PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Saku Sammakko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Christopher Stevenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Sammakko
vs
Stevenson

171 cm
19
163 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
22
164 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Hell's Balls Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Saku Sammakko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Christopher Stevenson!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, James Atkins and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stevenson moves out of range of the strikes.
Sammakko is looking to clinch.
Sammakko rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Stevenson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Stevenson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Stevenson scoring with punches and elbows.
Sammakko is trying to control Stevenson's posture but Stevenson avoids it.
Sammakko dodges the ground and pound from Stevenson.
Sammakko is trying to get back to half guard.
Stevenson lands an elbow.
Stevenson 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.
Stevenson scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Sammakko to see if he's OK.
Sammakko manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Stevenson tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Sammakko is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Stevenson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Stevenson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stevenson is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Sammakko pulls his head out easily.

Sammakko is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Stevenson is just riding it out for now. Sammakko eventually gives up the hold.
Stevenson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sammakko. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sammakko is breathing heavily.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Sammakko takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Stevenson punching from the bottom.
Stevenson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Stevenson wants to sweep here but Sammakko controlling him for the moment.
Stevenson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Stevenson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Stevenson is working for a submission of some sort.
Stevenson tries to pass to full mount but Sammakko defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sammakko is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sammakko on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Sammakko moves into full guard.

Sammakko looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Stevenson throws a big right hand that misses.

Stevenson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sammakko looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Stevenson stands up over Sammakko, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Stevenson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sammakko has momentary wrist control but Stevenson slips an elbow through the middle.
Sammakko wants to sweep here but Stevenson controlling him for the moment.
Stevenson landing some decent shots from guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stevenson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Stevenson works over Sammakko with some ground and pound from guard.
Stevenson connects with a couple of short punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Stevenson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Sammakko's guard.
Stevenson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Stevenson throwing strikes from guard but Sammakko blocks nicely.

Sammakko working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stevenson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stevenson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Stevenson lands a couple of digs.
Stevenson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Sammakko looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Christopher Stevenson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Stevenson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stevenson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stevenson drops back looking for a leg! Sammakko is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sammakko manages to kick Stevenson off! Stevenson jumps back into Sammakko's guard.
Stevenson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Stevenson is in close to Sammakko's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Stevenson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Stevenson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Stevenson connects with a couple of short punches.
Stevenson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Sammakko looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Stevenson lands a couple of digs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson works over Sammakko with some ground and pound from guard.
Sammakko has momentary wrist control but Stevenson slips an elbow through the middle.
Stevenson cracks Sammakko with a solid left hand.
Stevenson landing some decent shots from guard.
Stevenson postures up.

Sammakko looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Stevenson distracts Sammakko with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Sammakko is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Stevenson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sammakko's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Stevenson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Stevenson working some strikes from top position.
Sammakko working a defensive guard here.
Stevenson working some strikes from top position.

Sammakko had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Stevenson is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Sammakko Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Stevenson's back instead.
Stevenson breaks Sammakko's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Stevenson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Stevenson throwing strikes but missing.
Stevenson scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Stevenson postures up in Sammakko's guard and throws a big left but Sammakko blocks it.
Stevenson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sammakko is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Stevenson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Sammakko was covering up waiting for the punch and Stevenson finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Sammakko had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Stevenson is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Sammakko Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Stevenson's back instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christopher Stevenson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Sammakko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Stevenson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sammakko, pushing him back against the cage.
Sammakko wants to break free but Stevenson has control.
Sammakko gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Stevenson.

Stevenson is trying to trip Sammakko. He has hold of a leg but Sammakko is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Stevenson persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Stevenson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sammakko's head.
Sammakko controls Stevenson momentarily but Stevenson frees himself.
Stevenson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Stevenson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Sammakko trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Stevenson distracts Sammakko with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stevenson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sammakko is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Stevenson is aware though and is defending well.
Stevenson cracks Sammakko with a solid left hand.
Stevenson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Stevenson lands a couple of digs.

Sammakko working for a triangle but Stevenson defends it easily.
Sammakko is trying to control the position but Stevenson postures up.
Sammakko has momentary wrist control but Stevenson slips an elbow through the middle.
Stevenson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Sammakko has momentary wrist control but Stevenson slips an elbow through the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sammakko throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Stevenson landing with the ground and pound.
Stevenson postures up and lands a big shot to Sammakko's brow.
Stevenson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Stevenson with a nice head shot there.
Stevenson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Stevenson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Sammakko is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stevenson defends well.
Sammakko is trying to keep Stevenson in close.
Christopher Stevenson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson scoring with some ground and pound.
Stevenson with a nice head shot there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Stevenson connects with a couple of short punches.
Stevenson landing some decent shots from guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stevenson sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Stevenson preventing the sweep.
Saku Sammakko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Sammakko is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stevenson defends well.
Stevenson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Sammakko is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Stevenson is aware though and is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Christopher Stevenson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Stevenson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Christopher Stevenson!