Post by The Sandmen on Feb 27, 2012 12:40:20 GMT -5
Kazushi Sakuraba is the favourite fighter of the crowd at Osaka Castle Hall (Osaka, Japan).
Royce Gracie looks like he has been waiting for this fight forever.
Kazushi Sakuraba looks very relaxed.
It's hard to say who will be winning this fight. The specialized media doesn't have a favourite either.
The referee of the bout is Mario Yamasaki.
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Round 1
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The fight gets underway.
Sakuraba tries to grapple
Royce moves aside keeping the fight a strinking range
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to take the fight to the ground with a one leg takedown...
Royce Gracie jumps backwards and frees his leg.
The clock says 0:25 in the 1 round
Sakuraba launches a furious low kick!
Royce blocks.
Poorly executed technique. Royce Gracie looks to counter!
Royce moves forward looking for some action
Kazushi Sakuraba struggles a bit before breaking Royce's attemp of grappling
Sakuraba goes for a low kick..
Royce avoids the deadly blow.
Poorly executed technique. Royce Gracie looks to counter!
Royce Gracie attempts a sweep single...
Royce Gracie catches Kazushi Sakuraba's far ankle and trips him to the mat! Slick takedown by Royce.
Royce Gracie is in closed guard over Sakuraba
Royce Gracie tries to better his position on the ground...
Sakuraba holds Royce Gracie's head against his chin in the closed guard.
Royce Gracie is in closed guard over Sakuraba
Kazushi Sakuraba isolates an arm in a kimura attempt!
Royce blocks the hold and uses the opportunity to pass Sakuraba's guard.
Royce is trying to counter now!
Royce struggles on the ground and tries to break Kazushi Sakuraba's guard...
Sakuraba doesn't want to free his opponent and Royce continues in closed guard
Royce Gracie is in closed guard over Sakuraba
Sakuraba breaths deeply while on the ground
Royce Gracie is in closed guard over Sakuraba
Royce is in closed guard... Sakuraba tries to roll on the ground!
Royce Gracie uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
Sakuraba clumsily fails here and it's time for Royce Gracie to fight back!
Royce tries to escape from the closed guard
Royce succeeds and he's now in open guard... he takes a second to breathe
Mario Yamasaki stands the fighters up due to a lack of activity.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
The clock says 1:25 in the 1 round
Sakuraba wants to close the range and tries to grapple...
Nice move. He shoves himself over his opponent and secure a single collar tie.
Royce Gracie pushes away Sakuraba trying to keep the fight at striking range
Sakuraba doesn't want to break the clinch as he still is grappling with Royce Gracie
The fighters are clinching.
One, two, three! Sakuraba doesn't stop launching those knees in the clinch!
Devastating knee that lands on Royce's chin! That pop was heard throughout the arena! The crowd erupts!
Royce Gracie tries to shrug his way out of the clinch.
Sakuraba is determined to work from the clinch. He pummeled through and managed to retain his position.
The fighters are clinching.
Sakuraba struggles and launches a few punches to Royce's head
Nothing from this... Kazushi Sakuraba seems frustrated.
Royce is trying to counter now!
Royce is launching some bone breaking punches to Sakuraba's ribs while in the clinch.
Wow. You can see the pain in Kazushi Sakuraba's eyes.
Royce Gracie tries to shrug his way out of the clinch.
Royce circles out and slips free of Kazushi Sakuraba's grip. Nice job of getting out of that position.
Sakuraba pushes Royce Gracie and moves away from him. He seems to be recovering his breath.
Kazushi Sakuraba leans forwards and tries to grapple with Royce
Sakuraba shows his clinching skills. Both fighters are clinching now.
Royce doesn't want to clinch as he ducks under Kazushi Sakuraba embrace and tries to move away...
Kazushi Sakuraba pushes Royce forward and doesn't allow him to break the clinch.
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Sakuraba tries to take Royce Gracie down... Royce stumbles backwards and Kazushi Sakuraba launches a few punches...
One swing hits hard Royce's jaw!
The fighters are clinching.
Sakuraba launches a few hard punches to Royce Gracie's ribs!
Royce Gracie's ribs shows the damage! Kazushi Sakuraba is working his opponent ribs!
The fighters are clinching.
Sakuraba launches a knee!
Kazushi Sakuraba hits Royce's hard just below the ribs!
Royce Gracie pushes away Sakuraba trying to keep the fight at striking range
Sakuraba doesn't want to break the clinch as he still is grappling with Royce Gracie
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
a flying knee from Kazushi Sakuraba towards Royce
Royce Gracie was hit in the abdomen, powerful strike sents him to the mat
Sakuraba is standing while Royce is on the ground on his back
Kazushi Sakuraba steps back and allows Royce to get back to his feet.
Back to the beginning! Royce Gracie is standing now.
Body kick by Kazushi Sakuraba...
is blocked.
Sakuraba clumsily fails here and it's time for Royce Gracie to fight back!
Royce launches a furious low kick!
Sakuraba blocks.
Royce launches a stiff jab!
Sakuraba ducks that one.
Solid low kick from Kazushi Sakuraba.
For sure, that had to hurt!
The clock says 3:35 in the 1 round
Royce Gracie and Sakuraba engage in a wild exchange of punches!
Both fighters are missing terribly.
Kazushi Sakuraba fakes a punch and launches himself over Royce!
Nice move by Sakuraba who clinches and pushes Royce against the cage
Royce Gracie pushes away Sakuraba trying to keep the fight at striking range
Sakuraba doesn't want to break the clinch as he still is grappling with Royce Gracie
The fighters are clinching.
Royce launches a few hard punches to Kazushi Sakuraba's ribs!
Sakuraba struggles and protects himself.
Sakuraba tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Sakuraba struggles and launches a few punches to Royce's head
Those punches are hitting! Royce covers his head!
Royce's Left cheek is bruised after the punishement he's received!
Sakuraba doesn't want to clinch as he ducks under Royce Gracie embrace and tries to move away...
Nice move from Sakuraba who put distance between them
Sakuraba is holding Royce Gracie's left leg... He's trying to take him down.
Royce Gracie shows great balance while pushing away Kazushi Sakuraba
Solid kick to the leg from Royce Gracie
Sakuraba checks it.
Royce misses a step and Kazushi Sakuraba sees an opportunity to counter him!
Royce moves to shoot
but Kazushi Sakuraba delivers a knee that wrecks him!
A right hand from Kazushi Sakuraba
surprises Royce!
Sakuraba wants to take the fight to his advantage and tries to clinch.
Sakuraba moves forward and holds Royce
The fighters are clinching.
Royce Gracie slightly pushes Sakuraba into the fence and tries to calm down the action.
Mario Yamasaki sees a lack of activity in the clinch and separates the fighters.
Royce fakes a punch and shoots a takedown!
Sakuraba sprawls and remains on his feet.
The buzzer sounds, marking the end of the round. The ref tells the fighters to go to their corner.
I don't think either fighter got the better of their opponent that round.
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Round 2
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Middle kick from Sakuraba.
Royce receives a solid kick right below his ribs.
Kazushi Sakuraba swings...
hard impact to Royce's face!
The clock says 0:30 in the 2 round
Kazushi Sakuraba fakes a punch and launches himself over Royce Gracie
Great move by Sakuraba who pushes his opponent under a troublesome thai clinch
Royce doesn't want to clinch as he ducks under Kazushi Sakuraba embrace and tries to move away...
Kazushi Sakuraba pushes Royce forward and doesn't allow him to break the clinch.
The fighters are clinching.
Royce Gracie pushes away Sakuraba trying to keep the fight at striking range
Sakuraba doesn't want to break the clinch as he still is grappling with Royce Gracie
Sakuraba tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Kazushi Sakuraba pushes away Royce trying to keep the fight at striking range
Royce doesn't want to break the clinch as he still is grappling with Kazushi Sakuraba
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Royce and Kazushi Sakuraba are cliched up against the cage. Royce steps for a throw
Sakuraba stays on his feet
Mario Yamasaki sees a lack of activity in the clinch and separates the fighters.
Royce grabs his opponent by the waist and tries to take the fight to the ground
Great takedown by Royce Gracie
The clock says 1:10 in the 2 round
Royce Gracie is in open guard over Sakuraba
Royce tries to jump to side mount.
Kazushi Sakuraba closed his guard around Royce Gracie.
The clock says 1:20 in the 2 round
Royce Gracie is in side mount over Kazushi Sakuraba
As the fight continues it seems that Royce Gracie is taking the best of the fight.
Royce Gracie isolates Kazushi Sakuraba's left arm looking for an armbar...
Kazushi Sakuraba manages to sit up and pull his arm out of danger! Royce Gracie lost his dominant position.
The clock says 1:30 in the 2 round
Kazushi Sakuraba is in open guard over Royce
Sakuraba tries to jump to side mount.
Royce Gracie closed his guard around Kazushi Sakuraba.
The clock says 1:40 in the 2 round
Kazushi Sakuraba is in side mount over Royce Gracie
Kazushi Sakuraba isolates Royce Gracie's right arm looking for an armbar...
Royce Gracie manages to sit up and pull his arm out of danger! Kazushi Sakuraba lost his dominant position.
Royce Gracie is in open guard over Sakuraba
Royce Gracie tries to pass to half guard...
Kazushi Sakuraba's closes his guard to prevent the pass.
Royce Gracie is in closed guard over Sakuraba
Royce struggles on the ground and tries to break Kazushi Sakuraba's guard...
Sakuraba doesn't want to free his opponent and Royce continues in closed guard
Royce Gracie is in closed guard over Sakuraba
Royce is in closed guard... Sakuraba tries to roll on the ground!
Royce Gracie uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
Sakuraba misses a step and Royce Gracie sees an opportunity to counter him!
Royce use some of his wrestling skills to escape from the closed guard!
Kazushi Sakuraba holds Royce Gracie and prevents him from moving to a better position!
The referee decides to stand up the fighters since there was not much action on the ground.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Osaka Castle Hall (OSaka, Japan) are cheering for the fighters.
Sakuraba jumps over his opponent and tries to grapple
Kazushi Sakuraba pushes his opponent against the fence in a plum position
Royce doesn't want to clinch as he ducks under Kazushi Sakuraba embrace and tries to move away...
Kazushi Sakuraba pushes Royce forward and doesn't allow him to break the clinch.
The fighters are clinching.
Royce launches a few hard punches to Kazushi Sakuraba's ribs!
Sakuraba struggles and protects himself.
Royce misses a step and Kazushi Sakuraba sees an opportunity to counter him!
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to shrug his way out of the clinch.
Sakuraba circles out and slips free of Royce Gracie's grip. Nice job of getting out of that position.
Kazushi Sakuraba moves forward looking for some grappling action
Sakuraba has his opponent in a text book double collar thai clinch!
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Sakuraba and Royce Gracie are cliched up against the cage. Sakuraba steps for a throw
Royce Gracie is gets thrown to the mat but gets right back up
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Sakuraba tries to breaks Royce Gracie's resistence with a few punches while tries to push him against oner corner.
Sakuraba doesn't find the right way... He have to improve his position for causing any real damage
Royce doesn't want to clinch as he ducks under Kazushi Sakuraba embrace and tries to move away...
Kazushi Sakuraba pushes Royce forward and doesn't allow him to break the clinch.
The fighters are clinching.
Royce Gracie launches a furious knee!
Bang! It clearly hits Sakuraba's groin!
Mario Yamasaki didn't see the foul!
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to shrug his way out of the clinch.
Sakuraba circles out and slips free of Royce Gracie's grip. Nice job of getting out of that position.
Kazushi Sakuraba fakes a punch and launches himself over Royce Gracie
Great move by Sakuraba who pushes his opponent under a troublesome thai clinch
The fighters are clinching.
Royce's cornermen are worried about his safety if he continues clinching with Kazushi Sakuraba.
Sakuraba tries to take Royce Gracie to the ground from the clinch...
Nicely done! Royce is with his back on the ground now.
Royce's Forehead is beginning to swell
Kazushi Sakuraba is in open guard over Royce
Sakuraba tries to move to full mount
Sakuraba succeeds
Kazushi Sakuraba is in full mount over Royce Gracie
Sakuraba tries to keep hs position while looking to maybe begin a pounding session...
Kazushi Sakuraba controls the situation despite Royce Gracie efforts for escaping from the full mount.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in full mount over Royce Gracie
Royce is using some of his ground skills to escape from this...
Kazushi Sakuraba pushes Royce Gracie down and prevents his attempts to escape
Sakuraba is trying to counter now!
Sakuraba goes for an armbar!
Royce Gracie breaks the lock and pushes away Kazushi Sakuraba, who rolls over his back and gets to standing position.
Mario Yamasaki halts the fight to stand up Royce Gracie. The fight resumes with both fighters standing.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
Royce Gracie fakes a punch and launches himself over Sakuraba!
Kazushi Sakuraba is smart enough to avoid the clinch game by Royce and pushes him away!
Kazushi Sakuraba takes a few seconds to recover his breath...
Several good body shots
land on Royce.
The clock says 4:55 in the 2 round
Sakuraba is holding Royce Gracie's right leg... He's trying to take him down.
Royce Gracie shows great balance while pushing away Kazushi Sakuraba
Kazushi Sakuraba gets sloppy and Royce Gracie tries to take advantage...
Royce launches a flurry of punches
but only manages to land glancing blows.
Mario Yamasaki separates the fighters as the round concludes. The fighters shake hands as they head back to their corners.
I don't think either fighter did more than the other that round.
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Round 3
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Kazushi Sakuraba seems fresh. He may still have a lot of gas in his tank.
Kazushi Sakuraba moves forward looking for some grappling action
Sakuraba has his opponent in a text book double collar thai clinch!
The fighters are clinching.
Sakuraba doesn't want to clinch as he ducks under Royce Gracie embrace and tries to move away...
Nice move from Sakuraba who put distance between them
Royce and Sakuraba circle around the center of the cage.
Royce moves forward looking for some action
Kazushi Sakuraba doesn't want to engage and backpedals
Kazushi Sakuraba closes the distance with his opponent wanting some action.
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to bring the fight to the ground
Royce won't budge, forcing Sakuraba to pull guard.
The clock says 1:10 in the 3 round
Royce Gracie is in closed guard over Sakuraba
Royce tries to escape from closed guard...
Sakuraba waits for the moment and tries to roll! Too late for Royce Gracie! He is reversed and nor Kazushi Sakuraba is on half guard!
The clock says 1:20 in the 3 round
Kazushi Sakuraba is in half guard over Royce
Royce Gracie attempts to move to full guard
Royce Gracie manages to switch to full guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in open guard over Royce
Royce tries to close his guard around Sakuraba
He succeeds!
Kazushi Sakuraba is in closed guard over Royce
Sakuraba is in closed guard... Royce tries to roll on the ground!
Kazushi Sakuraba uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
Royce clumsily fails here and it's time for Kazushi Sakuraba to fight back!
Sakuraba tries to escape from the closed guard
Sakuraba succeeds and he's now in open guard... he takes a second to breathe
Kazushi Sakuraba is in open guard over Royce
Royce tries to close his guard around Sakuraba
He is not able to do it
Kazushi Sakuraba is in open guard over Royce
Royce tries to close his guard around Sakuraba
He succeeds!
Kazushi Sakuraba is in closed guard over Royce
Royce Gracie slides his legs high and tries to apply a triangle!
Kazushi Sakuraba cuts to the side and manages to pass to side mount!
The clock says 2:20 in the 3 round
Kazushi Sakuraba is in side mount over Royce Gracie
Royce Gracie attempts to trap Kazushi Sakuraba in his guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba keeps control and remains in side mount.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in side mount over Royce Gracie
Royce tries to show some ground skills
Sakuraba uses his strength to keep Sakuraba at a disadvantage
Mario Yamasaki stands the fighters up due to a lack of activity.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Osaka Castle Hall (OSaka, Japan) are cheering for the fighters.
Royce Gracie attempts to cut off Sakuraba with punches
Sakuraba avoids getting cornered.
Royce Gracie attempts a sweep single...
Royce Gracie catches Kazushi Sakuraba's far ankle and trips him to the mat! Slick takedown by Royce.
Royce Gracie is in closed guard over Sakuraba
Kazushi Sakuraba is a submission wizard. He has forgotten more BJJ than most fighters have learned.
Royce is in closed guard... Sakuraba tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! He is now in full mount over Royce Gracie!
Kazushi Sakuraba is in full mount over Royce Gracie
Royce Gracie tries to roll on the ground...
Sakuraba knows how to keep his advantage on the ground.
Sakuraba is trying to counter now!
Sakuraba tries to keep hs position while looking to maybe begin a pounding session...
Royce struggles and pushes his opponent maybe a bit anxiously
The clock says 3:20 in the 3 round
Kazushi Sakuraba is in full mount over Royce Gracie
Royce Gracie tries to roll to his side and trap Kazushi Sakuraba in his guard...
Kazushi Sakuraba keeps good control and remains in full mount.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in full mount over Royce Gracie
Royce Gracie tries to roll on the ground...
Sakuraba knows how to keep his advantage on the ground.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in full mount over Royce Gracie
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to better his position on the ground...
Sakuraba is in a great position to begin a nice round of pounding!
Kazushi Sakuraba is in full mount over Royce Gracie
Kazushi Sakuraba takes a deep breath as he passes his arm over Royce Gracie shoulder and pushes his left arm againts the mat!
Royce Gracie breaks that americana attempt!
Kazushi Sakuraba is in full mount over Royce Gracie
Royce works on the ground with his fingers over Sakuraba's face
Sakuraba shakes his head and continues fighting on the ground.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in full mount over Royce Gracie
Royce Gracie tries to roll to his side and trap Kazushi Sakuraba in his guard...
Kazushi Sakuraba keeps good control and remains in full mount.
Mario Yamasaki stands the fighters up due to a lack of activity.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
Both fighters circle around the center of the cage.
The clock says 4:30 in the 3 round
Royce Gracie launches a body shot
Sakuraba dodges and catches him with a hard cross.
Royce tries to grapple
He puts Sakuraba in a double underhook!
Kazushi Sakuraba pushes away Royce trying to keep the fight at striking range
Royce stumbles backwards and Kazushi Sakuraba circles to get the center of the cage
Royce Gracie tries to take the fight to the ground with a one leg takedown...
Sakuraba is unable to remain on his feet and falls to the ground
Royce Gracie is in open guard over Sakuraba
Sakuraba tries to close his guard around Royce
He succeeds!
The referee separates the fighters as the buzzer sounds.
Kazushi Sakuraba has to be confident that he won that round.
Judge: Royce Gracie 10 9 10: 29
Judge: Kazushi Sakuraba 9 10 9: 28
Judge: Royce Gracie 9 9 10: 28
Judge: Kazushi Sakuraba 10 10 9: 29
Judge: Royce Gracie 9 9 10: 28
Judge: Kazushi Sakuraba 10 10 9: 29
Winner is Kazushi Sakuraba by Split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Statistics: Royce Gracie
Punches 2/11 (18%)
Kicks 0/2 (0%)
Clinch strikes 4/14 (29%)
Takedowns 4/5 (80%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 2/2 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/1 (0%)
Time on the ground 322 s
Statistics: Kazushi Sakuraba
Punches 10/10 (100%)
Kicks 3/7 (43%)
Clinch strikes 9/20 (45%)
Takedowns 1/5 (20%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 4/4 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 3/3 (100%)
Time on the ground 316 s
A decent performance by Royce Gracie today. He read the fight well and wasn't afraid of engaging.
A decent performance by Kazushi Sakuraba today. He read the fight well and wasn't afraid of engaging.
ManMMA management should pay these guys extra just for the excitement they provide to the fans!
Royce Gracie looks like he has been waiting for this fight forever.
Kazushi Sakuraba looks very relaxed.
It's hard to say who will be winning this fight. The specialized media doesn't have a favourite either.
The referee of the bout is Mario Yamasaki.
=========================================
Round 1
=========================================
The fight gets underway.
Sakuraba tries to grapple
Royce moves aside keeping the fight a strinking range
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to take the fight to the ground with a one leg takedown...
Royce Gracie jumps backwards and frees his leg.
The clock says 0:25 in the 1 round
Sakuraba launches a furious low kick!
Royce blocks.
Poorly executed technique. Royce Gracie looks to counter!
Royce moves forward looking for some action
Kazushi Sakuraba struggles a bit before breaking Royce's attemp of grappling
Sakuraba goes for a low kick..
Royce avoids the deadly blow.
Poorly executed technique. Royce Gracie looks to counter!
Royce Gracie attempts a sweep single...
Royce Gracie catches Kazushi Sakuraba's far ankle and trips him to the mat! Slick takedown by Royce.
Royce Gracie is in closed guard over Sakuraba
Royce Gracie tries to better his position on the ground...
Sakuraba holds Royce Gracie's head against his chin in the closed guard.
Royce Gracie is in closed guard over Sakuraba
Kazushi Sakuraba isolates an arm in a kimura attempt!
Royce blocks the hold and uses the opportunity to pass Sakuraba's guard.
Royce is trying to counter now!
Royce struggles on the ground and tries to break Kazushi Sakuraba's guard...
Sakuraba doesn't want to free his opponent and Royce continues in closed guard
Royce Gracie is in closed guard over Sakuraba
Sakuraba breaths deeply while on the ground
Royce Gracie is in closed guard over Sakuraba
Royce is in closed guard... Sakuraba tries to roll on the ground!
Royce Gracie uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
Sakuraba clumsily fails here and it's time for Royce Gracie to fight back!
Royce tries to escape from the closed guard
Royce succeeds and he's now in open guard... he takes a second to breathe
Mario Yamasaki stands the fighters up due to a lack of activity.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
The clock says 1:25 in the 1 round
Sakuraba wants to close the range and tries to grapple...
Nice move. He shoves himself over his opponent and secure a single collar tie.
Royce Gracie pushes away Sakuraba trying to keep the fight at striking range
Sakuraba doesn't want to break the clinch as he still is grappling with Royce Gracie
The fighters are clinching.
One, two, three! Sakuraba doesn't stop launching those knees in the clinch!
Devastating knee that lands on Royce's chin! That pop was heard throughout the arena! The crowd erupts!
Royce Gracie tries to shrug his way out of the clinch.
Sakuraba is determined to work from the clinch. He pummeled through and managed to retain his position.
The fighters are clinching.
Sakuraba struggles and launches a few punches to Royce's head
Nothing from this... Kazushi Sakuraba seems frustrated.
Royce is trying to counter now!
Royce is launching some bone breaking punches to Sakuraba's ribs while in the clinch.
Wow. You can see the pain in Kazushi Sakuraba's eyes.
Royce Gracie tries to shrug his way out of the clinch.
Royce circles out and slips free of Kazushi Sakuraba's grip. Nice job of getting out of that position.
Sakuraba pushes Royce Gracie and moves away from him. He seems to be recovering his breath.
Kazushi Sakuraba leans forwards and tries to grapple with Royce
Sakuraba shows his clinching skills. Both fighters are clinching now.
Royce doesn't want to clinch as he ducks under Kazushi Sakuraba embrace and tries to move away...
Kazushi Sakuraba pushes Royce forward and doesn't allow him to break the clinch.
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Sakuraba tries to take Royce Gracie down... Royce stumbles backwards and Kazushi Sakuraba launches a few punches...
One swing hits hard Royce's jaw!
The fighters are clinching.
Sakuraba launches a few hard punches to Royce Gracie's ribs!
Royce Gracie's ribs shows the damage! Kazushi Sakuraba is working his opponent ribs!
The fighters are clinching.
Sakuraba launches a knee!
Kazushi Sakuraba hits Royce's hard just below the ribs!
Royce Gracie pushes away Sakuraba trying to keep the fight at striking range
Sakuraba doesn't want to break the clinch as he still is grappling with Royce Gracie
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
a flying knee from Kazushi Sakuraba towards Royce
Royce Gracie was hit in the abdomen, powerful strike sents him to the mat
Sakuraba is standing while Royce is on the ground on his back
Kazushi Sakuraba steps back and allows Royce to get back to his feet.
Back to the beginning! Royce Gracie is standing now.
Body kick by Kazushi Sakuraba...
is blocked.
Sakuraba clumsily fails here and it's time for Royce Gracie to fight back!
Royce launches a furious low kick!
Sakuraba blocks.
Royce launches a stiff jab!
Sakuraba ducks that one.
Solid low kick from Kazushi Sakuraba.
For sure, that had to hurt!
The clock says 3:35 in the 1 round
Royce Gracie and Sakuraba engage in a wild exchange of punches!
Both fighters are missing terribly.
Kazushi Sakuraba fakes a punch and launches himself over Royce!
Nice move by Sakuraba who clinches and pushes Royce against the cage
Royce Gracie pushes away Sakuraba trying to keep the fight at striking range
Sakuraba doesn't want to break the clinch as he still is grappling with Royce Gracie
The fighters are clinching.
Royce launches a few hard punches to Kazushi Sakuraba's ribs!
Sakuraba struggles and protects himself.
Sakuraba tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Sakuraba struggles and launches a few punches to Royce's head
Those punches are hitting! Royce covers his head!
Royce's Left cheek is bruised after the punishement he's received!
Sakuraba doesn't want to clinch as he ducks under Royce Gracie embrace and tries to move away...
Nice move from Sakuraba who put distance between them
Sakuraba is holding Royce Gracie's left leg... He's trying to take him down.
Royce Gracie shows great balance while pushing away Kazushi Sakuraba
Solid kick to the leg from Royce Gracie
Sakuraba checks it.
Royce misses a step and Kazushi Sakuraba sees an opportunity to counter him!
Royce moves to shoot
but Kazushi Sakuraba delivers a knee that wrecks him!
A right hand from Kazushi Sakuraba
surprises Royce!
Sakuraba wants to take the fight to his advantage and tries to clinch.
Sakuraba moves forward and holds Royce
The fighters are clinching.
Royce Gracie slightly pushes Sakuraba into the fence and tries to calm down the action.
Mario Yamasaki sees a lack of activity in the clinch and separates the fighters.
Royce fakes a punch and shoots a takedown!
Sakuraba sprawls and remains on his feet.
The buzzer sounds, marking the end of the round. The ref tells the fighters to go to their corner.
I don't think either fighter got the better of their opponent that round.
=========================================
Round 2
=========================================
Middle kick from Sakuraba.
Royce receives a solid kick right below his ribs.
Kazushi Sakuraba swings...
hard impact to Royce's face!
The clock says 0:30 in the 2 round
Kazushi Sakuraba fakes a punch and launches himself over Royce Gracie
Great move by Sakuraba who pushes his opponent under a troublesome thai clinch
Royce doesn't want to clinch as he ducks under Kazushi Sakuraba embrace and tries to move away...
Kazushi Sakuraba pushes Royce forward and doesn't allow him to break the clinch.
The fighters are clinching.
Royce Gracie pushes away Sakuraba trying to keep the fight at striking range
Sakuraba doesn't want to break the clinch as he still is grappling with Royce Gracie
Sakuraba tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Kazushi Sakuraba pushes away Royce trying to keep the fight at striking range
Royce doesn't want to break the clinch as he still is grappling with Kazushi Sakuraba
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Royce and Kazushi Sakuraba are cliched up against the cage. Royce steps for a throw
Sakuraba stays on his feet
Mario Yamasaki sees a lack of activity in the clinch and separates the fighters.
Royce grabs his opponent by the waist and tries to take the fight to the ground
Great takedown by Royce Gracie
The clock says 1:10 in the 2 round
Royce Gracie is in open guard over Sakuraba
Royce tries to jump to side mount.
Kazushi Sakuraba closed his guard around Royce Gracie.
The clock says 1:20 in the 2 round
Royce Gracie is in side mount over Kazushi Sakuraba
As the fight continues it seems that Royce Gracie is taking the best of the fight.
Royce Gracie isolates Kazushi Sakuraba's left arm looking for an armbar...
Kazushi Sakuraba manages to sit up and pull his arm out of danger! Royce Gracie lost his dominant position.
The clock says 1:30 in the 2 round
Kazushi Sakuraba is in open guard over Royce
Sakuraba tries to jump to side mount.
Royce Gracie closed his guard around Kazushi Sakuraba.
The clock says 1:40 in the 2 round
Kazushi Sakuraba is in side mount over Royce Gracie
Kazushi Sakuraba isolates Royce Gracie's right arm looking for an armbar...
Royce Gracie manages to sit up and pull his arm out of danger! Kazushi Sakuraba lost his dominant position.
Royce Gracie is in open guard over Sakuraba
Royce Gracie tries to pass to half guard...
Kazushi Sakuraba's closes his guard to prevent the pass.
Royce Gracie is in closed guard over Sakuraba
Royce struggles on the ground and tries to break Kazushi Sakuraba's guard...
Sakuraba doesn't want to free his opponent and Royce continues in closed guard
Royce Gracie is in closed guard over Sakuraba
Royce is in closed guard... Sakuraba tries to roll on the ground!
Royce Gracie uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
Sakuraba misses a step and Royce Gracie sees an opportunity to counter him!
Royce use some of his wrestling skills to escape from the closed guard!
Kazushi Sakuraba holds Royce Gracie and prevents him from moving to a better position!
The referee decides to stand up the fighters since there was not much action on the ground.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Osaka Castle Hall (OSaka, Japan) are cheering for the fighters.
Sakuraba jumps over his opponent and tries to grapple
Kazushi Sakuraba pushes his opponent against the fence in a plum position
Royce doesn't want to clinch as he ducks under Kazushi Sakuraba embrace and tries to move away...
Kazushi Sakuraba pushes Royce forward and doesn't allow him to break the clinch.
The fighters are clinching.
Royce launches a few hard punches to Kazushi Sakuraba's ribs!
Sakuraba struggles and protects himself.
Royce misses a step and Kazushi Sakuraba sees an opportunity to counter him!
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to shrug his way out of the clinch.
Sakuraba circles out and slips free of Royce Gracie's grip. Nice job of getting out of that position.
Kazushi Sakuraba moves forward looking for some grappling action
Sakuraba has his opponent in a text book double collar thai clinch!
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Sakuraba and Royce Gracie are cliched up against the cage. Sakuraba steps for a throw
Royce Gracie is gets thrown to the mat but gets right back up
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Sakuraba tries to breaks Royce Gracie's resistence with a few punches while tries to push him against oner corner.
Sakuraba doesn't find the right way... He have to improve his position for causing any real damage
Royce doesn't want to clinch as he ducks under Kazushi Sakuraba embrace and tries to move away...
Kazushi Sakuraba pushes Royce forward and doesn't allow him to break the clinch.
The fighters are clinching.
Royce Gracie launches a furious knee!
Bang! It clearly hits Sakuraba's groin!
Mario Yamasaki didn't see the foul!
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to shrug his way out of the clinch.
Sakuraba circles out and slips free of Royce Gracie's grip. Nice job of getting out of that position.
Kazushi Sakuraba fakes a punch and launches himself over Royce Gracie
Great move by Sakuraba who pushes his opponent under a troublesome thai clinch
The fighters are clinching.
Royce's cornermen are worried about his safety if he continues clinching with Kazushi Sakuraba.
Sakuraba tries to take Royce Gracie to the ground from the clinch...
Nicely done! Royce is with his back on the ground now.
Royce's Forehead is beginning to swell
Kazushi Sakuraba is in open guard over Royce
Sakuraba tries to move to full mount
Sakuraba succeeds
Kazushi Sakuraba is in full mount over Royce Gracie
Sakuraba tries to keep hs position while looking to maybe begin a pounding session...
Kazushi Sakuraba controls the situation despite Royce Gracie efforts for escaping from the full mount.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in full mount over Royce Gracie
Royce is using some of his ground skills to escape from this...
Kazushi Sakuraba pushes Royce Gracie down and prevents his attempts to escape
Sakuraba is trying to counter now!
Sakuraba goes for an armbar!
Royce Gracie breaks the lock and pushes away Kazushi Sakuraba, who rolls over his back and gets to standing position.
Mario Yamasaki halts the fight to stand up Royce Gracie. The fight resumes with both fighters standing.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
Royce Gracie fakes a punch and launches himself over Sakuraba!
Kazushi Sakuraba is smart enough to avoid the clinch game by Royce and pushes him away!
Kazushi Sakuraba takes a few seconds to recover his breath...
Several good body shots
land on Royce.
The clock says 4:55 in the 2 round
Sakuraba is holding Royce Gracie's right leg... He's trying to take him down.
Royce Gracie shows great balance while pushing away Kazushi Sakuraba
Kazushi Sakuraba gets sloppy and Royce Gracie tries to take advantage...
Royce launches a flurry of punches
but only manages to land glancing blows.
Mario Yamasaki separates the fighters as the round concludes. The fighters shake hands as they head back to their corners.
I don't think either fighter did more than the other that round.
=========================================
Round 3
=========================================
Kazushi Sakuraba seems fresh. He may still have a lot of gas in his tank.
Kazushi Sakuraba moves forward looking for some grappling action
Sakuraba has his opponent in a text book double collar thai clinch!
The fighters are clinching.
Sakuraba doesn't want to clinch as he ducks under Royce Gracie embrace and tries to move away...
Nice move from Sakuraba who put distance between them
Royce and Sakuraba circle around the center of the cage.
Royce moves forward looking for some action
Kazushi Sakuraba doesn't want to engage and backpedals
Kazushi Sakuraba closes the distance with his opponent wanting some action.
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to bring the fight to the ground
Royce won't budge, forcing Sakuraba to pull guard.
The clock says 1:10 in the 3 round
Royce Gracie is in closed guard over Sakuraba
Royce tries to escape from closed guard...
Sakuraba waits for the moment and tries to roll! Too late for Royce Gracie! He is reversed and nor Kazushi Sakuraba is on half guard!
The clock says 1:20 in the 3 round
Kazushi Sakuraba is in half guard over Royce
Royce Gracie attempts to move to full guard
Royce Gracie manages to switch to full guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in open guard over Royce
Royce tries to close his guard around Sakuraba
He succeeds!
Kazushi Sakuraba is in closed guard over Royce
Sakuraba is in closed guard... Royce tries to roll on the ground!
Kazushi Sakuraba uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
Royce clumsily fails here and it's time for Kazushi Sakuraba to fight back!
Sakuraba tries to escape from the closed guard
Sakuraba succeeds and he's now in open guard... he takes a second to breathe
Kazushi Sakuraba is in open guard over Royce
Royce tries to close his guard around Sakuraba
He is not able to do it
Kazushi Sakuraba is in open guard over Royce
Royce tries to close his guard around Sakuraba
He succeeds!
Kazushi Sakuraba is in closed guard over Royce
Royce Gracie slides his legs high and tries to apply a triangle!
Kazushi Sakuraba cuts to the side and manages to pass to side mount!
The clock says 2:20 in the 3 round
Kazushi Sakuraba is in side mount over Royce Gracie
Royce Gracie attempts to trap Kazushi Sakuraba in his guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba keeps control and remains in side mount.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in side mount over Royce Gracie
Royce tries to show some ground skills
Sakuraba uses his strength to keep Sakuraba at a disadvantage
Mario Yamasaki stands the fighters up due to a lack of activity.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Osaka Castle Hall (OSaka, Japan) are cheering for the fighters.
Royce Gracie attempts to cut off Sakuraba with punches
Sakuraba avoids getting cornered.
Royce Gracie attempts a sweep single...
Royce Gracie catches Kazushi Sakuraba's far ankle and trips him to the mat! Slick takedown by Royce.
Royce Gracie is in closed guard over Sakuraba
Kazushi Sakuraba is a submission wizard. He has forgotten more BJJ than most fighters have learned.
Royce is in closed guard... Sakuraba tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! He is now in full mount over Royce Gracie!
Kazushi Sakuraba is in full mount over Royce Gracie
Royce Gracie tries to roll on the ground...
Sakuraba knows how to keep his advantage on the ground.
Sakuraba is trying to counter now!
Sakuraba tries to keep hs position while looking to maybe begin a pounding session...
Royce struggles and pushes his opponent maybe a bit anxiously
The clock says 3:20 in the 3 round
Kazushi Sakuraba is in full mount over Royce Gracie
Royce Gracie tries to roll to his side and trap Kazushi Sakuraba in his guard...
Kazushi Sakuraba keeps good control and remains in full mount.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in full mount over Royce Gracie
Royce Gracie tries to roll on the ground...
Sakuraba knows how to keep his advantage on the ground.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in full mount over Royce Gracie
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to better his position on the ground...
Sakuraba is in a great position to begin a nice round of pounding!
Kazushi Sakuraba is in full mount over Royce Gracie
Kazushi Sakuraba takes a deep breath as he passes his arm over Royce Gracie shoulder and pushes his left arm againts the mat!
Royce Gracie breaks that americana attempt!
Kazushi Sakuraba is in full mount over Royce Gracie
Royce works on the ground with his fingers over Sakuraba's face
Sakuraba shakes his head and continues fighting on the ground.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in full mount over Royce Gracie
Royce Gracie tries to roll to his side and trap Kazushi Sakuraba in his guard...
Kazushi Sakuraba keeps good control and remains in full mount.
Mario Yamasaki stands the fighters up due to a lack of activity.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
Both fighters circle around the center of the cage.
The clock says 4:30 in the 3 round
Royce Gracie launches a body shot
Sakuraba dodges and catches him with a hard cross.
Royce tries to grapple
He puts Sakuraba in a double underhook!
Kazushi Sakuraba pushes away Royce trying to keep the fight at striking range
Royce stumbles backwards and Kazushi Sakuraba circles to get the center of the cage
Royce Gracie tries to take the fight to the ground with a one leg takedown...
Sakuraba is unable to remain on his feet and falls to the ground
Royce Gracie is in open guard over Sakuraba
Sakuraba tries to close his guard around Royce
He succeeds!
The referee separates the fighters as the buzzer sounds.
Kazushi Sakuraba has to be confident that he won that round.
Judge: Royce Gracie 10 9 10: 29
Judge: Kazushi Sakuraba 9 10 9: 28
Judge: Royce Gracie 9 9 10: 28
Judge: Kazushi Sakuraba 10 10 9: 29
Judge: Royce Gracie 9 9 10: 28
Judge: Kazushi Sakuraba 10 10 9: 29
Winner is Kazushi Sakuraba by Split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Statistics: Royce Gracie
Punches 2/11 (18%)
Kicks 0/2 (0%)
Clinch strikes 4/14 (29%)
Takedowns 4/5 (80%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 2/2 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/1 (0%)
Time on the ground 322 s
Statistics: Kazushi Sakuraba
Punches 10/10 (100%)
Kicks 3/7 (43%)
Clinch strikes 9/20 (45%)
Takedowns 1/5 (20%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 4/4 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 3/3 (100%)
Time on the ground 316 s
A decent performance by Royce Gracie today. He read the fight well and wasn't afraid of engaging.
A decent performance by Kazushi Sakuraba today. He read the fight well and wasn't afraid of engaging.
ManMMA management should pay these guys extra just for the excitement they provide to the fans!
Have 9 points in celebration of this monumental achievement!