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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hidehiko Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Demian Rocha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 188 cm
23
189 lbs
4 - 1 - 0 |
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183 cm
19
196 lbs
3 - 1 - 0 |
BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good chin |
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BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Hidehiko Sakuraba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Demian Rocha!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Emerson Jorge and Leandro Rodrigues.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice leg kick lands there from Rocha.
Rocha misses with a wild body shot.
Demian Rocha seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sakuraba drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Sakuraba trying to control the position from guard on top but Rocha is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rocha is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sakuraba trying to control but Rocha is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rocha pushes Sakuraba off and gets back to his feet.
Sakuraba fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rocha avoids it really well and circles away.
Rocha loads up on a big right hand but Sakuraba slips the punch.
Sakuraba looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocha keeping moving, preventing Sakuraba from controlling successfully.
Rocha is pulling down on Sakuraba's head to control his posture.
Rocha wants to stand up but Sakuraba is controlling him.
Sakuraba has gone for a leg lock! Rocha slips out almost immediately though and dives into Sakuraba's guard.
Rocha must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sakuraba escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rocha gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sakuraba is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rocha defends well.
Sakuraba is breathing heavily.
Rocha passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba wants to control but Rocha postures up.
Rocha is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sakuraba is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Rocha stands up.
Sakuraba checks a leg kick nicely.
Demian Rocha is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rocha has closed the distance and engaged Sakuraba in a clinch.
Sakuraba drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rocha gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sakuraba dodges an elbow strike from Rocha.
Rocha's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Rocha creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Sakuraba's defenses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocha manages to break the clinch.
Sakuraba avoids a kick to the body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sakuraba is defended easily by Rocha.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hidehiko Sakuraba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rocha moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Rocha lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sakuraba circles away quickly and effectively.
Sakuraba looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rocha looks for the body kick but Sakuraba saw that one coming.
Rocha rushes Sakuraba and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Sakuraba jumps guard but Rocha stands there with Sakuraba around his waist. Sakuraba gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rocha breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rocha darts in and clinches Sakuraba up against the cage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rocha's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sakuraba ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Good leg kick by Rocha there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Rocha misses with a looping left.
Sakuraba staying out of range there.
Sakuraba blocks a head kick by Rocha.
Rocha misses with a straight left.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rocha sprawls well. Rocha wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sakuraba gets slowly back to his feet.
Sakuraba staying out of range there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rocha sprawls well. Rocha wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sakuraba gets slowly back to his feet.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rocha.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Demian Rocha dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Rocha throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rocha throws a nice looking combination but Sakuraba bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rocha scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Sakuraba takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sakuraba checks a leg kick.
Sakuraba on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Sakuraba scores a takedown into full mount!
Rocha is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Sakuraba trying to control but Rocha is having none of it.
Sakuraba working for a guillotine from mount but Rocha is in no mood to give up.
Rocha is breathing heavily.
Sakuraba wants to finish this one by submission but Rocha is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Sakuraba.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Rocha is surviving well by controlling Sakuraba's body position as best he can.
Rocha keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Sakuraba wants to take Rocha's back here but Rocha is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
Rocha is trying desperately to improve 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.
Sakuraba is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Sakuraba keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A punch combination from Rocha misses.
Rocha stuffs the takedown.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sakuraba.
Rocha tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sakuraba swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sakuraba blocks a low kick nicely.
Sakuraba avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rocha tries to bum rush Sakuraba with a series of wild strikes but Sakuraba uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sakuraba slips a jab and a cross from Rocha.
Rocha scores with a shot to the body.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba ducks under a wild hook from Rocha.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown but Rocha shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hidehiko Sakuraba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sakuraba checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Rocha misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sakuraba tries to clinch but Rocha moves out of range.
Rocha wants to slow Sakuraba down by chopping away at his legs.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rocha but Rocha pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rocha lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Sakuraba checks a leg kick nicely.
Rocha throws a leg kick but Sakuraba sees it coming and moves out of range.
Sakuraba throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rocha's waist but Rocha gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sakuraba off to one side.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rocha scores with a sloppy right hand. Sakuraba should have avoided that one.
Sakuraba avoids a kick to the body.
Sakuraba shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Rocha rushes Sakuraba and presses him up against the cage.
Rocha misses with a knee strike.
Rocha gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba jumps guard but Rocha stands there with Sakuraba around his waist. Sakuraba gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rocha lands a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Rocha.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Sakuraba tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rocha just stands there and leans against the cage.
Sakuraba wants a takedown.
Sakuraba is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rocha is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Sakuraba tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rocha smiles and moves away.
Rocha keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Demian Rocha showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!
Sakuraba on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Rocha fails to land with a series of punches.
Rocha fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sakuraba slips a straight right by Rocha.
Nice defenses there by Sakuraba.
Rocha looks to score with a jab to the body but Sakuraba is just out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Sakuraba checks a leg kick.
Rocha looks for the body kick but Sakuraba saw that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Some wild striking there from Rocha.
Hidehiko Sakuraba is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Rocha.
Rocha takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rocha misses the jab.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Sakuraba blocks the leg kick.
Sakuraba fails with the takedown.
Rocha misses with a double jab.
Sakuraba moves out of range of the strikes.
Sakuraba fails with the takedown.
No luck for Sakuraba with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hidehiko Sakuraba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sakuraba stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rocha.
Sakuraba shoots for a double leg takedown but Rocha sprawls well. He's pushed Sakuraba's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rocha fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sakuraba manages to avoid it.
Rocha loads up on a big right hand but Sakuraba slips the punch.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocha throws out a leg kick but Sakuraba moves out of range and Rocha only half commits.
Rocha scores with a jab.
Sakuraba stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rocha.
Rocha moves in looking to clinch but Sakuraba pushes him off.
Good shot there by Rocha.
Rocha ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Sakuraba checks a leg kick.
Rocha tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rocha throws a hook but Sakuraba avoids it easily.
Rocha scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Sakuraba doesn't seem bothered though.
Sakuraba tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Rocha.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocha looks to land a combination but Sakuraba avoids it well.
Rocha throws a series of punches but Sakuraba moves out of range.
Sakuraba is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rocha sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rocha with a nice cross.
Rocha tries a head kick but it misses.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rocha as he avoids it easily.
Rocha throws a half hearted mid kick.
Rocha stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rocha wants it to stay on the feet.
Rocha feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sakuraba's calf.
Rocha scores with a leg kick.
Sakuraba fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rocha throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Hidehiko Sakuraba has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rocha just misses with a punch to the body.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rocha as he avoids it easily.
Rocha has managed to clinch.
Sakuraba managing to block the knees to the body from Rocha.
Sakuraba takes a knee to the side of the body.
Rocha is pressed up against the cage. Sakuraba has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rocha down to the mat. Rocha avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rocha tries a head kick but it misses.
Rocha looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A bone on bone clash there as Sakuraba blocks the leg kick.
Sakuraba fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rocha defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Rocha feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sakuraba's calf.
Rocha throws a jab but it's blocked by Sakuraba.
And that's the end of the fight!
Demian Rocha comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rocha winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight for Demian Rocha!
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight for Demian Rocha!
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight for Demian Rocha!
Demian Rocha wins by unanimous decision!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
54% |
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