Post by The Sandmen on Apr 5, 2013 17:32:12 GMT -5
Ferocious staredown by Sakuraba while Josh Rosenthal recites the rules.
Chael Sonnen looks calm but knows he has a tough fight coming up.
This is the first time they meet inside the cage
And there you go! I would put my money on Kazushi Sakuraba today.
Chael Sonnen comes with a 3 fight losing streak.
The referee of the bout is Josh Rosenthal.
=========================================
Round 1
=========================================
The fight gets underway.
Sakuraba goes to the body...
his punches graze Sonnen's arm.
Sonnen moves forward looking for some action
Chael Sonnen shows some wrestling skills as he put his opponent in a double overhook!
The fighters are clinching.
Sakuraba tries to take Chael Sonnen down... Sonnen stumbles backwards and Kazushi Sakuraba launches a few punches...
Chael Sonnen dodges and moves away a couple of steps...
Sonnen is trying to counter now!
Big mistake from Kazushi Sakuraba! Sonnen tries to finish him off with a RNC!
Sonnen is unable to lock that and Sakuraba breaks the lock
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Sonnen launches a few hard punches to Kazushi Sakuraba's ribs!
Kazushi Sakuraba's ribs shows the damage! Chael Sonnen is working his opponent ribs!
Sakuraba seems a bit groggy... his movements are not very coordinated now.
The fighters are clinching.
Kazushi Sakuraba seems fresh. He may still have a lot of gas in his tank.
Sakuraba takes a break to breathe while holding Chael Sonnen.
Josh Rosenthal separates the fighters and tells them to continue fighting.
Sonnen is holding Kazushi Sakuraba's right leg... He's trying to take him down.
Kazushi Sakuraba loses balance and goes to the ground.
The clock says 1:25 in the 1 round
Chael Sonnen is in side mount over Kazushi Sakuraba
Sakuraba has a high cardio that helps him make great performances.
Kazushi Sakuraba attempts to trap Chael Sonnen in his guard.
Chael Sonnen keeps control and remains in side mount.
Chael Sonnen is in side mount over Kazushi Sakuraba
Chael Sonnen looks to mount Kazushi Sakuraba...
Chael Sonnen slides his knee across and gets to mount.
Chael Sonnen is in full mount over Kazushi Sakuraba
Kazushi Sakuraba seems fresh. He may still have a lot of gas in his tank.
Sakuraba is using some of his ground skills to escape from this...
Chael Sonnen pushes Kazushi Sakuraba down and prevents his attempts to escape
Sonnen is trying to counter now!
Sonnen fakes a few punches and after a brief struggle he catches Kazushi Sakuraba's arm and tries an armbar!
Sakuraba holds his own hand and with pure strength he breaks Sakuraba's lock. He rolls over himself and launches over Chael Sonnen.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in side mount over Chael Sonnen
Chael Sonnen attempts to trap Kazushi Sakuraba in his guard.
Chael Sonnen manages to switch to full guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in open guard over Sonnen
Sonnen tries to close his guard around Sakuraba
He succeeds!
Kazushi Sakuraba is in closed guard over Sonnen
Sakuraba is in closed guard... Sonnen tries to roll on the ground!
Kazushi Sakuraba uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
Sakuraba tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Sakuraba struggles on the ground and tries to break Chael Sonnen's guard...
Sonnen doesn't want to free his opponent and Sakuraba continues in closed guard
Kazushi Sakuraba is in closed guard over Sonnen
Sakuraba struggles on the ground and tries to break Chael Sonnen's guard...
Sonnen doesn't want to free his opponent and Sakuraba continues in closed guard
Sonnen tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Sonnen throws his legs up in a triangle attempt!
Kazushi Sakuraba realizes the danger and stands up to avoid the attack.
Josh Rosenthal halts the fight to stand up Kazushi Sakuraba. 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.
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.
Sonnen tries to take Kazushi Sakuraba down... Sakuraba stumbles backwards and Chael Sonnen launches a few punches...
Kazushi Sakuraba dodges and moves away a couple of steps...
Poorly executed technique. Kazushi Sakuraba looks to counter!
Sakuraba tries to take Chael Sonnen down... Sonnen stumbles backwards and Kazushi Sakuraba launches a few punches...
One swing hits hard Sonnen's jaw!
The fighters are clinching.
Kazushi Sakuraba is an expert in the clinch. This is a bad position for Sonnen.
Sakuraba charge towards Chael Sonnen with a flying knee
Chael Sonnen saw that coming and block it wiht ease
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Multiple well placed knees from Sakuraba!
Chael Sonnen is smart enough to block them!
Sakuraba clumsily fails here and it's time for Chael Sonnen to fight back!
Sonnen grab one of Kazushi Sakuraba's arm and tries a Hip Throw
Kazushi Sakuraba landed hard on his back
The clock says 3:25 in the 1 round
Sonnen is standing while Sakuraba is on the ground on his back
Kazushi Sakuraba launches an up-kick intended for Chael Sonnen's head...
Sonnen leans out of the way.
Sonnen is standing while Sakuraba is on the ground on his back
Kazushi Sakuraba kicks his legs trying to keep Chael Sonnen away.
Chael Sonnen takes a kick to the body.
The clock says 3:40 in the 1 round
Sonnen is standing while Sakuraba is on the ground on his back
Chael Sonnen steps back and allows Sakuraba to get back to his feet.
Sakuraba climbs to his feet and is standing now.
Chael Sonnen tries to bring the fight to the ground
Sakuraba goes down.
Chael Sonnen is in open guard over Sakuraba
Sakuraba tries to close his guard around Sonnen
He succeeds!
Chael Sonnen is in closed guard over Sakuraba
Sakuraba measures the resilience of Sonnen's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Those hits are leaving hitches in Sonnen's side.
Chael Sonnen is in closed guard over Sakuraba
Chael Sonnen is looking to pass Kazushi Sakuraba's guard...
Chael Sonnen gets his hips free and moves to half guard.
Chael Sonnen is in half guard over Sakuraba
Chael Sonnen tries to free his leg
Kazushi Sakuraba moves fast and both fighters exchange some weak punches while climbing to their feet.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Yokohama Arena (Yokohama, Japan) are cheering for the fighters.
The clock says 4:45 in the 1 round
Sakuraba launches a furious low kick!
Sonnen receives a hard blow on his left leg!
Sakuraba moves forward looking for some action
Chael Sonnen struggles a bit before breaking Sakuraba's attemp of grappling
The ref stops the action. The round is over.
Close round. It could go to either fighter.
=========================================
Round 2
=========================================
Chael Sonnen goes with a looping right hand while Kazushi Sakuraba jumps back and jabs
That one hits but Sakuraba seems unaffected, countering with a few punches of his own. Great exchange here.
Sonnen's Left cheek is bruised after the punishement he's received!
0:17 Round 2 and Sakuraba is still in good shape. He sure has trained hard for this fight.
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to bring the fight to the ground
Sonnen goes down.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in open guard over Sonnen
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to pass to half guard...
Chael Sonnen can't prevent his opponent from passing. Sakuraba looks to work from half guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in half guard over Sonnen
Sakuraba sits over his knees and pushes away Sonnen's leg!
Kazushi Sakuraba is able to put away his leg and then jumps to side mount.
The clock says 0:50 in the 2 round
Kazushi Sakuraba is in side mount over Chael Sonnen
Kazushi Sakuraba is cooling the fight on the ground
Kazushi Sakuraba is in side mount over Chael Sonnen
Kazushi Sakuraba isolates Chael Sonnen's left arm looking for an armbar...
Chael Sonnen manages to sit up and pull his arm out of danger! Kazushi Sakuraba lost his dominant position.
The clock says 1:10 in the 2 round
Chael Sonnen is in open guard over Sakuraba
Kazushi Sakuraba launches a few punches to Sonnen's cheek from the guard.
Those punches sure are annoying because Sonnen tries to cover his face,
Chael Sonnen is in open guard over Sakuraba
Sakuraba measures the resilience of Sonnen's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Those hits are leaving hitches in Sonnen's side.
Chael Sonnen is in open guard over Sakuraba
Sakuraba tries to close his guard around Sonnen
He succeeds!
The clock says 1:40 in the 2 round
Chael Sonnen is in closed guard over Sakuraba
Sonnen is in closed guard... Sakuraba tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! He is now in full mount over Chael Sonnen!
The clock says 1:45 in the 2 round
Kazushi Sakuraba is in full mount over Chael Sonnen
Sonnen cornermen are yelling for his man to escape from the ground as Sakuraba can finish a fight on the ground with some good pounding if you give him the chance.
Chael Sonnen tries to roll to his side and get to half guard...
Kazushi Sakuraba rolls Chael Sonnen to his stomach and takes his back!
Sakuraba is in rear mount over Sonnen
Sonnen is moving on the ground...
Ouch! That was a headbutt! Did he do that intentionally?
Josh Rosenthal has seen that!
Josh Rosenthal allows Sakuraba time to recover... 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.
Sonnen leads with a punch
Kazushi Sakuraba avoids it and lands flush with a counter uppercut!
Sonnen fakes a punch and shoots a takedown!
Sakuraba sprawls and remains on his feet.
Chael Sonnen gets sloppy and Kazushi Sakuraba tries to take advantage...
Sakuraba jumps over his opponent and tries to grapple
Kazushi Sakuraba pushes his opponent against the fence in a plum position
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Kazushi Sakuraba fakes a punch to Chael Sonnen ribs and the tries to trip him
Chael Sonnen loses balance and goes to the ground
The clock says 2:35 in the 2 round
Kazushi Sakuraba is in closed guard over Sonnen
Sakuraba cornermen are yelling for his man to escape from the ground as Sonnen can finish a fight on the ground with some good pounding if you give him the chance.
Sakuraba is in closed guard... Sonnen tries to roll on the ground!
Kazushi Sakuraba uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
Kazushi Sakuraba is in closed guard over Sonnen
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 Sonnen
Sakuraba moves on the ground..
He gets half guard.
The clock says 3:15 in the 2 round
Kazushi Sakuraba is in half guard over Sonnen
Kazushi Sakuraba tries a kimura
Sonnen's left arm is getting wrenched, it appears to be injured
That kimura from Kazushi Sakuraba appears to be unbreakable
That kimura looks tight...
Sonnen breaks the lock.
The clock says 3:25 in the 2 round
Kazushi Sakuraba is in side mount over Chael Sonnen
Chael Sonnen launches a few punches to Sakuraba's cheek from the guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba uses his head to cover the punches and presses his skull forward.
The clock says 3:35 in the 2 round
Kazushi Sakuraba is in side mount over Chael Sonnen
Chael Sonnen tries to turn away and scramble out. Kazushi Sakuraba takes his back and locks up a rear naked choke!
He can't lock it up. Chael Sonnen spins out and gets back to his feet.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Yokohama Arena (Yokohama, Japan) are cheering for the fighters.
Solid jabs from Chael Sonnen.
Sakuraba defends.
Chael Sonnen tries to take the fight to the ground with a one leg takedown...
Kazushi Sakuraba jumps backwards and frees his leg.
Sonnen misses a step and Kazushi Sakuraba sees an opportunity to counter him!
Sakuraba tries some clinching in order to control the fight...
Well done. Sakuraba is clinching with Sonnen.
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Sakuraba gets himself into good position and looks to change levels for the takedown...
Sakuraba gets hold of a leg and trips Sonnen to the mat!
Kazushi Sakuraba is in closed guard over Sonnen
Not a desiderable position that Sakuraba is in now. Chael Sonnen is well knowed for his strong and relentless GnP.
Sakuraba is in closed guard... Sonnen tries to roll on the ground!
Kazushi Sakuraba uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
Kazushi Sakuraba is in closed guard over Sonnen
Sonnen is moving on the ground...
Sakuraba tries to counter Sonnen's moves on the ground.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in closed guard over Sonnen
Sakuraba tries to improve his position on the ground as he sits on his knees and tries to break the closed guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba fakes a few punches and then slips one leg to get the half mount.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in half guard over Sonnen
Sakuraba shifts to north-south position and tries to finish with a lock!
That North South Choke looks tight...
Crippling lock!
That North South Choke from Kazushi Sakuraba appears to be unbreakable
Sonnen struggles to free himself
That North South Choke looks tight...
Sakuraba secures the lock while Chael Sonnen refuses to tap... Josh Rosenthal jumps in and breaks the lock!
Winner is Kazushi Sakuraba by Submission (North South Choke) at 4:57 Round 2
Statistics: Kazushi Sakuraba
Punches 3/7 (43%)
Kicks 1/1 (100%)
Clinch strikes 0/7 (0%)
Takedowns 3/3 (100%)
GnP strikes 6/7 (86%)
Submissions 4/4 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 1/1 (100%)
Time on the ground 361 s
Statistics: Chael Sonnen
Punches 2/5 (40%)
Kicks 0/0 (0%)
Clinch strikes 4/9 (44%)
Takedowns 2/4 (50%)
GnP strikes 0/3 (0%)
Submissions 3/3 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 333 s
Bit of a flash submission here. Chael might need some sub D to stop that crap in the future. But Sakuraba was taking this one. Without the flash Sub, probably coulda gone 2 more rounds of fighting, at the back and forth (ish) rate they were going.
Chael Sonnen looks calm but knows he has a tough fight coming up.
This is the first time they meet inside the cage
And there you go! I would put my money on Kazushi Sakuraba today.
Chael Sonnen comes with a 3 fight losing streak.
The referee of the bout is Josh Rosenthal.
=========================================
Round 1
=========================================
The fight gets underway.
Sakuraba goes to the body...
his punches graze Sonnen's arm.
Sonnen moves forward looking for some action
Chael Sonnen shows some wrestling skills as he put his opponent in a double overhook!
The fighters are clinching.
Sakuraba tries to take Chael Sonnen down... Sonnen stumbles backwards and Kazushi Sakuraba launches a few punches...
Chael Sonnen dodges and moves away a couple of steps...
Sonnen is trying to counter now!
Big mistake from Kazushi Sakuraba! Sonnen tries to finish him off with a RNC!
Sonnen is unable to lock that and Sakuraba breaks the lock
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Sonnen launches a few hard punches to Kazushi Sakuraba's ribs!
Kazushi Sakuraba's ribs shows the damage! Chael Sonnen is working his opponent ribs!
Sakuraba seems a bit groggy... his movements are not very coordinated now.
The fighters are clinching.
Kazushi Sakuraba seems fresh. He may still have a lot of gas in his tank.
Sakuraba takes a break to breathe while holding Chael Sonnen.
Josh Rosenthal separates the fighters and tells them to continue fighting.
Sonnen is holding Kazushi Sakuraba's right leg... He's trying to take him down.
Kazushi Sakuraba loses balance and goes to the ground.
The clock says 1:25 in the 1 round
Chael Sonnen is in side mount over Kazushi Sakuraba
Sakuraba has a high cardio that helps him make great performances.
Kazushi Sakuraba attempts to trap Chael Sonnen in his guard.
Chael Sonnen keeps control and remains in side mount.
Chael Sonnen is in side mount over Kazushi Sakuraba
Chael Sonnen looks to mount Kazushi Sakuraba...
Chael Sonnen slides his knee across and gets to mount.
Chael Sonnen is in full mount over Kazushi Sakuraba
Kazushi Sakuraba seems fresh. He may still have a lot of gas in his tank.
Sakuraba is using some of his ground skills to escape from this...
Chael Sonnen pushes Kazushi Sakuraba down and prevents his attempts to escape
Sonnen is trying to counter now!
Sonnen fakes a few punches and after a brief struggle he catches Kazushi Sakuraba's arm and tries an armbar!
Sakuraba holds his own hand and with pure strength he breaks Sakuraba's lock. He rolls over himself and launches over Chael Sonnen.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in side mount over Chael Sonnen
Chael Sonnen attempts to trap Kazushi Sakuraba in his guard.
Chael Sonnen manages to switch to full guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in open guard over Sonnen
Sonnen tries to close his guard around Sakuraba
He succeeds!
Kazushi Sakuraba is in closed guard over Sonnen
Sakuraba is in closed guard... Sonnen tries to roll on the ground!
Kazushi Sakuraba uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
Sakuraba tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Sakuraba struggles on the ground and tries to break Chael Sonnen's guard...
Sonnen doesn't want to free his opponent and Sakuraba continues in closed guard
Kazushi Sakuraba is in closed guard over Sonnen
Sakuraba struggles on the ground and tries to break Chael Sonnen's guard...
Sonnen doesn't want to free his opponent and Sakuraba continues in closed guard
Sonnen tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Sonnen throws his legs up in a triangle attempt!
Kazushi Sakuraba realizes the danger and stands up to avoid the attack.
Josh Rosenthal halts the fight to stand up Kazushi Sakuraba. 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.
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.
Sonnen tries to take Kazushi Sakuraba down... Sakuraba stumbles backwards and Chael Sonnen launches a few punches...
Kazushi Sakuraba dodges and moves away a couple of steps...
Poorly executed technique. Kazushi Sakuraba looks to counter!
Sakuraba tries to take Chael Sonnen down... Sonnen stumbles backwards and Kazushi Sakuraba launches a few punches...
One swing hits hard Sonnen's jaw!
The fighters are clinching.
Kazushi Sakuraba is an expert in the clinch. This is a bad position for Sonnen.
Sakuraba charge towards Chael Sonnen with a flying knee
Chael Sonnen saw that coming and block it wiht ease
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Multiple well placed knees from Sakuraba!
Chael Sonnen is smart enough to block them!
Sakuraba clumsily fails here and it's time for Chael Sonnen to fight back!
Sonnen grab one of Kazushi Sakuraba's arm and tries a Hip Throw
Kazushi Sakuraba landed hard on his back
The clock says 3:25 in the 1 round
Sonnen is standing while Sakuraba is on the ground on his back
Kazushi Sakuraba launches an up-kick intended for Chael Sonnen's head...
Sonnen leans out of the way.
Sonnen is standing while Sakuraba is on the ground on his back
Kazushi Sakuraba kicks his legs trying to keep Chael Sonnen away.
Chael Sonnen takes a kick to the body.
The clock says 3:40 in the 1 round
Sonnen is standing while Sakuraba is on the ground on his back
Chael Sonnen steps back and allows Sakuraba to get back to his feet.
Sakuraba climbs to his feet and is standing now.
Chael Sonnen tries to bring the fight to the ground
Sakuraba goes down.
Chael Sonnen is in open guard over Sakuraba
Sakuraba tries to close his guard around Sonnen
He succeeds!
Chael Sonnen is in closed guard over Sakuraba
Sakuraba measures the resilience of Sonnen's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Those hits are leaving hitches in Sonnen's side.
Chael Sonnen is in closed guard over Sakuraba
Chael Sonnen is looking to pass Kazushi Sakuraba's guard...
Chael Sonnen gets his hips free and moves to half guard.
Chael Sonnen is in half guard over Sakuraba
Chael Sonnen tries to free his leg
Kazushi Sakuraba moves fast and both fighters exchange some weak punches while climbing to their feet.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Yokohama Arena (Yokohama, Japan) are cheering for the fighters.
The clock says 4:45 in the 1 round
Sakuraba launches a furious low kick!
Sonnen receives a hard blow on his left leg!
Sakuraba moves forward looking for some action
Chael Sonnen struggles a bit before breaking Sakuraba's attemp of grappling
The ref stops the action. The round is over.
Close round. It could go to either fighter.
=========================================
Round 2
=========================================
Chael Sonnen goes with a looping right hand while Kazushi Sakuraba jumps back and jabs
That one hits but Sakuraba seems unaffected, countering with a few punches of his own. Great exchange here.
Sonnen's Left cheek is bruised after the punishement he's received!
0:17 Round 2 and Sakuraba is still in good shape. He sure has trained hard for this fight.
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to bring the fight to the ground
Sonnen goes down.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in open guard over Sonnen
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to pass to half guard...
Chael Sonnen can't prevent his opponent from passing. Sakuraba looks to work from half guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in half guard over Sonnen
Sakuraba sits over his knees and pushes away Sonnen's leg!
Kazushi Sakuraba is able to put away his leg and then jumps to side mount.
The clock says 0:50 in the 2 round
Kazushi Sakuraba is in side mount over Chael Sonnen
Kazushi Sakuraba is cooling the fight on the ground
Kazushi Sakuraba is in side mount over Chael Sonnen
Kazushi Sakuraba isolates Chael Sonnen's left arm looking for an armbar...
Chael Sonnen manages to sit up and pull his arm out of danger! Kazushi Sakuraba lost his dominant position.
The clock says 1:10 in the 2 round
Chael Sonnen is in open guard over Sakuraba
Kazushi Sakuraba launches a few punches to Sonnen's cheek from the guard.
Those punches sure are annoying because Sonnen tries to cover his face,
Chael Sonnen is in open guard over Sakuraba
Sakuraba measures the resilience of Sonnen's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Those hits are leaving hitches in Sonnen's side.
Chael Sonnen is in open guard over Sakuraba
Sakuraba tries to close his guard around Sonnen
He succeeds!
The clock says 1:40 in the 2 round
Chael Sonnen is in closed guard over Sakuraba
Sonnen is in closed guard... Sakuraba tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! He is now in full mount over Chael Sonnen!
The clock says 1:45 in the 2 round
Kazushi Sakuraba is in full mount over Chael Sonnen
Sonnen cornermen are yelling for his man to escape from the ground as Sakuraba can finish a fight on the ground with some good pounding if you give him the chance.
Chael Sonnen tries to roll to his side and get to half guard...
Kazushi Sakuraba rolls Chael Sonnen to his stomach and takes his back!
Sakuraba is in rear mount over Sonnen
Sonnen is moving on the ground...
Ouch! That was a headbutt! Did he do that intentionally?
Josh Rosenthal has seen that!
Josh Rosenthal allows Sakuraba time to recover... 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.
Sonnen leads with a punch
Kazushi Sakuraba avoids it and lands flush with a counter uppercut!
Sonnen fakes a punch and shoots a takedown!
Sakuraba sprawls and remains on his feet.
Chael Sonnen gets sloppy and Kazushi Sakuraba tries to take advantage...
Sakuraba jumps over his opponent and tries to grapple
Kazushi Sakuraba pushes his opponent against the fence in a plum position
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Kazushi Sakuraba fakes a punch to Chael Sonnen ribs and the tries to trip him
Chael Sonnen loses balance and goes to the ground
The clock says 2:35 in the 2 round
Kazushi Sakuraba is in closed guard over Sonnen
Sakuraba cornermen are yelling for his man to escape from the ground as Sonnen can finish a fight on the ground with some good pounding if you give him the chance.
Sakuraba is in closed guard... Sonnen tries to roll on the ground!
Kazushi Sakuraba uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
Kazushi Sakuraba is in closed guard over Sonnen
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 Sonnen
Sakuraba moves on the ground..
He gets half guard.
The clock says 3:15 in the 2 round
Kazushi Sakuraba is in half guard over Sonnen
Kazushi Sakuraba tries a kimura
Sonnen's left arm is getting wrenched, it appears to be injured
That kimura from Kazushi Sakuraba appears to be unbreakable
That kimura looks tight...
Sonnen breaks the lock.
The clock says 3:25 in the 2 round
Kazushi Sakuraba is in side mount over Chael Sonnen
Chael Sonnen launches a few punches to Sakuraba's cheek from the guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba uses his head to cover the punches and presses his skull forward.
The clock says 3:35 in the 2 round
Kazushi Sakuraba is in side mount over Chael Sonnen
Chael Sonnen tries to turn away and scramble out. Kazushi Sakuraba takes his back and locks up a rear naked choke!
He can't lock it up. Chael Sonnen spins out and gets back to his feet.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Yokohama Arena (Yokohama, Japan) are cheering for the fighters.
Solid jabs from Chael Sonnen.
Sakuraba defends.
Chael Sonnen tries to take the fight to the ground with a one leg takedown...
Kazushi Sakuraba jumps backwards and frees his leg.
Sonnen misses a step and Kazushi Sakuraba sees an opportunity to counter him!
Sakuraba tries some clinching in order to control the fight...
Well done. Sakuraba is clinching with Sonnen.
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Sakuraba gets himself into good position and looks to change levels for the takedown...
Sakuraba gets hold of a leg and trips Sonnen to the mat!
Kazushi Sakuraba is in closed guard over Sonnen
Not a desiderable position that Sakuraba is in now. Chael Sonnen is well knowed for his strong and relentless GnP.
Sakuraba is in closed guard... Sonnen tries to roll on the ground!
Kazushi Sakuraba uses his leg to keep his position on the ground
Kazushi Sakuraba is in closed guard over Sonnen
Sonnen is moving on the ground...
Sakuraba tries to counter Sonnen's moves on the ground.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in closed guard over Sonnen
Sakuraba tries to improve his position on the ground as he sits on his knees and tries to break the closed guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba fakes a few punches and then slips one leg to get the half mount.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in half guard over Sonnen
Sakuraba shifts to north-south position and tries to finish with a lock!
That North South Choke looks tight...
Crippling lock!
That North South Choke from Kazushi Sakuraba appears to be unbreakable
Sonnen struggles to free himself
That North South Choke looks tight...
Sakuraba secures the lock while Chael Sonnen refuses to tap... Josh Rosenthal jumps in and breaks the lock!
Winner is Kazushi Sakuraba by Submission (North South Choke) at 4:57 Round 2
Statistics: Kazushi Sakuraba
Punches 3/7 (43%)
Kicks 1/1 (100%)
Clinch strikes 0/7 (0%)
Takedowns 3/3 (100%)
GnP strikes 6/7 (86%)
Submissions 4/4 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 1/1 (100%)
Time on the ground 361 s
Statistics: Chael Sonnen
Punches 2/5 (40%)
Kicks 0/0 (0%)
Clinch strikes 4/9 (44%)
Takedowns 2/4 (50%)
GnP strikes 0/3 (0%)
Submissions 3/3 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 333 s
Bit of a flash submission here. Chael might need some sub D to stop that crap in the future. But Sakuraba was taking this one. Without the flash Sub, probably coulda gone 2 more rounds of fighting, at the back and forth (ish) rate they were going.
Have 9 points in celebration of this monumental achievement!