PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sagara Sanosuke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Henry Tilthammer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tilthammer is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by The rolling stones - Under my thumb. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sanosuke
vs
Tilthammer

190 cm
21
199 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

183 cm
29
200 lbs
18 - 5 - 3

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sagara Sanosuke!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 5 - 3, fighting out of Helsinki, Henry Tilthammer!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanosuke misses with a straight left.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Tilthammer tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sagara Sanosuke seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sanosuke looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Sanosuke throws a leg kick

and Tilthammer counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A right hook to the body lands for Tilthammer.
Sanosuke scores with a shot to the side of Tilthammer's head.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A short left from Sanosuke.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Tilthammer.
Sanosuke blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Still in the clinch, Tilthammer scores with a nice short uppercut.
Tilthammer keeps control of Sanosuke as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Sanosuke throws a head punch that misses.
Sanosuke blocks an uppercut.
Tilthammer taking a breather.
Tilthammer prevents a body shot from Sanosuke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanosuke tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tilthammer avoids it.
Sanosuke blocks a body shot from Tilthammer.
Tilthammer working aggressively here.
Tilthammer has Sanosuke pressed against the cage, preventing Sanosuke from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Tilthammer throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tilthammer tries to land a knee to the head but Sanosuke blocks with his arms.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Tilthammer.
Tilthammer is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Sanosuke is keeping busy.
Sanosuke working aggressively here.
Tilthammer blocks an uppercut.
Sanosuke misses with a punch to the body.
Tilthammer throws a punch but it's blocked by Sanosuke.
Tilthammer tries to land knees in the clinch but Sanosuke avoids the damage to the body.
Sanosuke scores with a shoulder strike.
Tilthammer pressing his opponent against the cage.
Sanosuke scores with a hook to the body.
Tilthammer tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Sanosuke breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sanosuke takes a swing at Tilthammer's ribcage but misses.

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.
A low kick from Sanosuke misses
and Tilthammer counters with a straight right hand.
Sanosuke avoids the head kick by Tilthammer.
Sanosuke throws a leg kick

and Tilthammer counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Tilthammer swings wildly with an uppercut but Sanosuke uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sanosuke swings wildly with an uppercut but Tilthammer uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice left hand lands by Sanosuke.
Tilthammer trying to control the position but instead, Sanosuke has worked for underhooks and has pushed Tilthammer into the cage.
Tilthammer lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Tilthammer's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
A right hand to the body from Sanosuke.
Tilthammer is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Sanosuke misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanosuke throws a head punch that misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Tilthammer just misses with a elbow thrown towards Sanosuke's brow.
Tilthammer holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Tilthammer lands a nice uppercut.
Tilthammer throws an elbow but it misses.
Tilthammer can't find room to land a body shot as Sanosuke controls the action.
A body shot lands from Tilthammer.
Sanosuke lands a shot to the body.
Tilthammer trying to stall but Sanosuke improves his position.
Sanosuke struggles to land a body shot inside as Tilthammer controls his hands.
Sanosuke using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tilthammer has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tilthammer taking a breather.
Tilthammer fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sanosuke lands a body shot.
Tilthammer trying to stall but Sanosuke improves his position.
Tilthammer looks gassed!
Tilthammer tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sanosuke makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Tilthammer struggles to land a body shot inside as Sanosuke controls his hands.
Tilthammer swings wildly with an uppercut but Sanosuke uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sanosuke blocks a body shot from Tilthammer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanosuke blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tilthammer prevents a body shot from Sanosuke.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sanosuke as Tilthammer tries to tie him up.
Sanosuke tries to work over Tilthammer's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sanosuke looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Sanosuke lands a nice shot to the body.
Tilthammer has a couple of punches blocked by Sanosuke.
Tilthammer is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Sanosuke is keeping busy.
Tilthammer fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Sanosuke breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tilthammer uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sanosuke.
Tilthammer tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Sanosuke manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tilthammer thows a leg kick but Sanosuke checks it
and Sanosuke counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A low kick from Sanosuke misses
and Tilthammer counters with a low kick, right behind Sanosuke 's knee.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Henry Tilthammer dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A solid leg kick lands there for Sanosuke.
Tilthammer throws a leg kick
and Sanosuke connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sanosuke scores with a body shot.
Sanosuke tries to land a leg kick but Tilthammer saw it coming and moves away.
Sanosuke throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tilthammer sees it coming and avoids it easily.
An inside leg kick lands from Sanosuke.
Sanosuke fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Tilthammer.
Sanosuke throws a head kick but Tilthammer moves out of range.
Tilthammer lands a leg kick that knocks Sanosuke off balance momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanosuke misses with a leg kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
A low kick from Sanosuke is predictable there

and Tilthammer moves into the clinch.
Sanosuke tries to work over Tilthammer's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sanosuke blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Sanosuke's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sanosuke wants to land a leg kick but Tilthammer is out of range.
Sanosuke takes a swing at Tilthammer's ribcage but misses.
Sanosuke swings widly with a right hand
and Tilthammer makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Tilthammer thows a leg kick but Sanosuke checks it
and Sanosuke makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
A head kick by Tilthammer misses
and Sanosuke counters with a good, hard body kick but Tilthammer shrugs it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanosuke throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A low kick from Tilthammer misses
and Sanosuke counters with an outside leg kick.
Tilthammer connects with an inside leg kick.
Tilthammer motions for Sanosuke to come forward. Tilthammer throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tilthammer closes the distance looking to clinch
and Sanosuke counters with a nice low kick that buckles Tilthammer's knee momentarily.
Tilthammer lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tilthammer thows a leg kick but Sanosuke checks it
and Sanosuke counters with a stiff right hand.
Tilthammer tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sanosuke was well out of range. Poor timing from Tilthammer.
Tilthammer scores with a leg kick.
Sanosuke does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A low kick from Tilthammer is predictable there
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Tilthammer lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sanosuke's sensitive parts.
Sanosuke lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Tilthammer misses with a leg kick
and Sanosuke cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tilthammer throws a leg kick that is checked
and Sanosuke counters with an outside leg kick.
Sanosuke checks a low kick from Tilthammer.
Sanosuke thows a leg kick but Tilthammer checks it
and Tilthammer counters with a slapping leg kick.
Sanosuke feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Tilthammers jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
A low kick from Sanosuke misses

and Tilthammer counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Tilthammer.
Sanosuke cracks Tilthammer with a nice body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tilthammer.
Sanosuke goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sanosuke cracks Tilthammer with a nice body shot.
Tilthammer throws a punch but it's blocked by Sanosuke.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Sanosuke creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Sanosuke is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Sanosuke blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sanosuke blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sagara Sanosuke dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tilthammer throws a leg kick but Sanosuke checks it.
Sanosuke tries to land a leg kick but Tilthammer saw it coming and moves away.
Sanosuke throws a leg kick
and Tilthammer counters with a nice leg kick.
A low kick from Tilthammer misses
and Sanosuke counters with a big head kick but Tilthammer shrugs it off.
Tilthammer has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Tilthammer there as he acknowledges the shot.
Sanosuke throws an ugly left hook that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tilthammer slips a straight right by Sanosuke.
Sanosuke misses with a leg kick
and Tilthammer counters with an outside leg kick.
Sanosuke throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tilthammer sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Sanosuke throws a quick inside leg kick.
Tilthammer checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Tilthammer thows a leg kick but Sanosuke checks it
and Sanosuke counters with a low kick, right behind Tilthammer 's knee.
Sanosuke darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Sanosuke missing with a left hand there. Tilthammer was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sanosuke on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Tilthammer chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tilthammer throws a low kick but Sanosuke avoids it.
Sanosuke thows a leg kick but Tilthammer checks it
and Tilthammer counters with an inside leg kick.
Tilthammer avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A low kick from Tilthammer misses
and Sanosuke counters with a low kick, right behind Tilthammer 's knee.
Sanosuke motions for Tilthammer to come forward. Sanosuke throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tilthammer keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Tilthammer misses with a wild body shot.
Sanosuke misses with a straight right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tilthammer just misses with a punch to the body.
Sanosuke scoring well with a low kick there.
Nice body kick there by Sanosuke.
Tilthammer throws a leg kick that is checked
and Sanosuke counters with a low kick, right behind Tilthammer 's knee.
Tilthammer throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Tilthammer tries a low kick but Sanosuke avoids it.
Tilthammer throws a leg kick
and Sanosuke counters with an inside leg kick.
Tilthammer thows a leg kick but Sanosuke checks it
and Sanosuke counters with an inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tilthammer throws a leg kick
and Sanosuke counters with a low kick, right behind Tilthammer 's knee.
Tilthammer throws a leg kick that is checked
letting Sanosuke counter with a right hand.
Sanosuke throws a head kick that misses.
Tilthammer blocks a low kick nicely.
Sanosuke thows a leg kick but Tilthammer checks it
and Tilthammer counters with a nice leg kick.
Sanosuke throws a head kick but Tilthammer moves out of range.
A low kick from Sanosuke misses
and Tilthammer counters with a head kick.
Sanosuke throws a big shot that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sagara Sanosuke clearly takes 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.

Tilthammer does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Tilthammer shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Tilthammer is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tilthammer will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Sanosuke throws a sloppy head kick
and Tilthammer counters with a nice body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanosuke throws a leg kick
and Tilthammer counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Sanosuke lands a head kick. Tilthammer smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Tilthammer closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tilthammer throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sanosuke blocks it with crossed arms.
Tilthammer looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Tilthammer stalls.
Tilthammer struggles to land a body shot inside as Sanosuke controls his hands.
Sanosuke misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tilthammer tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Tilthammer tries to throw a body punch but Sanosuke avoids it by throwing Tilthammer back against the cage.
Tilthammer is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sanosuke is defending well for now.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Sanosuke tries to work over Tilthammer's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sanosuke blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sanosuke lands a right hand.
Sanosuke tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tilthammer keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sanosuke's efforts to push away.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Sanosuke creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Tilthammer wants to stall.
Tilthammer fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Nice body punch from Sanosuke.
Sanosuke working aggressively here.

Sanosuke breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tilthammer throws a leg kick
and Sanosuke counters with an outside leg kick.

Tilthammer closes the distance and clinches.
Tilthammer is trying to maintain a safe position but Sanosuke gets an underhook and turns Tilthammer into the cage.
Knees to the body from Tilthammer.
A left hand lands to the body for Tilthammer.
Tilthammer takes a knee to the side of the body.
Tilthammer is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Tilthammer lands a nice knee to the body.
Sanosuke tries to break the clinch but Tilthammer is controlling the position.
Nice body punch from Sanosuke.
A right hook to the body lands for Sanosuke.
Sanosuke with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Sanosuke trying to land knees to the body.
Sanosuke swings wildly with an uppercut but Tilthammer uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sanosuke misses with a punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tilthammer blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Tilthammer misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tilthammer can't find room to land a body shot as Sanosuke controls the action.
Sanosuke lands a body punch in the clinch.
Sanosuke lands with a short shot to the head.
A right hand to the body from Sanosuke.
Tilthammer tries to stall but Sanosuke uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Sanosuke throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tilthammers head.
Sanosuke lands with a right to the head.
Sanosuke lands with a short shot to the head.
Sanosuke scores with a shoulder strike.
Sanosuke using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tilthammer has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Sanosuke avoids the elbow strike from Tilthammer, against the cage.
Tilthammer is looking to control Sanosuke's arms but Sanosuke gets an underhook and turns him. Now Tilthammer has his back to the cage.

Sanosuke's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tilthammer takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sanosuke fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tilthammer takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Tilthammer is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Sanosuke rather than just go for the knockout.
A leg kick checked by Tilthammer.
Sanosuke circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tilthammer blocks a low kick nicely.
Sanosuke throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Tilthammer counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Sanosuke thinking.
Sanosuke throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Sanosuke throws a leg kick that is checked
and Tilthammer counters with a low kick, right behind Sanosuke 's knee.
Tilthammer throws a sloppy head kick and Sanosuke moves out of range easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sagara Sanosuke had his way with Henry Tilthammer in that round.
That's time! Sanosuke's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Sanosuke moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sanosuke misses with a looping left.
A low kick from Tilthammer misses
and Sanosuke counters with a good low kick that Tilthammer was not able to check.
Sanosuke clobbers Tilthammer with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Sagara Sanosuke is winning the standup battle so far.
Tilthammer blocks a head kick by Sanosuke.
Sanosuke misses with a lunging right hand
and Tilthammer counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanosuke cracks the inside of Tilthammer's front leg.
Tilthammer thows a leg kick but Sanosuke checks it
and Sanosuke counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tilthammer scores with a leg kick.
Tilthammer throws a leg kick
and Sanosuke counters with a leg kick.
Tilthammer throws a leg kick
and Sanosuke counters with a nice body kick.
A low kick from Tilthammer misses
and Sanosuke counters with a good low kick that Tilthammer was not able to check.
Sanosuke misses with a leg kick
and Tilthammer counters with a low kick, right behind Sanosuke 's knee.
A clash of legs there as Tilthammer blocks the low kick.
Sanosuke throws a front kick that sends Tilthammer stumbling back into the cage.
Tilthammer takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Henry Tilthammer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanosuke throws a leg kick
and Tilthammer counters with an inside leg kick.
Tilthammer throws a front kick aimed at Sanosuke's knee but Sanosuke avoids it well.
Tilthammer thows a leg kick but Sanosuke checks it
and Sanosuke counters with a low kick, right behind Tilthammer 's knee.
Sanosuke connects with a leg kick. Tilthammer looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Sanosuke with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Tilthammer is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Tilthammer throws a leg kick
and Sanosuke counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tilthammer closes the distance looking to clinch
and Sanosuke counters with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanosuke feints and then cracks Tilthammer's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Tilthammer down.
A low kick from Tilthammer misses
and Sanosuke counters with a low kick, right behind Tilthammer 's knee.
A low kick from Tilthammer misses
and Sanosuke counters with a nice kick to the body.
Tilthammer drops his hands momentarily and Sanosuke takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Tilthammer takes a swing at Sanosuke's ribcage but misses.
A low kick from Tilthammer is predictable there
and Sanosuke counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Sanosuke.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sanosuke.
Tilthammer drops his hands momentarily and Sanosuke takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Tilthammer tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sanosuke swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tilthammer throws a leg kick
and Sanosuke cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Tilthammer misses with a leg kick
and Sanosuke counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sanosuke is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Tilthammer chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Sanosuke can pounce on him.
A jab lands there for Sanosuke.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sagara Sanosuke showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Sanosuke has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 49:46
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 49:46
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sagara Sanosuke!
Sagara Sanosuke is the new middleweight champion!