PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Stephen Hawking (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Heikko Saarinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saarinen is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by I Walk Alone. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Hawking
vs
Saarinen

175 cm
30
150 lbs
17 - 5 - 0

170 cm
25
154 lbs
15 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

RMC - Rio Mma Clothing
RMC - Rio Mma Clothing

RMC - Rio Mma Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Stephen Hawking!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Heikko Saarinen!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Thiago Cunha and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saarinen missing with a left hand there. Hawking was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hawking uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Saarinen gets caught flat footed, as Hawking shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Hawking trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hawking is working hard here to advance position.
Hawking throwing strikes from guard but Saarinen blocks nicely.
Hawking trying to control but Saarinen is working from the bottom.
Hawking lands a couple of elbows.
Saarinen wants to stand up but Hawking is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saarinen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Saarinen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hawking is looking to advance position but Saarinen has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Hawking is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Hawking is looking to get to half guard.
Saarinen controlling from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawking can't escape the position.
Hawking wants to control but Saarinen is having none of it.
Hawking is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Hawking is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawking is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hawking tries to hold on but Saarinen postures up.

Saarinen stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Saarinen missing with a left hand there. Hawking was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Saarinen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hawking loads up on a big right hand but Saarinen slips the punch.
Saarinen lands with a kick to the temple. Hawking shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

It looks like Stephen Hawking has been cut.
Hawking blocks a head kick by Saarinen.
Hawking takes one on the button.
Hawking connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Saarinen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Saarinen lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hawking.
Hawking shoots in for a takedown but Saarinen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hawking shoots for a takedown but Saarinen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stephen Hawking. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hawking misses with a two punch combination.
Heikko Saarinen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Saarinen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Stephen Hawking will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Stephen Hawking's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Saarinen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Saarinen wants it to stay on the feet.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Saarinen.
Hawking tries to bum rush Saarinen with a series of wild strikes but Saarinen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
No joy there for Hawking, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Saarinen lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Hawking scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Hawking throws a looping overhand right but Saarinen ducks down to avoid it.
A left lands for Saarinen.
Saarinen moves out of range as Hawking strikes.
Saarinen lands with a cross.
Hawking shoots in looking for a takedown. Saarinen tries to sprawl out of it but Hawking 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.
Saarinen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saarinen connects with a jab.
Saarinen lands a slapping body shot.
Hawking walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Hawking cracks Saarinen with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A jab lands there for Saarinen.
Saarinen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hawking at a distance.

Hawking closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Saarinen to the mat! Saarinen manages to get full guard.
Saarinen pulls Hawking in close to his closed guard and prevents Hawking from doing any damage or advancing position.
Hawking throws and elbow that misses. Saarinen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hawking's guard. Nice move by Saarinen!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Hawking isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Saarinen stacks Hawking on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Saarinen!

Saarinen stands up.
Hawking takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
The fighters circling - Saarinen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawking throws an off balance right hand
and Saarinen makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hawking fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stephen Hawking. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hawking takes a swing at Saarinen's ribcage but misses.
Hawking takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Hawking tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Saarinen is able to avoid easily.
Saarinen connects with an inside leg kick.
Hawking tests Saarinen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Saarinen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hawking doesn't seem bothered though.
Saarinen slips a straight right by Hawking.
Hawking misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hawking throws a hook to the side of Saarinen's head but Saarinen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saarinen connects with an inside leg kick.
Saarinen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hawking.
Saarinen slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Saarinen throws out a loose jab but Hawking uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hawking throws out a loose jab but Saarinen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hawking shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Saarinen as he avoids it easily.
Hawking is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Saarinen scores with a hook.
Saarinen fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hawking.
Hawking dives in and grabs Saarinen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Saarinen pushes down on Hawking's head and hops out.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A chopping leg kick lands by Saarinen.
Heikko Saarinen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saarinen throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Hawking cracks Saarinen with a good jab.
Both fighters circling a little - Saarinen finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Heikko Saarinen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Stephen Hawking's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hawking tries to move into range but Saarinen moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

Hawking is rocked!
Saarinen throws a looping overhand right but Hawking ducks down to avoid it.
Oh Hawking is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hawking ducks under a wild hook from Saarinen.
Saarinen throws a jab when Hawking was well out of range.
Saarinen seems to be stalking Hawking here. He circles momentarily and then unleashes a devastatic head kick! Hawking drops like a stone, out cold! WOW! Are you kidding me!? What a knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:14 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Heikko Saarinen!