PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Royce Gracie (ranked 1223 p4p, 151 weight class) and Hayato Sakuraba (ranked 1796 p4p, 205 weight class). Gracie's entrance music is Jiu Jitsu by Smoke Serpent. A fine choice. Sakuraba is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Deetox - Headknocker. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Gracie
vs
Sakuraba

185 cm
25
181 lbs
17 - 7 - 0

185 cm
24
177 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Freebok (85% Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Royce Gracie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hayato Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Radbod Blank and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie looks to clinch
and Sakuraba counters with a straight right hand.
Gracie tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sakuraba sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gracie somewhat.
Sakuraba thuds his right hand into Gracie's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Gracie has a takedown stuffed.
Sakuraba throws the left hand but Gracie avoids the punch easily.
Gracie darts in looking for a takedown but Sakuraba gets double underhooks and turns Gracie into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Royce Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sakuraba avoids it really well and circles away.
Sakuraba looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Gracie closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Sakuraba. Those never looked like landing.
Sakuraba has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Sakuraba lands a jab to the head.
Gracie shoots in and drives through. Sakuraba sprawls well.
Nice uppercut there from Sakuraba.
Gracie fails with the takedown
and Sakuraba counters with a stiff right hand.

Gracie is rocked!
Sakuraba lands an uppercut, right on the button! Gracie tumbles backwards into the cage, staring vacantly into space! He's got no idea where he is, who he is or what day it is... Poor guy.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:32 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Hayato Sakuraba!
Hayato Sakuraba is the new welterweight champion!
Hayato Sakuraba thanked the fans post fight for their support.