PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ian Saga (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yuri Sarbinov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Ian Saga has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Saga
vs
Sarbinov

194 cm
21
181 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

177 cm
22
182 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Great low kicks
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

NBK Outfitters

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ian Saga!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Yuri Sarbinov!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Winston Howard and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saga throws a one two combo.
Saga lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Saga really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Saga tries to bum rush Sarbinov with a series of wild strikes but Sarbinov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Saga swings for the body but Sarbinov moves out of range.
Sarbinov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Saga throws a head kick that half lands.
Saga stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Sarbinov takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Sarbinov fails to land the takedown.
Sarbinov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Yuri Sarbinov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No joy there for Sarbinov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Saga lands a head kick!

Sarbinov gets the takedown into side control.
Saga tries to improve position but can't.
Sarbinov working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Saga manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Saga seems to be looking for submissions.
Sarbinov controlling the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sarbinov is looking to control Saga's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sarbinov avoid being mounted?

Saga seems to be looking for submissions.

Saga is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Sarbinov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Saga stopping the sweep attempt from Sarbinov.

Saga thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Sarbinov wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Sarbinov is trying to keep Saga in close.
Saga missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sarbinov is on top in guard.

Saga had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sarbinov defends it easily.
Sarbinov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sarbinov passes into half guard.
Sarbinov working Saga over with strikes.
Sarbinov is keen to just control but Saga is a slippery customer.

Saga looking for submissions off his back.
Sarbinov is nestled in close to Saga, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saga wants to improve his position but Sarbinov is controlling well.

Saga is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sarbinov pulls his head out easily.
Sarbinov is nestled in close to Saga, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Sarbinov is looking to stall here but Saga recovers full guard.
Sarbinov trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Saga manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Saga passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ian Saga will probably get the nod.
That's time! Saga's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sarbinov misses the shot to the body.
Saga comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Saga punishes Sarbinov's body with a nice straight punch.
Sarbinov tries for a takedown but Saga sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Sarbinov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Saga tries to reverse the position but Sarbinov maintains control.

Sarbinov goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Saga is on top in guard.

Saga thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Saga drops back looking for a leg! Sarbinov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sarbinov manages to kick Saga off! Saga jumps back into Sarbinov's guard.
Saga thows a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saga prevents Sarbinov from getting back to his feet.
Sarbinov is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Saga will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Sarbinov 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.
Sarbinov is trying to control the position but Saga postures up.

Saga is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Saga steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sarbinov.

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.
Sarbinov closes the distance and clinches up with Saga, looking for a takedown. Sarbinov pushes Saga against the cage but Saga circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ian Saga is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Saga lands with an uppercut that bounces Sarbinov off the cage and back into rage.
A jab from Saga finds it's way through Sarbinov's defenses.
Saga cracks Sarbinov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Saga darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Saga throws a combination. Sarbinov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Saga thuds his shin into the meat of Sarbinov's side.
Sarbinov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Saga sprawls well. Saga wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sarbinov gets slowly back to his feet.
Ian Saga has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yuri Sarbinov.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Saga, right into the meat.
Saga is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Sarbinov falls off balance throwing a combination
and Saga counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Sarbinov gets the takedown into side control.
Sarbinov is breathing heavily.
Saga is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Sarbinov is looking to stall here but Saga recovers full guard.
Saga throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Saga is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sarbinov is aware though and is defending well.
Saga wants to sweep but no luck.

Saga looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sarbinov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Saga preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sarbinov tries to free his leg and advance position but Saga is retaining full guard.
Sarbinov won't allow Saga to sweep him here.
Sarbinov looking to sit in guard and control but Saga gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Sarbinov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Saga's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Saga looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sarbinov wants to control from the top but Saga keeps moving.
Sarbinov is working Saga over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Sarbinov is looking to work some ground and pound but Saga has wrist control.
Sarbinov is working Saga over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Sarbinov wants to stand but Saga is controlling his posture from full guard.
Sarbinov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ian Saga will probably get the nod.
That's time! Saga's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Saga scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Sarbinov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Saga sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Saga throws a series of punches but Sarbinov avoids them all with ease.
Saga lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Sarbinov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Saga lands an overhand right.
Sarbinov throws an overhand right that lands on Saga's shoulder, as Saga tries to avoid the shot.
Saga moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Saga dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sarbinov takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Saga lands with a nice combination. Sarbinov backs away looking to recover.
Nice shot lands for Saga.
Saga blocks the body kick.
Saga with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Sarbinov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Saga defends it nicely.
Sarbinov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Some wild striking there from Saga.
Saga with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sarbinov gets a takedown into half guard.

Saga looking for submissions off his back.
Saga flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Sarbinov wants to control but Saga is keeping him busy.
Saga moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Sarbinov stays in close to Saga's body and controls the position.
Yuri Sarbinov has got the better of the ground game so far.

Saga had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sarbinov defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sarbinov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Saga looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Sarbinov decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Saga, up you get!
Sarbinov wants to clinch up but Saga keeps it at a distance.
Sarbinov tries to clinch there but Saga circles away.
Saga scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Sarbinov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Saga wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sarbinov slips a nice elbow through Saga's hands, connecting with Saga's forehead.
Saga makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Saga.
Sarbinov wants to stand but Saga has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Yuri Sarbinov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Saga manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sarbinov manages to get himself to full guard.
Saga won't allow Sarbinov to get back to his feet.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sarbinov is on top in guard.
Saga has momentary wrist control but Sarbinov slips an elbow through the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saga wants to sweep here but Sarbinov controlling him for the moment.
Sarbinov postures up in Saga's guard and throws a big left but Saga blocks it.

Sarbinov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sarbinov scoring with some ground and pound.

Saga working for submissions but it's allowed Sarbinov to get to half guard.
Saga keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ian Saga.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Saga, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ian Saga!