PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ludwig Lachmann (ranked 2295 p4p, 2148 weight class) and Hayato Sakuraba (ranked 302 p4p, 281 weight class). Hayato Sakuraba has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Lachmann
vs
Sakuraba

187 cm
29
220
12 - 10 - 0

180 cm
29
202
8 - 8 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

KOMBAT KLOTHING

FEEBLE FIGHTWEAR

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 12 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ludwig Lachmann!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Hayato Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Richard Clark and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuraba misses with a right hand

and Lachmann counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lachmann trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lachmann slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Lachmann is trying to move to mount but Sakuraba reverses beautifully and ends up in Lachmann's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lachmann trying to control the position.
Sakuraba looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lachmann manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sakuraba manages to get himself to full guard.

Lachmann wants to control from the top but Sakuraba keeps moving.

Lachmann has gone for a leg lock! Sakuraba slips out almost immediately though and dives into Lachmann's guard.

Sakuraba wants to control from the top but Lachmann keeps moving.

Lachmann looking for subs off his back but Sakuraba has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lachmann looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sakuraba is keen to just control but Lachmann is a slippery customer.

Lachmann looking for submissions off his back.
Sakuraba wants to take a breather but Lachmann is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lachmann gets full guard.

Lachmann looking for a guillotine here but Sakuraba defends easily.
Lachmann trying to control the position.
Sakuraba trying to control the position from guard on top but Lachmann is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

Lachmann throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Lachmann had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sakuraba defends it easily.

Lachmann throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Lachmann is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Sakuraba got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lachmann has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sakuraba has managed to get both his arms back between Lachmann's legs - danger averted.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ludwig Lachmann dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Lachmann looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Sakuraba keeping full guard, as Lachmann tries to pass.
Lachmann is working hard here to advance position.
Lachmann works a leg free and moves into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lachmann wants to pass the guard but Sakuraba is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lachmann is looking for a kimura but Sakuraba is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Lachmann to get the leverage.
Lachmann wants to free his trapped foot but Sakuraba is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Lachmann is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Sakuraba still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Sakuraba has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Lachmann is looking for a sweep.
Lachmann manages to work his way to half guard, despite Sakuraba's best efforts.

Lachmann looking for subs from the bottom but Sakuraba mounts him!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba tries to control but Lachmann wriggling away.
Lachmann gets back to half guard.
Sakuraba wants to take a breather but Lachmann is having none of it.
Lachmann tries to get to full guard but Sakuraba has control of the leg.
Lachmann 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!

Lachmann working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Lachmann not allowing Sakuraba to control his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba fending off the submission attempt from Lachmann.

Lachmann is looking for a choke. Sakuraba gets to his feet with his opponent on his back and slams him to the mat. Sakuraba manages to squirm out of the attempted choke and turns into his opponent's guard.
Lachmann seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lachmann tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Lachmann escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sakuraba gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sakuraba trying to control the position from guard on top but Lachmann is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lachmann trying to keep a closed guard but Sakuraba is proving a slippery customer.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ludwig Lachmann 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!

Lachmann walks into a jab.
Lachmann dodges the punch combination from Sakuraba.
Lachmann attempts a counter takedown but Sakuraba avoids it well and moves away.
Sakuraba blocks a head kick by Lachmann.
Lachmann closes the distance and clinches up with Sakuraba, looking for a takedown. Lachmann pushes Sakuraba against the cage but Sakuraba circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakuraba slips a straight right by Lachmann.
A countering left hand to the body from Sakuraba misses.
Sakuraba blocks a jab.
Lachmann wants to slow Sakuraba down by chopping away at his legs.
Hayato Sakuraba is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lachmann walks into a straight right hand from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lachmann looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Lachmann misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sakuraba.
Lachmann bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lachmann looks to land a left hand but Sakuraba moved out of range nicely.
A little jabbing left from Sakuraba on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Sakuraba swings for the body but Lachmann moves out of range.
Lachmann half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Lachmann tries a head kick but it misses.
Lachmann displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sakuraba throws out the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lachmann.
Lachmann looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Lachmann scores with a takedown into Sakuraba's guard.
Lachmann trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba controlling the position.

Lachmann drops back, looking for a kneebar! Sakuraba looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Sakuraba looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Sakuraba!

Lachmann is trying to control Sakuraba's posture but Sakuraba avoids it.
Lachmann is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Sakuraba is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Sakuraba takes Lachmann's back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba gets his hands free as Lachmann looks to control.
Sakuraba struggling to keep hold of the position.
Lachmann turns into Sakuraba and is now in his guard.
Lachmann pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sakuraba is keeping the position for now.
Sakuraba is trying to control the position but Lachmann postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sakuraba keeping full guard, as Lachmann tries to pass.
Hayato Sakuraba has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ludwig Lachmann is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lachmann trying to control but Sakuraba is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Hayato Sakuraba.
I think Lachmann has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ludwig Lachmann!