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sakamoto is defended easily by Alela.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alela tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Alela lands with a hook. Sakamoto tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Alela ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Sakamoto fails to land the takedown.
A counter left hand to the body from Alela misses its target.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sakamoto.
Sakamoto walks into a left hand.
A telegraphed right hand from Alela misses the target.
Sakamoto shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Alela as he jumps to the side.
Alela lands with a straight right. Sakamoto didn't see that one coming.
Sakamoto shoots in for a takedown but Alela shows good takedown defense.
Sakamoto slips under a jab from Alela.
Alela stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Alela wants it to stay on the feet.
Alela dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sakamoto. That did some damage!
Alela scoring well with a low kick there.
Sakamoto looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Alela is fending him off so far but Sakamoto persists. Nope, Alela circles away and we're back to standing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Alela looks to land a right hand but Sakamoto moved out of range.
Alela is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakamoto takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Alela connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Alela scores with a jab. Sakamoto acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Sakamoto looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Alela slaps away a takedown attempt from Sakamoto, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sakamoto tries to score a power double leg takedown but Alela sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sakamoto somewhat.
Alela connects with a body shot.
Alela stuffs the takedown attempt from Sakamoto. Sakamoto gets slowly back to his feet.
Alela connects with a body shot.
Alela lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Sakamoto looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Alela is fending him off so far but Sakamoto persists. Nope, Alela circles away and we're back to standing.
An attempted straight right counter from Alela misses the target.
Alela stuffs the takedown attempt from Sakamoto. Sakamoto gets slowly back to his feet.
Sakamoto looks winded!
Sakamoto shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Alela sprawls well. Alela wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sakamoto gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sao Alela dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Sakamoto shoots in for a takedown but Alela shows good takedown defense.
Sakamoto drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Sakamoto moves out of range as Alela strikes.
Alela throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sakamoto stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Alela is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sakamoto can do to turn this around?
Sakamoto shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Alela as he avoids it easily.
Sakamoto takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Sakamoto displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Alela throws out the jab.
Sakamoto is trying hard to land a takedown here. Alela sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sao Alela has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Takuya Sakamoto.
A jab from Alela finds it's way through Sakamoto's defenses.
Sao Alela is winning the standup battle so far.
Alela dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sakamoto. That did some damage!
Alela lunges at Sakamoto with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Sakamoto's hand.
Alela feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sakamoto's calf.
Alela jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sakamoto shoots in for a takedown but Alela shows good takedown defense.
Alela defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sakamoto.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Alela scores with a jab.
Alela is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Alela lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Takuya Sakamoto is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jab by Alela.
Alela lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Alela connects with a single shot there.
Alela connects with a leg kick. Sakamoto looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakamoto looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Alela thuds a left hand into Sakamoto's body.
Alela connects with an inside leg kick.
Sakamoto shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Alela pinned against the cage. Alela gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Alela throwing a counter right hand but Sakamoto manages to avoid it.
Alela connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Sakamoto misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sakamoto shoots for a double leg takedown but Alela sprawls well. He's pushed Sakamoto's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sakamoto is breathing heavily.
Sakamoto with a lazy takedown attempt
and Alela counters with a nice uppercut.
Sakamoto's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Alela throws a shot from downtown. Sakamoto moves away and avoids it.
Alela ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Alela lands a jab to the nose.
A nice leg kick lands there from Alela.
Alela scores with a jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Alela works Sakamoto's body with a nice hook.
Alela scores with a nice right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alela cracks Sakamoto with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nice uppercut there from Alela.
Alela thuds his right hand into Sakamoto's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Sakamoto has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

Sakamoto dives in and scores a takedown into Alela's guard.

Alela has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Sakamoto off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Alela lands a glancing blow to the side of Sakamoto's head.
Sakamoto fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Alela avoids it really well and circles away.
Alela lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Alela connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Sao Alela is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sakamoto gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Sakamoto shoots in looking for a takedown. Alela tries to sprawl out of it but Sakamoto keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Alela manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sakamoto shoots in for a takedown but Alela shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sakamoto on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sakamoto throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Alela tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Sakamoto is in Alela's guard.
Alela has Sakamoto pulled in close to control his posture.
Sakamoto tries to free his leg and advance position but Alela is retaining full guard.

Alela has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Sakamoto has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

Alela breaks from the clinch.
Alela throws a nice outside leg kick.
Alela scores with a nice head shot.
Alela leaves Sakamoto with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A big right from Alela misses.
Sakamoto shoots in for a takedown but Alela shows good takedown defense.
Sakamoto takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Alela scores with a nice right hand.
Alela throws an overhand right that lands on Sakamoto's shoulder, as Sakamoto tries to avoid the shot.
Alela's corner calls for a 1-2. Alela obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Alela stuns Sakamoto with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Alela jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Alela fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sakamoto has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alela lands a lovely overhand right.
Sakamoto closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Alela cracks Sakamoto with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Sakamoto gets the takedown into side control.
Alela wants to get back to his feet.

Sakamoto goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Alela rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Sakamoto's guard! Nice work there by Alela!

Alela stands up and waves to Sakamoto to follow him.
Alela lands a jab to the head.
Sakamoto steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Alela.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakamoto misses with a takedown attempt - Alela sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sakamoto tries to move into range but Alela moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Sakamoto misses with a takedown attempt
and Alela cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sao Alela dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Sakamoto's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Alela connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Sakamoto scrambles back to his feet.
Sakamoto fails to land the takedown.
Alela throws a jab when Sakamoto was well out of range.
Alela cracks Sakamoto with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Sakamoto staying out of range there.
Alela lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Sakamoto will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Alela misses with an uppercut.
Sakamoto takes one to the chin there.
Sakamoto shoots for a double leg takedown but Alela sprawls well. He's pushed Sakamoto's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sao Alela has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Takuya Sakamoto.
Alela scores with a jab. Sakamoto acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Alela scores with the left hand. Sakamoto knows he should have avoided that one.
Nice takedown defense from Alela. No joy for Sakamoto on that attempt.
Alela defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sakamoto.
Alela was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Alela connects with a high kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Alela connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Sakamoto momentarily.
Sakamoto takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Alela throws a hook but Sakamoto blocks it.
Sakamoto shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Alela sprawls well. Alela wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sakamoto gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alela lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sakamoto's sensitive parts.
Alela looks to land a combination. Sakamoto sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Alela lands with a straight right. Sakamoto didn't see that one coming.
Sakamoto avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Alela throws a jab but it's blocked by Sakamoto.
Alela swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Alela stuffs the takedown attempt from Sakamoto. Sakamoto gets slowly back to his feet.
Sakamoto fails with a takedown attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sakamoto.
Alela lands a jab.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Alela.
Alela lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Nice cross by Alela.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Alela lands with a nice combination. Sakamoto backs away looking to recover.
Sakamoto misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sakamoto takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Sakamoto takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Sakamoto dives in and grabs Alela's left leg, looking for a takedown. Alela pushes down on Sakamoto's head and hops out.
A slapping leg kick lands for Alela.
Sakamoto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Alela.
Sakamoto drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Alela defends it well.
Sakamoto takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Alela throws out a powerful jab.
Alela throws a looping overhand right but Sakamoto ducks down to avoid it.
Sakamoto shoots for a takedown but Alela saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sakamoto has a takedown stuffed.
Sakamoto shoots in looking for a takedown. Alela tries to sprawl out of it but Sakamoto keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Alela manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Alela pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Alela lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alela lands with a hook. Sakamoto tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Sakamoto has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Sakamoto misses with a takedown
and Alela counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Alela fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Alela is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Sakamoto shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Alela napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Sakamoto thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Alela is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Alela wants to control but Sakamoto postures up.
Alela manages to get back to half guard.

Sakamoto is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sakamoto is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Alela is just riding it out for now. Sakamoto eventually gives up the hold.
Alela has his hands clasped together around Sakamoto's back. He's all about the action.

Sakamoto seems to be working for a kimura but Alela defends the submission attempt.

Sakamoto is trying to work for a kimura but Alela is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sao Alela showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Alela 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 James Atkins scores the fight 30:25
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:25
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sao Alela!
Sao Alela decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.