PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kamikaze Sazuki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michal Henrykowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Michal Henrykowski has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Kamikaze Sazuki's chin.

Sazuki
vs
Henrykowski

178 cm
20
160 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

172 cm
25
150 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kamikaze Sazuki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Michal Henrykowski!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Henrykowski gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Henrykowski uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Henrykowski throws a lazy uppercut

and Sazuki counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Sazuki.
Sazuki fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Sazuki keeps control of Henrykowski as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Stalling in the clinch from Sazuki.
Sazuki is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Henrykowski pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Sazuki escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sazuki misses with a head kick.
Henrykowski swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Sazuki counters by moving into the clinch.

Sazuki breaks from the clinch.
Henrykowski throws a right hand that misses
and Sazuki counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Henrykowski tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Sazuki counters with a shoot takedown. Henrykowski fights it but they end up in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sazuki drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Henrykowski manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Sazuki has Henrykowski in his guard.
Henrykowski wants to stand but Sazuki has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Sazuki wants to get back to his feet but Henrykowski is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Sazuki has control of Henrykowski's left arm, preventing Henrykowski from doing any damage.
Sazuki trying to control the position.

Kamikaze Sazuki has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Sazuki shoots in looking for a takedown. Henrykowski tries to sprawl out of it but Sazuki keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Henrykowski manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kamikaze Sazuki. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henrykowski throws an off balance right hand

and Sazuki counters by moving into the clinch.
Sazuki is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Henrykowski gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Sazuki jumps guard but Henrykowski stands there with Sazuki around his waist. Sazuki gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sazuki fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Henrykowski blocks an elbow strike from Sazuki.
A hook to the body from Sazuki.

Sazuki breaks the clinch.
Henrykowski connects with a body shot that sends Sazuki's belly button to the back.
Henrykowski throws a right hand that misses
and Sazuki counters with a head kick. That will keep Henrykowski thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Henrykowski throws a combination that misses

and Sazuki counters with a nice double leg into side control. Henrykowski won't be happy with that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Henrykowski is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Sazuki has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Henrykowski tries to keep at a distance but Sazuki has taken the fight into the clinch.

Sazuki breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sazuki fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Henrykowski throws a lazy uppercut

so Sazuki counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Sazuki looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Henrykowski is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sazuki is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Sazuki walks into a stiff left hand from Henrykowski.

Sazuki bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
A lull in the action here as Sazuki stalls from top position.
Sazuki tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henrykowski prevents Sazuki from improving position.
Sazuki working the ground and pound but Henrykowski is defending the strikes.
Henrykowski is pushing Sazuki's head away, looking to escape. Sazuki manages to hold on to the position though.
Sazuki working the ground and pound but Henrykowski is defending the strikes.
Sazuki wants to control but Henrykowski is keeping him busy.
Henrykowski prevents Sazuki from improving position.

That's two 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.

Sazuki stands up and beckons Henrykowski to his feet.
Henrykowski misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Sazuki counters with a single leg into guard. Henrykowski didn't expect that.
Henrykowski keeping moving, preventing Sazuki from controlling successfully.
Sazuki stops Henrykowski from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sazuki has gone for a leg lock! Henrykowski slips out almost immediately though and dives into Sazuki's guard.

Sazuki looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Sazuki is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Sazuki is working an open guard so Henrykowski takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henrykowski avoids the head kick by Sazuki.
Sazuki looks to land a combination but Henrykowski avoids it well.
Henrykowski pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Sazuki back to the cage. Henrykowski follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Henrykowski keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Henrykowski throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Sazuki counters by clinching up.

Sazuki gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Sazuki won't allow Henrykowski to get back to his feet.
Sazuki controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Sazuki trying to control the position from guard on top but Henrykowski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kamikaze Sazuki dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Henrykowski falls off balance throwing a combination

and Sazuki counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Sazuki has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Henrykowski is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Sazuki breaks from the clinch.
Henrykowski swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Sazuki holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Sazuki slowing the pace effectively.

Sazuki's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
No joy there for Henrykowski, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Henrykowski gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sazuki is trying to drag Henrykowski to the mat but Henrykowski just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Sazuki tries to pull guard but Henrykowski holds him up against the cage and eventually Sazuki drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kamikaze Sazuki. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sazuki breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sazuki closes the distance and clinches.
Henrykowski blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sazuki is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Henrykowski pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Sazuki tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Henrykowski just stands there and leans against the cage.
Sazuki tries to pull guard but Henrykowski won't allow it.
Sazuki lands a nice shot to the body.
Henrykowski prevents a takedown attempt there.
Sazuki has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Henrykowski avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Sazuki breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Michal Henrykowski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Henrykowski closes the distance looking to clinch
and Sazuki counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sazuki tries to score a power double leg takedown but Henrykowski sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sazuki somewhat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henrykowski misses with an uppercut.
Henrykowski misses the body punch

and Sazuki counters by moving into the clinch.
Sazuki keeps control of Henrykowski as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Sazuki tries to pull guard but Henrykowski holds him up against the cage and eventually Sazuki drops back down to his feet.
Henrykowski wants to break the clinch but can't.
Michal Henrykowski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sazuki tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Henrykowski smiles and moves away.
Henrykowski works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Henrykowski falls off balance throwing a combination

and Sazuki holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Sazuki wants the takedown. Henrykowski is fighting it off but Sazuki persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Henrykowski's guard against the cage.
Sazuki tries to free his leg and advance position but Henrykowski is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sazuki looking to sit in guard and control but Henrykowski gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Henrykowski gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Henrykowski slaps away a takedown attempt from Sazuki, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Henrykowski throws a sloppy body shot

and Sazuki counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Henrykowski is trying to stand up here but Sazuki is controlling him well.
Kamikaze Sazuki overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sazuki tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Sazuki trying to control from half guard but Henrykowski is working away.
Sazuki not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kamikaze Sazuki showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Sazuki has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kamikaze Sazuki!