PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hanamichi Sakuragi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tipi Savea (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sakuragi
vs
Savea

200 cm
26
170 lbs
5 - 17 - 0

180 cm
32
163 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Experienced

ADCC Champion
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hanamichi Sakuragi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tipi Savea!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuragi fails with the takedown

and Savea counters with a shoot takedown. Sakuragi fights it but they end up in guard.
Sakuragi lands a couple of decent looking body shots there.
Sakuragi knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Savea on the ground.

Savea is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Savea drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Savea jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Sakuragi trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Savea passes into half guard.

Savea looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Savea passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Sakuragi!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sakuragi throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Sakuragi has given up his back here. Will Savea look for the submission or keep pounding away?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sakuragi is trying to defend against the choke here but Savea has an arm under his chin. This one might not last much longer. Savea Tightens the hold and Sakuragi taps out furiously! Savea displays superior BJJ to win the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Tipi Savea!