PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Saul Vargas Medina (ranked 4673 p4p, 4672 weight class) and Marcin Szymkowski (ranked 517 p4p, 516 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Vargas Medina
vs
Szymkowski

176 cm
25
181
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
25
179
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Big right hand

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Saul Vargas Medina!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Marcin Szymkowski!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Roosa Järviläinen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Vargas Medina is defended easily by Szymkowski.

Vargas Medina gets the takedown into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Szymkowski is trying to buck Vargas Medina off.
Szymkowski defending against the ground and pound.
Vargas Medina throws an elbow but Szymkowski slips to the side and avoids it well.
Vargas Medina working the head and body with strikes.
Szymkowski is trying to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vargas Medina throws a strike aimed at the side of Szymkowski's head but Szymkowski avoids it well.
Szymkowski takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Vargas Medina looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Szymkowski is avoiding damage well.
Szymkowski is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Vargas Medina working the head with strikes.
Szymkowski is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The strikes coming from Vargas Medina are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Szymkowski wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Szymkowski takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Szymkowski tries to escape but Vargas Medina is in control.
Vargas Medina lands a decent elbow from side control.
Vargas Medina looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Szymkowski is avoiding damage well.
Vargas Medina tries to score with some ground and pound. Szymkowski controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An elbow from Vargas Medina crashes against the mat.
Szymkowski is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Vargas Medina is working Szymkowski over with some ground and pound from side control.
Vargas Medina throws an elbow but Szymkowski slips to the side and avoids it well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Szymkowski wants to get back to his feet but Vargas Medina drags him back down.
Vargas Medina working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Vargas Medina working the ground and pound from side control.
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!
Vargas Medina prevents Szymkowski from escaping the position.
Sloppy strikes there by Vargas Medina.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Szymkowski can do anything to dispel that myth.
Szymkowski is trying to buck Vargas Medina off.
Vargas Medina working the ground and pound.
Szymkowski is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Szymkowski is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Vargas Medina lands some shots froms side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vargas Medina looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Szymkowski is avoiding damage well.
Vargas Medina throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Szymkowski is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Vargas Medina lands some shots froms side control.
Vargas Medina working the ground and pound but Szymkowski is defending the strikes.
Szymkowski taking a bit of punishment here - Vargas Medina scoring with strikes.
Vargas Medina throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Szymkowski tries to escape but Vargas Medina is in control.
Vargas Medina misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Szymkowski is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Vargas Medina is controlling him well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vargas Medina scoring with punches and elbows.
Vargas Medina creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Szymkowski sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Vargas Medina working the ground and pound.
Szymkowski wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Vargas Medina misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Vargas Medina in side control, throwing shots but Szymkowski defends.
An elbow from Vargas Medina crashes against the mat.
Vargas Medina working the ground and pound from side control.
Szymkowski pushes Vargas Medina away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Vargas Medina gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Vargas Medina in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Szymkowski is trying to buck Vargas Medina off.
Szymkowski looks winded!
Vargas Medina working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
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!
Vargas Medina throws an elbow but Szymkowski slips to the side and avoids it well.
Szymkowski wants to get back to his feet but Vargas Medina drags him back down.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Saul Vargas Medina dominated that round.
That's time! Vargas Medina's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Vargas Medina moves into range and clinches up with Szymkowski.
Szymkowski prevents the takedown attempt.
Vargas Medina is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Szymkowski gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Vargas Medina is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Szymkowski can do to turn this around?
Szymkowski is trying to break free.
Szymkowski has had enough of the clinch but Vargas Medina keeps him there for the moment.

Szymkowski breaks from the clinch.
Sloppy strikes from Szymkowski. Those never looked like landing.
Vargas Medina changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Szymkowski tries to avoid it but Vargas Medina manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Szymkowski to the ground. Szymkowski escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Saul Vargas Medina. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck for Vargas Medina with that takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vargas Medina shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Vargas Medina showed some decent athleticism there.
Vargas Medina missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Vargas Medina missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Szymkowski blocking the ground and pound attempt from Vargas Medina.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vargas Medina stops Szymkowski from getting back to his feet.
Vargas Medina thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Szymkowski's head.
Szymkowski is trying to stand back up but Vargas Medina is controlling him
Vargas Medina thows a huge punch but Szymkowski dodges it nicely.
Vargas Medina prevents Szymkowski from standing back up.
Szymkowski keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Vargas Medina is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Vargas Medina not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Szymkowski wants to get back to his feet.
Vargas Medina missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Vargas Medina throwing shots but Szymkowski is blocking nicely.
Szymkowski tries to kick Vargas Medina off but Vargas Medina keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Vargas Medina sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Szymkowski defending well though.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Vargas Medina not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Szymkowski wants to get back to his feet.
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. Vargas Medina connects with a nice short shot to Szymkowski's temple.
Szymkowski blocking the ground and pound attempt from Vargas Medina.
Vargas Medina stops Szymkowski from getting back to his feet.
Vargas Medina looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vargas Medina thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Szymkowski's head.
Vargas Medina stops Szymkowski from getting back to his feet.
Vargas Medina thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vargas Medina thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Szymkowski tries to kick Vargas Medina off but Vargas Medina keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Vargas Medina works his way into side control.
Szymkowski taking punishment in the form of punches.
Szymkowski takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Szymkowski is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Vargas Medina asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Vargas Medina in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Szymkowski is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Vargas Medina asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Vargas Medina working the body and head with strikes.
Szymkowski is pushing Vargas Medina's head away, looking to escape. Vargas Medina manages to hold on to the position though.
Szymkowski avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Vargas Medina.
Vargas Medina throws a strike aimed at the side of Szymkowski's head but Szymkowski avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Szymkowski dodges the ground and pound from Vargas Medina.
Szymkowski wants to get back to his feet but Vargas Medina drags him back down.
Vargas Medina throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Szymkowski wants to get back to his feet but Vargas Medina drags him back down.
Vargas Medina postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Szymkowski is trying to buck Vargas Medina off.
Vargas Medina tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Szymkowski wants to get back to his feet but Vargas Medina drags him back down.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Szymkowski is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Vargas Medina working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Szymkowski is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Saul Vargas Medina dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Szymkowski leaves Vargas Medina with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
No luck for Vargas Medina with that takedown attempt.
Szymkowski is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Szymkowski misses with a jab, cross combination.
It looked like Vargas Medina was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Vargas Medina scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Szymkowski wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vargas Medina thows a huge punch but Szymkowski dodges it nicely.
Szymkowski wants to get back to his feet.
Vargas Medina lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Vargas Medina throwing shots but Szymkowski is blocking nicely.
Szymkowski is trying to stand.
Vargas Medina thows a huge punch but Szymkowski dodges it nicely.
Vargas Medina thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Szymkowski's head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Szymkowski is trying to stand.
Vargas Medina not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Vargas Medina thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Szymkowski's head.
Vargas Medina lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Vargas Medina stops Szymkowski from getting back to his feet.
Szymkowski avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Vargas Medina.
Szymkowski is trying to stand up here but Vargas Medina is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vargas Medina lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Vargas Medina thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Szymkowski's head.
Vargas Medina throwing shots but Szymkowski is blocking nicely.
Szymkowski on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Vargas Medina throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Szymkowski wants to get back to his feet.
Vargas Medina missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Vargas Medina throwing shots but Szymkowski is blocking nicely.
Szymkowski looks like he's trying to stand up.
Vargas Medina not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Szymkowski wants to get back to his feet.
Vargas Medina sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Szymkowski defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Szymkowski tries to kick Vargas Medina off but Vargas Medina keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Nice strikes from Vargas Medina there.
Szymkowski is trying to stand back up but Vargas Medina is controlling him
Vargas Medina lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Szymkowski is trying to stand back up but Vargas Medina is controlling him
Vargas Medina is nestled in close to Szymkowski, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Szymkowski blocking the ground and pound attempt from Vargas Medina.
Szymkowski tries to kick Vargas Medina off but Vargas Medina keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Vargas Medina not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Vargas Medina thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Vargas Medina sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Szymkowski defending well though.
Vargas Medina missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Szymkowski manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Szymkowski scores with a three punch combo!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Szymkowski misses with a wild combination.
Saul Vargas Medina seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sloppy strikes from Szymkowski. Those never looked like landing.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Vargas Medina is defended easily by Szymkowski.

And that's the end of the fight!
Saul Vargas Medina showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Vargas Medina, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:26
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:26
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Saul Vargas Medina!
A victorious Saul Vargas Medina thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.