PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jouko Saitio (ranked 4188 p4p, 3750 weight class) and Magomed Magomedsharipov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Magomedsharipov has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Saitio
vs
Magomedsharipov

174 cm
25
185
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
24
175
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jouko Saitio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Magomed Magomedsharipov!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Robert Twigg and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Saitio throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Magomedsharipov tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Saitio is in Magomedsharipov's guard.
Magomedsharipov looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Saitio lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Saitio is in close to Magomedsharipov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Magomedsharipov wants to improve his position but instead Saitio has moved into half guard.
Magomedsharipov has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Magomedsharipov has hold of Saitio's hands but Saitio slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Saitio is trying to control. Magomedsharipov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Saitio working Magomedsharipov over with strikes.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Magomedsharipov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Saitio lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Saitio lands with a punch from half guard.
Saitio takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
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. Saitio connects with a nice short shot to Magomedsharipov's temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saitio working over Magomedsharipov with some ground and pound. Magomedsharipov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Saitio lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Saitio lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Magomedsharipov is not content to let Saitio control the position.
Saitio scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Magomedsharipov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Saitio scores with a couple of nice shots.

Magomedsharipov is rocked!
Saitio is looking to take a break and control but Magomedsharipov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saitio working over Magomedsharipov with some ground and pound. Magomedsharipov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Saitio seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Magomedsharipov is still in real trouble! Can Saitio finish him?
Nice strikes from Saitio there.
Saitio trying to control the action but Magomedsharipov is working from the bottom.
Saitio looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Magomedsharipov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saitio drops an elbow to the side of Magomedsharipov's head.
Saitio scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Saitio lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Saitio working Magomedsharipov over with strikes.
Saitio winds up and cracks Magomedsharipov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Saitio has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saitio is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Saitio moves nicely into side control.
Magomedsharipov takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Saitio lands a strong strike to the head of Magomedsharipov. That's dazed him! Saitio looking to finish here. Magomedsharipov is waving his arms around trying to block but he's hurt badly - Saitio lands more strikes and the referee steps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jouko Saitio!