PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mike Pointek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pointek comes into the arena with Sevendust - Enemy blaring out of the sound system. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Pointek
vs
Sakuraba

186 cm
28
199 lbs
17 - 10 - 0

183 cm
20
190 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
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 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mike Pointek!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazushi Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sakuraba decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Sakuraba with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Pointek moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Pointek throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Pointek looking for a guillotine here but Sakuraba defends easily.

Pointek had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sakuraba defends it easily.

Pointek is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sakuraba is aware though and is defending well.
Sakuraba thows a big elbow that misses.
Sakuraba postures up in Pointek's guard and throws a big left but Pointek blocks it.
Sakuraba looking to pass the guard.

Pointek has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sakuraba can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pointek keeping moving, preventing Sakuraba from controlling successfully.
Sakuraba trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sakuraba is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Pointek escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sakuraba gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Pointek had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sakuraba defends it easily.
Sakuraba postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Pointek has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Sakuraba pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pointek is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sakuraba distracts Pointek with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Pointek looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sakuraba trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sakuraba wants to control from the top but Pointek keeps moving.
Sakuraba pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pointek is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sakuraba working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Pointek's head.
Sakuraba loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sakuraba advances to half guard.
Pointek keeping hold of Sakuraba's head, controlling as best he can.

Pointek actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pointek keeps working.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Pointek is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sakuraba pulls his head out easily.

Sakuraba is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Pointek doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sakuraba.
Pointek trying to hold on to Sakuraba's head to control him but Sakuraba postures up.

Pointek actively working from the bottom here.
Pointek is not content to let Sakuraba control the position.
Sakuraba not landing any meaningful shots this time.

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.
Pointek has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sakuraba is working away from the top position though.
Sakuraba throwing shots but Pointek is blocking nicely.
Sakuraba is looking to take a break and control but Pointek is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sakuraba throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sakuraba wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pointek keeps working.
Pointek slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Sakuraba chips away with some ground and pound.
Pointek looking for a sweep. Not yet Pointek, not yet.

Pointek escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sakuraba gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sakuraba pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pointek is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kazushi Sakuraba will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sakuraba with a poor takedown
and Pointek counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Pointek tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mike Pointek is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pointek throws a good cross that connects.
Pointek digs a good body shot into Sakuraba's ribs.
Sakuraba with a lazy takedown attempt
and Pointek counters with a three punch combo that has Sakuraba backing up. Sakuraba nods at Pointek to acknowledge the strikes.
Sakuraba has his takedown stuffed
and Pointek counters with a leg kick.
Mike Pointek has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazushi Sakuraba.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Pointek connects with a vicious head kick that knocks Sakuraba to the floor! Pointek dives in looking for the finish!

Sakuraba is rocked!
Sakuraba is breathing heavily.
Pointek is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Sakuraba is still in real trouble! Can Pointek finish him?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Pointek in particular looking to stall.
Sakuraba seems to have recovered his senses.
Pointek looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Sakuraba is trying to maintain the position but Pointek is very close to passing his half guard.
Pointek seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Sakuraba looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Pointek is trying to control. Sakuraba wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pointek takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Sakuraba moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Sakuraba trying to keep a closed guard but Pointek is proving a slippery customer.
Pointek looking to pass the guard.
Sakuraba wants to sweep but no luck.
Pointek postures up in Sakuraba's guard and throws a big left but Sakuraba blocks it.
Pointek loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Pointek tries to free his leg and advance position but Sakuraba is retaining full guard.
Pointek is looking to work some ground and pound but Sakuraba has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pointek avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Pointek stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sakuraba swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Sakuraba has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Pointek can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Sakuraba is looking for a triangle but Pointek pushes his legs off easily.
Pointek looking to pass the guard.
Pointek is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Pointek postures up.

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.
Sakuraba is looking to sweep but instead, Pointek has passed into half guard.

Sakuraba with the active half guard here but Pointek passes nicely into side control.
Sakuraba sneaks back into half guard.
Sakuraba trying to control here.
Sakuraba wants to improve his position but Pointek is controlling well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sakuraba is refusing to be controlled, as Pointek sits in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Pointek dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nice defenses there by Sakuraba.
Pointek throws a head kick that misses.
Sakuraba darts in trying to clinch
and Pointek counters with a nice body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakuraba uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Pointek.
Sakuraba misses with a takedown
and Pointek counters with a two punch combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pointek throws a predictable looking body shot

and Sakuraba counters with a nice double leg into side control. Pointek won't be happy with that.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pointek is trying to control Sakuraba's posture but Sakuraba avoids it.
The ground and pound from Sakuraba seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Pointek wants to control but Sakuraba postures up.

Sakuraba wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Pointek, who protects the arm well.
Sakuraba throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Pointek works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Pointek gets back to full guard.
Sakuraba throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pointek keeping full guard, as Sakuraba tries to pass.

Sakuraba got a little sloppy there for a moment and Pointek has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sakuraba has managed to get both his arms back between Pointek's legs - danger averted.
Sakuraba tries to free his leg and advance position but Pointek is retaining full guard.
Pointek keeping moving, preventing Sakuraba from controlling successfully.
Pointek wants to sweep here but Sakuraba controlling him for the moment.
Sakuraba throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pointek works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Pointek keeping moving, preventing Sakuraba from controlling successfully.
Pointek is pulling down on Sakuraba's head. It's preventing any offense from Sakuraba, at least for the moment.

Pointek is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pointek looking for a sweep. Not yet Pointek, not yet.
Sakuraba trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Pointek controls Sakuraba momentarily but Sakuraba frees himself.
Pointek keeping full guard, as Sakuraba tries to pass.

Pointek is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sakuraba is working Pointek over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Sakuraba postures up in Pointek's guard and throws a big left but Pointek blocks it.
Pointek preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

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.

Pointek has his foot on Sakuraba's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sakuraba works his way back into a safe position though.
Pointek working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba forces his way into half guard.
Sakuraba lands with a punch from half guard.
Pointek regains full guard. Nicely done.

Sakuraba drops back looking for a leg! Pointek is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Pointek manages to kick Sakuraba off! Sakuraba jumps back into Pointek's guard.
Pointek keeping moving, preventing Sakuraba from controlling successfully.
Sakuraba postures up and lands a big shot to Pointek's brow.
Sakuraba preventing the sweep.
Pointek keeping full guard, as Sakuraba tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Mike Pointek did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Sakuraba misses with a takedown
and Pointek connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sakuraba has his takedown stuffed
and Pointek counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Pointek lands a nice hook to Sakuraba's body. Sakuraba takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Sakuraba moves forwards but Pointek connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Sakuraba takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Pointek scores with a one two! Sakuraba had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Pointek there.
Pointek stalks Sakuraba and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Sakuraba's face. Sakuraba staggers backwards, shaken.
Mike Pointek seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pointek jabs Sakuraba to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Mike Pointek is winning the standup battle so far.
No joy there for Pointek, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Pointek will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sakuraba tries to close the distance and clinch but Pointek swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Pointek jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pointek sizes up Sakuraba with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Pointek throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Sakuraba tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
A right-left combo lands from Pointek.
Sakuraba swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Pointek counters with a nice low kick that buckles Sakuraba's knee momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pointek misses with a low kick.
Nice cross by Pointek.
Pointek throws out a leg kick but Sakuraba moves out of range and Pointek only half commits.
Sakuraba gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Pointek to counter with a crisp jab.
Mike Pointek has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazushi Sakuraba.
Sakuraba tries to bum rush Pointek with a series of wild strikes but Pointek uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sakuraba keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Pointek.
Sakuraba shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Pointek counters with a one-two to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pointek scores with a leg kick.
Pointek throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Pointek throws a leg kick but Sakuraba moved away.
Pointek misses with a series of wild punches.
Pointek connects with a right hand. Sakuraba shakes it off.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pointek lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Pointek had his way with Kazushi Sakuraba in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Pointek looks to land a left hand but Sakuraba moved out of range nicely.
Pointek throws a head kick but Sakuraba moves out of range.
Pointek throws a head kick but Sakuraba moves out of range.
Pointek throws a nice looking combination but Sakuraba bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sakuraba shoots and misses
and Pointek connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sakuraba takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Sakuraba avoids the head kick by Pointek.
Sakuraba shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Pointek counters with a straight right hand.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba shoots and misses
and Pointek counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Mike Pointek has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazushi Sakuraba.
Sakuraba misses with a takedown attempt
and Pointek counters with a leg kick.
Pointek misses with a shot to the body

and Sakuraba counters with a nice double leg into side control. Pointek won't be happy with that.
You can see the frustration on Pointek's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Pointek is trying to get back to half guard.
Pointek avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Sakuraba.
Sakuraba in side control, throwing shots but Pointek defends.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pointek is not content to let Sakuraba control the position.

Sakuraba tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Pointek manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Pointek regains full guard. Nicely done.
Sakuraba throwing strikes from guard but Pointek blocks nicely.
Sakuraba postures up.
Pointek avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Pointek working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sakuraba doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sakuraba manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba tries to free his leg and advance position but Pointek is retaining full guard.
Sakuraba postures up in Pointek's guard and throws a big left but Pointek blocks it.

Pointek is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Pointek had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sakuraba defends it easily.
Pointek working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sakuraba wants to control from the top but Pointek keeps moving.
Sakuraba is looking to work some ground and pound but Pointek has wrist control.
Mike Pointek is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Pointek looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sakuraba trying to control the position from guard on top but Pointek is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Pointek working for submissions but it's allowed Sakuraba to get to half guard.
Sakuraba trying to control the action but Pointek is working from the bottom.
Sakuraba looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Sakuraba wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pointek keeps working.
Sakuraba passes the guard and advances to mount!
Pointek really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kazushi Sakuraba.
I think Pointek 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 49:45
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 48:46
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Pointek!
Mike Pointek retains his middleweight title!