PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Iron Fist (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carlos Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Fist
vs
Sakuraba

185 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

192 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Iron Fist!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Carlos Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Bart Greer and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fist slaps away a takedown attempt from Sakuraba, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Fist throws a sloppy body shot
and Sakuraba counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Fist just misses with a punch to the body.
Sakuraba closes this distance looking for a takedown but Fist circles away.

Sakuraba clinches up against the cage.
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!
Nice body punch from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Sakuraba unloads a knee to the mid-section. Fist lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
A knee to the head by Sakuraba.
Fist is breathing heavily.
Sakuraba putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Fist in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Sakuraba comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Sakuraba lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Fist backwards.
Fist takes an elbow to the forehead.
Sakuraba with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba landing knees to the head.
Fist takes a shot to the head.
A short right from Sakuraba on the inside.
Sakuraba lands an elbow inside that Fist shrugs off.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Fist in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Sakuraba lands an elbow inside.
Fist is trying to force a seperation but Sakuraba has the dominant position.
A right hook to the body lands for Sakuraba.
Sakuraba unloads a knee to the mid-section. Fist lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
A right hand to the body from Sakuraba.
A body shot lands from Sakuraba.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Sakuraba.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Sakuraba obliges.
Sakuraba lands with a light punch inside.
Sakuraba crunches a lovely knee into Fist's ribcage.
Sakuraba lands a shoulder strike.
Sakuraba keeps control of Fist as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Sakuraba lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Sakuraba lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Sakuraba lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba crunches a lovely knee into Fist's ribcage.
Sakuraba scores with a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba lands a nice knee to the body.
Sakuraba lands a body punch.
Sakuraba landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Sakuraba prevents Fist from breaking the clinch.
Fist wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Sakuraba lands a nice knee to the body.
Sakuraba lands a left hand that snaps the head of Fist backwards.
Sakuraba struggles to land a body shot inside as Fist controls his hands.
Sakuraba prevents Fist from breaking the clinch.
Fist avoiding damage as Sakuraba throws knees to the body.
Fist takes an elbow to the temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba tries to land a knee to the head but Fist blocks with his arms.
Fist tries to break the clinch but Sakuraba is controlling the position.
Fist on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Fist tries to break the clinch but Sakuraba is controlling the position.
Fist blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Fist tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sakuraba smiles and moves away.
Sakuraba throws a combination that misses
enabling Fist to counter with a crisp jab.
Fist throws a low kick but Sakuraba avoids it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fist stuns Sakuraba with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fist. Sakuraba does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sakuraba takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Sakuraba dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Fist throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sakuraba.
Fist takes a swing at Sakuraba's ribcage but misses.

Fist has closed the distance and engaged Sakuraba in a clinch.
Sakuraba lands a hook that snaps the head of Fist backwards.
Sakuraba working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Sakuraba scores with a knee to the head.
Sakuraba lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sakuraba lands a shoulder strike.
Sakuraba lands a right hand that snaps the head of Fist backwards.
Fist takes an elbow to the forehead.
Sakuraba lands a shot to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sakuraba working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Carlos Sakuraba seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Sakuraba pushes Fist back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Sakuraba lands a body punch.
Sakuraba is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Sakuraba is working Fist over against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A knee to the head by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Sakuraba lands a left hand that snaps the head of Fist backwards.
Sakuraba lands a shoulder strike.
Fist tries to pull guard but Sakuraba holds him up against the cage and eventually Fist drops back down to his feet.
A knee to the head by Sakuraba.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba scores with a nice hook to the head.
Sakuraba lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sakuraba lands a knee to the body.
Sakuraba lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Sakuraba.
Good body shot from Sakuraba.
A knee to the head by Sakuraba.
Fist tries to break the clinch but Sakuraba is controlling the position.
Fist is trying to break free.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Sakuraba obliges.
Sakuraba fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba lands a nice uppercut.
Sakuraba misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sakuraba misses with a punch on the inside.
Sakuraba scores a nice knee to the body.
Fist tries to pull guard but Sakuraba forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Sakuraba comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Sakuraba connects with a nasty looking knee right to Fist's face.
Sakuraba can't find room to land a body shot as Fist controls the action.
Sakuraba using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Fist jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sakuraba walks away with a smile on his face. Fist gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Iron Fist. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sakuraba fails to land the takedown.
Fist stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Sakuraba has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fist lands with a nice body punch.
Carlos Sakuraba seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sakuraba.
Fist misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Fist tries to keep at a distance but Sakuraba has taken the fight into the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakuraba landing knees to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Sakuraba showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. 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.

Fist throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fist stuffs the takedown.
Fist is looking to wear down Sakuraba with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Sakuraba fails with an attempt to clinch.
Fist stuffs the takedown attempt from Sakuraba. Sakuraba gets slowly back to his feet.
Fist leaves Sakuraba with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Iron Fist has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Carlos Sakuraba.
Sakuraba tries to clinch but Fist moves out of range.
Sakuraba is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Fist as he jumps to the side.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fist lands a nice shot to the body.
Sakuraba misses with a takedown attempt - Fist sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Fist cracks a nice hook into Sakuraba's ribs.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Fist but Fist pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Fist tries to bum rush Sakuraba with a series of wild strikes but Sakuraba uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fist looks to score with a jab to the body but Sakuraba is just out of range.

Fist bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Fist has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Sakuraba gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Sakuraba lands a good knee to the midsection. Fist won't want to take too many of those.
Fist wants to break the clinch but can't.
Fist tries to circle away but Sakuraba has him pinned against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Knees to the body from Sakuraba.
Fist wants to get back to striking at distance but Sakuraba won't allow it.
Sakuraba lands a knee to the body.
Fist wants to break free but Sakuraba has control.
Sakuraba scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Iron Fist has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sakuraba tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Sakuraba tries to work over Fist's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Fist tries to land knees in the clinch but Sakuraba avoids the damage to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Sakuraba obliges.
Sakuraba has a couple of punches blocked by Fist.
Sakuraba fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fist.
Fist avoiding damage as Sakuraba throws knees to the body.
Fist is trying to force a seperation but Sakuraba has the dominant position.
Fist tries to circle away but Sakuraba has him pinned against the cage.
Sakuraba misses with a punch to the body.
Sakuraba tries a body shot but Fist blocks it.
Fist is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Fist is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Fist wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Sakuraba with a knee to the head.
Carlos Sakuraba is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fist tries to break free but Sakuraba pushes him back against the cage.

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 Iron Fist.
I think Sakuraba 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Carlos Sakuraba!
Carlos Sakuraba spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.