|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hiro Sakurai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Spasojevic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.
 |
|
 |
| 192 cm
18
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0 |
|
184 cm
24
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart |
|
BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin |
|
| |
|
Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Hiro Sakurai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Michael Spasojevic!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Trevor Gratis and Gregory Folan.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spasojevic looks to clinch
and Sakurai counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Spasojevic's guard now.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Sakurai trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sakurai trying to control but Spasojevic is working from the bottom.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Hiro Sakurai.
Sakurai throws a nice looking combination but Spasojevic bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sakurai dodges the punch combination from Spasojevic.
Spasojevic scores with a one two! Sakurai had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sakurai gets the takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Spasojevic is pushing Sakurai's head away, looking to escape. Sakurai manages to hold on to the position though.
Sakurai is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Spasojevic knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Spasojevic is trying to get back to his feet.
Sakurai throws an elbow but Spasojevic slips to the side and avoids it well.
Sakurai scoring with punches and elbows.
Sakurai wants to control but Spasojevic is keeping him busy.
Spasojevic wants to get back to his feet but Sakurai drags him back down.
Spasojevic is letting Sakurai control him for a moment.
Spasojevic wants to get back to his feet.
Sakurai cracks Spasojevic with a big elbow.
Spasojevic pushes Sakurai away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Sakurai gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai is looking to take a break and control but Spasojevic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Spasojevic is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Spasojevic looks winded!
Sakurai creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Spasojevic sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Sakurai scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Spasojevic to see if he's OK.
Sakurai working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Spasojevic is trying to buck Sakurai off.
Sakurai looking to control but instead Spasojevic has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Spasojevic is not content to let Sakurai control the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Spasojevic on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Sakurai is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Sakurai stands up from half guard.
Spasojevic shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Sakurai eats them both and turns towards Spasojevic to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Sakurai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sakurai shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Spasojevic throws a nice looking combination but Sakurai bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sakurai changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Spasojevic tries to avoid it but Sakurai manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Spasojevic to the ground. Spasojevic escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Michael Spasojevic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Spasojevic fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sakurai looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
A chopping leg kick lands by Spasojevic.
Spasojevic tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sakurai swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Spasojevic works Sakurai's body with a nice hook.
Spasojevic tries to close the distance and clinch but Sakurai swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Spasojevic tries to close the distance and clinch but Sakurai swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Spasojevic tries to clinch but Sakurai moves out of range.
Sakurai circles away from the clinch attempt.
Spasojevic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sakurai closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sakurai lands in his opponent's guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Spasojevic wants to stand up but Sakurai is controlling him.
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 Hiro Sakurai will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Spasojevic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Michael Spasojevic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Spasojevic throws a right hand that Sakurai ducks under and follows up with a left that Sakurai also avoids with ease.
Sakurai takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Sakurai shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Sakurai showed some decent athleticism there.
Sakurai stalling.
Sakurai with the ground and pound but Spasojevic uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Sakurai won't allow Spasojevic to get back to his feet.
Spasojevic is breathing heavily.
Sakurai stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Spasojevic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
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.
Sakurai postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Spasojevic is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Sakurai, into his guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Spasojevic preventing the sweep.
Spasojevic wants to get up but he can't break Sakurai's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Spasojevic stopping the sweep attempt from Sakurai.
Sakurai pushes Spasojevic off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Sakurai takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spasojevic scores with a crisp jab that stopped Sakurai in his tracks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Spasojevic moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Sakurai scores with a takedown into Spasojevic's guard.
Spasojevic wants to stand and escape but Sakurai is having none of it.
Sakurai controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Spasojevic is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Sakurai stays in close to Spasojevic's body and controls the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Spasojevic wants to stand and escape but Sakurai is having none of it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref stands the fighters back up because Hiro Sakurai just wasn't active enough.
Sakurai manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Spasojevic on his heels. He'll look to pass Spasojevic's guard now, I'm sure.
Sakurai is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Sakurai has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Sakurai forces his way into half guard.
Spasojevic wants to get back to his feet.
Sakurai looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Sakurai wants to free his trapped foot but Spasojevic is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Sakurai decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Sakurai shoots in but Spasojevic avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spasojevic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A punch combination from Sakurai misses.
Horrible takedown by Sakurai or perhaps it was just good defense by Spasojevic which made him look bad.
Spasojevic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sakurai shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Spasojevic is looking to escape.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sakurai missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Sakurai lands strikes from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Hiro Sakurai will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!
Sakurai shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Spasojevic is trying to defend but Sakurai finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Sakurai trying to control the action but Spasojevic is working from the bottom.
Sakurai is stalling here. Spasojevic is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Sakurai seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Spasojevic has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Sakurai is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Spasojevic wants to stand but Sakurai has his arm trapped.
Sakurai is looking to reverse the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Spasojevic tries to stand but Sakurai is controlling his head.
Spasojevic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sakurai is looking to regain half guard here but Spasojevic keeps moving and retains side control.
Spasojevic tries to stand but Sakurai is controlling his head.
Sakurai tries to bench press Spasojevic off him but Spasojevic keeps the position.
Sakurai is working hard here to advance position.
Sakurai manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Sakurai seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Spasojevic does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sakurai is working for a kimura but Spasojevic is defending it quite comfortably.
Sakurai looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Spasojevic is trying to stand back up but Sakurai is controlling him
Sakurai missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Spasojevic wants to get back to his feet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Sakurai working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Sakurai trying to mount his opponent but Spasojevic defends it.
Sakurai lands strikes from half guard.
Sakurai trying to control from half guard but Spasojevic is working away.
Spasojevic looks like he's trying to stand up.
Sakurai is nestled in close to Spasojevic, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Sakurai controlling the action here.
Sakurai looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai works his way into side control.
Sakurai swings around for an armbar but Spasojevic sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Sakurai's guard.
Spasojevic has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Sakurai is proving hard to escape from.
Sakurai working a defensive guard here.
Sakurai has his feet on Spasojevic's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sakurai shoots in looking for a takedown but Spasojevic manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sakurai's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
And that's the end of the fight!
Hiro Sakurai showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sakurai, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight for Hiro Sakurai!
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight for Hiro Sakurai!
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight for Hiro Sakurai!
Hiro Sakurai wins by unanimous decision!
During a confident post fight interview, Hiro Sakurai thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
72% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
