|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Luis Di Maria (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazuushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Sakuraba's choice of entrance music: Wax Tailor feat. The Others . Kazuushi Sakuraba has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
 |
|
 |
| 182 cm
27
179 lbs
8 - 5 - 0 |
|
175 cm
25
180 lbs
8 - 12 - 1 |
BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong |
|
Dangerous GnP
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin |
|
| |
|
Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Luis Di Maria!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
8 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazuushi Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Sosuke Kotani and Yukihiro Shimada.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Di Maria is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Di Maria is looking to clinch.
A head kick misses from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba throws a body kick that misses.
Sakuraba misses with a head kick.
Sakuraba fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Di Maria has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Di Maria misses with a double jab.
Di Maria on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Sakuraba. Sakuraba obviously looking to wear him down.
Sakuraba throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Di Maria tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sakuraba paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sakuraba misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sakuraba misses with the combination.
Di Maria moves into the clinch successfully.
That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Sakuraba jumps guard.
Sakuraba wants to sweep here but Di Maria controlling him for the moment.
Sakuraba wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Di Maria looking to sit in guard and control but Sakuraba gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Di Maria is looking to stand up but Sakuraba isn't so interested in that idea.
Di Maria is trying to control the position but Sakuraba postures up.
Sakuraba postures up and lands a big shot to Di Maria's brow.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba trying to control but Di Maria is working from the bottom.
Di Maria looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Di Maria throws his legs up looking for a submission but Sakuraba uses it to pass to side control.
Di Maria is letting Sakuraba control him for a moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sakuraba tries for a kimura but Di Maria is defending well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Di Maria is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Sakuraba asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Sakuraba lands a nice forearm strike.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Di Maria is trying to get back to half guard.
Sakuraba controlling from side mount.
Sakuraba is looking to take a break and control but Di Maria is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Di Maria is working to avoid the ground and pound but Sakuraba connects with a decent elbow.
Sakuraba wants to control but Di Maria is keeping him busy.
Sakuraba takes a little break here. Di Maria wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Di Maria wants to get back to his feet but Sakuraba is dominant here and he's now got Di Maria's back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Di Maria has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Well, with Sakuraba on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Di Maria is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Can Di Maria hold on?! Sakuraba is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sakuraba lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Di Maria.
Di Maria is trying to get back to his feet but Sakuraba has full control of the position and if anything, Di Maria has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Sakuraba lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
A lull in the action here.
Sakuraba scores with punches from the back.
Sakuraba trying to control.
Sakuraba lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Di Maria.
Sakuraba has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sakuraba punishes Di Maria with strikes from the back mount.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba has his opponent's back but Di Maria is looking to stand. He manages to get to his feet and shakes off Sakuraba.
A low kick from Sakuraba misses
and Di Maria makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Di Maria checks a leg kick.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Sakuraba - that will leave a mark!
Di Maria tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Di Maria misses with a combination
and Sakuraba counters with an inside leg kick.
Sakuraba looks to land a combination but Di Maria avoids it well.
Sakuraba is looking to land body kicks.
Di Maria takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Sakuraba pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Di Maria paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Di Maria takes a head kick and keeps coming.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Di Maria fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Di Maria throws a right hand that Sakuraba ducks under and follows up with a left that Sakuraba also avoids with ease.
Di Maria tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Di Maria takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sakuraba connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Sakuraba gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Di Maria counters with a left and a right that stings Sakuraba.
A shot to the body from Sakuraba misses
and Di Maria counters with a two punch combo.
Sakuraba scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Sakuraba moves in looking to clinch but Di Maria pushes him off.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Di Maria.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Di Maria tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Di Maria tries to clinch up.
Sakuraba thows a leg kick but Di Maria checks it
letting Di Maria counter with a right hand.
Sakuraba wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Di Maria closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Sakuraba escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Di Maria leaves Sakuraba with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sakuraba is looking to clinch.
Sakuraba lands with a cross.
Some bone on bone action there as Di Maria checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba looks to land a combination but Di Maria avoids it well.
Di Maria swats away the attempt to clinch by Sakuraba.
Di Maria moves in looking to clinch but Sakuraba pushes him off.
Di Maria throws a nice looking combination but Sakuraba bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Di Maria lands a two punch combo.
Sakuraba with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sakuraba scores with a kick to the midsection.
Sakuraba swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sakuraba throws a leg kick which misses Di Maria's front leg but catches the back leg as Di Maria tries to avoid it.
Sakuraba keeps the fight on the outside.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba needs to keep his hands up - Di Maria had a free shot at his head there.
Sakuraba misses with a low kick as Di Maria jumps back.
Sakuraba wants to clinch up but Di Maria keeps it at a distance.
Di Maria on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Sakuraba. Sakuraba obviously looking to wear him down.
Sakuraba turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Sakuraba darts in and clinches Di Maria up against the cage.
Di Maria tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sakuraba's elbow.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Sakuraba has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Di Maria after a bit of a struggle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakuraba is trying to pull guard but Di Maria turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Luis Di Maria has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazuushi Sakuraba.
Sakuraba lands an uppercut.
Di Maria using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sakuraba has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Sakuraba is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Di Maria gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Kazuushi Sakuraba dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!
A looping hook to the body misses from Sakuraba. Di Maria does a little dance to reset his feet.
Luis Di Maria is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sakuraba fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Di Maria manages to avoid it.
Sakuraba throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown but Di Maria shows good takedown defense.
Sakuraba misses with a hook.
Sakuraba misses with an uppercut
and Di Maria counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Sakuraba!
Di Maria working Sakuraba over with strikes here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Di Maria trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Di Maria avoids the attempt from Sakuraba to control.
Di Maria lands a nice shot to the head.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Di Maria misses with some ground and pound and Sakuraba recovers position to half guard.
Sakuraba has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Di Maria is working away from the top position though.
Sakuraba is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Di Maria is thwarting Sakuraba's attempts to control the position.
Kazuushi Sakuraba has got the better of the ground game so far.
Di Maria throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ground and pound from Di Maria.
Di Maria controlling the action here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Di Maria is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Sakuraba manages to work a leg through to get back to half guard here. Good work there by Sakuraba, under a barage of strikes from Di Maria.
Sakuraba gets back to full guard.
Di Maria has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Sakuraba keeping moving, preventing Di Maria from controlling successfully.
Sakuraba is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Di Maria defends well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sakuraba wants to sweep here but Di Maria controlling him for the moment.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Di Maria avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sakuraba is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sakuraba avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sakuraba escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Di Maria gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Di Maria trying to stand up but can't free himself from Sakuraba's guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba looking for a sweep. Not yet Sakuraba, not yet.
Sakuraba wants to stand up but Di Maria is controlling him.
Di Maria showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Sakuraba is trying to keep Di Maria in close.
Sakuraba looking to hit a scissor sweep but Di Maria is one step ahead there.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sakuraba throws a low kick but Di Maria moves out of range easily.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sakuraba. Di Maria does a little dance to reset his feet.
Di Maria with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sakuraba lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Sakuraba is looking to land body kicks.
Di Maria tries to close the distance and clinch but Sakuraba swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Di Maria tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sakuraba paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sakuraba darts in and clinches Di Maria up against the cage.
Di Maria landing knees to the head.
Di Maria is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Sakuraba fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Di Maria gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sakuraba jumps guard but Di Maria turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Luis Di Maria has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazuushi Sakuraba.
Di Maria using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sakuraba has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Di Maria just misses with a elbow thrown towards Sakuraba's brow.
Sakuraba fails to pull guard.
Sakuraba pulls guard effortlessly.
Sakuraba looking to control.
Di Maria looking to pass the guard.
Sakuraba looking for a sweep. Not yet Sakuraba, not yet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sakuraba escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Di Maria gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sakuraba is breathing heavily.
Di Maria not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Di Maria manages to get himself to full guard.
Sakuraba won't allow Di Maria to get back to his feet.
Sakuraba lands a couple of digs.
Sakuraba stands and throws Di Maria's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Sakuraba controls the position.
Sakuraba lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Sakuraba tries to advance to mount but Di Maria denies him.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
Di Maria wants to control but Sakuraba postures up.
Di Maria prevents Sakuraba from moving into mount.
Di Maria is pushing Sakuraba's head away, looking to escape. Sakuraba manages to hold on to the position though.
Di Maria on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sakuraba is staying tight to Di Maria's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Di Maria is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Di Maria trying to hold on to Sakuraba's head to control him but Sakuraba postures up.
Di Maria tries to roll over but Sakuraba keeps him under control.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Di Maria has hold of Sakuraba's hands but Sakuraba slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Di Maria blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba is trying to control the action in half guard but Di Maria is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Di Maria is trying to stand back up but Sakuraba is controlling him
Sakuraba is looking to take a break and control but Di Maria is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Di Maria is looking to escape.
Sakuraba performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Ground and pound from Sakuraba.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakuraba is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kazuushi Sakuraba.
I think Sakuraba has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Kazuushi Sakuraba!
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Kazuushi Sakuraba!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Kazuushi Sakuraba!
Kazuushi Sakuraba wins by unanimous decision!
A relieved looking Kazuushi Sakuraba thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
48% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
