PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hayate Sakurai (ranked 838 p4p, 101 weight class) and Kaverin Vladislavovich (ranked 2827 p4p, 277 weight class). Kaverin Vladislavovich will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Sakurai
vs
Vladislavovich

166 cm
26
151 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

167 cm
26
152 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Granite 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 7 - 4 - 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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kaverin Vladislavovich!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Santiago Holmes and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Vladislavovich darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Vladislavovich looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Vladislavovich is looking to advance position but Sakurai won't allow it.

Sakurai looking for subs from the bottom but Vladislavovich mounts him!
Sakurai is looking to improve his position but Vladislavovich isn't that keen on the idea.
Vladislavovich manages to capitalize on a mistake by Sakurai to take his back!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakurai tries to break free.

Vladislavovich has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Sakurai tries to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vladislavovich is looking for the choke from the back position but Sakurai is controlling his hands well.
Vladislavovich controlling well, preventing Sakurai from escaping the position.
Sakurai has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

Sakurai showing good submission defense here.
Vladislavovich has the hooks in. Sakurai is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Vladislavovich has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Sakurai has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Vladislavovich is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai is trying to break free.
Sakurai manages to reverse the position and now he's in Vladislavovich's guard. Nice work there by Sakurai.
Sakurai passes into half guard.

Vladislavovich looking for submissions off his back.
Sakurai is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Vladislavovich reverses the position - he's now on top in Sakurai's guard.
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!
Sakurai looking for a sweep. Not yet Sakurai, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vladislavovich trying to control but Sakurai is working from the bottom.

Sakurai working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Vladislavovich has passed into half guard!
Sakurai tries to get to full guard but Vladislavovich has control of the leg.

Vladislavovich is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Sakurai defends it well.

Sakurai actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Sakurai actively working from the bottom here.

Vladislavovich looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Vladislavovich is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kaverin Vladislavovich dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Vladislavovich misses with an uppercut. Sakurai saw that one coming.

Sakurai throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Vladislavovich was covering up waiting for the punch and Sakurai finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Vladislavovich had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sakurai defends it easily.
Sakurai wants to pass the guard but Vladislavovich is keeping the position.

Vladislavovich looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Vladislavovich has his foot on Sakurai's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sakurai works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai wants to pass the guard but Vladislavovich is keeping the position.
Sakurai slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Sakurai goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Vladislavovich has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Sakurai but great work by Vladislavovich.
Sakurai tries to improve position but can't.
Sakurai is working hard here to advance position.

Vladislavovich is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sakurai is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Sakurai is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Vladislavovich off and has taken his back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vladislavovich looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

Vladislavovich defends a prolonged rear naked choke attempt and turns nicely into his opponent's guard.
Vladislavovich is pushing down on Sakurai's leg trying to pass to half guard. Sakurai is fighting to maintain full guard but Vladislavovich has managed to sneak the leg through.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sakurai is not content to let Vladislavovich control the position.
Sakurai gets back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vladislavovich pushes down on Sakurai's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Vladislavovich seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sakurai does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Sakurai looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Vladislavovich has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Vladislavovich is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Sakurai as he works his way to full guard.
Vladislavovich pushes down on Sakurai's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Sakurai looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Sakurai looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kaverin Vladislavovich has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Vladislavovich is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kaverin Vladislavovich will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Vladislavovich pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sakurai moves away from the strike by Vladislavovich.

Vladislavovich gets caught napping as Sakurai dives in and scores a takedown. Vladislavovich manages to retain guard.
Sakurai passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Vladislavovich gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Vladislavovich looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Vladislavovich looking for submissions off his back.

Sakurai is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Vladislavovich doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sakurai.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vladislavovich is defending against the submission attempts here by Sakurai.

Sakurai is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Sakurai trying to pass the guard but Vladislavovich defending well.

Sakurai is looking for a kimura here.
Vladislavovich is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vladislavovich regains full guard. Nicely done.

Vladislavovich is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Vladislavovich working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sakurai doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sakurai manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Vladislavovich has his foot on Sakurai's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sakurai works his way back into a safe position though.
Hayate Sakurai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sakurai postures up in Vladislavovich's guard and throws a big left but Vladislavovich blocks it.

Sakurai has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Vladislavovich to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Sakurai is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Vladislavovich pulls down on the head and he's put Sakurai to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Kaverin Vladislavovich!
A less than humble Kaverin Vladislavovich misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.