PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bender Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hiro Sakurai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Hiro Sakurai was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Rodriguez
vs
Sakurai

185 cm
26
202 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

185 cm
22
203 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 Las Vegas, Bender Rodriguez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Hiro Sakurai!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Andrew Berry and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodriguez throws a looping overhand right but Sakurai ducks down to avoid it.
Bender Rodriguez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rodriguez throws a right and a left that Sakurai avoids nicely.
Sakurai throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rodriguez sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rodriguez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rodriguez throws a jab when Sakurai was well out of range.
Sakurai is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Rodriguez throws a body punch but Sakurai moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodriguez jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice body punch from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez throws an overhand right that lands on Sakurai's shoulder, as Sakurai tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sakurai swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rodriguez walks into a stiff left hand from Sakurai.
Sakurai pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sakurai clobbers Rodriguez with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Rodriguez throws a shot from downtown. Sakurai moves away and avoids it.
Sakurai jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sakurai bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rodriguez throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

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.
Sakurai pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rodriguez lands with a good body shot.
Rodriguez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sakurai.
Rodriguez looks to land a combination but Sakurai avoids it well.
Rodriguez looks to land a left hand but Sakurai moved out of range nicely.
Rodriguez takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Rodriguez throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sakurai moves away from the strike by Rodriguez.
Sakurai ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez moves away from the strike by Sakurai.
Sakurai closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Sakurai missing with a left hand there. Rodriguez was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sakurai slips a straight right by Rodriguez.
A swing and a miss from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Sakurai counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Rodriguez misses with a straight left.
Rodriguez misses with a straight left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Rodriguez loads up on a big right hand but Sakurai slips the punch.
Rodriguez takes a swing at Sakurai's ribcage but misses.
Rodriguez slips a straight right by Sakurai.
Rodriguez misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Sakurai counters with a head kick.
Sakurai sizes up Rodriguez with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Sakurai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rodriguez 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.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rodriguez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sakurai manages to avoid it.
Rodriguez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiro Sakurai dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rodriguez misses with a shot to the body
and Sakurai counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rodriguez lands a slapping body shot.
Rodriguez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sakurai moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sakurai throws a body punch but Rodriguez moves out of range.
Rodriguez is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Sakurai swings for the body but Rodriguez moves out of range.
Rodriguez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rodriguez throws a lazy right hand but Sakurai sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sakurai tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rodriguez misses with a body shot
and Sakurai counters with a stiff right hand.
Rodriguez misses with an uppercut.
Sakurai slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Rodriguez connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Sakurai momentarily.
Sakurai tries a head kick but it misses.
Rodriguez throws a jab when Sakurai was well out of range.
Rodriguez with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Sakurai to score with a decent uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rodriguez swinging wildly here.
Rodriguez scores with a nice head shot.
Sakurai is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rodriguez.
Rodriguez scores with a shot to the body.
Rodriguez throws a left and a right that both miss
and Sakurai counters with a nice uppercut.
Sakurai looks to score with a jab to the body but Rodriguez is just out of range.
Sakurai defending well as Rodriguez loads up on a big left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai throws a jab but it's blocked by Rodriguez.
Sakurai blocks a jab.
Sakurai swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A shot to the body from Rodriguez misses
enabling Sakurai to counter with a crisp jab.
Sakurai misses with a double jab
and Rodriguez counters with a stiff right hand.
Sakurai lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Rodriguez throws a left and a right that both miss
and Sakurai counters with a one-two to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Rodriguez slips a jab from Sakurai.
Rodriguez misses with a few strikes there.
Rodriguez misses with a jab to the body
and Sakurai counters with a stiff right hand.
Sakurai throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rodriguez throws a shot from downtown. Sakurai moves away and avoids it.
Rodriguez misses with a hook. Sakurai ducked under it nicely.
Rodriguez misses with a shot to the body
and Sakurai counters with a series of strikes. Rodriguez will be more careful next time no doubt.
Rodriguez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sakurai.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiro Sakurai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A big left from Rodriguez misses.
A punch lands to the side of Sakurai 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Rodriguez misses with a combination
and Sakurai counters with a stiff right hand.
Rodriguez jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rodriguez misses with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodriguez scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Rodriguez scores with a body shot.
Rodriguez moves forwards but Sakurai connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Rodriguez misses.
Sakurai misses with a double jab
and Rodriguez counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nice cross by Rodriguez.
Sakurai keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rodriguez.
Sakurai ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rodriguez moves away.
Sakurai misses with a straight right.
Rodriguez works the jab nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Sakurai slips a straight right by Rodriguez.
Rodriguez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hiro Sakurai seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rodriguez looks to score with a jab to the body but Sakurai is just out of range.
Rodriguez misses with a shot to the body
enabling Sakurai to counter with a crisp jab.
Sakurai ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rodriguez lands a glancing blow to the side of Sakurai's head.
A shot to the body from Rodriguez misses
and Sakurai counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rodriguez misses with a hook.
Sakurai scores with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai misses with a looping left.
Rodriguez displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sakurai throws out the jab.
Sakurai throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rodriguez sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rodriguez swings for the body but Sakurai moves out of range.
Sakurai keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sakurai throws a big shot that misses.
Sakurai swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rodriguez cracks Sakurai with an open hand slap.

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.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Rodriguez!
Rodriguez moves out of range as Sakurai strikes.
Rodriguez takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Rodriguez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rodriguez misses the body punch
and Sakurai counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Rodriguez is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Rodriguez throws a looping overhand right but Sakurai ducks down to avoid it.
The fighters circling - Sakurai throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sakurai looks to throw the jab but Rodriguez is out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Bender Rodriguez did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rodriguez looks to land a combination but Sakurai avoids it well.
Rodriguez misses with a body punch
and Sakurai counters with a stiff right hand.
Rodriguez misses with a body shot
and Sakurai counters with a left to the body.
Sakurai scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A slow jab from Rodriguez misses its intended target.
Sakurai works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Rodriguez throws a hook to the side of Sakurai's head but Sakurai sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rodriguez tries to bum rush Sakurai with a series of wild strikes but Sakurai uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sakurai cracks Rodriguez with an open hand slap.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Rodriguez - just one landing.
Rodriguez scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Sakurai takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Sakurai takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Sakurai misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A lazy left from Sakurai finds it's target.
Rodriguez throws the left hand but Sakurai avoids the punch easily.
Sakurai throws a sloppy head kick and Rodriguez moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez misses with a hook to the body
and Sakurai counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Rodriguez falls off balance throwing a combination
and Sakurai counters with a nice uppercut.
Sakurai throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sakurai ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sakurai bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sakurai misses with a hook. Rodriguez ducked under it nicely.
A slow jab from Rodriguez misses its intended target.
Rodriguez just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez throws out a powerful jab.
Sakurai misses with an uppercut. Rodriguez saw that one coming.
Rodriguez cracks Sakurai with a good jab.
Rodriguez looks to throw the jab but Sakurai is out of range.
Sakurai takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Rodriguez with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Sakurai to score with a decent uppercut.
Sakurai slips a jab from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez scores with a nice right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rodriguez.
Sakurai has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Rodriguez thows a body shot but no joy.
The fighters circling - Sakurai throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rodriguez fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Rodriguez misses with a combination
and Sakurai counters with a one-two to the body.
Rodriguez swings for the body but Sakurai moves out of range.
Rodriguez uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sakurai.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Bender Rodriguez will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Sakurai moves away from the strike by Rodriguez.
Sakurai scores with a nice head shot.
Sakurai lands a right hook to the body.
Sakurai throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sakurai lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rodriguez at a distance.
A punch combination from Rodriguez misses.
Rodriguez keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sakurai.
Sakurai tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sakurai swings and misses with a shot to the body
enabling Rodriguez to counter with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez misses with a hook to the body
and Sakurai cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sakurai falls off balance throwing a combination
enabling Rodriguez to counter with a crisp jab.
Sakurai getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Sakurai ducks under a wild hook from Rodriguez.
Sakurai ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Rodriguez connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Sakurai's hands.
Sakurai slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez throws a lazy right hand but Sakurai sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sakurai lunges at Rodriguez with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rodriguez's hand.
Sakurai doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Rodriguez throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
and Sakurai counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rodriguez thinking.
Rodriguez loads up on a big right hand but Sakurai slips the punch.
Rodriguez misses with a wild body shot.
Sakurai throws a hook but Rodriguez blocks it.
Rodriguez misses with a looping right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez misses with a body shot
and Sakurai counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sakurai swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sakurai slips under a jab.
Rodriguez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sakurai.
Sakurai misses the body punch
and Rodriguez counters with a three punch combo that has Sakurai backing up. Sakurai nods at Rodriguez to acknowledge the strikes.
A head kick misses from Sakurai.
Nice straight punches there by Rodriguez. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Rodriguez.
A big right from Sakurai misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sakurai misses with a jab to the body
and Rodriguez counters with a three punch combo that has Sakurai backing up. Sakurai nods at Rodriguez to acknowledge the strikes.
Sakurai uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez looks to throw the jab but Sakurai is out of range.
Sakurai steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez misses with a hook. Sakurai ducked under it nicely.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Rodriguez, as that shot connected.
Sakurai takes one to the side of the head.
Rodriguez misses with an uppercut. Sakurai saw that one coming.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Hiro Sakurai.
Well Sakurai has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 47:48
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 47:48
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hiro Sakurai!
Hiro Sakurai is the new middleweight champion!