PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Gabriel Stark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nao Sakumichi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Gabriel Stark has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Stark
vs
Sakumichi

165 cm
23
144 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

179 cm
26
145 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Gabriel Stark!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nao Sakumichi!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Shigeki Sano and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stark shoots in and bounces Sakumichi off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Stark trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stark trying to control but Sakumichi is working from the bottom.
Sakumichi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stark is one step ahead there.
Stark slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Stark won't allow Sakumichi to sweep him here.
Sakumichi is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Stark trying to control but Sakumichi is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Gabriel Stark wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Stark staying out of range there.
Sakumichi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stark avoids it really well and circles away.
Sakumichi staying out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakumichi connects with the punch.
Sakumichi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Stark throws out the jab.
Nao Sakumichi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sakumichi shoots for a takedown but Stark saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Stark tries a head kick but it misses.
Stark tries to land a front kick but Sakumichi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Sakumichi shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stark as he avoids it easily.
Gabriel Stark has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nao Sakumichi.

Sakumichi looking to score a takedown here. Stark is defending well but Sakumichi drives through and ends up in Stark's guard.
Stark preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

Stark throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stark is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Sakumichi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Stark throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stark escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sakumichi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Stark keeping moving, preventing Sakumichi from controlling successfully.
Sakumichi is fighting to break Stark's control of his arms but Stark is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Sakumichi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sakumichi is working Stark over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Stark looking for a guillotine here but Sakumichi defends easily.
Sakumichi trying to control the position from guard on top but Stark is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stark has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sakumichi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sakumichi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sakumichi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Stark is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Stark is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stark preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sakumichi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Stark swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Sakumichi avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakumichi tries to free his leg and advance position but Stark is retaining full guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Sakumichi trying to move into half guard but instead Stark has managed to sweep!
Sakumichi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Stark is one step ahead there.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sakumichi can do anything to dispel that myth.
Sakumichi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Stark trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakumichi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stark pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sakumichi is keeping the position for now.
Sakumichi is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Stark stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sakumichi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sakumichi keeping moving, preventing Stark from controlling successfully.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Gabriel Stark has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stark. Sakumichi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stark misses with a head kick.
Stark throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sakumichi sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Sakumichi fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Stark to the ground. Sakumichi is now in Stark's guard.

Sakumichi has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Stark to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Sakumichi is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Stark pulls down on the head and he's put Sakumichi to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5:42 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Gabriel Stark!
During a confident post fight interview, Gabriel Stark thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.