PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between David McSwizzer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antonio Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

McSwizzer
vs
Sakuraba

185 cm
23
203 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

183 cm
25
185 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Likes musicals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, David McSwizzer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Antonio Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Michael Johnstone and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuraba fails with a takedown attempt.
McSwizzer is looking to counter punch.
McSwizzer has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
McSwizzer looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Sakuraba shoots in looking for a takedown. McSwizzer tries to sprawl out of it but Sakuraba keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McSwizzer manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
It looked like McSwizzer was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Sakuraba fails with the takedown.
David McSwizzer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antonio Sakuraba.

Sakuraba is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in McSwizzer's half guard.
Sakuraba tries to stand but his hand is stuck under McSwizzer.
Sakuraba has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Island Top Team. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakuraba blocks the strikes from McSwizzer.
Sakuraba seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sakuraba gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
David McSwizzer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McSwizzer tries to bum rush Sakuraba with a series of wild strikes but Sakuraba uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A combination from Sakuraba does no damage.

Sakuraba takes the fight into the clinch.

Sakuraba breaks from the clinch.

Sakuraba bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Sakuraba stands up.

Sakuraba closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
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!

Sakuraba decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Sakuraba shoots in and bounces McSwizzer off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
McSwizzer on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if McSwizzer tries to get out of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Sakuraba decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
McSwizzer stuffs the takedown.
McSwizzer takes one on the button.

Sakuraba bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba decides to stand back up. Sakuraba steps back and let's McSwizzer get back to his feet.
Nice sprawl there from McSwizzer as Sakuraba shoots in.

Sakuraba throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. McSwizzer tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Sakuraba is in McSwizzer's guard.

Sakuraba decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Sakuraba drives through with a takedown into McSwizzer's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Sakuraba wants to get up but he can't break McSwizzer's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
McSwizzer wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Sakuraba is now in half guard.

Sakuraba gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba dives in and scores a takedown into McSwizzer's guard.

Sakuraba stands up from McSwizzer's guard - Sakuraba perhaps looking for a knockout.
McSwizzer slaps away a takedown attempt from Sakuraba, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown but McSwizzer shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Sakuraba gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Sakuraba breaks from the clinch.
Antonio Sakuraba seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McSwizzer looks to score with a jab to the body but Sakuraba is just out of range.
Sakuraba tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but McSwizzer defends well and Sakuraba ends up having to push McSwizzer into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Sakuraba gets a clinch.

Sakuraba breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sakuraba connects with the punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Sakuraba dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Sakuraba.

Sakuraba decides to stand back up.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as McSwizzer sprawls well. McSwizzer wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sakuraba gets slowly back to his feet.
Sakuraba fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but McSwizzer avoids it really well and circles away.
McSwizzer went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McSwizzer circles away from the clinch attempt.
McSwizzer seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
McSwizzer swinging wildly here.

Sakuraba darts in and clinches McSwizzer up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sakuraba's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Good shot there by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba misses with a takedown attempt - McSwizzer sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
David McSwizzer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antonio Sakuraba.
McSwizzer throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sakuraba sees it coming and avoids it easily.

McSwizzer tries to keep at a distance but Sakuraba has taken the fight into the clinch.

Sakuraba manages to break the clinch.

Sakuraba closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming McSwizzer to the mat! McSwizzer manages to get full guard.
McSwizzer is looking to stand back up but Sakuraba counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by McSwizzer.

Sakuraba stands up from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba lands a jab to the nose.

McSwizzer rushes Sakuraba and presses him up against the cage.
Sakuraba has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
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!

Sakuraba breaks from the clinch.
McSwizzer on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Antonio Sakuraba seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sakuraba looks for a takedown but McSwizzer sprawls well.
Sakuraba throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McSwizzer's waist but McSwizzer gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sakuraba off to one side.

Sakuraba rushes McSwizzer and presses him up against the cage.

Sakuraba breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Sakuraba rushes McSwizzer and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Sakuraba breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Sakuraba pushes McSwizzer up against the cage in a clinch.

Sakuraba breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba darts in looking for a takedown but McSwizzer gets double underhooks and turns Sakuraba into the cage.

Sakuraba pushes McSwizzer up against the cage in a clinch.

Sakuraba manages to break the clinch.

Sakuraba has McSwizzer up against the cage in a clinch.

Sakuraba pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McSwizzer slaps away a takedown attempt from Sakuraba, before circling back to the center of the mat.
David McSwizzer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McSwizzer tries to bum rush Sakuraba with a series of wild strikes but Sakuraba uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McSwizzer fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sakuraba is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Sakuraba fails with a takedown attempt.
Sakuraba shoots in looking for a takedown. McSwizzer tries to sprawl out of it but Sakuraba keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McSwizzer manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McSwizzer tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sakuraba was well out of range. Poor timing from McSwizzer.

McSwizzer gets caught napping as Sakuraba dives in and scores a takedown. McSwizzer manages to retain guard.

McSwizzer is working an open guard so Sakuraba takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
McSwizzer swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

McSwizzer gets caught flat footed, as Sakuraba shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Sakuraba gets to his feet. McSwizzer looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Sakuraba slips a jab and a cross from McSwizzer.
Sakuraba darts in looking for a takedown but McSwizzer gets double underhooks and turns Sakuraba into the cage.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sakuraba tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McSwizzer paws at him with a jab and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Sakuraba showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Sakuraba moves into the clinch.

Sakuraba breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sakuraba takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McSwizzer as he avoids it easily.
McSwizzer half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Sakuraba closes the distance and clinches up with McSwizzer, looking for a takedown. Sakuraba pushes McSwizzer against the cage but McSwizzer circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A little feinted left hand from McSwizzer on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Sakuraba showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McSwizzer.

Sakuraba looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McSwizzer trying to control but Sakuraba postures up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Sakuraba stands up from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sakuraba shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in McSwizzer's guard.
McSwizzer is wriggling around but Sakuraba manages to pass to half guard.

McSwizzer is trying to get back to full guard.

Sakuraba decides to return to a standing position.
Sakuraba tries to close the distance and clinch but McSwizzer swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Sakuraba dives in and scores a takedown into McSwizzer's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba stands up and waves to McSwizzer to follow him.
Sakuraba shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. McSwizzer defends it nicely.
David McSwizzer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antonio Sakuraba.

Sakuraba clinches up against the cage.

Sakuraba escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McSwizzer avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Sakuraba drives through with a takedown into McSwizzer's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
McSwizzer is looking to stand back up but Sakuraba counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by McSwizzer.

McSwizzer trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba trying to control but McSwizzer is having none of it.
McSwizzer is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
McSwizzer squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Sakuraba controlling from mount.
McSwizzer really wants to buck Sakuraba off and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Sakuraba controlling from mount.

Sakuraba is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Sakuraba uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Sakuraba.

Sakuraba stands up and beckons McSwizzer to his feet.
McSwizzer leaves Sakuraba with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Sakuraba really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sakuraba scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Sakuraba moves into the clinch successfully.

Sakuraba manages to break the clinch.
Sakuraba is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
It looked like McSwizzer wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

Sakuraba forces McSwizzer back against the cage and clinches.
Sakuraba tries to circle away but McSwizzer has him pinned against the cage.

Sakuraba manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakuraba drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McSwizzer as he avoids it easily.
McSwizzer leaves Sakuraba with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba fails with a takedown attempt.
David McSwizzer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antonio Sakuraba.
McSwizzer lands with a good body shot.
Some wild striking there from Sakuraba.
McSwizzer appears to be looking for a big counter.
Sakuraba shoots and misses
letting McSwizzer counter with a right hand.
Sakuraba misses with a combination
and McSwizzer counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McSwizzer throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sakuraba.

Sakuraba moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba breaks the clinch.

Sakuraba has closed the distance and engaged McSwizzer in a clinch.

Sakuraba's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Sakuraba shoots in and bounces McSwizzer off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McSwizzer is looking to stand up but Sakuraba isn't so interested in that idea.

Sakuraba stands up and waves to McSwizzer to follow him.
McSwizzer swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sakuraba is looking for the big counter here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown but McSwizzer shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
McSwizzer slaps away a takedown attempt from Sakuraba, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sakuraba throws a right and a left that both miss.
A little feinted left hand from McSwizzer on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Sakuraba instigates a clinch.

Sakuraba breaks from the clinch.
Sakuraba changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McSwizzer tries to avoid it but Sakuraba manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McSwizzer to the ground. McSwizzer escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Sakuraba gets a double leg takedown into McSwizzer's guard.

McSwizzer uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Sakuraba gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Sakuraba breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

McSwizzer gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba wants to stand and escape but instead McSwizzer has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

McSwizzer has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Sakuraba is proving hard to escape from.
McSwizzer knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Sakuraba on the ground.

Sakuraba is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. McSwizzer presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Sakuraba breaks from the clinch.

Sakuraba closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
McSwizzer is looking to regain half guard here but Sakuraba keeps moving and retains side control.

Sakuraba decides to stand up, so the ref orders McSwizzer to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Sakuraba dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Sakuraba is looking to clinch.
McSwizzer misses with a two punch combination.
Sakuraba has a takedown stuffed.
McSwizzer stuffs the takedown.
Sakuraba looks for a takedown but McSwizzer sprawls well.
David McSwizzer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antonio Sakuraba.

Sakuraba closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
McSwizzer is trying to force a seperation but Sakuraba has the dominant position.
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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sakuraba breaks the clinch.
McSwizzer misses with a wild combination.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sakuraba is defended easily by McSwizzer.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sakuraba feints and as McSwizzer raises his hands in defense, Sakuraba changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Sakuraba gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
McSwizzer uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sakuraba.
It looked like McSwizzer was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Sakuraba shoots in looking for a takedown. McSwizzer tries to sprawl out of it but Sakuraba keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McSwizzer manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
McSwizzer drops down looking for a counter takedown but Sakuraba sprawls and moves away.
Sakuraba lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba fails with the takedown.

Sakuraba moves into the clinch.

Sakuraba breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McSwizzer swats away the attempt to clinch by Sakuraba.
McSwizzer is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Sakuraba has a takedown stuffed.
McSwizzer is looking for a counter combo.
Sakuraba tries for a takedown but McSwizzer sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sloppy strikes from McSwizzer. Those never looked like landing.
A big left from McSwizzer misses.

Sakuraba has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sakuraba looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? McSwizzer is fending him off so far but Sakuraba persists. Nope, McSwizzer circles away and we're back to standing.
Sakuraba doesn't manage to clinch there - McSwizzer circles away.
McSwizzer lands a really nice looking cross but Sakuraba seems unphased.
McSwizzer stuffs the takedown.
McSwizzer appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.

Sakuraba gets tackled into the cage by McSwizzer. McSwizzer maintains the clinch.

Sakuraba manages to break the clinch.
McSwizzer connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
McSwizzer just misses with a punch to the body.

Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Sakuraba was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
McSwizzer tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Despite having McSwizzer's back, Sakuraba says stuff this ground business - let's go for a knockout! McSwizzer seems baffled but is happy to be out of the difficult position!
Sakuraba shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. McSwizzer defends it nicely.
Sakuraba lunges at McSwizzer with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by McSwizzer's hand.
David McSwizzer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Antonio Sakuraba is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Sakuraba closes the distance and clinches.

Sakuraba breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

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 David McSwizzer.
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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight 45:50
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 46:50
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antonio Sakuraba!
Antonio Sakuraba thanked the fans post fight for their support.