PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Darrell Andrews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marki Sakurach (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Andrews might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Knock You Down. Marki Sakurach will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Andrews
vs
Sakurach

189 cm
22
213 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

181 cm
28
205 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Darrell Andrews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Marki Sakurach!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Jeff Smith and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Andrews looking to score a takedown here. Sakurach is defending well but Andrews drives through and ends up in Sakurach's guard.
Andrews in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Andrews has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Andrews accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sakurach avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sakurach keeping full guard, as Andrews tries to pass.
Sakurach is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Andrews passes Sakurach's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Andrews is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Sakurach doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Andrews.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sakurach can do anything to dispel that myth.

Andrews is looking for a kimura here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Andrews is trying to work for a kimura but Sakurach is defending well.

Sakurach kicks off Andrews and gets to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Andrews moves into range and clinches up with Sakurach.
Sakurach throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Andrews blocks it with crossed arms.
Sakurach scores with an uppercut up the middle.

It looks like Darrell Andrews has been cut.

Andrews has Sakurach pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Andrews pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Sakurach tumbling to the mat - Andrews dives into Sakurach's guard.
Andrews is looking to work some ground and pound but Sakurach has wrist control.

Andrews drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Sakurach dives on top into guard.

Andrews looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sakurach must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sakurach has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Andrews is proving hard to escape from.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andrews throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Sakurach avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Andrews looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Andrews working for a triangle but Sakurach defends it easily.
Andrews looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Sakurach puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Andrews moves into full guard.

Andrews has his foot on Sakurach's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sakurach works his way back into a safe position though.

Andrews is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Andrews has his foot on Sakurach's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sakurach works his way back into a safe position though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Andrews looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sakurach would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darrell Andrews dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Darrell Andrews's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Andrews shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Sakurach manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Andrews throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sakurach really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Andrews. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Andrews drops back, looking for a kneebar! Sakurach looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Sakurach looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Sakurach!

Andrews tries to escape but Sakurach is in control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Andrews gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Andrews flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Andrews is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sakurach can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andrews works his way to full guard. Good work.
Andrews looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Andrews has an active guard here but Sakurach has managed to pass into half guard.
Andrews makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Andrews.

Andrews has his foot on Sakurach's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sakurach works his way back into a safe position though.

Andrews looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Andrews looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Sakurach has picked Andrews up and slammed him! Andrews can't keep hold of the triangle and Sakurach manages to pass to side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Andrews is trying to work for a sweep but Sakurach has mounted him!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sakurach is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.
Andrews tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Andrews is working hard here to advance position.

Sakurach stands up from mount. Strange move.

Andrews scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Andrews is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sakurach knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Sakurach takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andrews tries to score with some ground and pound. Sakurach controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Andrews tries for a kimura but Sakurach is defending well.
Sakurach pushes Andrews away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Andrews gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Andrews with the ground and pound but Sakurach regains half guard under the barage of strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sakurach avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Andrews.

Andrews seems to be looking for submissions.

Andrews is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Andrews is working for a submission of some sort.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Andrews missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darrell Andrews dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Darrell Andrews's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Andrews shoots in and gets a takedown into Sakurach's guard.
Sakurach keeping full guard, as Andrews tries to pass.

Andrews tries to improve position but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Andrews looking for a sweep but Sakurach has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Andrews is desperately trying to improve his position but Sakurach has a good base and remains in mount.
You get the feeling that Andrews really doesn't like being in this position too much.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andrews is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Sakurach is standing up, even though he is in mount.

Andrews clinches up against the cage.

Andrews works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Andrews has gone for a leg lock! Sakurach slips out almost immediately though and dives into Andrews's guard.

Andrews throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Marki Sakurach has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Andrews working for submissions but it's allowed Sakurach to get to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sakurach seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Sakurach prevents Andrews from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andrews trying to control from the bottom.
Sakurach is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

Andrews is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sakurach pulls his head out easily.
Sakurach wants to stand up but Andrews has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Andrews tries to roll over but Sakurach keeps him under control.

Andrews looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Sakurach stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Andrews fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Sakurach sprawls well initially but Andrews persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Darrell Andrews is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Andrews looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Andrews wants to control but Sakurach is keeping him busy.

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 Darrell Andrews.
Well Andrews has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Josh West scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Darrell Andrews!
A victorious Darrell Andrews thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.