PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Steve Irwin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joonas Saarinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Irwin comes to the cage accompanied by David guetta - Sexy bitch. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Joonas Saarinen was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Irwin
vs
Saarinen

190 cm
22
178 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
18
169 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Steve Irwin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joonas Saarinen!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Marco Blurström and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Irwin gets caught flat footed, as Saarinen shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Saarinen advances to half guard.
Irwin knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Saarinen on the ground.
Irwin wants to get back to his feet.
Irwin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Saarinen is thwarting Irwin's attempts to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Saarinen is looking for a kimura here.
Saarinen is nestled in close to Irwin, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Saarinen is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Saarinen is pressing down on Irwin's thigh, looking to free his foot. Irwin is holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Irwin punching from the bottom.
Irwin tries to roll over but Saarinen keeps him under control.
Irwin trying to control from the bottom.
Irwin regains full guard. Nicely done.
Saarinen landing with the ground and pound.
Saarinen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Saarinen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Irwin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Irwin is breathing heavily.
Saarinen trying to control the position from guard on top but Irwin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Irwin tries to strike from the bottom.

Irwin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Saarinen working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Irwin's head.
Saarinen tries to free his leg and advance position but Irwin is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Irwin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Saarinen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Irwin is on top in guard.
Irwin slips nicely into half guard.

Irwin is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Saarinen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
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. Irwin connects with a nice short shot to Saarinen's temple.

Irwin looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Irwin tries to pass the half guard into mount. Saarinen knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The fighters are battling for position here. Saarinen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irwin advances to half guard.

Irwin is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Saarinen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Irwin.

Irwin looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Saarinen missing with punches from the bottom.

Irwin seems to be looking for submissions.
Saarinen is not content to let Irwin control the position.

That's four 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.
Irwin drops an elbow to the side of Saarinen's head.

Irwin is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Saarinen defends it well.
Irwin prevents Saarinen from improving his position.
Irwin lands with a punch from half guard.

Saarinen is rocked!
Ground and pound from Irwin.
Saarinen is still in real trouble! Can Irwin finish him?
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Irwin lands a nice short elbow.

Irwin is looking for a kimura here.
Irwin works his way into full mount!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Irwin pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Irwin lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Saarinen hang on?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Irwin dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Irwin misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Irwin throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Saarinen's waist but Saarinen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Irwin off to one side.
Irwin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Irwin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice takedown defense from Saarinen. No joy for Irwin on that attempt.
Irwin has his takedown stuffed
and Saarinen counters with a straight right hand.
Irwin shoots in but no luck this time.
Irwin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Saarinen but Saarinen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Irwin shoots for a takedown but Saarinen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Joonas Saarinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Irwin fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Irwin tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Saarinen swivels and escapes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Irwin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Irwin shoots in for a takedown but Saarinen shows good takedown defense.
Horrible takedown by Irwin or perhaps it was just good defense by Saarinen which made him look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Irwin looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Irwin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Saarinen as he jumps to the side.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Irwin.
Irwin shoots for a double leg takedown but Saarinen sprawls well. He's pushed Irwin's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Irwin shoots in for a double leg but Saarinen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Irwin throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Saarinen's waist but Saarinen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Irwin off to one side.
Irwin looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Irwin fails to land the takedown.
Irwin tries for a takedown but Saarinen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Irwin.
Irwin looks for a takedown but Saarinen sprawls well.
Saarinen slips a straight right by Irwin.
Irwin shoots in for a double leg but Saarinen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Irwin shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Saarinen pinned against the cage. Saarinen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Irwin shoots in but no luck this time.
Irwin shoots in looking for a takedown. Saarinen tries to sprawl out of it but Irwin keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Saarinen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Irwin shoots for a double leg takedown but Saarinen sprawls well. He's pushed Irwin's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Irwin shoots in for a double leg but Saarinen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Saarinen. No joy for Irwin on that attempt.
Irwin shoots in but no luck this time.
Irwin is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Irwin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Saarinen but Saarinen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Irwin tries for a takedown but Saarinen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Irwin is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Saarinen as Irwin shoots in.
No luck for Irwin with that takedown attempt.
Irwin shoots in for a takedown but Saarinen shows good takedown defense.
Irwin looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Saarinen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Irwin shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Saarinen pinned against the cage. Saarinen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Irwin misses with a takedown attempt - Saarinen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Irwin shoots in looking for a takedown. Saarinen tries to sprawl out of it but Irwin keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Saarinen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Irwin shoots for a double leg takedown but Saarinen sprawls well. He's pushed Irwin's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Irwin shoots in for a takedown but Saarinen shows good takedown defense.
Irwin shoots in but no luck this time.
Nice takedown defense from Saarinen. No joy for Irwin on that attempt.
Irwin fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Horrible takedown by Irwin or perhaps it was just good defense by Saarinen which made him look bad.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joonas Saarinen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Irwin shoots in for a takedown but Saarinen shows good takedown defense.

Irwin scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
Saarinen striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Saarinen gets back to half guard.
Saarinen is looking to improve his position.
Saarinen is pressing down on Irwin's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Saarinen had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Irwin is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Saarinen Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Irwin's back instead.
Saarinen seems to have recovered his senses.
Irwin staying busy and making it hard for Saarinen to control.
Irwin turns into Saarinen and is now in his guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Saarinen working a defensive guard here.
Irwin won't allow Saarinen to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Irwin tries to free his leg and advance position but Saarinen is retaining full guard.
Saarinen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Irwin's guard.
Irwin is trying to control the position but Saarinen postures up.
Irwin keeping moving, preventing Saarinen from controlling successfully.
Irwin manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Saarinen regains half guard.
Saarinen wants to control but Irwin is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Irwin stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Saarinen to get to his feet.
A punch combination from Saarinen misses.

Irwin scores a takedown into full mount!
Irwin moves to the back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Irwin is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Saarinen defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Irwin is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Saarinen has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Irwin is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Saarinen is defending well though. Irwin let's go of the attempt for now.

Irwin is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Saarinen defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Saarinen breaks Irwin's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Irwin wants to sweep here but Saarinen controlling him for the moment.

Irwin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Saarinen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Irwin working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Saarinen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Saarinen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Irwin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Saarinen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Saarinen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Irwin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Saarinen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Irwin looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Saarinen wants to control from the top but Irwin keeps moving.

Irwin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Saarinen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Irwin manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Steve Irwin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Irwin trying to control but Saarinen is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Irwin stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

Irwin shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Saarinen's guard.
Irwin scoring with some ground and pound.
Saarinen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Saarinen is on top in guard.
Irwin looking for a sweep. Not yet Irwin, not yet.

Irwin working for a triangle but Saarinen defends it easily.
Saarinen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Saarinen is sitting in close to Irwin's body. Irwin has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Saarinen is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Saarinen is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Irwin.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Steve Irwin!