PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hayato Sakuraba (ranked 1353 p4p, 78 weight class) and John McCain (ranked 2389 p4p, 129 weight class). McCain has chosen Anywhere I Go as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sakuraba
vs
McCain

165 cm
23
142 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

166 cm
22
140 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

HGH Nutrients Q160 Tycoons Best Quality supps

Dark Knight Nutrition
Groove Gear

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Hayato Sakuraba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, John McCain!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Paul Tew and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuraba scores with a shot to the body.
Sakuraba misses with a hook. McCain ducked under it nicely.
McCain is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Sakuraba keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
McCain lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
McCain lands a nice shot that snaps Sakuraba's head back.
McCain pivots, looking for a leg kick but Sakuraba is out of range and McCain settles back down.
Nice shot by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Sakuraba blocks a jab.
Sakuraba scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. McCain doesn't seem bothered though.
Sakuraba checks a leg kick.
Sakuraba waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McCain.
McCain scores with a nice right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sakuraba dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
McCain throws a chopping leg kick but Sakuraba manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
McCain fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sakuraba looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

McCain takes the fight into the clinch.
McCain lands with a right to the head.
McCain throws an elbow but it's blocked.
McCain can't find room to land a body shot as Sakuraba controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCain connects with a nasty looking knee right to Sakuraba's face.
McCain lands with a right to the head.
McCain tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Still in the clinch, McCain scores with a nice short uppercut.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Sakuraba.
McCain has a couple of punches blocked by Sakuraba.
McCain lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
McCain doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McCain is struggling to control the position.
McCain tries to work over Sakuraba's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch on the inside from McCain fails to land.
McCain working aggressively here.
McCain scores with an uppercut up the middle.
McCain misses with a punch to the body.

Sakuraba escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sakuraba loads up on a big right hand but McCain slips the punch.
McCain has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCain moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
The fighters circling - McCain throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sakuraba looks to throw the jab but McCain is out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sakuraba ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McCain moves away.
Sakuraba fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches McCain on the side of the head.
McCain throws a leg kick which misses Sakuraba's front leg but catches the back leg as Sakuraba tries to avoid it.
Sakuraba bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
John McCain is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McCain slips under a jab.
McCain tries to counter by closing the distance.
McCain scores with a body shot.
McCain slips under a jab from Sakuraba.
A nice leg kick lands there from McCain.
McCain with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Sakuraba throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
John McCain seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McCain is looking to clinch.
McCain avoids a punch combination nicely.
McCain scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
McCain scores with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCain thumps Sakuraba with a low kick.
Sakuraba tries to move into range but McCain moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
McCain throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Sakuraba counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McCain fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Sakuraba avoids the body shot from McCain.
An attempted straight right counter from Sakuraba misses the target.
McCain throws a lazy right hand but Sakuraba sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sakuraba circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sakuraba takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
McCain looks to land a left hand but Sakuraba moved out of range nicely.
Good leg kick by McCain there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Sakuraba scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Sakuraba misses with an uppercut
and McCain counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Sakuraba thinking.
Sakuraba misses with an uppercut. McCain saw that one coming.
Sakuraba throws a hook but McCain blocks it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McCain drops his hands momentarily and Sakuraba takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Sakuraba throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McCain sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sakuraba throws the left hand but McCain avoids the punch easily.
Sakuraba goes for a double leg but McCain avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as McCain continues to drive forward.
McCain lets loose with a powerful body kick. Sakuraba will feel that in the morning.
McCain scores with the left hand. Sakuraba knows he should have avoided that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCain misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sakuraba.
An attempted straight right counter from Sakuraba misses the target.
McCain scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Sakuraba doesn't seem bothered though.
McCain dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sakuraba. That did some damage!
McCain connects with a body shot that sends Sakuraba's belly button to the back.
McCain takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Sakuraba avoids the body shot from McCain.
McCain takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
McCain staying out of range there.
Sakuraba scores with a one two! McCain had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
McCain throws a leg kick
and Sakuraba cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sakuraba throws a body shot but no joy.
McCain throws a body punch but Sakuraba moves out of range.
Sakuraba appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Sakuraba misses with a wild body shot.
Sakuraba fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McCain manages to avoid it.
Sakuraba is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McCain tries to clinch
and Sakuraba connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sakuraba is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
McCain dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sakuraba. That did some damage!
McCain tries to clinch but Sakuraba moves out of range.
McCain throws a quick inside leg kick.
McCain lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John McCain dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sakuraba looks to throw the jab but McCain is out of range.
Sakuraba throws a body shot but no joy.
Sakuraba digs a good hook to McCain's body.
McCain will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
McCain keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sakuraba closes this distance looking for a takedown but McCain circles away.
McCain tries to score with a low kick but Sakuraba moves his leg out of the way.
A slow jab from Sakuraba misses its intended target.
Sakuraba misses with a left hand
and McCain connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sakuraba slips under a jab from McCain.
A leg kick checked by Sakuraba.
McCain fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sakuraba.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCain throws a nice inside leg kick.
McCain with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
John McCain seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sakuraba misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McCain scores with a leg kick.
McCain lands a nice shot to the body.
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 works over McCain's head and body with a nice combination.
McCain takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba throws a hook to the side of McCain's head but McCain sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sakuraba misses with a looping right.
Sakuraba moves out of range of the body kick from McCain.
Sakuraba was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
McCain throws out a loose jab but Sakuraba uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sakuraba slips under a jab from McCain.
Sakuraba fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McCain manages to avoid it.
McCain connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sakuraba. Sakuraba circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
No joy there for Sakuraba, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
McCain slips a straight right by Sakuraba.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sakuraba. McCain does a little dance to reset his feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sakuraba.
McCain lands a nice hook to Sakuraba's body. Sakuraba takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Nice shot by McCain.
McCain misses with a wild body shot.
McCain connects with a solid leg kick.
Sakuraba misses with a wild combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCain uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sakuraba.
McCain tries a quick counter leg kick but Sakuraba is wise to it.
McCain lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
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!
McCain takes a swing at Sakuraba's ribcage but misses.
McCain buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Sakuraba misses with a straight left.
McCain lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
McCain avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
McCain scores with the left hand. Sakuraba knows he should have avoided that one.
McCain turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
McCain has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McCain keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sakuraba.
Sloppy strikes from Sakuraba. Those never looked like landing.
McCain scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sakuraba throws a big shot that misses.
McCain is looking to clinch but Sakuraba is avoiding it.
Sakuraba lands a nice shot to the body.
McCain gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Sakuraba.
McCain ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
An inside leg kick lands from McCain.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCain chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Sakuraba thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sakuraba misses with a left hand
and McCain counters with a straight right hand.
McCain displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sakuraba throws out the jab.
McCain throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A little feinted left hand from Sakuraba on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
McCain uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sakuraba.
Hayato Sakuraba has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McCain scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Sakuraba throws a hook but McCain blocks it.
A nice side step and McCain releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Sakuraba with a jab.
Sakuraba throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
McCain misses with a leg kick.
McCain moves out of range as Sakuraba strikes.
McCain moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
The fighters circling - McCain throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A jab from Sakuraba misses.
McCain walks into a stiff left hand from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling McCain to score with a decent uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sakuraba fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McCain manages to avoid it.
Sakuraba takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba throws a hook but McCain avoids it easily.
Sakuraba throws a jab but it's blocked by McCain.
McCain lands a nice looking body shot.
McCain throws a nice inside leg kick.
McCain slips under a jab from Sakuraba.
McCain misses with an uppercut.
McCain feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Sakurabas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
McCain scores with a nice strike.
McCain keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sakuraba.
A swing and a miss from Sakuraba.
A bone on bone clash there as Sakuraba blocks the leg kick.
McCain throws the left hand but Sakuraba avoids the punch easily.
McCain uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McCain scores with a jab to the head.
Sakuraba works over McCain's head and body with a nice combination.
McCain keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sakuraba.
McCain misses with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but John McCain will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

McCain listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
McCain steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sakuraba.
McCain jabs Sakuraba right on the nose. Sakuraba blinks but takes it well.
McCain throws a body shot but no joy.
Sakuraba misses with a double jab.
Some wild striking there from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jab, jab by McCain - just one landing.
Sakuraba misses with a hook. McCain ducked under it nicely.
Sakuraba thows a left - swing and a miss!
McCain fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sakuraba manages to avoid it.
A shot to the liver by McCain. Beautiful body shot.
Sakuraba keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sakuraba throws a body punch but McCain moves out of range.
McCain leaves Sakuraba with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sakuraba misses with a looping left.
Sakuraba misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Sakuraba misses the target.
Sakuraba's jab looks to have found its range, popping McCain under the eye.
McCain lands a body shot.
McCain lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sakuraba's sensitive parts.
Sakuraba missing with a left hand there. McCain was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sakuraba takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McCain as he avoids it easily.
A good leg kick by McCain.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from McCain, right into the meat.
McCain ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
McCain scores with a nice strike.
Sakuraba cracks McCain with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sakuraba shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Sakuraba takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

McCain has managed to clinch.
McCain tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McCain lands with a short head shot on the inside.
McCain swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba decides to pull guard.
McCain trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakuraba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McCain showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Sakuraba had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. McCain defends it easily.
McCain is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Sakuraba looking for a guillotine here but McCain defends easily.
McCain controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCain trying to control but Sakuraba is working from the bottom.

Sakuraba looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Sakuraba looking for subs off his back but McCain has passed one foot through into half guard.
McCain slows the pace down in half guard.

That's four 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.

Sakuraba actively working from the bottom here.

McCain is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Sakuraba defends it well.

Sakuraba looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
McCain controlling the action here.
John McCain is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

And that's the end of the fight!
John McCain comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well McCain has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John McCain!