PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mauri Saarinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jones Junior (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Saarinen
vs
Junior

190 cm
26
219 lbs
10 - 6 - 1

189 cm
25
224 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Mauri Saarinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jones Junior!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saarinen scores with a three punch combo!
Saarinen moves in looking to clinch but Junior pushes him off.
Saarinen misses with a two punch combination.
Saarinen is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Saarinen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Junior throws a series of punches but Saarinen avoids them all with ease.
Saarinen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Saarinen misses with the combination.
Saarinen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Saarinen lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Junior backs up against the cage.
The fighters circling - Junior throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Junior bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Junior scores with a jab. Saarinen acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Junior avoids the body shot from Saarinen.
A big left from Junior misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saarinen tries to clinch up but Junior circles away and keeps his distance.
Saarinen takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Saarinen throws a jab when Junior was well out of range.
Saarinen throws a series of strikes that have Junior backpedaling.
Saarinen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Saarinen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Junior was well out of range. Poor timing from Saarinen.
Junior shoots in for a takedown but Saarinen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Junior ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Saarinen moves away.
Saarinen throws a nice looking combination but Junior bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Saarinen throws a left and a right that both miss

and Junior decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Saarinen's guard.
Junior stops Saarinen from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Junior thows a big elbow that misses.
Junior postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Junior cracks Saarinen with a solid left hand.
Saarinen is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Junior is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Junior throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

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

Junior looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Saarinen wants to stand back up but Junior manages to pass into side control.

Junior is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Saarinen is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Junior prevents Saarinen from escaping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Junior has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Saarinen!
Saarinen's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Junior lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Junior has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Junior breaks from Saarinen's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Saarinen is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Saarinen is breathing heavily.
Junior punishing his opponent with strikes.
Junior scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Saarinen?
Junior postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Saarinen looks a forlorn figure.
Saarinen trying desperately to get to his feet.
A nice elbow there by Junior.
Saarinen really wants to buck Junior off and get back to his feet.
BOOM! Junior connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Junior breaks from Saarinen's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Junior in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Junior landing strikes from the mount.
Junior raining down shots from the mount!
Saarinen's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Junior breaks from Saarinen's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Junior unloading with bombs!

Junior working for a guillotine from mount but Saarinen is in no mood to give up.
Junior lands with some strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saarinen is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Junior lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Saarinen is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jones Junior dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Saarinen throws a left and a right that both miss

and Junior counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Saarinen's guard now.
Junior postures up in Saarinen's guard and throws a big left but Saarinen blocks it.
Junior trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Junior throws a big right hand that misses.
Junior thows a big elbow that misses.
Saarinen wants to stand but Junior is controlling the position.
Junior tries to free his leg and advance position but Saarinen is retaining full guard.
Saarinen wants to stand but Junior is controlling the position.
Junior connects with a couple of short punches.
Saarinen wants to get back to his feet but Junior is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Saarinen connects with a right hand. Junior shakes it off.
Mauri Saarinen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Saarinen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Junior counters with a single leg into guard. Saarinen didn't expect that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saarinen wants to stand and escape but Junior is having none of it.
Junior landing some decent shots from guard.
Saarinen wants to stand up but Junior is controlling him.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Junior accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Saarinen wants to get back to his feet but Junior is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Junior distracts Saarinen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Junior throws a big right hand that misses.
Saarinen is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Junior is controlling him.
Junior lands a couple of decent looking shots.

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.
Saarinen has momentary wrist control but Junior slips an elbow through the middle.
Junior throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Junior is looking to work some ground and pound but Saarinen has wrist control.
Saarinen wants to get back to his feet but Junior is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Junior lands a couple of elbows.
Saarinen wants to stand up but Junior is controlling him.
Junior postures up in Saarinen's guard and throws a big left but Saarinen blocks it.
Junior missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Saarinen scores with a jab.
Saarinen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Saarinen closes the distance looking to clinch
and Saarinen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saarinen throws a series of punches but Junior avoids them all with ease.
Saarinen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Saarinen tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Junior to counter with a crisp jab.
Saarinen throws out a loose jab but Junior uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saarinen looks to land a left hand but Junior moved out of range nicely.
A jab from Saarinen misses.
Saarinen clinches but Junior breaks the clinch

and Junior counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Junior.
Junior loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Saarinen wants to stand and escape but Junior is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saarinen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Junior.
Junior cracks Saarinen with a solid left hand.

Junior is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Saarinen is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Saarinen has escaped and now he's on top!

Saarinen stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Mauri Saarinen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Saarinen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Junior was well out of range. Poor timing from Saarinen.
Saarinen cracks a nice hook into Junior's ribs.
Mauri Saarinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Some wild striking there from Saarinen.
Junior fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jones Junior showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Saarinen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Junior circles away quickly and effectively.
Saarinen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Saarinen is looking to clinch but Junior is avoiding it.
Saarinen misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Junior counters with a straight right hand.
Saarinen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Saarinen throws a combination. Junior tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Junior swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Saarinen counters with a straight right hand.
Saarinen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Saarinen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Junior.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saarinen scores with a sloppy right hand. Junior should have avoided that one.
Saarinen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Junior dodges the punch combination from Saarinen.
Saarinen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Junior manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saarinen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Saarinen prevents a takedown attempt there.
Saarinen has had enough of the clinch but Junior keeps him there for the moment.
Saarinen looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Junior has Saarinen pressed against the cage, preventing Saarinen from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Junior looking for a takedown.
Junior can't get the takedown.
Mauri Saarinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jones Junior.
Junior takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Saarinen tries to break the clinch but Junior is controlling the position.
Saarinen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Saarinen has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Junior has Saarinen pressed against the cage, preventing Saarinen from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Saarinen can't break the clinch.
Junior keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Saarinen's efforts to push away.
Saarinen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Junior has him pressed against the cage.

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.
Saarinen wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Saarinen manages to break the clinch.
A swing and a miss from Saarinen.
Saarinen misses with a two punch combination.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Saarinen.
Saarinen cracks Junior with a right hand to the side of the head.
Saarinen tries to clinch there but Junior circles away.
A slow jab from Junior misses its intended target.
Saarinen throws a combination that misses
and Junior cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Junior avoids the body shot from Saarinen.
Saarinen lunges at Junior with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Junior's hand.
Saarinen thows a body shot but no joy.
Saarinen throws a hook but Junior avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Junior scores with a jab to the jaw.

Junior shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Junior showed some decent athleticism there.
Saarinen is trying to stand back up but Junior is controlling him
Junior thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Junior prevents Saarinen from standing back up.
Junior drops an elbow to the side of Saarinen's head.
Junior landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Junior is nestled in close to Saarinen, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Saarinen pushes Junior off looking to stand but Junior dives back in and keeps control.
Junior missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ground and pound from Junior.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saarinen wants to get back to his feet.
Saarinen tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Junior manages to move to mount!
Junior raining down shots from the mount!
Saarinen is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Junior working Saarinen over with strikes here.
Junior looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Junior lands a big elbow.
Saarinen's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Mauri Saarinen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Junior working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jones Junior comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Junior 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jones Junior!