PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Anus Saukko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bruce The Dragon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Saukko
vs
The Dragon

225 cm
22
130 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

170 cm
22
135 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Prefers standup

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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Anus Saukko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bruce The Dragon!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The Dragon pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A chopping leg kick lands by The Dragon.
The Dragon throws a nice outside leg kick.
Saukko moves in looking to clinch but The Dragon pushes him off.
The Dragon avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The Dragon throws a head kick that misses.
The Dragon misses with a head kick.
Saukko tries to clinch there but The Dragon circles away.

Saukko clinches up against the cage.

The Dragon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Saukko gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
The Dragon has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Saukko tries to land a knee to the head but The Dragon blocks with his arms.
Saukko tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Saukko tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Saukko.

Saukko breaks from the clinch.
The Dragon with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
The Dragon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The Dragon throws a head kick that misses.
Saukko throws a series of punches but The Dragon moves out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for The Dragon.
The Dragon throws a head kick that misses.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
The Dragon avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Saukko tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The Dragon misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Saukko tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saukko blocks a head kick by The Dragon.
The Dragon looks gassed!
The Dragon throws a head kick but Saukko moves out of range.
Saukko fails in his attempt to clinch.

Saukko has managed to clinch.
Saukko lands with a short shot to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Saukko creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Saukko scores with a shoulder strike.
Saukko lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Saukko has The Dragon pressed against the cage, preventing The Dragon from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Saukko pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Saukko with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Saukko.
Saukko throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Saukko pushes The Dragon back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Saukko.
Saukko lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of The Dragon backwards.
Saukko misses with some punches.
The Dragon can't break the clinch.
Saukko gets underhooks to prevent The Dragon's takedown attempt.
Saukko wants to break the clinch but can't.
Saukko misses with an elbow over the top.
Saukko misses with a knee to the head.
Saukko is trying to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
The Dragon is trying to break free.
The Dragon is trying to force a seperation but Saukko has the dominant position.

The Dragon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Saukko really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Saukko throws a right hand that The Dragon ducks under and follows up with a left that The Dragon also avoids with ease.
Saukko moves in looking to clinch but The Dragon pushes him off.
The Dragon lands with a kick to the temple. Saukko shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
The Dragon chopping away at his opponent's legs.
The Dragon thumps Saukko with a low kick.
The Dragon misses with a head kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for The Dragon.
Saukko fails in his attempt to clinch.
Saukko tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The Dragon tries a head kick but it misses.
Saukko tries to clinch up.
A telegraphed right hand from Saukko misses the target.
The Dragon misses with a head kick.
The Dragon throws a head kick that misses.
Saukko tries to clinch but The Dragon moves out of range.
The Dragon throws a head kick but Saukko moves out of range.
The Dragon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Saukko throws a leg kick which misses The Dragon's front leg but catches the back leg as The Dragon tries to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from The Dragon.
The Dragon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The Dragon throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The Dragon throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Saukko blocks a head kick by The Dragon.
Saukko throws a leg kick but The Dragon sees it coming and moves out of range.
The Dragon moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Jab, jab by Saukko - just one landing.
The Dragon misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Saukko has managed to clinch.
The Dragon has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
The Dragon jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Saukko walks away with a smile on his face. The Dragon gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
The Dragon tries a head kick but it misses.
Saukko misses with a wild combination.
Saukko is looking to clinch but The Dragon is avoiding it.
The Dragon throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Some bone on bone action there as Saukko checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
The Dragon misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The Dragon misses with a head kick.

That's four 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.
The Dragon chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Saukko wants to slow The Dragon down by chopping away at his legs.
The Dragon throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Saukko scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
The Dragon circles away from the clinch attempt.
The Dragon pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The Dragon throws a sloppy head kick and Saukko moves out of range easily.
A low kick from Saukko is predictable there
and The Dragon counters with a nice low kick that buckles Saukko's knee momentarily.
Saukko throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
The Dragon pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Saukko lands the left hand.
The Dragon tries a head kick but it misses.
The Dragon thumps Saukko with a low kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Saukko looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The Dragon avoids a punch combination nicely.
The Dragon throws a head kick but Saukko moves out of range.
Saukko is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Saukko scores with a three punch combo!
Saukko on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by The Dragon. The Dragon obviously looking to wear him down.
The Dragon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce The Dragon dominated that 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.

Saukko misses with the combination.
The Dragon pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A slapping leg kick lands for The Dragon.
Saukko tries to clinch but The Dragon moves out of range.
Danga de danga de dang - Saukko scores with a four punch combination!
The Dragon pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Saukko throws a head kick that The Dragon semi-blocks.
The Dragon misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Saukko avoids the head kick by The Dragon.
Saukko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The Dragon throws a low kick but it's checked well by Saukko.
Anus Saukko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The Dragon throws a sloppy head kick and Saukko moves out of range easily.
Saukko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
The Dragon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The Dragon takes a jab right on the kisser.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The Dragon looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
The Dragon misses with a head kick.

Saukko has taken the fight to the clinch.
The Dragon avoids the elbow strike from Saukko, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Dragon tries to break the clinch but Saukko is controlling the position.
Saukko swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The Dragon is looking to break free of the clinch but Saukko has double underhooks.
The Dragon has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Saukko prevents The Dragon from breaking the clinch.
Saukko tries to break the clinch but The Dragon is controlling the position.
The Dragon is trying to force a seperation but Saukko has the dominant position.
Saukko lands a shoulder strike.
The Dragon tries to break the clinch but Saukko is controlling the position.

Saukko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The Dragon misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Saukko blocks a head kick by The Dragon.
The Dragon throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick misses from The Dragon.
The Dragon swats away the attempt to clinch by Saukko.
Anus Saukko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A head kick misses from The Dragon.
Saukko is looking to clinch.
The Dragon tries a head kick but it misses.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Saukko!
The Dragon throws a head kick but Saukko moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Saukko throws a series of punches but The Dragon moves out of range.
The Dragon misses with a head kick.
Saukko throws a leg kick but The Dragon checks it.
Saukko throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The Dragon throws a head kick but Saukko moves out of range.
Saukko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A chopping leg kick lands by The Dragon.
Saukko tries to clinch up.
The Dragon throws a head kick that Saukko semi-blocks.
Nice straight punches there by Saukko. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Saukko.
Saukko doesn't manage to clinch there - The Dragon circles away.
Saukko is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
The Dragon lands with a kick to the temple. Saukko shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Saukko goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
An inside leg kick lands from The Dragon.
The Dragon checks a low kick from Saukko.
The Dragon throws a head kick but Saukko moves out of range.
The Dragon avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Saukko throws a right and a left that both miss.
The Dragon throws a head kick but Saukko moves out of range.
The Dragon throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Dragon throws a sloppy head kick and Saukko moves out of range easily.
Saukko scores with a three punch combo!
Saukko tries to land a leg kick but The Dragon saw it coming and moves away.
The Dragon throws a sloppy head kick and Saukko moves out of range easily.
Saukko throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Saukko tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but The Dragon paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The Dragon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Saukko clinches with his opponent.
Saukko prevents The Dragon from breaking the clinch.
Saukko gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from The Dragon.
The Dragon tries to circle away but Saukko has him pinned against the cage.
The Dragon tries to score a body lock takedown but Saukko shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Saukko tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Saukko misses with a hook from the clinch.
The Dragon wants to get back to striking at distance but Saukko won't allow it.
Saukko misses with a short punch on the inside.
The Dragon working hard to break the clinch.
Saukko misses with some punches.
Saukko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's four 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.
The Dragon can't break the clinch.
Saukko looking to throw knees to the head but The Dragon is blocking nicely.
Saukko lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Saukko has The Dragon pressed against the cage, preventing The Dragon from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Saukko tries to break free but The Dragon pushes him back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Saukko's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Saukko prevents The Dragon from breaking the clinch.
The Dragon's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Saukko working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Saukko breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Saukko is looking to land body kicks.
The Dragon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Saukko wants to clinch up but The Dragon keeps it at a distance.
The Dragon throws a head kick but Saukko moves out of range.
Saukko misses with a few strikes there.
Saukko takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Saukko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Saukko avoids the head kick by The Dragon.
The Dragon throws a head kick but Saukko moves out of range.
Saukko takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Saukko misses with the combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anus Saukko dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

The Dragon circles away from the clinch attempt.
Saukko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The Dragon scores with a leg kick.
The Dragon dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Saukko. That did some damage!
The Dragon throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Saukko scores with a punch to the head.
Saukko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The Dragon throws a head kick that misses.
Saukko avoids the head kick by The Dragon.
Saukko scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Saukko tries to clinch there but The Dragon circles away.
The Dragon throws a head kick but Saukko moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The Dragon connects with a high kick.
Some wild striking there from Saukko.
The Dragon tries a head kick but it misses.
Saukko lands with an overhand left.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A slapping leg kick lands for The Dragon.
The Dragon throws a head kick but Saukko moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saukko throws a right and a left that The Dragon avoids nicely.
Saukko connects with a jab.
Saukko lands with a straight right. The Dragon didn't see that one coming.

Saukko clinches up against the cage.

The Dragon breaks from the clinch.
The Dragon throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by The Dragon.
Saukko is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Saukko tries to clinch but The Dragon moves out of range.
Saukko fails with an attempt to clinch.
Saukko throws a combination but it was largely blocked by The Dragon.
Saukko tries to clinch but The Dragon is having none of it.
The Dragon throws a head kick that misses.
The Dragon scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A head kick misses from The Dragon.
Saukko misses with a series of wild punches.

Saukko moves into range and clinches up with The Dragon.
The Dragon is trying to break the clinch but Saukko has him pressed against the cage.
Saukko lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Saukko fails to land.

Saukko breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Dragon tries a head kick but it misses.
The Dragon throws a sloppy head kick and Saukko moves out of range easily.
Saukko swinging wildly here.
Saukko with a nice cross.
Saukko misses with a wild combination.
The Dragon throws a sloppy head kick and Saukko moves out of range easily.
The Dragon buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
The Dragon circles away from the clinch attempt.
The Dragon scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Saukko moves in looking to clinch but The Dragon pushes him off.
The Dragon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The Dragon tried to score with a low kick but Saukko checks it.
Saukko blocks a head kick by The Dragon.
The Dragon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Saukko tries to clinch up but The Dragon circles away and keeps his distance.
Saukko is looking to clinch but The Dragon is avoiding it.
The Dragon tries a head kick but it misses.
The Dragon turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Dragon misses with a head kick.
Saukko throws a nice looking combination but The Dragon bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
The Dragon throws a sloppy head kick and Saukko moves out of range easily.
Saukko misses with a kick to the body.
Saukko blocks a head kick by The Dragon.
The Dragon misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Danga de danga de dang - Saukko scores with a four punch combination!
The Dragon circles away from the clinch attempt.

Saukko closes the distance and clinches.

The Dragon pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The Dragon walks into a straight right hand from Saukko.
Saukko wants to clinch.
The Dragon moves out of range of the leg kick from Saukko.
The Dragon throws a nice outside leg kick.
Some bone on bone action there as The Dragon checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Saukko avoids the head kick by The Dragon.
The Dragon tries to score with a low kick but Saukko moves his leg out of the way.
The Dragon motions for Saukko to come forward. The Dragon throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Saukko has closed the distance and engaged The Dragon in a clinch.

That's four 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.
Saukko lands an uppercut.
The Dragon tries to pull guard but Saukko holds him up against the cage and eventually The Dragon drops back down to his feet.
Saukko throws a blind hook that connects with the side of The Dragons head.
The Dragon is trying to break the clinch but Saukko has him pressed against the cage.
The Dragon avoids a wild elbow strike from Saukko.
Saukko with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A frustrated look appears on The Dragon's face as he tries to break the clinch.
The Dragon wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
The Dragon wants to get back to striking at distance but Saukko won't allow it.
Saukko is trying to force a seperation but The Dragon has the dominant position.

Saukko manages to break the clinch.
The Dragon lands with a thumping leg kick.
The Dragon connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Saukko tries to bum rush The Dragon with a series of wild strikes but The Dragon uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
The Dragon swats away the attempt to clinch by Saukko.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Saukko misses with a few strikes there.
The Dragon throws a head kick that misses.
The Dragon blocks a low kick nicely.
Saukko is looking to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Anus Saukko.
I think Saukko 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Anus Saukko!