PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sasha Lakovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazuri Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sasha Lakovic has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Lakovic
vs
Sakuraba

189 cm
20
175 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

183 cm
23
183 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sasha Lakovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kazuri Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Leandro Rodrigues and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lakovic fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Sakuraba as Lakovic shoots in.
Sakuraba avoids the head kick by Lakovic.
Sakuraba keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Sakuraba looks to score with a jab to the body but Lakovic is just out of range.
Lakovic slips under a jab from Sakuraba.
Lakovic throws a head kick but Sakuraba moves out of range.
Lakovic tries to clinch there but Sakuraba circles away.
Sasha Lakovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lakovic lands with a right hand.

It looks like Kazuri Sakuraba has been cut.

Sakuraba decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Sakuraba is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Lakovic sees it coming and defends easily.
Sakuraba lands with a punch from half guard.
Lakovic trying to control here.
Lakovic is looking for a sweep. Sakuraba is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
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 Lakovic's temple.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Lakovic avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sakuraba.
Lakovic slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lakovic working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sakuraba doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sakuraba manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sakuraba looking to pass the guard.
Sakuraba won't allow Lakovic to sweep him here.
Sakuraba passes into half guard.
Lakovic is trying to get back to full guard.
Lakovic is working hard here to advance position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lakovic wants to control but Sakuraba is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sakuraba takes a kick to the side of the head.
A head kick misses from Lakovic.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Lakovic is breathing heavily.
Lakovic takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Lakovic sneaks back into half guard.
Lakovic wants to get back to full guard.

Sakuraba wants to work for an arm triangle but Lakovic is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Lakovic tries to get to full guard but Sakuraba has control of the leg.
Sakuraba trying to mount his opponent but Lakovic defends it.
Lakovic on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Lakovic tries to get out of the position.
Sakuraba thows a huge punch but Lakovic dodges it nicely.
Lakovic trying to control here.

Lakovic looking for submissions off his back.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lakovic throws a head kick that half lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Lakovic to the mat! Lakovic manages to get full guard.
Sakuraba stopping the sweep attempt from Lakovic.
Lakovic trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Lakovic scores with a couple of body punches from the bottom.

Lakovic throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Lakovic working for a triangle but Sakuraba defends it easily.
Sakuraba is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Lakovic working for a triangle but Sakuraba defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba stands up over Lakovic, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Lakovic working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba is pushing down on Lakovic's leg trying to pass to half guard. Lakovic is fighting to maintain full guard but Sakuraba has managed to sneak the leg through.
Lakovic won't allow Sakuraba to pass to mount.
Sakuraba scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Lakovic trying to hold on to Sakuraba's head to control him but Sakuraba postures up.
Lakovic wants to get back to full guard.
Lakovic punching from the bottom.
Sakuraba working Lakovic over with strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lakovic blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sakuraba.
Lakovic is trying to maintain the position but Sakuraba is very close to passing his half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sakuraba tries for a takedown but Lakovic circles away easily
and Lakovic counters with a big head kick but Sakuraba shrugs it off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kazuri Sakuraba will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kazuri Sakuraba's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Donk. Lakovic catches Sakuraba right on the button with a cross.
Lakovic connects with a high kick.
Lakovic scores with a head kick.

Sakuraba is rocked!
Lakovic connects with a single shot there.
Sakuraba is still on wobbly legs! Can Lakovic finish him?
Lakovic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lakovic fails with a takedown attempt.
Sakuraba seems to have recovered his senses.

Sakuraba drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Lakovic tries to buck Sakuraba off but Sakuraba is having none of it.
Lakovic is working to avoid the ground and pound but Sakuraba connects with a decent elbow.
Lakovic is pushing Sakuraba's head away, looking to escape. Sakuraba manages to hold on to the position though.
Sakuraba scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Lakovic to see if he's OK.
Sakuraba misses with the ground and pound.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Lakovic wants to get back to his feet.
Lakovic gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sakuraba is working for a submission of some sort.
Sakuraba trying to pass the guard but Lakovic defending well.
Sakuraba has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Lakovic is trying to get back to full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Lakovic throws a head kick but Sakuraba moves out of range.
Lakovic uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Sakuraba has time to react.
Lakovic throws a sloppy head kick and Sakuraba moves out of range easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lakovic.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Lakovic.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Lakovic tries to clinch there but Sakuraba circles away.
Lakovic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lakovic but Lakovic pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lakovic lands a head kick. Sakuraba smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Sakuraba shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lakovic pinned against the cage. Lakovic gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Lakovic with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Lakovic throws a sloppy head kick and Sakuraba moves out of range easily.

Lakovic looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Sakuraba!
Sakuraba is working to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazuri Sakuraba has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lakovic landing strikes, looking to finish!
Lakovic is landing with some decent strikes but Sakuraba is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Lakovic with the ground and pound from mount.
Sakuraba is arching his back trying to strike from the bottom but Lakovic turns him over and now has his back.
Sakuraba is really stuck here.

Lakovic patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Sakuraba covers up after that shot from Lakovic.

Lakovic is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Sakuraba defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Lakovic trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Lakovic trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Lakovic prevents Sakuraba from getting the reversal.
Lakovic landing punches.
Lakovic landing shots from mount.
Lakovic putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Sakuraba tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Lakovic looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Lakovic with shots to the head and body - Sakuraba looks very uncomfortable down there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The referee warns Sakuraba that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Sakuraba is in all sorts of trouble here.
Lakovic unloading with bombs!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sasha Lakovic dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Kazuri Sakuraba's cut.
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.

Lakovic lands with a kick to the temple. Sakuraba shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Lakovic looks to land a combination but Sakuraba avoids it well.
Sakuraba blocks a head kick by Lakovic.
No luck for Sakuraba with that takedown attempt.
A head kick misses from Lakovic.
Lakovic shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Sakuraba counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Sakuraba looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Sakuraba is looking for a kimura here.
Lakovic makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Lakovic.

Sakuraba avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sakuraba drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Lakovic manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Sakuraba has Lakovic in his guard.
Sakuraba wants to sweep but no luck.
Lakovic advances position into side control!
Lakovic in side control, throwing shots but Sakuraba defends.

Lakovic wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Sakuraba, who protects the arm well.
Sakuraba takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Sakuraba tries to buck Lakovic off but Lakovic is having none of it.
Lakovic wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sakuraba keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lakovic tries for a kimura but Sakuraba is defending well.

Lakovic is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sakuraba knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Sakuraba is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Lakovic's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Lakovic sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sakuraba defending well though.

Lakovic wants to work for an arm triangle but Sakuraba is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Lakovic is pressing down on Sakuraba's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sakuraba is holding on for now.
Lakovic is looking to take a break and control but Sakuraba is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lakovic tries to pass to full mount but Sakuraba defends it.
Sakuraba works his way to full guard. Good work.

Sakuraba has his foot on Lakovic's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lakovic works his way back into a safe position though.
Lakovic trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sakuraba keeping moving, preventing Lakovic from controlling successfully.
Sakuraba trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Sakuraba looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lakovic makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Lakovic with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lakovic trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakuraba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sakuraba looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lakovic is fending him off so far but Sakuraba persists. Nope, Lakovic circles away and we're back to standing.
Lakovic dips to his left and cracks Sakuraba with an uppercut!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Lakovic throws a series of punches but Sakuraba moves out of range.
Lakovic throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Sakuraba's head.

Sakuraba feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Lakovic trying to keep a closed guard but Sakuraba is proving a slippery customer.
Sakuraba wants to pass the guard but Lakovic is keeping the position.
Sakuraba landing some decent shots from guard.
Lakovic controlling the position.
Lakovic keeping full guard, as Sakuraba tries to pass.
Lakovic trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Lakovic trying to keep a closed guard but Sakuraba is proving a slippery customer.
Lakovic is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kazuri 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 28:29
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kazuri Sakuraba!