PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ryo Sakazaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Noburo Kobayashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sakazaki
vs
Kobayashi

183 cm
23
185 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

185 cm
24
187 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Crippler's Corner
Crippler's Corner

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ryo Sakazaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Noburo Kobayashi!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Daniel Franklin and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kobayashi bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Sakazaki tries to bum rush Kobayashi with a series of wild strikes but Kobayashi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Sakazaki throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kobayashi.
Kobayashi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sakazaki tries to clinch but Kobayashi is having none of it.
Kobayashi shoots in for a double leg but Sakazaki sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kobayashi fails with a takedown attempt.

Kobayashi shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Sakazaki looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sakazaki is breathing heavily.
Kobayashi tries to pass to full mount but Sakazaki defends it.

Kobayashi escapes and gets back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kobayashi drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Sakazaki looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kobayashi advances position into side control!

Kobayashi working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kobayashi is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sakazaki is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kobayashi controlling the position from side mount.
Sakazaki prevents Kobayashi from improving position.

Kobayashi wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Sakazaki, who protects the arm well.
Kobayashi passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Sakazaki!
Kobayashi prevents Sakazaki from getting the reversal.
Sakazaki is working hard here to advance position.
Kobayashi looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakazaki is looking to get to half guard.

Kobayashi wants to finish this one by submission but Sakazaki is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Kobayashi.

Kobayashi is working for a guillotine from mount but Sakazaki frees his head quite easily.
Sakazaki gets back to half guard.

Sakazaki looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Kobayashi seems to be working for a kimura but Sakazaki defends the submission attempt.

Sakazaki looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Kobayashi is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Sakazaki is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:03 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Noburo Kobayashi!