PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Naruto Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Jaffer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jaffer has chosen DubRaider- Starry Eyes as his entrance music. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Sakuraba
vs
Jaffer

175 cm
23
155 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

179 cm
27
146 lbs
15 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Affordable Quality

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Naruto Sakuraba!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, James Jaffer!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Steve Smith and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A leg kick checked by Jaffer.
Jaffer is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sakuraba.
Jaffer tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Sakuraba makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Sakuraba misses with a wild combination.

Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Jaffer napping and manages to drive through into side control!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Jaffer gets back to half guard.
Sakuraba sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Sakuraba seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Sakuraba wants to control but Jaffer is keeping him busy.
Jaffer regains full guard. Nicely done.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jaffer is adopting a defensive guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sakuraba is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Montreal Elite Gym that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Sakuraba throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Jaffer works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Jaffer keeping full guard, as Sakuraba tries to pass.
Sakuraba is working hard here to advance position.
Jaffer is pulling down on Sakuraba's head. It's preventing any offense from Sakuraba, at least for the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Sakuraba drives through and clinches with Jaffer against the cage.

Sakuraba escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Jaffer looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Sakuraba!
Jaffer fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba can't do much from the bottom here.
Sakuraba tries to improve position but can't.
Jaffer creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jaffer trying to control the action but Sakuraba is working from the bottom.
Sakuraba wants to get back to his feet.
Jaffer wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sakuraba keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jaffer happy to just control the position for now.
You can see the frustration on Sakuraba's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Jaffer throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Jaffer working away.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Sakuraba sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaffer seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sakuraba does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by James Jaffer.
Sakuraba pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jaffer is looking to clinch.
Sakuraba slips a jab from Jaffer.
Jaffer wants to clinch.
Sakuraba tries to clinch but Jaffer is having none of it.

Jaffer rushes Sakuraba and presses him up against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Jaffer.
Jaffer lands a right hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jaffer throws a punch but it's blocked by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba pushes Jaffer back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sakuraba is working for takedown but Jaffer is calmly controlling the position for now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sakuraba tries to pull guard but Jaffer won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Naruto Sakuraba will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sakuraba misses the shot to the body.
Jaffer wants to clinch
and Sakuraba counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sakuraba tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Jaffer defends well and Sakuraba ends up having to push Jaffer into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Sakuraba tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Jaffer struggles to land a body shot inside as Sakuraba controls his hands.
Jaffer misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sakuraba.
Jaffer has Sakuraba pressed against the cage, preventing Sakuraba from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Jaffer tries for a takedown but Sakuraba manages to get underhooks.
Jaffer tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Jaffer looking to slow down the pace here.
Jaffer is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sakuraba fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Jaffer misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba is trying to drag Jaffer to the mat but Jaffer just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Naruto Sakuraba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jaffer misses with a punch to the body.
Sakuraba trying to land knees to the body.
Good body shot from Jaffer.
Jaffer is defending well against a takedown attempt.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Jaffer misses with some punches.
Jaffer presses Sakuraba against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Jaffer with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Jaffer is working Sakuraba over against the cage.
Jaffer working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Jaffer escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jaffer works over Sakuraba's head and body with a nice combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jaffer throws a leg kick
and Sakuraba counters with a three punch combo that has Jaffer backing up. Jaffer nods at Sakuraba to acknowledge the strikes.
Sakuraba closes the distance and clinches up with Jaffer, looking for a takedown. Sakuraba pushes Jaffer against the cage but Jaffer circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Jaffer turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Jaffer throws a head kick that half lands.
Jaffer misses with a looping right.
Jaffer looks to land a combination but Sakuraba avoids it well.
Some wild striking there from Sakuraba.
James Jaffer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jaffer throws a body punch but Sakuraba moves out of range.
Sakuraba steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Jaffer.
Sakuraba takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sakuraba misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jaffer with a nice cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jaffer throws out a powerful jab.
Jaffer misses with a double jab.

Sakuraba gets tackled into the cage by Jaffer. Jaffer maintains the clinch.

Sakuraba pulls guard.
Jaffer stopping the sweep attempt from Sakuraba.
Jaffer trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Jaffer prevents Sakuraba from getting back to his feet.
Sakuraba is adopting a defensive guard.
Sakuraba keeping moving, preventing Jaffer from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaffer might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Sakuraba haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. James Jaffer wasn't active enough on the ground.
Sakuraba steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Jaffer.
Jaffer swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Sakuraba moves into the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Sakuraba.

Sakuraba drags the fight down to the ground.
Jaffer is looking to advance position but Sakuraba has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sakuraba has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Jaffer's face.
Naruto Sakuraba overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakuraba scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Jaffer?
Sakuraba trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Jaffer squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Jaffer showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Sakuraba tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jaffer misses with a wild body shot.

Jaffer moves into the clinch.
Jaffer swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short left from Jaffer.
Jaffer is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Sakuraba effectively controlling the action here.

Jaffer manages to break the clinch.
Sakuraba takes a jab right on the kisser.
Sakuraba displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Jaffer throws out the jab.
Jaffer will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Jaffer moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jaffer rushes Sakuraba and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jaffer.
Jaffer throws a knee to the head but misses.
Jaffer throws a head punch that misses.

Sakuraba breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Sakuraba gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
James Jaffer seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Sakuraba manages to pull guard.
Jaffer looking to sit in guard and control but Sakuraba gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Jaffer wants to stand up but Sakuraba is controlling him.
Sakuraba wants to control from the top but Jaffer keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba throws a big right hand that misses.
Jaffer keeping moving, preventing Sakuraba from controlling successfully.
Sakuraba wants to pass the guard but Jaffer is keeping the position.
Our spies down at at Short Term Solution inform us that Jaffer has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

Jaffer is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Sakuraba is stalling in the full guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sakuraba accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Jaffer wants to sweep here but Sakuraba controlling him for the moment.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sakuraba throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jaffer not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sakuraba wants to control from the top but Jaffer keeps moving.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sakuraba lands a high kick!
Jaffer throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sakuraba sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Jaffer tries to clinch there but Sakuraba circles away.
A head kick from Jaffer lands but Sakuraba takes it in his stride.
James Jaffer seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jaffer fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sakuraba tries to clinch but Jaffer moves out of range.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sakuraba is defended easily by Jaffer.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Sakuraba, right into the meat.
Jaffer misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jaffer gets the takedown into side control.
Sakuraba is trying to control Jaffer's posture but Jaffer avoids it.
Sakuraba being controlled for a moment.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sakuraba is trying to get back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jaffer working away.
Sakuraba manages to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but James Jaffer just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Sakuraba's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Jaffer closes the distance and pushes Sakuraba back into the cage.
Jaffer tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Jaffer misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jaffer tries to work over Sakuraba's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba can't break the clinch.
Jaffer is looking for a takedown.
Jaffer is looking to break free of the clinch but Sakuraba has double underhooks.
Sakuraba tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The referee is keeping an eye on Jaffer - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Sakuraba can't break the clinch.
Jaffer can't find room to land a body shot as Sakuraba controls the action.

Jaffer pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaffer lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Jaffer takes a swing at Sakuraba's ribcage but misses.
Jaffer misses with a wild combination.
Jaffer defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sakuraba.

Sakuraba shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Jaffer manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Jaffer is trying to keep Sakuraba in close.
Sakuraba trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sakuraba missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Jaffer looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sakuraba is one step ahead there.
Jaffer is adopting a defensive guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba preventing the sweep.

James Jaffer has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Sakuraba fails with a takedown attempt.
Jaffer swats away the attempt to clinch by Sakuraba.

Jaffer fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sakuraba, pushing him back against the cage.
Jaffer misses with a hook from the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jaffer misses with a punch on the inside.
Jaffer misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sakuraba.
Jaffer is trying to stall.
Sakuraba blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Jaffer misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch on the inside from Jaffer fails to land.
Sakuraba jumps guard but Jaffer stands there with Sakuraba around his waist. Sakuraba gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Naruto Sakuraba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sakuraba is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Jaffer to keep the fight standing.
Sakuraba tries to pull guard but Jaffer holds him up against the cage and eventually Sakuraba drops back down to his feet.
Jaffer is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A frustrated look appears on Sakuraba's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Jaffer is trying to drag Sakuraba to the mat but Sakuraba just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba is looking to take this one to the mat.
Jaffer presses Sakuraba against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Jaffer has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sakuraba is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Jaffer fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Jaffer misses with some punches.

Jaffer works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sakuraba keeping moving, preventing Jaffer from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sakuraba can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Jaffer controls the pace.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jaffer wants to control from the top but Sakuraba keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Jaffer dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Jaffer scores with a head kick.
Sakuraba dives in and grabs Jaffer's left leg, looking for a takedown. Jaffer pushes down on Sakuraba's head and hops out.
Jaffer dodges the punch combination from Sakuraba.

Jaffer tries to sprawl but Sakuraba drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Sakuraba wants to stand up but Jaffer has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Sakuraba passes to full mount!
The referee warns Jaffer that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Jaffer manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Jaffer tries to roll over but Sakuraba keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba is pressing down on Jaffer's thigh, looking to free his foot. Jaffer is holding on for now.
Sakuraba trying to advance position but Jaffer counters by regaining guard.
Sakuraba chips away with some ground and pound.
Jaffer is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Jaffer manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sakuraba manages to get himself to full guard.
Jaffer stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sakuraba swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Jaffer loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Jaffer must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sakuraba controls Jaffer momentarily but Jaffer frees himself.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Jaffer trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakuraba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sakuraba has his hands on Jaffer's head, controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Naruto Sakuraba just wasn't active enough.
Sakuraba throws a jab when Jaffer was well out of range.
Jaffer is looking to clinch but Sakuraba is avoiding it.
Jaffer misses with a series of wild punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jaffer tries to bum rush Sakuraba with a series of wild strikes but Sakuraba uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Jaffer throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Naruto Sakuraba has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Sakuraba moves into the clinch successfully.

Sakuraba lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Jaffer is looking for a sweep. Sakuraba is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Jaffer is controlling Sakuraba's trapped leg to prevent Sakuraba from advancing to side control.
Sakuraba is looking to take a break and control but Jaffer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sakuraba is looking to advance position but Jaffer won't allow it.
Jaffer is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Jaffer moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Jaffer is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Sakuraba postures up.
Jaffer has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Sakuraba has passed into side control.
Jaffer defending against the ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sakuraba landing a few strikes.
Sakuraba wants to lay and pray for a moment but Jaffer keeps working.
Sakuraba connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Jaffer some visible discomfort.

Sakuraba is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Jaffer 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.
Jaffer tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Sakuraba wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
James Jaffer is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Jaffer is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Naruto Sakuraba showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Jaffer 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Peck scores the fight 47:49
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 47:49
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 47:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Jaffer!
James Jaffer is the new featherweight champion!
A very excited looking James Jaffer rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.