PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saku Katsumoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saku Katsumoto will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Sakuraba
vs
Katsumoto

182 cm
19
183 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

180 cm
19
190 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazushi Sakuraba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Saku Katsumoto!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Shigeki Sano and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Katsumoto tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sakuraba sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Katsumoto somewhat.
Sakuraba throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Katsumoto counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Katsumoto wants to control from the top but Sakuraba keeps moving.
Katsumoto won't allow Sakuraba to sweep him here.
Sakuraba is looking to stand up but Katsumoto isn't so interested in that idea.
Katsumoto trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Sakuraba manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Sakuraba wants to control from the top but Katsumoto keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Katsumoto looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Katsumoto working for a triangle but Sakuraba defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katsumoto wants to sweep here but Sakuraba controlling him for the moment.
Sakuraba pushes down on Katsumoto's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Katsumoto moves into full guard.
Katsumoto looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sakuraba is one step ahead there.
Sakuraba slips nicely into half guard.
Sakuraba looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Katsumoto is trying to get back to full guard.
Sakuraba wants to pass the guard but Katsumoto is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Sakuraba tries to stand but can't do so whilst Katsumoto controls his leg.
Katsumoto manages to get to full guard.

Katsumoto 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.
Sakuraba looking to pass the guard.

Katsumoto is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Katsumoto looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Katsumoto is keeping the position for now.

Sakuraba stands up and waves to Katsumoto to follow him.
Katsumoto shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sakuraba sprawls well. Sakuraba wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Katsumoto gets slowly back to his feet.
Katsumoto swinging wildly here.
Sakuraba falls off balance throwing a combination
and Katsumoto counters with a series of strikes. Sakuraba will be more careful next time no doubt.
Katsumoto tries to bum rush Sakuraba with a series of wild strikes but Sakuraba uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Katsumoto throws a right hand that Sakuraba ducks under and follows up with a left that Sakuraba also avoids with ease.
Katsumoto buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Sakuraba stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sakuraba wants it to stay on the feet.
Kazushi Sakuraba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saku Katsumoto.
Katsumoto fails to land with a series of punches.
Sloppy strikes from Sakuraba. Those never looked like landing.
Sakuraba lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
A shot to the body from Sakuraba misses
and Katsumoto counters with a straight right hand.
Kazushi Sakuraba seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Katsumoto lands a head kick!
Sakuraba scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Katsumoto gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Sakuraba connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Katsumoto looks gassed!
Katsumoto displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sakuraba throws out the jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saku Katsumoto 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 series of punches but Katsumoto moves out of range.
Katsumoto shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sakuraba but Sakuraba pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sakuraba swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Katsumoto.
Katsumoto slips a jab and a cross from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba misses with a few strikes there.
Katsumoto works Sakuraba's body with a nice hook.
Jab, jab by Sakuraba - just one landing.
Katsumoto scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Sakuraba throws a combination. Katsumoto tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sakuraba misses with a looping right.
Katsumoto connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Sakuraba has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Katsumoto lands a high kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba stuffs the takedown attempt from Katsumoto. Katsumoto gets slowly back to his feet.
A combination from Sakuraba does no damage.
Saku Katsumoto seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Katsumoto gets cracked there but stands up to it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Katsumoto.
Kazushi Sakuraba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saku Katsumoto.
Sakuraba misses with a double jab.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sakuraba uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Katsumoto has time to react.
Sakuraba lands a jab-cross combination.
Sakuraba throws a left and a right that both miss
and Katsumoto counters with a two punch combo.
Katsumoto is breathing heavily.
Katsumoto shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sakuraba defends it nicely.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sakuraba throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Katsumoto.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katsumoto tries to bum rush Sakuraba with a series of wild strikes but Sakuraba uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sakuraba misses with an uppercut. Katsumoto saw that one coming.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Katsumoto misses with a few strikes there.
Sakuraba dodges the punch combination from Katsumoto.
Nice takedown defense from Sakuraba. No joy for Katsumoto on that attempt.
Sakuraba misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sakuraba scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A punch combination from Sakuraba misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Sakuraba misses.
Sakuraba jabs at Katsumoto's body.
Sakuraba looks to land a combination but Katsumoto avoids it well.
Katsumoto on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Katsumoto looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Sakuraba misses with a straight left.
Sakuraba lands a slapping body shot.
Nice uppercut there from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Sakuraba swinging wildly here.
Sakuraba throws a right and a left that Katsumoto avoids nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Katsumoto shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sakuraba as he avoids it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice cross by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba misses with a few strikes there.
Katsumoto lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Katsumoto on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Katsumoto slips under a jab from Sakuraba.
Katsumoto throws a right and a left that Sakuraba avoids nicely.
Katsumoto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sakuraba thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sakuraba throws a combination that misses
enabling Katsumoto to counter with a crisp jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kazushi Sakuraba dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Sakuraba connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Sakuraba lands a nice shot that snaps Katsumoto's head back.
Sakuraba swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Katsumoto staying out of range there.
Sakuraba misses with a double jab.
Katsumoto shoots in for a takedown but Sakuraba shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sakuraba swinging wildly here.
Katsumoto ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Katsumoto shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Sakuraba eats them both and turns towards Katsumoto to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Katsumoto misses with a takedown attempt
letting Sakuraba counter with a right hand.
Sakuraba is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Katsumoto takes a jab right on the kisser.
Katsumoto takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Katsumoto momentarily.
Katsumoto misses with a few strikes there.
Sakuraba swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Katsumoto.
Katsumoto misses with a double jab.
Sakuraba throws a nice looking combination but Katsumoto bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Good shot there by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba lands with an overhand left.
Katsumoto throws a nice looking combination but Sakuraba bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sakuraba throws an off balance right hand
and Katsumoto counters with a straight right hand.
Sakuraba throws a combination that misses
and Katsumoto counters with a two punch combo.
Sakuraba falls off balance throwing a combination
and Katsumoto counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba misses with a two punch combination.
Sakuraba swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Katsumoto counters with a left and a right that stings Sakuraba.
A combination from Sakuraba does no damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Katsumoto slips a jab and a cross from Sakuraba.
Katsumoto uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba tries to bum rush Katsumoto with a series of wild strikes but Katsumoto uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Katsumoto lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Sakuraba uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Katsumoto.
Katsumoto moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Sakuraba throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Katsumoto.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Katsumoto keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sakuraba displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Katsumoto throws out the jab.
Sakuraba looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sakuraba misses with a straight left.
Katsumoto takes a swing at Sakuraba's ribcage but misses.
Katsumoto feints a jab promting Sakuraba to slip. Katsumoto then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Sakuraba slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Katsumoto ducks under a wild hook from Sakuraba.
Katsumoto closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sakuraba circles away.
Kazushi Sakuraba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saku Katsumoto.
Katsumoto swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sakuraba fails to land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba swings for the body but Katsumoto moves out of range.
Katsumoto throws a right and a left that Sakuraba avoids nicely.
Sakuraba scores with a one two! Katsumoto had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Sakuraba throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Katsumoto decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Sakuraba's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Katsumoto wants to control from the top but Sakuraba keeps moving.

Sakuraba has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Katsumoto off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Katsumoto has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Katsumoto showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sakuraba.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sakuraba fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Kazushi Sakuraba.
I think Sakuraba 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Kazushi Sakuraba!