PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Lee Sakuraba (ranked 5488 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shamil Kerimov (ranked 5630 p4p, 360 weight class). Sakuraba kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Pride Theme Song. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Sakuraba
vs
Kerimov

169 cm
25
144 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
146 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lee Sakuraba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Shamil Kerimov!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sakuraba rushes Kerimov and presses him up against the cage.

Sakuraba is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Kerimov can't fight it off and eventually Sakuraba manages to take the fight to the floor. Kerimov looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Kerimov pushes Sakuraba off and gets back to his feet.

Kerimov shoots in and gets a takedown into Sakuraba's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Sakuraba is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kerimov is aware though and is defending well.
Sakuraba is looking to sweep but instead, Kerimov has passed into half guard.
Kerimov is trying to control. Sakuraba wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Kerimov is taking a breather. Sakuraba says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Sakuraba won't allow Kerimov to pass to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba is staying active underneath Kerimov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Sakuraba trying to control from the bottom.

Sakuraba actively working from the bottom here.
Sakuraba is trying to control but can't.
Sakuraba is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Kerimov is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Kerimov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Kerimov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's two 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.
Kerimov trying to control the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sakuraba is trying is best to control the position here.
Kerimov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Kerimov is trying to control the action in half guard but Sakuraba is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Kerimov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Sakuraba to the ground. Kerimov is now in Sakuraba's guard.
Kerimov trying to control but Sakuraba is working from the bottom.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kerimov postures up in Sakuraba's guard and throws a big left but Sakuraba blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerimov trying to control but Sakuraba is working from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sakuraba is on top in guard.

Sakuraba is looking to work some ground and pound but Kerimov has wrist control.
Kerimov working a defensive guard but Sakuraba manages to pass into side control anyway.
Sakuraba in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Kerimov tries to buck Sakuraba off but Sakuraba is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Kerimov tries to improve position but can't.
Sakuraba trying to control the position but Kerimov is working away.
Kerimov is trying to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sakuraba working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Shamil Kerimov will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kerimov.
Check out the look on Kerimov's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Shamil Kerimov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kerimov scores with punches from side control.
Kerimov scoring with punches from side control.
Sakuraba tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kerimov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakuraba wants to control but Kerimov postures up.
Kerimov working the body and head with strikes.
Kerimov lands some shots froms side control.
Kerimov tries to advance to mount but Sakuraba denies him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerimov scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Sakuraba to see if he's OK.
Sakuraba is working to avoid the ground and pound but Kerimov connects with a decent elbow.
Sakuraba is not content to let Kerimov control the position.
Sakuraba can't do much from the bottom here.
Kerimov postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Kerimov is looking to take a break and control but Sakuraba is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sakuraba tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kerimov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
You can see the frustration on Sakuraba's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kerimov scoring with punches from side control.
Sakuraba is pushing Kerimov's head away, looking to escape. Kerimov manages to hold on to the position though.
Kerimov scoring with punches from side control.
You can see the frustration on Sakuraba's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kerimov working the ground and pound.
Sakuraba regains half guard.
Kerimov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Kerimov.
Kerimov prevents Sakuraba from standing back up.
Sakuraba has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kerimov is working away from the top position though.
Sakuraba controlling the position for now.
Sakuraba is trying to maintain the position but Kerimov is very close to passing his half guard.
Still in half guard, Kerimov seems content to control.
Sakuraba tries to roll over but Kerimov keeps him under control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kerimov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba wants to get back to his feet.
Sakuraba on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kerimov wants to control but Sakuraba is keeping him busy.
Kerimov drops an elbow to the side of Sakuraba's head.
Sakuraba tries to roll over but Kerimov keeps him under control.
Kerimov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
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. Kerimov connects with a nice short shot to Sakuraba's temple.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kerimov trying to mount his opponent but Sakuraba defends it.
Sakuraba is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kerimov scores with a couple of nice shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shamil Kerimov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Sakuraba fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kerimov avoids it really well and circles away.

Kerimov shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Kerimov was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Kerimov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kerimov controlling from side mount.
Sakuraba is pushing Kerimov's head away, looking to escape. Kerimov manages to hold on to the position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kerimov lands a nice forearm strike.
Sakuraba wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Kerimov scores with punches from side control.
Sakuraba is trying to control Kerimov's posture but Kerimov avoids it.
Sakuraba takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Sakuraba is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Kerimov working the head and body with strikes.
Kerimov scoring with punches from side control.
Sakuraba manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Kerimov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sakuraba's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sakuraba's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kerimov lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kerimov throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Sakuraba!
Sakuraba wants to escape the position.
Sakuraba trying to control but not successfully.
Kerimov scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Sakuraba is looking for a way out.
Sakuraba wants to control his opponent's hands but Kerimov gets his hands free.
Kerimov throwing damaging strikes from the back! Sakuraba could be in trouble here!
Kerimov connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Sakuraba to escape the position.

Sakuraba is rocked!
Kerimov is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerimov scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Sakuraba is looking for a way out.
Oh Sakuraba is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kerimov throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Sakuraba seems to have got his legs back now.
Kerimov is trying to control but Sakuraba is trying to escape here - he's now mounted.
Sakuraba is desperately trying to improve his position but Kerimov has a good base and remains in mount.
Kerimov avoids the attempt from Sakuraba to control.
Sakuraba in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Sakuraba tries to hold on but Kerimov pushes him away.
Kerimov punishing his opponent with strikes.
Kerimov lands a heavy elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Kerimov with the ground and pound from mount.
Sakuraba takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
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!
Kerimov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Sakuraba is looking to escape.
Kerimov working the ground and pound effectively.
Kerimov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Sakuraba is looking to escape.
Kerimov postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Sakuraba looks a forlorn figure.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shamil Kerimov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kerimov 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shamil Kerimov!