PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Boom Pow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazuzki Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Pow
vs
Sakuraba

183 cm
22
210 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

187 cm
22
212 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite 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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Boom Pow!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazuzki Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuraba fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Sakuraba decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Sakuraba connects with a nice short shot to Pow's temple.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sakuraba working over Pow with some ground and pound. Pow looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Sakuraba connects with a nice short shot to Pow's temple.
Sakuraba throwing shots but Pow is blocking nicely.
Sakuraba working the head and body with strikes.
Sakuraba not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Pow slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Pow is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sakuraba trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Pow throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sakuraba makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sakuraba looking to pass the guard.

Pow looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sakuraba pushing down on Pow's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Sakuraba looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Pow actively working from the bottom here.
Sakuraba sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Pow defending well though.

Sakuraba wants to work for an arm triangle but Pow is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Sakuraba really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Pow. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sakuraba looks gassed!
Pow works his way to full guard. Good work.

Pow is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Pow is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sakuraba stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Pow swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Pow looking for a guillotine here but Sakuraba defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Pow working for a triangle but Sakuraba defends it easily.
Sakuraba working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Pow's head.
Sakuraba is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Sakuraba scoring with some ground and pound.

Pow looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sakuraba's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sakuraba is in close to Pow's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Sakuraba scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Sakuraba lands a couple of elbows.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Pow is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Sakuraba dominating with strikes here.
Pow really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Pow slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Sakuraba trying to mount his opponent but Pow defends it.
Pow keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sakuraba lands with a punch from half guard.
Pow gets full guard.
Sakuraba postures up and lands a big shot to Pow's brow.

Pow escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sakuraba gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sakuraba pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pow is keeping the position for now.
Sakuraba slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pow is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Sakuraba off and has taken his back!
Sakuraba tries to escape the position.
Sakuraba is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Pow is working on the RNC. He looks like he's got it but Sakuraba won't tap... Oh, he's out! The ref rips Pow off his unconscious opponent!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Boom Pow!