PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Claes Fleming (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Fleming
vs
Sakuraba

188 cm
28
185 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

183 cm
23
190 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Claes Fleming!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazushi Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fleming moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Sakuraba wants to clinch but Fleming slips to the side
and Fleming makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Sakuraba doesn't manage to clinch there - Fleming circles away.
Sakuraba takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sakuraba avoids the head kick by Fleming.
Fleming circles away from the clinch attempt
and Fleming counters with a slapping leg kick.
Sakuraba tries to clinch
and Fleming counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba moves in looking to clinch but Fleming pushes him off.
Sakuraba chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Fleming can pounce on him.

Sakuraba fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Fleming sprawls well initially but Sakuraba persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Fleming looks like he's trying to stand up.
Sakuraba trying to pass the guard but Fleming defending well.

Sakuraba wants to work for an arm triangle but Fleming is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba seems to be working for a kimura but Fleming defends the submission attempt.
Fleming pushes Sakuraba off looking to stand but Sakuraba dives back in and keeps control.
Sakuraba throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Sakuraba is looking for a kimura here.
Sakuraba is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Sakuraba has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Fleming does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Fleming looks like he's trying to stand up.
Sakuraba thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Fleming's head.
Fleming is looking to control Sakuraba's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Fleming avoid being mounted?
Sakuraba is keen to just control but Fleming is a slippery customer.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Sakuraba throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Sakuraba is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Fleming is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba passes the guard and advances to mount!
Sakuraba with a couple of short strikes.
Sakuraba misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Sakuraba controlling his opponent.
Fleming wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sakuraba sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kazushi Sakuraba dominated that round.
That's time! Fleming's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Fleming stuffs the takedown attempt from Sakuraba. Sakuraba gets slowly back to his feet.
Fleming stuffs the takedown attempt from Sakuraba. Sakuraba gets slowly back to his feet.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fleming as he avoids it easily.
Claes Fleming has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazushi Sakuraba.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fleming throws a front kick aimed at Sakuraba's knee but Sakuraba avoids it well.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Fleming enables Sakuraba to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Fleming manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fleming looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Sakuraba looking to pass the guard.
Sakuraba throwing strikes but missing.
Sakuraba looking to pass the guard.
Fleming keeping moving, preventing Sakuraba from controlling successfully.
Sakuraba looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Fleming throws a leg kick but Sakuraba checks it.
Sakuraba fails to land the takedown.
Sakuraba blocks a head kick by Fleming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba moves out of range as Fleming throws a body kick.
Fleming cracks Sakuraba with a right hand to the side of the head.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown but Fleming shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba closes the distance and clinches up with Fleming, looking for a takedown. Sakuraba pushes Fleming against the ropes but Fleming circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fleming fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sakuraba.
Sakuraba shoots in looking for a takedown. Fleming tries to sprawl out of it but Sakuraba keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Fleming manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Fleming lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Fleming moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Claes Fleming will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Crunch! Fleming slams his shin into Sakuraba's torso.
Fleming throws a low kick but it's checked well by Sakuraba.
Fleming keeps Sakuraba at a distance using the push kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Fleming can pounce on him.
Fleming is looking to land body kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Claes Fleming is winning the standup battle so far.
Fleming throws a sloppy head kick and Sakuraba moves out of range easily.
Fleming throws a head kick that misses.
Claes Fleming is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sakuraba throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Fleming dodges the punch combination from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fleming's waist but Fleming gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sakuraba off to one side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fleming buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Sakuraba misses the jab.
Fleming lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Fleming lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Fleming tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fleming fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sakuraba has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fleming lands a high kick!
Fleming throws a push kick but Sakuraba slaps the foot to one side.
Fleming scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Sakuraba tries to clinch up
and Fleming counters with a body kick that stops Sakuraba in his tracks momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fleming throws a wild body kick that Sakuraba sees coming a mile off.
Fleming throws a nice inside leg kick.
Fleming connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Fleming throws a leg kick which misses Sakuraba's front leg but catches the back leg as Sakuraba tries to avoid it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fleming scores with a nice body kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Fleming, right into the meat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Claes Fleming clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sakuraba tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Fleming swivels and escapes.
Sakuraba sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Sakuraba thows a body shot but no joy.
Sakuraba shoots for a takedown but Fleming saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A good leg kick by Fleming.
A slapping body kick lands there for Fleming.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sakuraba is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Fleming thuds his shin into the meat of Sakuraba's side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Fleming plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
A solid leg kick lands there for Fleming.
Fleming fakes the leg kick and cracks Sakuraba in the body.
Kazushi Sakuraba seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A solid leg kick lands there for Fleming.
Fleming tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Fleming. Sakuraba shrugs it off though.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fleming throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Sakuraba's head.
Fleming fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sakuraba.
Sakuraba will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Claes Fleming has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazushi Sakuraba.
Fleming is looking to slow Sakuraba down with leg kicks.
Fleming connects with a high kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fleming throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sakuraba blocks a head kick by Fleming.
Fleming throws a nice inside leg kick.
Crunch! Fleming slams his shin into Sakuraba's torso.
Fleming dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sakuraba. That did some damage!
Fleming throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fleming throws a push kick but Sakuraba slaps the foot to one side.
Fleming fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sakuraba has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Sakuraba fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fleming manages to avoid it.
Sakuraba shoots in for a double leg but Fleming sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fleming throws a head kick that half lands.
Fleming keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Claes Fleming had his way with Kazushi Sakuraba in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Sakuraba throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fleming's waist but Fleming gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sakuraba off to one side.
Sakuraba's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A slapping body kick lands there for Fleming.
Fleming throws a quick inside leg kick.
Fleming scores with a head kick. Sakuraba tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Sakuraba sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Fleming connects with a leg kick. Sakuraba looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Fleming tries to avoid it but Sakuraba manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Fleming to the ground. Fleming escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sakuraba is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Fleming lands a nice looking kick to the body. Sakuraba takes a step back to recover.
Fleming throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Fleming throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Sakuraba shoots in and drives through. Fleming sprawls well.
Claes Fleming has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazushi Sakuraba.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fleming throws a head kick that half lands.
Fleming tries a head kick but it misses.
Fleming throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Fleming fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sakuraba.
Sakuraba throws a right and a left that Fleming avoids nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fleming as he avoids it easily.
Sakuraba tries for a takedown but Fleming sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Fleming lands a leg kick that knocks Sakuraba off balance momentarily.
Fleming pushes Sakuraba away with a front kick.
Fleming thows a body kick. Sakuraba tries to catch it but that hurt him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fleming throws a sloppy head kick and Sakuraba moves out of range easily.
Sakuraba moves out of range of the body kick from Fleming.
Sakuraba throws a poor cross that misses
and Fleming counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Sakuraba is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Sakuraba fails to land the takedown.
Fleming lands a head kick. Sakuraba smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

And that's the end of the fight!
Claes Fleming showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Fleming 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 Fujiwara scores the fight 49:46
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 49:46
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Claes Fleming!