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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between James Jaffer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Naruto Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jaffer comes to the cage accompanied by DubRaider- Starry Eyes. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Naruto Sakuraba was going to win. Let's see if he was right.
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| 179 cm
28
146 lbs
17 - 5 - 1 |
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175 cm
24
155 lbs
10 - 3 - 1 |
Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin |
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Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank |
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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
17 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, James Jaffer!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
10 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Naruto Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Trevor Gratis and Gregory Folan.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuraba swats away the attempt to clinch by Jaffer.
Sakuraba takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
We've been told by Jaffer's head coaches at EUOLUCAO MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Jaffer misses with a body kick.
Horrible takedown by Jaffer or perhaps it was just good defense by Sakuraba which made him look bad.
Jaffer shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Sakuraba's guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Sakuraba keeping moving, preventing Jaffer from controlling successfully.
Sakuraba wants to stand up but Jaffer is controlling him.
Jaffer stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Sakuraba keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jaffer tries a head kick but it misses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba shoots in but no luck this time.
Jaffer throws a right hand that misses
and Sakuraba counters with a nice body kick.
Sakuraba fails with a takedown attempt.
Sakuraba rushes Jaffer and presses him up against the cage.
Jaffer's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Jaffer is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sakuraba pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Jaffer misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jaffer working aggressively here.
Nice elbow from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba fails to pull the fight into his guard.
James Jaffer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Naruto Sakuraba.
Sakuraba is looking to control Jaffer's arms but Jaffer gets an underhook and turns him. Now Sakuraba has his back to the cage.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba misses with a knee to the head.
Sakuraba wants to stall.
Sakuraba prevents a body shot from Jaffer.
Sakuraba has had enough of the clinch but Jaffer keeps him there for the moment.
Sakuraba tightens his grip and picks Jaffer up, before dumping him to the ground. Jaffer manages to land in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sakuraba stops Jaffer from standing up.
Sakuraba throws a big right hand that misses.
Jaffer wants to sweep but no luck.
Sakuraba wants to control from the top but Jaffer keeps moving.
Sakuraba prevents Jaffer from getting back to his feet.
Sakuraba wants to stand but Jaffer is controlling his posture from full guard.
Sakuraba lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba chips away with some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sakuraba accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jaffer looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sakuraba throws an elbow that misses. Jaffer uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sakuraba's guard. Nice move by Jaffer!
Jaffer wants to pass the guard but Sakuraba is keeping the position.
Sakuraba pulls Jaffer in to control the position.
Jaffer throws a big elbow that misses.
Jaffer has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Jaffer throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are working up against the cage. Sakuraba manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaffer softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Sakuraba changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Jaffer fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A momentary lapse in concentration from Jaffer enables Sakuraba to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Jaffer manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jaffer is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Jaffer has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Sakuraba off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Jaffer tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sakuraba paws at him with a jab and circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakuraba takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Jaffer shoots for a takedown but Sakuraba saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Jaffer just misses with a punch to the body.
Sakuraba shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Jaffer defends it nicely.
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 James Jaffer will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Jaffer tries a head kick but it misses.
Jaffer shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sakuraba but Sakuraba pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sakuraba tries for a takedown but Jaffer sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sakuraba tries to clinch there but Jaffer circles away.
Sakuraba tries to clinch up but Jaffer circles away and keeps his distance.
Jaffer circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jaffer throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sakuraba shoots in but no luck this time.
Jaffer stuffs the takedown attempt from Sakuraba. Sakuraba gets slowly back to his feet.
James Jaffer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Naruto Sakuraba.
Sakuraba connects with a body shot that sends Jaffer's belly button to the back.
Jaffer doesn't manage to clinch there - Sakuraba circles away.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Jaffer is looking to clinch but Sakuraba is avoiding it.
Jaffer tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sakuraba swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jaffer throws a lazy uppercut
and Sakuraba counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A punch combination from Jaffer misses.
Sakuraba avoids the head kick by Jaffer.
Jaffer throws a sloppy head kick and Sakuraba moves out of range easily.
Jaffer avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sloppy strikes from Jaffer. Those never looked like landing.
Sakuraba throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sakuraba circles away from the clinch attempt
and Sakuraba counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Jaffer is trying to stand back up but Sakuraba is controlling him
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jaffer is trying to control but can't.
Jaffer is trying to stand back up but Sakuraba is controlling him
Sakuraba controlling the action here.
Jaffer is looking to escape.
Sakuraba is looking to take a break and control but Jaffer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Jaffer is looking to improve his position.
Jaffer blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba working over Jaffer with some ground and pound. Jaffer looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Sakuraba misses with a head shot. Jaffer uses the momentum to regain guard.
Jaffer looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba stops Jaffer from standing up.
Jaffer avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Jaffer pushes Sakuraba off and gets back to his feet.
Jaffer tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sakuraba swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jaffer closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sakuraba circles away.
Jaffer takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Jaffer looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Jaffer throws a strike but Sakuraba avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Jaffer is aware though and is defending well.
Sakuraba tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Jaffer has gone for a leg lock! Sakuraba slips out almost immediately though and dives into Jaffer's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jaffer looking to control but Sakuraba passes into half guard.
Naruto Sakuraba has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sakuraba is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Jaffer defends it well.
Jaffer taking some punishment here, with Sakuraba in his half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakuraba scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Jaffer kicks off Sakuraba and gets to his feet.
Sakuraba looks to land a left hand but Jaffer moved out of range nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Naruto Sakuraba will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Jaffer keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
James Jaffer is winning the standup battle so far.
Sakuraba keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Sakuraba with a lazy takedown attempt
and Jaffer counters with a one-two to the body.
Jaffer pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
A frustrated look appears on Sakuraba's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Sakuraba manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Jaffer stops Sakuraba from standing up.
Jaffer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sakuraba is keeping the position for now.
Jaffer not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Sakuraba manages to escape and get back to his feet.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaffer tries to sprawl but Sakuraba drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Jaffer trying to control from the bottom.
Jaffer is refusing to be controlled, as Sakuraba sits in half guard.
Sakuraba throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sakuraba has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Jaffer manages to get to full guard.
Sakuraba looking to pass the guard.
Jaffer looking for a guillotine here but Sakuraba defends easily.
Sakuraba trying to control the position from guard on top but Jaffer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba postures up in Jaffer's guard and throws a big left but Jaffer blocks it.
Jaffer is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Sakuraba forces his way into half guard.
Sakuraba is working for a kimura but Jaffer is defending it quite comfortably.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sakuraba lands strikes from half guard.
Sakuraba looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba throwing shots but Jaffer is blocking nicely.
Sakuraba wants to pass the guard but Jaffer is defending well.
Sakuraba is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Sakuraba trying to control the action but Jaffer is working from the bottom.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Ground and pound from Sakuraba.
Jaffer is pressing down on Sakuraba's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sakuraba won't allow Jaffer to get back to his feet.
Sakuraba trying to control the position from guard on top but Jaffer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jaffer has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Sakuraba has passed into side control.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaffer tries to buck Sakuraba off but Sakuraba is having none of it.
Sakuraba scoring with punches from side control.
Jaffer is looking for a sweep.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sakuraba thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
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!
Jaffer sneaks back into half guard.
Jaffer trying to control but Sakuraba postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakuraba prevents Jaffer from improving his position.
Sakuraba working the head and body with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Naruto Sakuraba really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Sakuraba tries to clinch but Jaffer moves out of range.
Sakuraba on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Jaffer. Jaffer obviously looking to wear him down.
Sakuraba shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Jaffer counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sakuraba darts in looking for a takedown but Jaffer gets double underhooks and turns Sakuraba into the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Sakuraba misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Jaffer swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sakuraba drags the fight down to the ground.
Sakuraba keeping moving, preventing Jaffer from controlling successfully.
Jaffer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sakuraba is keeping the position for now.
Jaffer throwing strikes but missing.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba is working an open guard so Jaffer takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Jaffer throws a head kick but Sakuraba moves out of range.
Jaffer gets a clinch.
Sakuraba is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Jaffer gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
James Jaffer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Naruto Sakuraba.
Jaffer just leaning against Sakuraba, taking a breather.
Jaffer digs a right hand into Sakuraba's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Sakuraba's gas tank.
Jaffer drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jaffer is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Jaffer has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Jaffer creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Jaffer lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Jaffer breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jaffer misses the jab.
Jaffer thumps Sakuraba with a low kick.
Sakuraba tries to clinch but Jaffer is having none of it.
Jaffer closes the distance and clinches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jaffer misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sakuraba connects with a knee to the head.
Sakuraba working Jaffer over with knees to the body.
Jaffer tries a body shot but Sakuraba blocks it.
Jaffer is trying to trip Sakuraba. He has hold of a leg but Sakuraba is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Jaffer persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Jaffer working some strikes from top position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sakuraba can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Jaffer is looking to escape.
Jaffer tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sakuraba lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Sakuraba tries to control but Jaffer wriggling away.
Jaffer is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Jaffer is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Sakuraba lands with some strikes.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba with good strikes from the mount here!
Jaffer keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Sakuraba lands a big elbow.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sakuraba avoids the attempt from Jaffer to control.
Jaffer is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Sakuraba trying to control but Jaffer is having none of it.
Sakuraba lands a big shot there that rocks Jaffer but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakuraba with the ground and pound from mount.
Sakuraba cracks Jaffer with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Jaffer manages to regain half guard. Good work.
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 James Jaffer will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're 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.
Sakuraba wants to clinch.
Sakuraba clinches up with Jaffer and pushes him back against the cage.
Jaffer taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Sakuraba is looking to control Jaffer's arms but Jaffer gets an underhook and turns him. Now Sakuraba has his back to the cage.
Sakuraba is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Jaffer to keep the fight standing.
Jaffer tries to score a body lock takedown but Sakuraba shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Jaffer trying to land knees to the body.
Sakuraba blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jaffer has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Sakuraba after a bit of a struggle.
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.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Jaffer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sakuraba pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
James Jaffer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaffer tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sakuraba manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sakuraba looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Jaffer pushes Sakuraba off looking to stand but Sakuraba dives back in and keeps control.
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.
Sakuraba winds up and cracks Jaffer with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Sakuraba wants to take a breather but Jaffer is having none of it.
Sakuraba working the head and body with strikes.
Sakuraba 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.
Sakuraba thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Jaffer's head.
Jaffer trying to control but Sakuraba postures up.
Sakuraba prevents Jaffer from improving his position.
Sakuraba thows a huge punch but Jaffer dodges it nicely.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba lands with a punch from half guard.
It looks like Sakuraba is going to stand back up.
Jaffer wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jaffer has hold of Sakuraba's hands but Sakuraba slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Sakuraba is looking to advance position but Jaffer won't allow it.
Sakuraba is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Sakuraba tries to pass to full mount but Jaffer defends it.
Sakuraba prevents Jaffer from improving his position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba throwing shots but Jaffer is blocking nicely.
Sakuraba passes the guard and advances to mount!
Sakuraba working Jaffer over with strikes here.
Sakuraba prevents Jaffer from getting the reversal.
Sakuraba landing strikes from the mount.
Jaffer is looking to improve his position but Sakuraba isn't that keen on the idea.
Jaffer in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaffer tries to lock up and control but Sakuraba gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sakuraba controlling from the full mount.
Sakuraba trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Jaffer tries to hold on but Sakuraba pushes him away.
Sakuraba landing shots from mount.
Sakuraba trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Sakuraba postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Jaffer looks a forlorn figure.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A nice elbow there by Sakuraba.
Jaffer takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
And that's the end of the fight!
Naruto Sakuraba comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 47:48
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 47:48
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 47:49
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Naruto Sakuraba!
Naruto Sakuraba is the new featherweight champion!
Naruto Sakuraba very nearly forgot to thank Vitality amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.
The defeated James Jaffer had this to say: 'Congrats to Sparky and thank you to the CEFC and Corwin Antsey for the opportunity to fight tonight..... I'll be back'.
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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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