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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kazushi Sakuraba has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
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| 183 cm
23
183 lbs
16 - 7 - 0 |
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182 cm
24
183 lbs
15 - 15 - 0 |
Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Cardio machine |
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Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin |
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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
16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazushi Sakuraba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
15 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazushi Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Hirohito Nitta and Yasuomi Hirokawa.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Kazushi Sakuraba misses.
Kazushi Sakuraba throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kazushi Sakuraba misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kazushi Sakuraba slips a jab and a cross from Kazushi Sakuraba.
Kazushi Sakuraba keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A head kick misses from Kazushi Sakuraba.
Kazushi Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kazushi Sakuraba pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kazushi Sakuraba is keeping the position for now.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kazushi Sakuraba preventing the sweep.
Kazushi Sakuraba looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kazushi Sakuraba looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kazushi Sakuraba defends well.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazushi Sakuraba stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kazushi Sakuraba swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kazushi Sakuraba thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kazushi Sakuraba throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kazushi Sakuraba lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Kazushi Sakuraba!
Kazushi Sakuraba keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba trying to control but Kazushi Sakuraba is having none of it.
Kazushi Sakuraba postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Kazushi Sakuraba looks a forlorn figure.
Kazushi Sakuraba working to try and regain half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kazushi Sakuraba swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Kazushi Sakuraba is now in Kazushi Sakuraba's guard. A big mistake from Kazushi Sakuraba there, giving up the dominant position!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kazushi Sakuraba wants to pass the guard but Kazushi Sakuraba is keeping the position.
Kazushi Sakuraba drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Kazushi Sakuraba manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kazushi Sakuraba has Kazushi Sakuraba in his guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba wants to sweep here but Kazushi Sakuraba controlling him for the moment.
Kazushi Sakuraba keeping moving, preventing Kazushi Sakuraba from controlling successfully.
Kazushi Sakuraba won't allow Kazushi Sakuraba to sweep him here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazushi Sakuraba slips nicely into half guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to roll over but Kazushi Sakuraba keeps him under control.
Kazushi Sakuraba is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kazushi Sakuraba is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking to control Kazushi Sakuraba's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kazushi Sakuraba avoid being mounted?
Kazushi Sakuraba passes the guard and advances to mount!
Kazushi Sakuraba is working to get back to half guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kazushi Sakuraba lands a big elbow.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Kazushi Sakuraba cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Kazushi Sakuraba has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Kazushi Sakuraba!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kazushi Sakuraba won't allow Kazushi Sakuraba to get back to his feet.
Kazushi Sakuraba looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kazushi Sakuraba escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kazushi Sakuraba gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kazushi Sakuraba looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kazushi Sakuraba slips nicely into half guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kazushi Sakuraba.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kazushi Sakuraba won't allow Kazushi Sakuraba to sweep him here.
Kazushi Sakuraba pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kazushi Sakuraba is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Kazushi Sakuraba dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Kazushi Sakuraba throws a poor cross that misses
and Kazushi Sakuraba counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kazushi Sakuraba thinking.
Kazushi Sakuraba bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kazushi Sakuraba pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Kazushi Sakuraba back to the cage. Kazushi Sakuraba follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Kazushi Sakuraba avoids the body shot from Kazushi Sakuraba.
A punch combination from Kazushi Sakuraba misses.
Kazushi Sakuraba fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kazushi Sakuraba avoids it really well and circles away.
Kazushi Sakuraba scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Kazushi Sakuraba scores with a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kazushi Sakuraba blocks a head kick by Kazushi Sakuraba.
Kazushi Sakuraba slips a jab from Kazushi Sakuraba.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazushi Sakuraba takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Kazushi Sakuraba closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Kazushi Sakuraba quickly recovers to half guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba is pressing down on Kazushi Sakuraba's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kazushi Sakuraba looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kazushi Sakuraba is one step ahead there.
Kazushi Sakuraba trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kazushi Sakuraba won't allow Kazushi Sakuraba to sweep him here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kazushi Sakuraba in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kazushi Sakuraba thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kazushi Sakuraba pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kazushi Sakuraba is keeping the position for now.
Kazushi Sakuraba slips nicely into half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kazushi Sakuraba moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kazushi Sakuraba sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kazushi Sakuraba's guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba actively working from the bottom here.
Kazushi Sakuraba looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kazushi Sakuraba seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kazushi Sakuraba does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kazushi Sakuraba missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kazushi Sakuraba doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kazushi Sakuraba.
Kazushi Sakuraba won't allow Kazushi Sakuraba to pass to mount.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kazushi Sakuraba doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kazushi Sakuraba.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazushi Sakuraba moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Kazushi Sakuraba 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.
Kazushi Sakuraba loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kazushi Sakuraba working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kazushi Sakuraba looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to free his leg and advance position but Kazushi Sakuraba is retaining full guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kazushi Sakuraba accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kazushi Sakuraba passes Kazushi Sakuraba's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba is trying to work for a kimura but Kazushi Sakuraba is defending well.
Kazushi Sakuraba works his way into side control.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kazushi Sakuraba knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kazushi Sakuraba is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kazushi Sakuraba is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kazushi Sakuraba gets back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Kazushi Sakuraba dominated that second 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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.
Kazushi Sakuraba lands a nice looking body shot.
Kazushi Sakuraba looks to land a combination but Kazushi Sakuraba avoids it well.
Kazushi Sakuraba drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba drops back looking for a leg! Kazushi Sakuraba is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kazushi Sakuraba manages to kick Kazushi Sakuraba off! Kazushi Sakuraba jumps back into Kazushi Sakuraba's guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kazushi Sakuraba can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking to advance position but Kazushi Sakuraba has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Kazushi Sakuraba jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Kazushi Sakuraba manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Kazushi Sakuraba is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kazushi Sakuraba is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking to reverse the position.
Kazushi Sakuraba is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Kazushi Sakuraba's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Kazushi Sakuraba is trying to get back to full guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kazushi Sakuraba moves into full guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba throwing strikes from guard but Kazushi Sakuraba blocks nicely.
Kazushi Sakuraba wants to sweep here but Kazushi Sakuraba controlling him for the moment.
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to free his leg and advance position but Kazushi Sakuraba is retaining full guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kazushi Sakuraba can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kazushi Sakuraba passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Kazushi Sakuraba gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba moves into full guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba forces his way into half guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
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!
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kazushi Sakuraba knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Kazushi Sakuraba not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kazushi Sakuraba looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kazushi Sakuraba wants to get back to full guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba trying to mount his opponent but Kazushi Sakuraba defends it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazushi Sakuraba is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking to improve his position.
Kazushi Sakuraba is defending against the submission attempts here by Kazushi Sakuraba.
Kazushi Sakuraba looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kazushi Sakuraba gets full guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking for a triangle but Kazushi Sakuraba pushes his legs off easily.
Kazushi Sakuraba is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kazushi Sakuraba is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kazushi Sakuraba has escaped and now he's on top!
Kazushi Sakuraba keeping moving, preventing Kazushi Sakuraba from controlling successfully.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kazushi Sakuraba trying to control but Kazushi Sakuraba is working from the bottom.
Kazushi Sakuraba sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kazushi Sakuraba's guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kazushi Sakuraba is trying to control the action in half guard but Kazushi Sakuraba is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba gets full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kazushi Sakuraba got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kazushi Sakuraba has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kazushi Sakuraba has managed to get both his arms back between Kazushi Sakuraba's legs - danger averted.
Kazushi Sakuraba 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.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kazushi Sakuraba is pushing down on Kazushi Sakuraba's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kazushi Sakuraba is fighting to maintain full guard but Kazushi Sakuraba has managed to sneak the leg through.
Kazushi Sakuraba blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kazushi Sakuraba.
And that's the end of the fight!
Kazushi Sakuraba showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kazushi Sakuraba has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kazushi Sakuraba!
Kazushi Sakuraba gave a mention to Valhalla Fight Wear in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
90% |
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