PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dionicio Pizarro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Sagat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pizarro comes to the cage accompanied by Megaman 4: "Skullman, Soldier Of The Underworld". John Sagat 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!

Pizarro
vs
Sagat

178 cm
22
200 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

177 cm
24
197 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

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 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dionicio Pizarro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, John Sagat!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Kenichi Hosakawa and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sagat tries to clinch but Pizarro moves out of range.

Sagat drives through and clinches with Pizarro against the cage.
Sagat connects with a knee to the head.
Sagat tries to land a knee to the head but Pizarro blocks with his arms.
Sagat with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Pizarro.
Pizarro tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sagat just stands there and leans against the cage.
Knees to the body from Sagat.

Pizarro breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sagat tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sagat tries to clinch up but Pizarro circles away and keeps his distance.
Pizarro shoots in but Sagat avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sagat stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dionicio Pizarro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sagat tries to close the distance and clinch but Pizarro swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sagat tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Pizarro keeps the fight on the outside.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sagat looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Pizarro shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Sagat is positioning himself well to prevent Pizarro advancing to mount.
Sagat trying to hold on to Pizarro's head to control him but Pizarro postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pizarro controlling the action here.
Sagat is looking for a sweep. Pizarro is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Pizarro is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Sagat is pressing down on Pizarro's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Pizarro trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sagat utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Pizarro looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Pizarro missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sagat keeping full guard, as Pizarro tries to pass.
Pizarro prevents Sagat from getting back to his feet.
Pizarro wants to pass the guard but Sagat is keeping the position.
Sagat is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sagat tries to clinch but Pizarro moves out of range.
Pizarro keeps the fight on the outside.
Pizarro has a takedown stuffed.
Pizarro avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Pizarro swats away the attempt to clinch by Sagat.
Pizarro keeps the fight on the outside.
Sagat tries to close the distance and clinch up but Pizarro swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sagat takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sagat wants to clinch.
Pizarro keeps the fight on the outside.
Pizarro keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Pizarro circles away from the clinch attempt.

Pizarro shoots in and bounces Sagat off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Pizarro trying to control the position from guard on top but Sagat is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sagat wants to hit a switch here but Pizarro passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Sagat there!
Pizarro avoids the attempt from Sagat to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pizarro throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Sagat is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Sagat keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Pizarro wants to control but instead Sagat manages to regain half guard.
Sagat trying to control but Pizarro postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but John Sagat will probably get the nod.
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.

Pizarro is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Sagat's half guard.
Sagat makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sagat.
Pizarro in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Pizarro working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Pizarro is stalling in the full guard.
Pizarro passes Sagat's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Sagat is looking for a sweep. Pizarro is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pizarro thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sagat's head.
Pizarro is thwarting Sagat's attempts to control the position.
Pizarro throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sagat wants to control but Pizarro is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Sagat blocking the ground and pound attempt from Pizarro.
Pizarro throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sagat is looking to clinch.

Pizarro scores with a takedown into Sagat's guard.
Pizarro trying to control but Sagat is working from the bottom.
Sagat trying to keep a closed guard but Pizarro is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Pizarro sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Pizarro tries to free his leg and advance position but Sagat is retaining full guard.
Sagat looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sagat is trying to control the position but Pizarro postures up.
Pizarro pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sagat is keeping the position for now.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Pizarro avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
John Sagat seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pizarro feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Pizarro thows a big elbow that misses.
Sagat looking to hit a scissor sweep but Pizarro is one step ahead there.
Sagat is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Pizarro looking to pass the guard.
Sagat wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Pizarro wants to pass the guard but Sagat is keeping the position.
Pizarro sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Pizarro fails with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sagat is looking to clinch.
Pizarro misses with a takedown attempt - Sagat sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sagat tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sagat wants to clinch.

Pizarro closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Pizarro lands in his opponent's guard.
Sagat is trying to keep Pizarro in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dionicio Pizarro dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Sagat displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pizarro.
Pizarro throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sagat stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Pizarro avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sagat wants to clinch up but Pizarro keeps it at a distance.
Pizarro fails with a takedown attempt.
Sagat is looking to clinch.
Sagat tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Pizarro looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sagat is fending him off so far but Pizarro persists. Nope, Sagat circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dionicio Pizarro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sagat is looking to clinch but Pizarro is avoiding it.
Sagat tries to close the distance and clinch but Pizarro swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sagat is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Pizarro circles away from the clinch attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sagat tries to close the distance and clinch but Pizarro swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Pizarro misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sagat lands a good knee to the midsection. Pizarro won't want to take too many of those.
Sagat unloads a knee to the mid-section. Pizarro lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
A knee to the head by Sagat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Come on Sagat - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Sagat using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Sagat scores a nice knee to the body.
Sagat with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Dionicio Pizarro has been cut.
Sagat connects with a nasty looking knee right to Pizarro's face.
Sagat connects with a knee to the head.
Sagat unloads a knee to the mid-section. Pizarro lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Sagat scores a nice knee to the body.
A knee to the head by Sagat.
A frustrated look appears on Pizarro's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Sagat landing knees to the head.
Sagat landing knees to the body.
Sagat working Pizarro over with knees to the body.
Pizarro tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sagat smiles and moves away.
Pizarro shoots in for a takedown but Sagat shows good takedown defense.
Sagat tries to clinch up.
Pizarro dives in and grabs Sagat's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sagat pushes down on Pizarro's head and hops out.
Sagat moves in looking to clinch but Pizarro pushes him off.
Pizarro shoots in for a takedown but Sagat shows good takedown defense.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Sagat tries to clinch up but Pizarro circles away and keeps his distance.
Sagat wants to clinch up but Pizarro keeps it at a distance.
John Sagat is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sagat is looking to clinch but Pizarro is avoiding it.
Sagat tries to clinch there but Pizarro circles away.
John Sagat is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pizarro circles away from the clinch attempt.
Pizarro shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sagat sprawls well. Sagat wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Pizarro gets slowly back to his feet.
Sagat tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sagat moves in looking to clinch but Pizarro pushes him off.
Pizarro shoots for a takedown but Sagat saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sagat is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sagat wants to clinch.
Pizarro dives in and grabs Sagat's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sagat pushes down on Pizarro's head and hops out.
Sagat tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Pizarro paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sagat fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sagat fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sagat tries to clinch but Pizarro is having none of it.
Pizarro keeps the fight on the outside.
Sagat tries to clinch but Pizarro is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sagat fails with an attempt to clinch.
Pizarro looks for a takedown but Sagat sprawls well.

Pizarro tries to keep at a distance but Sagat has taken the fight into the clinch.
Sagat connects with a nasty looking knee right to Pizarro's face.
Pizarro wants to get back to striking at distance but Sagat won't allow it.
Sagat with a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Sagat.
Pizarro tries to break free but Sagat pushes him back against the cage.
Sagat connects with a nasty looking knee right to Pizarro's face.
A knee to the head by Sagat.
Sagat landing knees to the head.
Pizarro is looking to break free of the clinch but Sagat has double underhooks.
Sagat tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Pizarro tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Pizarro tries to circle away but Sagat has him pinned against the cage.
Sagat connects with a knee to the head.
Sagat misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Pizarro.
Pizarro is trying to force a seperation but Sagat has the dominant position.
A knee to the head by Sagat.
Sagat scores a nice knee to the body.
Sagat landing knees to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sagat misses with a knee strike.
Sagat landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Sagat is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Pizarro is defending well for now.
Pizarro tries to pull guard but Sagat holds him up against the cage and eventually Pizarro drops back down to his feet.
Pizarro is trying to force a seperation but Sagat has the dominant position.
Sagat lands a knee to the head.
Sagat prevents Pizarro from breaking the clinch.
Pizarro is trying to break free.
A knee to the head by Sagat.
Sagat tries a knee to the head but Pizarro blocks it.
Sagat landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Pizarro goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sagat prevents it.
John Sagat seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Sagat landing knees to the body.

Pizarro escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sagat is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Sagat clinches.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sagat looking to throw knees to the head but Pizarro is blocking nicely.
Sagat trying to land knees to the body.
Pizarro tries to pull guard but Sagat holds him up against the cage and eventually Pizarro drops back down to his feet.
Sagat lands a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Sagat comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sagat has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Sagat!