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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Martti Esko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hiro Sakurai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Martti Esko has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
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| 190 cm
21
199 lbs
11 - 5 - 0 |
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185 cm
20
204 lbs
6 - 1 - 0 |
BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin |
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BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Martti Esko!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Hiro Sakurai!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Paul Tew and Steven Brown.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Esko takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Esko moves out of range as Sakurai strikes.
Esko shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sakurai fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Esko checks it well.
Esko fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sakurai.
Sakurai scores with the left hand. Esko knows he should have avoided that one.
Sakurai scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Esko doesn't seem bothered though.
Esko has Sakurai up against the ropes in a clinch.
Esko lands a damaging elbow.
A head punch on the inside from Sakurai fails to land.
Esko lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Sakurai backwards.
Esko lands an elbow inside.
Esko prevents Sakurai from breaking the clinch.
Esko lands a nice knee to the body.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Esko throws an elbow but misses.
Esko creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Esko is leaning against Sakurai and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sakurai is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sakurai looks gassed!
A short right from Esko on the inside.
Sakurai lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Sakurai takes an elbow to the temple.
Esko lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Sakurai tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Esko avoids it.
Sakurai wants to break free but Esko has control.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from Esko on the inside.
Esko blocks a body shot from Sakurai.
Esko misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sakurai.
Esko lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sakurai backwards.
Sakurai blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Esko gets underhooks to prevent Sakurai's takedown attempt.
Esko misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sakurai goes for a takedown attempt but Esko pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Martti Esko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hiro Sakurai.
Sakurai showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Esko.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Sakurai, as that shot connected.
Esko slips a jab from Sakurai.
Sakurai cracks Esko with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Esko works over Sakurai's head and body with a nice combination.
Esko lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Esko clinches.
Esko blocks an uppercut.
Esko lands a nice uppercut.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Esko trying to land knees to the body.
Esko creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Sakurai's defenses.
Sakurai has had enough of the clinch but Esko keeps him there for the moment.
Esko lands a knee to the body.
Esko lands a right hand.
Esko lands an elbow inside that Sakurai shrugs off.
Esko working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Esko presses Sakurai against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Esko lands with a right to the head.
A shot in the inside from Esko.
Esko lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Sakurai or not.
Sakurai takes an elbow to the temple.
Knees in the clinch landing for Esko.
Esko working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Esko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sakurai is defending well for now.
Esko lands a damaging elbow.
Sakurai throws a punch but it's blocked by Esko.
Esko throws an elbow that misses.
Esko gets through Sakurai's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Esko trying to land knees to the body.
Esko creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Sakurai managing to block the knees to the body from Esko.
Sakurai can't break the clinch.
Sakurai has Esko pressed up against the ropes. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Sakurai pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Esko tumbling to the mat - Sakurai dives into Esko's guard.
Esko is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Sakurai trying to control the position from guard on top but Esko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sakurai drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sakurai jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Sakurai won't allow Esko to sweep him here.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Esko has an active guard here but Sakurai has managed to pass into half guard.
Esko tries to roll over but Sakurai keeps him under control.
Sakurai stalling away here and it's allowed Esko to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakurai is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Esko is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Esko has escaped and now he's on top!
Esko drops back looking for a leg! Sakurai is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sakurai manages to kick Esko off! Esko jumps back into Sakurai's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Martti Esko dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!
Esko has taken the fight to the clinch.
Esko has a couple of punches blocked by Sakurai.
Esko lands a damaging elbow.
Esko lands with a short shot to the head.
Sakurai throws a knee to the head but misses.
Sakurai working aggressively here.
Sakurai looking to slow down the pace here.
Esko works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Sakurai tries to score a body lock takedown but Esko shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Esko comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Esko lands a damaging elbow.
Sakurai throws an elbow that misses.
Esko lands an elbow inside.
Sakurai is looking to break free of the clinch but Esko has double underhooks.
Sakurai is breathing heavily.
Esko lands an elbow that stopped Sakurai in his tracks for a moment.
Sakurai pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Sakurai misses with some punches.
Sakurai misses with a short punch on the inside.
Esko lands an elbow inside.
Esko lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Martti Esko has scored more points in the clinch so far.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Esko lands an elbow just above Sakurai 's eye.
Sakurai managing to block the knees to the body from Esko.
Sakurai avoids a wild elbow strike from Esko.
Esko lands an elbow inside.
Esko dodges an elbow strike from Sakurai.
Esko lands a damaging elbow.
Nice elbow from Esko.
Esko lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Sakurai takes an elbow to the forehead.
Esko lands a damaging elbow.
Esko lands a nice elbow.
Sakurai misses with a punch on the inside.
Sakurai pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Esko lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Esko closes the distance and clinches.
Esko lands an uppercut.
Esko pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Sakurai drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Esko gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Esko gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Esko lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Esko prevents Sakurai from breaking the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Esko.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esko works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Sakurai wants a takedown.
Martti Esko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hiro Sakurai.
Esko creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Sakurai's defenses.
Esko lands a body punch in the clinch.
Sakurai managing to block the knees to the body from Esko.
Sakurai takes an elbow to the forehead.
Esko gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Esko throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Sakurais head.
Esko digs a right hand underneath Sakurai's ribcage. Sakurai let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Esko lands a damaging elbow.
Esko comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Esko lands an elbow inside.
Esko creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Sakurai's defenses.
Esko keeps control of Sakurai as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Esko lands a damaging elbow.
A short uppercut from Esko.
Esko blocks an uppercut.
Esko lands a hook to the side of the head.
Esko unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Knees in the clinch landing for Esko.
Esko lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Sakurai has had enough of the clinch but Esko keeps him there for the moment.
Esko working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Esko presses Sakurai against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Martti Esko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Esko misses with a wild body shot.
Esko has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sakurai is trying to break free.
Sakurai takes an elbow to the forehead.
Esko lands a nice elbow.
Esko lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Esko lands a nice shot to the body.
Sakurai takes an elbow to the forehead.
Sakurai lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Esko tries to throw a body punch but Sakurai avoids it by throwing Esko back against the cage.
Esko's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Esko throws an elbow but it misses.
Esko throws an elbow but it misses.
Sakurai misses with a hook from the clinch.
Esko tries to work over Sakurai's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Esko pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Sakurai misses with some punches.
Esko misses with an elbow strike.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Esko as Sakurai tries to tie him up.
Good body shot from Esko.
Esko swings wildly with an uppercut but Sakurai uses good head movement to avoid it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Esko.
Sakurai blocks an elbow strike.
Sakurai lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Esko prevents the takedown attempt.
Esko scores with a nice hook to the head.
Sakurai blocks an elbow strike.
Sakurai looking to stall.
Esko putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Sakurai in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Sakurai scores with a shot to the side of Esko's head.
A short right from Sakurai.
Esko pushes off an throws an elbow but Sakurai leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Sakurai wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Esko has him pressed against the ropes.
Esko working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Sakurai is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Esko comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Esko creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Sakurai's defenses.
Esko unloads a knee to the mid-section. Sakurai lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Esko lands an elbow just above Sakurai 's eye.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Sakurai takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Esko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Martti Esko dominated that second round.
That's time! Esko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Sakurai wants to clinch up but Esko keeps it at a distance.
Sakurai tries to clinch up.
Sakurai tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Martti Esko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Esko fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sakurai.
Sakurai is trying hard to land a takedown here. Esko sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Esko tries to close the distance and clinch but Sakurai swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Esko shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Sakurai is trying to defend but Esko finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Sakurai is looking to control Esko's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sakurai avoid being mounted?
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Esko trying to pass the guard but Sakurai defending well.
Sakurai wants to control but Esko is keeping busy and won't allow it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Esko seems to be looking for submissions.
Sakurai tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Sakurai is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sakurai throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Esko is looking to advance position but Sakurai won't allow it.
It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Sakurai moves into the clinch.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Esko lands a hook that snaps the head of Sakurai backwards.
Nice elbow from Esko.
Sakurai can't break the clinch.
Sakurai avoiding damage as Esko throws knees to the body.
Good body shot from Esko.
Sakurai blocks an elbow strike.
Sakurai manages to break the clinch.
Sakurai shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Sakurai showed some decent athleticism there.
Esko is trying to maintain the position but Sakurai is very close to passing his half guard.
Sakurai with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Sakurai is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai is trying to control. Esko wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Sakurai thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Esko's head.
Esko looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sakurai is trying to control. Esko wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Sakurai is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Sakurai trying to control but Esko is having none of it.
Esko keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Sakurai is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Esko can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sakurai can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Esko is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close third round but Hiro Sakurai just about did enough to take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.
Esko scores a takedown into full mount!
Sakurai is squirming around, avoiding Esko's attempts to control the action.
Sakurai tries to reverse the position but Esko maintains control.
Sakurai is just holding on here. Esko manages to take his back.
Sakurai just trying to survive but Esko is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Sakurai is really stuck here.
Sakurai is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Esko is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Sakurai is defending well though. Esko let's go of the attempt for now.
Esko not allowing Sakurai to control his hands.
Sakurai preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Esko.
Esko doesn't have the hooks in and Sakurai manages to turn into his guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Esko tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sakurai trying to control the position from guard on top but Esko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Esko tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sakurai wants to pass the guard but Esko is keeping the position.
Sakurai is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai advances position into side control!
Esko sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Sakurai not doing much here.
Sakurai tries to pass the half guard into mount. Esko knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Esko trying to control here.
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.
Esko looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Esko is refusing to be controlled, as Sakurai sits in half guard.
Sakurai might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Esko kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Esko wants to get back to full guard but Sakurai has passed into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Martti Esko had his way with Hiro Sakurai in that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!
Sakurai scores with a jab to the jaw.
Esko fails with the takedown
and Sakurai counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sakurai tries to clinch up.
Esko attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Esko.
Esko throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Esko walks into a stiff left hand from Sakurai.
Esko doesn't manage to clinch there - Sakurai circles away.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Esko shoots and misses
and Sakurai counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Martti Esko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Esko shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Sakurai punishes Esko's body with a nice straight punch.
Esko takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Esko swats away the attempt to clinch by Sakurai.
Esko walks into a straight right hand from Sakurai.
Sakurai throws a head kick that misses.
Esko leaves Sakurai with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Esko takes a kick to the side of the head.
Esko tries a head kick but it misses.
Sakurai throws a jab when Esko was well out of range.
Sakurai swats away the attempt to clinch by Esko.
Esko throws a head kick but Sakurai moves out of range.
Esko has a takedown stuffed.
Esko tries to keep at a distance but Sakurai has taken the fight into the clinch.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sakurai trying to control the position but instead, Esko has worked for underhooks and has pushed Sakurai into the ropes.
Sakurai takes a knee to the side of the body.
Sakurai lands a body shot.
Sakurai throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Eskos head.
Sakurai goes for a takedown in the clinch but Esko prevents it.
Sakurai goes for a takedown attempt but Esko pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Esko misses with a combination
so Sakurai counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Esko is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Sakurai trying to control the position from guard on top but Esko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Esko bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sakurai's guard.
Hiro Sakurai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esko tries to free his leg and advance position but Sakurai is retaining full guard.
Esko stops Sakurai from standing up.
Sakurai tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Esko slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Sakurai is trying to get back to half guard.
Esko has knee on belly and moves into mount.
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.
Sakurai is working to get back to half guard.
Sakurai tries to hold on but Esko pushes him away.
Esko jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Sakurai manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Sakurai is trying to control Esko's posture but Esko avoids it.
Martti Esko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sakurai tries to bench press Esko off him but Esko keeps the position.
And that's the end of the fight!
Hiro Sakurai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Esko 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 48:47
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 48:47
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 48:47
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Martti Esko!
Martti Esko retains his middleweight title!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
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
89% |
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