PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ozzy Osborn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazuushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sakuraba is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Ski Beatz Ft Jim Jones & Curren$y - Go. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Osborn
vs
Sakuraba

200 cm
24
170 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

175 cm
20
179 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ozzy Osborn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazuushi Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Osborn closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Osborn lands in his opponent's guard.
Sakuraba wants to stand and escape but Osborn is having none of it.
Sakuraba is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Osborn would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Sakuraba tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sakuraba is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Osborn stands up from Sakuraba's guard - Osborn perhaps looking for a knockout.
Sakuraba scores with a hook to the body. Osborn takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Osborn has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sakuraba is trying to force a seperation but Osborn has the dominant position.
Osborn crunches a lovely knee into Sakuraba's ribcage.
Sakuraba on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Osborn is struggling to control the position.
Osborn really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Osborn is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sakuraba is defending well for now.
Osborn tries to land knees in the clinch but Sakuraba avoids the damage to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Sakuraba looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Sakuraba dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Osborn trying to land knees to the body.
Osborn stalls.
Osborn crunches a lovely knee into Sakuraba's ribcage.
Sakuraba wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Osborn has him pressed against the cage.
Sakuraba takes a knee right on the jaw!
Sakuraba trying to control the position but instead, Osborn has worked for underhooks and has pushed Sakuraba into the cage.
Osborn throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sakuraba blocks it with crossed arms.
Osborn is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba takes a knee right on the jaw!
Sakuraba wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Osborn tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Sakuraba avoids it.
Sakuraba missing with knees to the body.
Osborn tries to land knees in the clinch but Sakuraba avoids the damage to the body.
Osborn missing with knees to the body.

Sakuraba breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sakuraba throws a body punch but Osborn moves out of range.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sakuraba.
Osborn tries to clinch but Sakuraba is having none of it.
Osborn fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sakuraba throws a body kick that misses.
Osborn tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sakuraba paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Osborn moves out of range of the strikes.
An inside leg kick from Sakuraba misses.
Osborn tries to clinch up.
Sakuraba with a poor takedown

and Osborn moves into the clinch.
Osborn comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba managing to block the knees to the body from Osborn.
Osborn trying to control the position but instead, Sakuraba has worked for underhooks and has pushed Osborn into the cage.
Sakuraba tries a knee to the head but Osborn blocks it.
Sakuraba has Osborn pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Osborn manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Sakuraba being controlled against the cage.
Osborn prevents Sakuraba from breaking the clinch.
Osborn missing with knees to the body.
Sakuraba wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Sakuraba wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Come on Osborn - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Sakuraba breaks from the clinch.
Sakuraba tries for a takedown but Osborn circles away easily

and Osborn counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Ozzy Osborn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazuushi Sakuraba.
Osborn tries to free his leg and advance position but Sakuraba is retaining full guard.
Osborn is looking to stand up but Sakuraba won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba trying to keep a closed guard but Osborn is proving a slippery customer.
Osborn won't allow Sakuraba to sweep him here.
Osborn will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Sakuraba has a closed guard, preventing Osborn from standing up.
Sakuraba controls Osborn momentarily but Osborn frees himself.

Sakuraba throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Osborn tries to stand but Sakuraba is controlling from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ozzy Osborn dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sakuraba throws a sloppy head kick

and Osborn counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Osborn tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Sakuraba avoids it.
Osborn slowing the pace effectively.
Sakuraba misses with a body punch.
Osborn misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba takes a knee right on the jaw!
Osborn prevents Sakuraba from breaking the clinch.
Sakuraba misses with a body punch.
Sakuraba works on Osborn's body with a couple of short punches.
Sakuraba pushes off an throws an elbow but Osborn leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Sakuraba blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sakuraba tries to pull guard but Osborn won't allow it.
Sakuraba lands an uppercut.
Sakuraba managing to block the knees to the body from Osborn.
Osborn looking to throw knees to the head but Sakuraba is blocking nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Osborn missing with knees to the body.
Sakuraba looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Osborn lands a nice knee to the body.
Sakuraba tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Osborn smiles and moves away.
Sakuraba throws a sloppy head kick and Osborn moves out of range easily.
Ozzy Osborn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba throws a series of punches but Osborn moves out of range.
Osborn tries to clinch there but Sakuraba circles away.
Osborn blocks a head kick by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba is looking to slow Osborn down with leg kicks.
Sakuraba closes this distance looking for a takedown but Osborn circles away.
Ozzy Osborn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazuushi Sakuraba.
Osborn tries to clinch but Sakuraba moves out of range.
Ozzy Osborn is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Osborn is looking to clinch.

Osborn clinches up with Sakuraba and pushes him back against the cage.
Sakuraba has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Sakuraba blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sakuraba looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Osborn prevents Sakuraba from breaking the clinch.
Osborn pushes off an throws an elbow but Sakuraba leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Sakuraba managing to block the knees to the body from Osborn.
Sakuraba changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Osborn fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sakuraba feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Osborn's calf.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Osborn leaves Sakuraba with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sakuraba misses with a series of wild punches.
Sakuraba swats away the attempt to clinch by Osborn.
Osborn wants to clinch.
Sakuraba looks for a takedown but Osborn sprawls well.
Osborn tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sakuraba fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Osborn fails in his attempt to clinch.
Osborn fails in his attempt to clinch.
Osborn moves in looking to clinch but Sakuraba pushes him off.
Osborn shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sakuraba pinned against the cage. Sakuraba gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sakuraba thows a leg kick but Osborn checks it

and Osborn counters with a single leg into guard. Sakuraba didn't expect that.
Osborn wants to stand but Sakuraba is controlling his posture from full guard.
Osborn postures up.
Sakuraba wants to stand up but Osborn is controlling him.
Sakuraba working a defensive guard but Osborn manages to pass into side control anyway.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba scores with a shot to the body.

Osborn stands up and beckons Sakuraba to his feet.
A chopping leg kick lands by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba throws a head kick but Osborn moves out of range.
Sakuraba throws a sloppy head kick and Osborn moves out of range easily.
Osborn is looking to clinch.
Sakuraba throws out a loose jab but Osborn uses good head movement to avoid it.
Osborn shoots in but Sakuraba avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sakuraba throws a solid leg kick but Osborn takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Sakuraba.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ozzy Osborn dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Danga de danga de dang - Sakuraba scores with a four punch combination!
Osborn tries to clinch but Sakuraba is having none of it.
Osborn closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sakuraba circles away.
Osborn tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sakuraba sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Osborn somewhat.

Sakuraba gets a takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sakuraba stalling.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Osborn is trying to stand up here but Sakuraba is controlling him well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba wants to lay and pray for a moment but Osborn keeps working.
Osborn wants to get back to his feet.
Sakuraba wants to take a breather but Osborn is having none of it.
Sakuraba drops an elbow to the side of Osborn's head.
Sakuraba working over Osborn with some ground and pound. Osborn looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Sakuraba prevents Osborn from standing back up.
Sakuraba works his foot free and advances to mount.
Sakuraba looking to control but Osborn is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

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.
Sakuraba putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Osborn squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Sakuraba raining down shots from the mount!
Sakuraba is landing with some decent strikes but Osborn is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
BOOM! Sakuraba connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Osborn is trying to stand up.
The referee warns Osborn that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Sakuraba looking to control but Osborn is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Sakuraba is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Osborn is surviving well by controlling Sakuraba's body position as best he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Osborn wants to try and get back to his feet.
Sakuraba postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Osborn looks a forlorn figure.
Sakuraba with shots to the head and body - Osborn looks very uncomfortable down there.
Osborn is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

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.
Sakuraba scoring with strikes but Osborn is staying in there.
Sakuraba looking to control but Osborn is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Sakuraba landing punches.
Kazuushi Sakuraba has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Sakuraba jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Osborn is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Osborn and Sakuraba has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Sakuraba misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Osborn is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Sakuraba has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Ozzy Osborn is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Osborn bucks up and tries to throw Sakuraba off but instead Sakuraba has got his back!

And that's the end of the fight!
Kazuushi Sakuraba comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Osborn 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ozzy Osborn!