PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Borg Hanson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Borg Hanson told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Sakuraba
vs
Hanson

183 cm
22
210 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
219 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

XXX 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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ryan Sakuraba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Borg Hanson!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Tiny Johnson and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuraba tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hanson tests Sakuraba's chin there with a solid looking shot.

It looks like Ryan Sakuraba has been cut.
Hanson misses with a straight right.
Hanson stuffs the takedown attempt from Sakuraba. Sakuraba gets slowly back to his feet.
Sakuraba fails to land the takedown.
Hanson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Hanson drops Sakuraba with a left and a right! Oh, Sakuraba is hurt - Hanson dives into side control looking to finish!

Sakuraba is rocked!

Hanson decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Oh Sakuraba is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hanson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sakuraba seems to have got his legs back now.

Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Hanson is looking to stand up but Sakuraba isn't so interested in that idea.
Sakuraba throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba trying to control the position from guard on top but Hanson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sakuraba won't allow Hanson to get back to his feet.
Sakuraba trying to control the position from guard on top but Hanson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sakuraba stops Hanson from standing up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Donk. Hanson catches Sakuraba right on the button with a cross.
Hanson scores with a jab to the head.
Sakuraba misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan Sakuraba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sakuraba is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hanson stuffs the takedown.
Hanson throws a right hand that Sakuraba ducks under and follows up with a left that Sakuraba also avoids with ease.
Sakuraba fails with a takedown attempt.
Sakuraba fails with a takedown attempt.
Borg Hanson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hanson drops Sakuraba with a right and a left! Hanson comes rushing in but Sakuraba regains his composure and manages to keep Hanson in guard.
Hanson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sakuraba wants to sweep but no luck.
Hanson wants to stand and escape but instead Sakuraba has hit a sweep and he's now on top in 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!
Hanson keeping full guard, as Sakuraba tries to pass.
Sakuraba wants to control from the top but Hanson keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanson keeping full guard, as Sakuraba tries to pass.
Sakuraba seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hanson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Sakuraba trying to control but Hanson is working from the bottom.

That's four 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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hanson stuffs the takedown.
Horrible takedown by Sakuraba or perhaps it was just good defense by Hanson which made him look bad.
Sakuraba throws a sloppy head kick and Hanson moves out of range easily.
Sakuraba fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hanson misses with a hook. Sakuraba ducked under it nicely.
Hanson misses with a straight left.
Sakuraba ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hanson moves away.
Hanson looks to throw the jab but Sakuraba is out of range.
Jab from Hanson.
Hanson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hanson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hanson misses with a two punch combination.
Hanson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Ryan Sakuraba's cut is getting worse.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakuraba showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hanson.
Some wild striking there from Hanson.
Hanson might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Hanson connects with a looping right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Borg Hanson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ryan Sakuraba's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sakuraba shoots in looking for a takedown. Hanson tries to sprawl out of it but Sakuraba keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hanson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hanson throws a series of strikes that have Sakuraba backpedaling.
Hanson lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sakuraba backs up against the cage.
Sakuraba shoots in for a double leg but Hanson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hanson moves into range and connects with a jab.
Sakuraba showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hanson.
Sakuraba tries for a takedown but Hanson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan Sakuraba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hanson lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Sakuraba shoots for a takedown but Hanson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hanson connects with a jab and follows up with a big overhand right! Oh that's hurt Sakuraba! He's out on his feet! Hanson rushes in and drops Sakuraba with another big right hand, forcing the referee to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:42 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Borg Hanson!