PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Seppo Saurio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hiroshi Kobayashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saurio comes to the cage accompanied by Mä tuun kellottaa sua. Kobayashi has chosen Seven Samurai as his entrance music. Seppo Saurio has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Saurio
vs
Kobayashi

170 cm
25
132 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

160 cm
22
138 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

SCP Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Seppo Saurio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hiroshi Kobayashi!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kobayashi shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Kobayashi was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Saurio avoids a series of strikes thrown by Kobayashi.

Kobayashi jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Saurio is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Saurio and Kobayashi has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Saurio is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Kobayashi is controlling him well.

Kobayashi working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Saurio is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Kobayashi swings around for an armbar but Saurio sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Kobayashi's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kobayashi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Saurio wants to stand but Kobayashi has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Kobayashi looking for a guillotine here but Saurio defends easily.
Saurio trying to control the position from guard on top but Kobayashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Saurio is working Kobayashi over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kobayashi throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Saurio trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kobayashi's guard.
Saurio throws a big right hand that misses.
Saurio pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kobayashi is keeping the position for now.

That's two 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.
Saurio wants to get up but he can't break Kobayashi's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Kobayashi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Saurio is aware though and is defending well.
Saurio would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Saurio throwing strikes from guard but Kobayashi blocks nicely.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kobayashi is looking to clinch but Saurio is avoiding it.
Seppo Saurio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kobayashi tries to close the distance and clinch but Saurio swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Saurio takes the fight into the clinch.
Saurio misses with a knee to the head.
Kobayashi tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Saurio smiles and moves away.

Kobayashi closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Saurio to the mat! Saurio manages to get full guard.
Saurio is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Saurio keeping moving, preventing Kobayashi from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kobayashi has gone for a leg lock! Saurio slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kobayashi's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kobayashi looks gassed!
Saurio missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Saurio thows a big elbow that misses.

Kobayashi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Saurio doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Saurio manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Saurio postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Saurio chips away with some ground and pound.
Saurio stands and throws Kobayashi's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kobayashi is trying to get back to half guard.
Kobayashi gets back to half guard.

Saurio is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Saurio passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Kobayashi!

Saurio with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Kobayashi working to try and regain half guard.
Kobayashi regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Hiroshi Kobayashi will probably get the nod.
That's time! Saurio's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Saurio lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Saurio pushes Kobayashi up against the cage in a clinch.
Saurio misses with a knee strike.
Saurio pressing his opponent against the cage.
Saurio lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kobayashi jumps guard but Saurio stands there with Kobayashi around his waist. Kobayashi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kobayashi is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kobayashi on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kobayashi can't get the takedown.
Kobayashi tries to pull guard but Saurio won't allow it.
Seppo Saurio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hiroshi Kobayashi.

Saurio gets control of Kobayashi's arms and successfully pulls guard. Saurio will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Kobayashi drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Saurio manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kobayashi has Saurio in his guard.
Saurio tries to free his leg and advance position but Kobayashi is retaining full guard.
Kobayashi is breathing heavily.
Saurio cracks Kobayashi with a solid left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saurio with a flurry of punches that miss.
Saurio trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Saurio pushing down on Kobayashi's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Saurio is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kobayashi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kobayashi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Saurio.
Kobayashi is looking for a sweep. Saurio is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ground and pound from Saurio.
Saurio prevents Kobayashi from improving his position.
Saurio wants to stand but Kobayashi has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Saurio is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

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.
Saurio not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kobayashi throws a leg kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Saurio.
Saurio throws a head kick that misses.
Saurio misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Saurio has taken the fight to the clinch.
Saurio crunches a lovely knee into Kobayashi's ribcage.

Saurio manages to break the clinch.
Saurio circles away from the clinch attempt.
A leg kick checked by Saurio.
Kobayashi tries to clinch there but Saurio circles away.

Saurio clinches up with Kobayashi and pushes him back against the cage.
Kobayashi tries to score a body lock takedown but Saurio shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Saurio breaks the clinch.
Seppo Saurio is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kobayashi shoots for a takedown but Saurio saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Saurio throws a head kick but Kobayashi moves out of range.
Kobayashi circles away from the clinch attempt
and Kobayashi counters with a nice low kick that buckles Saurio's knee momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kobayashi takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Kobayashi tries a head kick but it misses.
Saurio tries to close the distance and clinch but Kobayashi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Kobayashi darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Kobayashi is working for a kimura but Saurio is defending it quite comfortably.
Saurio moves into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Saurio is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Kobayashi is trying to break the clinch but Saurio has him pressed against the cage.
Saurio tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kobayashi jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Saurio walks away with a smile on his face. Kobayashi gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
A head kick misses from Saurio.
Saurio connects with a high kick.

Kobayashi rushes Saurio and presses him up against the cage.
Saurio tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Saurio working Kobayashi over with knees to the body.

Saurio manages to break the clinch.
Saurio tries to clinch up

and Kobayashi decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Saurio's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Saurio manages to escape and get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seppo Saurio dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Kobayashi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Saurio doesn't manage to clinch there - Kobayashi circles away.
Saurio wants to clinch
and Kobayashi counters with a nice leg kick.
Kobayashi avoids the head kick by Saurio.
Saurio doesn't manage to clinch there - Kobayashi circles away.

Kobayashi fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Saurio sprawls well initially but Kobayashi persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kobayashi thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Saurio to regain full guard.
Kobayashi advances position into side control!
Kobayashi sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Saurio is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Kobayashi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kobayashi working away.
Kobayashi throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saurio is trying to buck Kobayashi off.
Saurio is not content to let Kobayashi control the position.
Hiroshi Kobayashi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Saurio prevents Kobayashi from improving position.
Kobayashi prevents Saurio from escaping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Saurio avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Saurio closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Saurio lands an elbow inside.
Saurio landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Saurio trying to land knees to the body.
Saurio connects with a knee to the head.
Saurio working Kobayashi over with knees to the body.
Saurio lands with a light punch inside.
Saurio misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kobayashi.
Kobayashi jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Saurio walks away with a smile on his face. Kobayashi gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Saurio plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Saurio tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Saurio has taken the fight to the clinch.
Saurio using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kobayashi has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Saurio looking to throw knees to the head but Kobayashi is blocking nicely.
Kobayashi wants a takedown.
Saurio with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kobayashi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Seppo Saurio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hiroshi Kobayashi.
Saurio gets underhooks to prevent Kobayashi's takedown attempt.
Saurio throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kobayashi blocks it with crossed arms.
Kobayashi changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Saurio fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A head kick misses from Saurio.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saurio blocks a head kick by Kobayashi.
Kobayashi swats away the attempt to clinch by Saurio.
Nice sprawl there from Saurio as Kobayashi shoots in.

Saurio darts in and clinches Kobayashi up against the cage.
Saurio with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Saurio.
Saurio is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kobayashi gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Saurio unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Kobayashi jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Saurio walks away with a smile on his face. Kobayashi gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Saurio is looking to clinch.
Saurio lands a high kick!
Saurio doesn't manage to clinch there - Kobayashi circles away.

Kobayashi shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Saurio's guard.
Saurio keeping full guard, as Kobayashi tries to pass.

Kobayashi postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Saurio is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Kobayashi, into his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saurio throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kobayashi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Saurio trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kobayashi controls Saurio momentarily but Saurio frees himself.
Saurio scoring with some ground and pound.
Saurio has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kobayashi is proving hard to escape from.

Kobayashi working for a triangle but Saurio defends it easily.

Kobayashi is looking for a triangle but Saurio pushes his legs off easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Seppo Saurio showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Saurio has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Seppo Saurio!