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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pete Palahnuik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sakuraba's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Lose yourself. Palahnuik has chosen Machine Civilization as his entrance music. 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.
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| 185 cm
26
201 lbs
12 - 0 - 2 |
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184 cm
31
189 lbs
17 - 5 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
12 - 0 - 2, fighting out of Sydney, Kazushi Sakuraba!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
17 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Pete Palahnuik!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Summer Carpenter and Bruno Hogan.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Palahnuik throws a lazy uppercut
and Sakuraba cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A head kick from Sakuraba lands but Palahnuik takes it in his stride.
A jab from Sakuraba does it's job there.
Palahnuik displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sakuraba throws out the jab.
Palahnuik takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sakuraba misses with a shot to the body
and Palahnuik counters with a low kick, right behind Sakuraba 's knee.
Sakuraba misses with a looping right.
Palahnuik takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Palahnuik thows a leg kick but Sakuraba checks it
and Sakuraba counters with a nice body kick.
Sakuraba throws a looping overhand right but Palahnuik ducks down to avoid it.
Sakuraba swings for the body but Palahnuik moves out of range.
Sakuraba displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Palahnuik throws out the jab.
Palahnuik takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Sakuraba lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A slow jab from Sakuraba misses its intended target.
Sakuraba thumps Palahnuik with a low kick.
Palahnuik scores with a jab to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Palahnuik lands a slapping body shot.
Sakuraba misses with a few strikes there.
Sakuraba keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Palahnuik walks into a stiff left hand from Sakuraba.
Palahnuik lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sakuraba at a distance.
Sakuraba stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
A lazy left from Palahnuik finds it's target.
Good work by Palahnuik as he checks the leg kick.
Palahnuik digs a good hook to Sakuraba's body.
Palahnuik throws a shot from downtown. Sakuraba moves away and avoids it.
Palahnuik throws a looping overhand right but Sakuraba ducks down to avoid it.
Palahnuik throws a leg kick but Sakuraba sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Sakuraba takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Palahnuik.
Sakuraba ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Sakuraba avoids the body shot from Palahnuik.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba moves into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Sakuraba fails to land.
Palahnuik fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Palahnuik blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Palahnuik tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Palahnuik blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sakuraba as Palahnuik tries to tie him up.
Sakuraba throws a head punch that misses.
Palahnuik is trying to force a seperation but Sakuraba has the dominant position.
Sakuraba's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Nice elbow from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Sakuraba swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Palahnuik breaks the clinch.
Palahnuik sizes up Sakuraba with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Sakuraba defending well as Palahnuik loads up on a big left hand.
Palahnuik throws a nice outside leg kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Palahnuik scores with a body shot.
Nice defenses there by Sakuraba.
Palahnuik checks the leg kick.
Palahnuik takes a swing at Sakuraba's ribcage but misses.
Sakuraba fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Palahnuik looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Palahnuik works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Sakuraba throws a body punch but Palahnuik moves out of range.
Nice body punch from Sakuraba.
Good work by Sakuraba as he checks the leg kick.
Palahnuik stuns Sakuraba with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Palahnuik wants to land a leg kick but Sakuraba is out of range.
Sakuraba throws a leg kick but Palahnuik checks it.
Sakuraba slips a jab from Palahnuik.
Sakuraba on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Palahnuik misses with a low kick as Sakuraba jumps back.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palahnuik scores with a hook to the body. Sakuraba takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sakuraba staying out of range there.
A slow jab from Sakuraba misses its intended target.
Palahnuik staying out of range there.
Sakuraba slips under a jab.
Palahnuik takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Palahnuik defending well as Sakuraba loads up on a big left hand.
Palahnuik thows a body shot but no joy.
Sakuraba fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sakuraba avoids the head kick by Palahnuik.
Sakuraba fails to land with a series of punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Palahnuik throws a low kick but Sakuraba avoids it.
Sakuraba throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Palahnuik tries a low kick but Sakuraba avoids it.
A left and a right from Palahnuik both land. Nice combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Pete Palahnuik will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Sakuraba throws a poor cross that misses
and Sakuraba takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sakuraba looks to throw the jab but Palahnuik is out of range.
Sakuraba shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Sakuraba checks the leg kick.
Sakuraba throws a leg kick but Palahnuik moved away.
Sakuraba has closed the distance and engaged Palahnuik in a clinch.
Palahnuik blocks an uppercut.
Palahnuik misses with a hook to the ribs.
Palahnuik blocks a body shot from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba swings wildly with an uppercut but Palahnuik uses good head movement to avoid it.
Palahnuik is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Sakuraba lands a nice uppercut.
Sakuraba has a couple of punches blocked by Palahnuik.
Sakuraba swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sakuraba lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sakuraba lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A short right from Sakuraba.
A frustrated look appears on Palahnuik's face as he tries to break the clinch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Palahnuik pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sakuraba throws a lazy right hand but Palahnuik sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A leg kick checked by Palahnuik.
Sakuraba on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Sakuraba is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Palahnuik moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sakuraba bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Palahnuik.
Palahnuik ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sakuraba moves away.
Sakuraba throws a hook but Palahnuik avoids it easily.
Sakuraba scores with a kick to the midsection.
Palahnuik checks a leg kick.
Sakuraba shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Palahnuik misses with a body shot.
Pete Palahnuik seems to be getting the better of the standup.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba connects with an inside leg kick.
A slow jab from Sakuraba misses its intended target.
Palahnuik uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sakuraba moves away from the strike by Palahnuik.
Palahnuik tests Sakuraba's chin there with a solid looking shot.
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!
Palahnuik lands a body shot.
Sakuraba fails with an attempt to clinch.
Palahnuik turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Palahnuik digs a good hook to Sakuraba's body.
That kick from Sakuraba tenderised Palahnuik's leg. Palahnuik is trying to keep his angry face on.
Palahnuik with a jab.
Palahnuik ducks under a wild hook from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba tries to bum rush Palahnuik with a series of wild strikes but Palahnuik uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sakuraba swings for the body but Palahnuik moves out of range.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palahnuik misses with a double jab.
Sakuraba thows a left - swing and a miss!
Some wild striking there from Sakuraba.
An inside leg kick lands from Sakuraba.
Palahnuik listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Sakuraba takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Palahnuik misses with a hook.
Palahnuik throws a hook but Sakuraba blocks it.
Sakuraba ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Palahnuik moves away.
The fighters circle momentarily. Palahnuik darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Sakuraba lands a nice looking body shot.
Sakuraba throws a sloppy head kick and Palahnuik moves out of range easily.
Sakuraba throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sakuraba rushes Palahnuik and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sakuraba misses with the head strike.
Sakuraba presses Palahnuik against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sakuraba fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sakuraba misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sakuraba scores with a hook to the body.
Sakuraba misses with a short punch on the inside.
Palahnuik is trying to force a seperation but Sakuraba has the dominant position.
Palahnuik blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sakuraba swings wildly with an uppercut but Palahnuik uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sakuraba goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sakuraba digs a right hand into Palahnuik's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Palahnuik's gas tank.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sakuraba goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sakuraba misses with a hook from the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sakuraba as Palahnuik tries to tie him up.
Palahnuik goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Kazushi Sakuraba dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Palahnuik fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Sakuraba loads up on a big right hand but Palahnuik slips the punch.
Sakuraba throws a body punch but Palahnuik moves out of range.
Sakuraba throws a head kick but Palahnuik moves out of range.
Sakuraba misses with a few strikes there.
Palahnuik avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sakuraba moves out of range as Palahnuik strikes.
Sakuraba slips under a jab.
Palahnuik walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Palahnuik with a jab.
Sakuraba feints a jab promting Palahnuik to slip. Sakuraba then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Palahnuik slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Palahnuik fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sakuraba manages to avoid it.
Palahnuik looks for the body kick but Sakuraba saw that one coming.
Sakuraba scores with a punch to the head.
Palahnuik blocks a jab.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A head kick misses from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Palahnuik.
Sakuraba throws a body punch but Palahnuik moves out of range.
Sakuraba swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Palahnuik counters with a low kick, right behind Sakuraba 's knee.
Palahnuik uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Palahnuik misses with a body shot.
Palahnuik's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Sakuraba connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Palahnuik scrambles back to his feet.
Palahnuik avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Palahnuik tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sakuraba was well out of range. Poor timing from Palahnuik.
Sakuraba fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Palahnuik has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Palahnuik throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Sakuraba tries to work over Palahnuik's front leg with a kick but Palahnuik checks it.
Palahnuik staying out of range there.
Sakuraba missing with a left hand there. Palahnuik was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba is looking to slow Palahnuik down with leg kicks.
Palahnuik lands a lovely overhand right.
Palahnuik avoids a kick to the body.
Sakuraba lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Palahnuik lands a nice looking kick to the body. Sakuraba takes a step back to recover.
Palahnuik steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sakuraba.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sakuraba.
Sakuraba takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
A telegraphed right hand from Palahnuik misses the target.
Sakuraba throws a head kick but Palahnuik moves out of range.
Palahnuik thows a left - swing and a miss!
Palahnuik's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Palahnuik throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Sakuraba counters with a one-two to the body.
Sakuraba tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Palahnuik was well out of range. Poor timing from Sakuraba.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palahnuik with a hook.
Palahnuik moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Palahnuik connects with a leg kick. Sakuraba looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Palahnuik throws a hook but Sakuraba avoids it easily.
Sakuraba pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Palahnuik checks a leg kick nicely.
Palahnuik lands a glancing blow to the side of Sakuraba's head.
Sakuraba motions for Palahnuik to come forward. Sakuraba throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sakuraba lands a nice leg kick that just misses Palahnuik's sensitive parts.
Sakuraba fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Palahnuik throws a push kick but Sakuraba slaps the foot to one side.
Nice uppercut lands for Palahnuik. That snapped Sakuraba's head back.
Palahnuik scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Palahnuik ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sakuraba moves away.
Palahnuik walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sakuraba checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Palahnuik.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Palahnuik. Sakuraba does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sakuraba misses the shot to the body.
Palahnuik pivots, looking for a leg kick but Sakuraba is out of range and Palahnuik settles back down.
A jab from Palahnuik does it's job there.
Sakuraba misses with a few strikes there.
Sakuraba keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Palahnuik throws the left hand but Sakuraba avoids the punch easily.
Palahnuik lands a really nice looking cross but Sakuraba seems unphased.
Sakuraba blocks a head kick by Palahnuik.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Palahnuik thows a body shot but no joy.
Palahnuik stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Palahnuik drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Palahnuik dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close third round but Pete Palahnuik just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Back to the action!
Palahnuik misses with a body kick.
Sakuraba pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Sakuraba keeps Palahnuik at a distance using the push kick.
Palahnuik scores with a body shot.
Sakuraba uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Palahnuik.
Sakuraba uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Palahnuik.
Sakuraba throws a low kick but it's checked well by Palahnuik.
Palahnuik lands with a cross.
Palahnuik punishes Sakuraba's body with a nice straight punch.
A nice leg kick lands there from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Palahnuik throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sakuraba connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Palahnuik connects with a body shot that sends Sakuraba's belly button to the back.
Palahnuik jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Palahnuik lands with a thumping leg kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Palahnuik dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sakuraba. That did some damage!
A cross from Palahnuik lands.
Sakuraba lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sakuraba drops his hands momentarily and Palahnuik takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Palahnuik throws a hook but Sakuraba blocks it.
Palahnuik lands a jab to Sakuraba's midsection.
Sakuraba defending well as Palahnuik loads up on a big left hand.
Palahnuik scores with a nice right hand.
A nice inside leg kick there by Palahnuik. That's going to slow Sakuraba down.
Palahnuik jabs Sakuraba right on the nose. Sakuraba blinks but takes it well.
Palahnuik tries to keep at a distance but Sakuraba has taken the fight into the clinch.
Sakuraba fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Palahnuik looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba digs a right hand underneath Palahnuik's ribcage. Palahnuik let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Palahnuik is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Palahnuik blocking some punches.
Sakuraba pushes Palahnuik back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sakuraba as Palahnuik tries to tie him up.
Palahnuik is trying to push Sakuraba away but Sakuraba has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Sakuraba misses with a body punch.
Sakuraba lands with a right to the head.
Sakuraba tries to throw a body punch but Palahnuik avoids it by throwing Sakuraba back against the cage.
Kazushi Sakuraba has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Sakuraba keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Palahnuik's efforts to push away.
Palahnuik looking for a takedown.
Palahnuik is trying to stall.
Palahnuik tries to work over Sakuraba's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sakuraba lands a hook to the side of the head.
Palahnuik blocks a body shot from Sakuraba.
Palahnuik is working Sakuraba over against the cage.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba misses with the head strike.
Sakuraba gets through Palahnuik's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Palahnuik wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sakuraba has him pressed against the cage.
Palahnuik misses with some punches.
Good body shot from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba lands a body shot.
Palahnuik struggles to land a body shot inside as Sakuraba controls his hands.
Sakuraba scores with a shoulder strike.
Sakuraba blocking some punches.
Sakuraba lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Sakuraba misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sakuraba throws a head punch that misses.
Palahnuik blocks an elbow strike from Sakuraba.
Palahnuik blocks a body shot from Sakuraba.
Palahnuik wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sakuraba has him pressed against the cage.
Palahnuik lands a hook that snaps the head of Sakuraba backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Sakuraba fails to land.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sakuraba creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Palahnuik is looking to break free of the clinch but Sakuraba has double underhooks.
Sakuraba blocking some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Palahnuik.
A short body shot lands from Sakuraba as the two fighters clinch.
Sakuraba pushes Palahnuik back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Sakuraba fails to land.
Palahnuik's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Palahnuik comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Sakuraba.
Palahnuik looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Palahnuik throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sakuraba throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Palahnuik goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Palahnuik thows a body kick. Sakuraba tries to catch it but that hurt him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close fourth round but I would say that Kazushi Sakuraba will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
Sakuraba throws a half hearted mid kick.
Sakuraba pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sakuraba throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sakuraba wants to clinch but Palahnuik slips to the side
and Palahnuik counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sakuraba throws a front kick aimed at Palahnuik's knee but Palahnuik avoids it well.
Palahnuik takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Sloppy strikes from Sakuraba. Those never looked like landing.
Palahnuik throws a body kick that misses.
Palahnuik checks a low kick from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Palahnuik moves away.
Sakuraba throws a body punch but Palahnuik moves out of range.
Sakuraba throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sakuraba doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Palahnuik lets loose with a powerful body kick. Sakuraba will feel that in the morning.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Palahnuik scores with a shot to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Palahnuik throws a lazy right hand but Sakuraba sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Palahnuik does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Sakuraba tries to close the distance and clinch but Palahnuik swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sakuraba missing with a left hand there. Palahnuik was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Palahnuik throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sakuraba lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Palahnuik looks to land a right hand but Sakuraba moved out of range.
Palahnuik throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sakuraba stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Palahnuik avoids the head kick by Sakuraba.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sakuraba looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Palahnuik sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palahnuik throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sakuraba looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Palahnuik tries to score with a low kick but Sakuraba moves his leg out of the way.
Sakuraba thows a left - swing and a miss!
The fighters circling - Palahnuik throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sakuraba moves into the clinch.
Sakuraba misses with a punch on the inside.
Sakuraba tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Palahnuik avoids it.
Palahnuik lands a body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Palahnuik fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sakuraba tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Palahnuik misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sakuraba.
Palahnuik is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sakuraba.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palahnuik tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Palahnuik throws a punch but it's blocked by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Sakuraba misses with some punches.
Palahnuik gets through Sakuraba's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Palahnuik breaks from the clinch.
Sakuraba attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Palahnuik misses with a straight left.
Sakuraba takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Palahnuik swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sakuraba looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Palahnuik throws a half hearted mid kick.
Sakuraba misses with an attempted mid kick.
Sakuraba misses with a straight right.
Sakuraba is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Palahnuik.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba with a jab.
Sakuraba throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Palahnuik throws a lazy right hand but Sakuraba sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Palahnuik misses with a body shot.
Palahnuik on the wrong end of a nice jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sakuraba throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sakuraba bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Palahnuik's head.
Palahnuik looks for the body kick but Sakuraba saw that one coming.
Palahnuik is looking to slow Sakuraba down with leg kicks.
Palahnuik lands with a good body shot.
Palahnuik keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakuraba shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Palahnuik eats them both and turns towards Sakuraba to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Palahnuik's corner calls for a 1-2. Palahnuik obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Palahnuik chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Sakuraba can pounce on him.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Kazushi Sakuraba.
I think Sakuraba 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 48:47
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 49:47
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 49:46
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kazushi Sakuraba!
Kazushi Sakuraba retains his middleweight title!
Kazushi Sakuraba decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
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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
100% |
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