PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hanamichi Sakuragi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frankie Gold (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sakuragi
vs
Gold

185 cm
25
200 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

180 cm
22
197 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hanamichi Sakuragi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Frankie Gold!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Jorge Garcia and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Gold does no damage.
Gold looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

Sakuragi moves into range and clinches up with Gold.
Sakuragi slowing the pace effectively.
Sakuragi changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Gold fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sakuragi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gold.
Gold stuffs the takedown attempt from Sakuragi. Sakuragi gets slowly back to his feet.

Sakuragi shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Gold's guard.
Sakuragi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sakuragi gets to his feet - Gold follows without any prompting.
Gold slaps away a takedown attempt from Sakuragi, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hanamichi Sakuragi. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sakuragi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuragi is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Sakuragi throwing strikes from guard but Gold blocks nicely.

Sakuragi stands and steps away. Gold gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Sakuragi closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sakuragi lands in his opponent's guard.
Gold avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gold wants to get back to his feet but Sakuragi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Sakuragi seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Gold utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuragi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gold works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Sakuragi tries for a takedown but Gold sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Despite the aggression on Gold's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Sakuragi has a takedown stuffed.
Gold throws a series of punches but Sakuragi moves out of range.
Sakuragi attempts a counter takedown but Gold avoids it well and moves away.
No luck for Sakuragi with that takedown attempt.
Sakuragi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sakuragi avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gold tries to close the distance and clinch but Sakuragi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sakuragi fails to land the takedown.
Gold lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Sloppy strikes from Gold. Those never looked like landing.

Sakuragi closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sakuragi lands in his opponent's guard.

Gold uses the cage to get back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gold falls off balance throwing a combination

and Sakuragi moves into the clinch.
Gold wants to break the clinch but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Frankie Gold will probably get the nod.
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.

Sakuragi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gold avoids it really well and circles away.
Gold misses with a few strikes there.
Sakuragi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gold tries to avoid it but Sakuragi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gold to the ground. Gold escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sakuragi closes the distance and clinches up with Gold, looking for a takedown. Sakuragi pushes Gold against the cage but Gold circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hanamichi Sakuragi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sakuragi tries for a takedown but Gold sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gold looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sakuragi fails to land the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakuragi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
As Sakuragi backs off Gold throws a huge counter combo but Sakuragi manages to avoid it all.
Sakuragi is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Gold.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuragi shoots in for a double leg but Gold sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sakuragi on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Gold looks to score with a jab to the body but Sakuragi is just out of range.

Sakuragi closes the distance and clinches.
Gold is trying to push Sakuragi away but Sakuragi has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Gold wants to break free but Sakuragi has control.
Sakuragi goes for a takedown in the clinch but Gold prevents it.
Gold wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Gold tries to break the clinch but Sakuragi is controlling the position.
Gold has had enough of the clinch but Sakuragi keeps him there for the moment.
Sakuragi prevents Gold from breaking the clinch.
We've been informed that Gold has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Sakuragi pulls guard effortlessly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuragi pulls Gold in close to prevent any damage.
Hanamichi Sakuragi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gold distracts Sakuragi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Sakuragi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Gold gets to his feet - Sakuragi follows without any prompting.
Sakuragi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Frankie Gold seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gold smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Sakuragi connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Gold has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nice sprawl there from Gold as Sakuragi shoots in.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuragi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sakuragi slips a jab and a cross from Gold.
Hanamichi Sakuragi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gold throws a body punch but Sakuragi moves out of range.
Sakuragi shoots for a takedown but Gold saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sakuragi misses with a takedown attempt
and Gold counters with a one-two to the body.
Sakuragi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gold.
Sakuragi shoots for a takedown but Gold saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Gold as Sakuragi shoots in.
Gold throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sakuragi.
Sakuragi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gold slaps away a takedown attempt from Sakuragi, before circling back to the center of the mat.
As Sakuragi backs off Gold throws a huge counter combo but Sakuragi manages to avoid it all.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gold scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Frankie Gold is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sakuragi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gold sprawls well. Gold wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sakuragi gets slowly back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gold falls off balance throwing a combination
and Sakuragi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gold throws a series of punches but Sakuragi moves out of range.
Jab by Gold.
A swing and a miss from Gold.
Sakuragi shoots in looking for a takedown. Gold tries to sprawl out of it but Sakuragi keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gold manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frankie Gold 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. This is the final round!

Gold lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Sakuragi closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Sakuragi pulls guard successfully.

Sakuragi has his foot on Gold's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gold works his way back into a safe position though.
Sakuragi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gold wants to get up but he can't break Sakuragi's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakuragi bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gold's guard.

Sakuragi prevents Gold from getting back to his feet.
Sakuragi has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuragi not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Sakuragi gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Gold keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Gold misses with the combination.
Sakuragi fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sakuragi shoots in for a double leg but Gold sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Gold is looking for the big counter here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hanamichi Sakuragi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gold tries to land a front kick but Sakuragi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Frankie Gold is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gold misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gold misses with the combination.
Gold throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sakuragi fails with a takedown attempt.
Gold doesn't manage to clinch there - Sakuragi circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Sakuragi tries to pull guard but Gold holds him up against the cage and eventually Sakuragi drops back down to his feet.
Sakuragi fails to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gold is trying to push Sakuragi away but Sakuragi has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Sakuragi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gold throws a series of punches but Sakuragi moves out of range.
As Gold tries to get set, Sakuragi tries to push him back and clinch up but Gold manages to avoid the attempt.
Sakuragi has a takedown stuffed.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sakuragi.
Sakuragi takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gold fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sakuragi went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Frankie Gold seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sakuragi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Gold falls off balance throwing a combination
and Sakuragi counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Gold's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Gold duly obliges.
Gold stuffs the takedown attempt from Sakuragi. Sakuragi gets slowly back to his feet.
Sakuragi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gold pinned against the cage. Gold gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A nice combination there by Gold.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frankie Gold comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Gold winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frankie Gold!