PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kazuki Sakurabu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bowi Joee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sakurabu
vs
Joee

183 cm
25
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

200 cm
26
185 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kazuki Sakurabu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bowi Joee!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakurabu circles away from the clinch attempt

and Sakurabu decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Joee's guard.
Sakurabu wants to control from the top but Joee keeps moving.
Joee is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sakurabu is controlling him.
Sakurabu might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sakurabu wants to control from the top but Joee keeps moving.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kazuki Sakurabu.
Joee darts in trying to clinch

and Sakurabu counters with a nice double leg into side control. Joee won't be happy with that.
Joee really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sakurabu. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sakurabu is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Joee's shoulder. That is not cool.
Joee struggling a bit here.
Joee is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurabu tries to advance to mount but Joee denies him.
Sakurabu cracks Joee with a big right hand but Joee just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Joee is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Sakurabu prevents Joee from escaping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Joee is looking for a sweep.
The strikes coming from Sakurabu are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Joee struggling a bit here.
Sakurabu scoring with punches from side control.
Joee takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Check out the look on Sakurabu's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Joee is trying to improve his position.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Joee is looking for a sweep.
Joee looks gassed!
Sakurabu lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakurabu trying to control the action but Joee is working from the bottom.
Sakurabu controls the position.
Joee is trying to get back to half guard.
Sakurabu cracks Joee with a big elbow.
Joee tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Sakurabu wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Joee taking a bit of punishment here - Sakurabu scoring with strikes.
Joee takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Sakurabu controlling the position.
Sakurabu lands an elbow.
The referee asks Sakurabu politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Sakurabu prefers to stall for the moment though.
Sakurabu grinds an elbow into Joee's temple.
Joee can't do much from the bottom here.
Joee is not content to let Sakurabu control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sakurabu is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Joee's shoulder. That is not cool.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurabu scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Joee to see if he's OK.
Sakurabu is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Sakurabu wants to lay and pray for a moment but Joee keeps working.
Joee trying to remain calm as Sakurabu controls from the top position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Sakurabu working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Sakurabu advances to full mount.
Sakurabu raining down shots from the mount!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Sakurabu cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Sakurabu working Joee over with strikes here.
Sakurabu controlling from the full mount.
Sakurabu seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Joee for as long as he can get away with.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joee is in a horrible position here. Sakurabu smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Sakurabu raining down hammerfists from mount.
Sakurabu controlling from the full mount.
Sakurabu with good strikes from the mount here!
Sakurabu looking to control and managing it successfully.
Joee is working to get back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sakurabu content just to control the position here.
Sakurabu with the ground and pound from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Joee closes the distance but Sakurabu moves to the side

and Sakurabu counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Sakurabu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Joee swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sakurabu is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Joee keeping moving, preventing Sakurabu from controlling successfully.
Sakurabu cracks Joee with a solid left hand.
Sakurabu stays in close to Joee's body and controls the position.
Sakurabu prevents Joee from getting back to his feet.
Joee wants to sweep here but Sakurabu controlling him for the moment.
Sakurabu not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Joee looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sakurabu is one step ahead there.
Joee is breathing heavily.
Sakurabu is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kazuki Sakurabu.
Joee wants to clinch but Sakurabu slips to the side

and Sakurabu counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Kazuki Sakurabu overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Joee is looking to control Sakurabu's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Joee avoid being mounted?
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Sakurabu connects with a nice short shot to Joee's temple.
Sakurabu working the head and body with strikes.
Sakurabu has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Sakurabu wants to lay and pray for a moment but Joee keeps working.
Sakurabu controlling the pace.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Joee can do anything to dispel that myth.
Sakurabu seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Sakurabu content to control rather than advance.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kazuki Sakurabu wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Sakurabu shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakurabu lands a couple of digs.
Joee keeping moving, preventing Sakurabu from controlling successfully.
Sakurabu passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Joee taking a bit of punishment here - Sakurabu scoring with strikes.
Sakurabu controlling the position.
Sakurabu trying to control the position but Joee is working away.
Sakurabu working the ground and pound.
Sakurabu is chipping away with strikes.
Joee is not content to let Sakurabu control the position.
Sakurabu scores with a couple of short elbows.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sakurabu is looking to take a break and control but Joee is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joee taking punishment in the form of punches.
Joee is not content to let Sakurabu control the position.
Sakurabu controlling from side mount.
Sakurabu cracks Joee with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Sakurabu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Joee can do to turn this around?
Sakurabu wants to control but Joee is keeping him busy.
Sakurabu lands a few punches from side control.

That's four 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.
Sakurabu creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Joee takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Joee takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Joee taking a bit of punishment here - Sakurabu scoring with strikes.
Joee is looking for a sweep.
Sakurabu cracks Joee with a big elbow.
Joee is not content to let Sakurabu control the position.
Sakurabu controls the position.
Joee is looking to reverse the position.
Sakurabu content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Joee taking punishment in the form of punches.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sakurabu in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Joee is looking to reverse the position.
Sakurabu landing strikes.
Sakurabu grinds an elbow into Joee's temple.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kazuki Sakurabu dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sakurabu fails to land the takedown.
Joee closes the distance looking to clinch

and Sakurabu counters with a shoot takedown. Joee fights it but they end up in guard.
Sakurabu seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Joee wants to sweep but no luck.
Sakurabu controls from within his opponent's guard.
Joee wants to stand but Sakurabu is controlling the position.
Sakurabu stays in close to Joee's body and controls the position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kazuki Sakurabu.
Joee tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Sakurabu counters with a single leg into guard. Joee didn't expect that.
Joee takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sakurabu trying to control the position from guard on top but Joee is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sakurabu advances to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurabu working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Joee is trying to stand.
Joee is looking to improve his position.
Sakurabu with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Sakurabu is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Joee taking some punishment here, with Sakurabu in his half guard.
Joee trying to control from the bottom.
Sakurabu prevents Joee from standing back up.
Sakurabu seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Sakurabu looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Joee with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Sakurabu landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Sakurabu in particular looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kazuki Sakurabu wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Joee gets caught napping as Sakurabu dives in and scores a takedown. Joee manages to retain guard.
Sakurabu lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Sakurabu slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Joee wants to get back to his feet but Sakurabu is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Sakurabu with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sakurabu sitting in guard here, content to control.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sakurabu's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sakurabu prevents Joee from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurabu trying to control the position from guard on top but Joee is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sakurabu chips away with some ground and pound.
Sakurabu throws a big right hand that misses.
Sakurabu controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Sakurabu's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Sakurabu connects with a couple of short punches.
Bowi Joee has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sakurabu's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Sakurabu stops Joee from standing up.
Sakurabu controlling from the top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Kazuki Sakurabu just wasn't active enough.

Sakurabu closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Joee quickly recovers to half guard.
Joee tries to roll over but Sakurabu keeps him under control.
Sakurabu lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakurabu seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Joee is trying to get back to full guard.
Sakurabu perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Joee is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sakurabu pulls his head out easily.
Sakurabu tries to pass to full mount but Joee defends it.
Sakurabu performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sakurabu passes to full mount!
Kazuki Sakurabu is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Joee squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kazuki Sakurabu showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sakurabu, 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:24
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:24
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kazuki Sakurabu!