PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Leevi Saros (ranked 1763 p4p, 1700 weight class) and Eric Brooks (ranked 237 p4p, 230 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Saros might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Marko Hietala - Stones. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Saros
vs
Brooks

183 cm
25
184
8 - 7 - 1

180 cm
25
175
8 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

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 8 - 7 - 1, fighting out of London, Leevi Saros!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Eric Brooks!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, William Gold and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Both fighters circling a little - Brooks finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Brooks with the inside leg kick.
Brooks ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Saros swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Saros throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Brooks connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Brooks scores with a jab to the jaw.
Brooks is looking to clinch.
Brooks works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Brooks gets tackled into the cage by Saros. Saros maintains the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Saros.
Brooks tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A right hook to the body lands for Saros.
Brooks blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Brooks makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Saros working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Brooks lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Brooks is trying to pull guard but Saros turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Saros lands a right hand.
Saros tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Brooks breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saros comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Brooks lands with a hook. Saros tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Eric Brooks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Brooks is looking to chop away at Saros's legs.
Saros uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Brooks.
Saros lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Brooks tries to sprawl but Saros drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Saros is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Saros working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Brooks's thigh. Brooks counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Saros wants to pass the guard but Brooks is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brooks pulls Saros in close to prevent any damage.
Brooks trying to control the position.
Saros stopping the sweep attempt from Brooks.
Saros trying to control the position from guard on top but Brooks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saros stopping the sweep attempt from Brooks.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Brooks throws a nice inside leg kick.
Brooks misses the jab.
Saros staying out of range there.
Saros circles away from the clinch attempt
and Saros cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Brooks feints and then cracks Saros's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Saros down.
Saros tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Brooks manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Saros's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Brooks connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Saros scrambles back to his feet.
Saros walks forward, straight into a front kick from Brooks.
Saros drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Brooks throws a leg kick that misses.
Brooks has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Saros misses with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brooks misses the shot to the body.
Saros cracks a nice hook into Brooks's ribs.

Brooks gets tackled into the cage by Saros. Saros maintains the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Brooks.

Brooks breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Brooks looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
It looked like Saros was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Brooks.
Brooks doesn't manage to clinch there - Saros circles away.
Brooks throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Saros has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Brooks throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Saros on the side of the head.

Saros moves into range and clinches up with Brooks.
Saros tries a body shot but Brooks blocks it.

Brooks escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Saros looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Brooks swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Brooks connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Brooks.
Saros takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Saros drops down looking for a counter takedown but Brooks sprawls and moves away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Brooks dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Saros's corner calls for a 1-2. Saros obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Brooks chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Brooks lands with a cross.
Brooks digs a good body shot into Saros's ribs.

Saros has taken the fight to the clinch.
Saros lands a left hand that snaps the head of Brooks backwards.
Brooks trying to control the position but instead, Saros has worked for underhooks and has pushed Brooks into the cage.
Saros doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Brooks lands a right hand.
Brooks has a couple of punches blocked by Saros.
A short uppercut from Saros.
A right hook to the body lands for Saros.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Brooks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Brooks throws a head punch that misses.
Brooks lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Saros or not.
Saros tries to work over Brooks's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Saros makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brooks working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Brooks misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Brooks lands a nice uppercut.
Brooks tries to land knees in the clinch but Saros avoids the damage to the body.

Brooks manages to break the clinch.
Brooks scores with a kick to the body.
Brooks throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Saros throws out a powerful jab.
Saros tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Saros throws a right and a left that both miss.
Brooks looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Brooks fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Saros has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Brooks shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Saros seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Saros tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Brooks was well out of range. Poor timing from Saros.
Saros misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Brooks.
Eric Brooks seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice straight punches there by Saros. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Saros.
Brooks scores with a nice body kick.
Brooks has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saros is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Brooks throws a leg kick

and Saros counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Brooks trying to keep a closed guard but Saros is proving a slippery customer.
Brooks wants to stand but Saros is controlling the position.

Saros drops back looking for a leg! Brooks is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Brooks manages to kick Saros off! Saros jumps back into Brooks's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saros wants to control from the top but Brooks keeps moving.
Brooks trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saros looking to sit in guard and control but Brooks gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Brooks trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Brooks trying to control but Saros is working from the bottom.
Brooks stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Saros swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Brooks passes Saros's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Saros is refusing to be controlled, as Brooks sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brooks is taking a breather. Saros says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Brooks is trying to control. Saros wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Brooks is stalling here. Saros is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Brooks seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Saros has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Brooks is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Saros's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Saros is looking for a kimura here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Eric Brooks will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. This is the final round!

Brooks throws a shot from downtown. Saros moves away and avoids it.
Brooks takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Brooks jabs Saros to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Good shot there by Saros.
Saros with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Brooks with the inside leg kick.
Saros lands a lovely overhand right.
Saros takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A jab from Brooks misses.
Saros attempts a counter takedown but Brooks avoids it well and moves away.
A shot to the liver by Saros. Beautiful body shot.
Saros moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Brooks missing with a left hand there. Saros was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Saros steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Brooks.
Saros tries to counter with a takedown but Brooks is quick to defend against it.
Saros moves in looking to clinch but Brooks pushes him off.
Saros is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brooks with a nice calf kick.
Saros misses with a few strikes there.
Brooks with the inside leg kick.
Saros tests Brooks's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Good leg kick by Brooks.
Brooks misses with the combination.
Saros was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Saros takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Saros scores with a sloppy right hand. Brooks should have avoided that one.
Brooks throws a leg kick

and Saros counters with a nice double leg into side control. Brooks won't be happy with that.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Saros is looking to take a break and control but Brooks is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Brooks manages to work his way to half guard, despite Saros's best efforts.
Leevi Saros has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Saros is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Saros is looking for a kimura but Brooks is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Saros to get the leverage.

Brooks has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Saros is on him like a limpet, forcing Brooks back against the cage.
Saros misses with a punch on the inside.

Brooks breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Eric Brooks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Saros keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Saros tries to clinch
and Brooks counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Brooks works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Saros looks to throw the jab but Brooks is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brooks scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Brooks is looking to slow Saros down with leg kicks.
Brooks uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Saros.
Brooks connects with an inside leg kick.
Brooks throws a hook but Saros avoids it easily.
Brooks throws a body punch but Saros moves out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Saros on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Nice straight punches there by Brooks. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Brooks.
Brooks throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Saros tries to close the distance and clinch up but Brooks swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Brooks darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Brooks circles away from the clinch attempt.
Saros connects with a nice looking jab.
Saros avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Saros tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Brooks paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saros throws the left hand but Brooks avoids the punch easily.
Saros is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Brooks connects with a nice looking jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The fighters circling - Brooks throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Brooks jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Brooks tries a head kick but it misses.
Brooks tries to clinch there but Saros circles away.
Saros scores with a decent looking hook.
Eric Brooks is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Saros uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Brooks.
Brooks slips under a jab.
Brooks blocks a jab.
Brooks connects with a good right hand that stumbles Saros. Saros circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Saros takes a swing at Brooks's ribcage but misses.
Brooks jabs at Saros's body.
Brooks scores with a kick to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eric Brooks comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Brooks winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eric Brooks!
A victorious Eric Brooks thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
The defeated Leevi Saros had this to say: 'A man can't outlast whatever he's made. Tonight my opponent extended this inevitability beyond the realms of mine. Congratulations. Rise or fall, we get up and keep grinding. And grinding, the constant movement, never ends. I will return.'.