PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Esa Saksinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Felipe Frulani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Saksinen
vs
Frulani

165 cm
22
132 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

172 cm
21
131 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Esa Saksinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Felipe Frulani!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Edson Gomes and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saksinen wants to clinch.
Saksinen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Saksinen instigates a clinch.
Saksinen tries to stall but Frulani uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Saksinen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Frulani goes for a takedown attempt but Saksinen pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Saksinen rushes Frulani and presses him up against the cage.
Frulani is working for takedown but Saksinen is calmly controlling the position for now.
Saksinen takes a knee right on the jaw!
Frulani changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Saksinen fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Esa Saksinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Felipe Frulani.
Saksinen throws a head kick that misses.
Frulani circles away from the clinch attempt.
Saksinen takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Frulani keeps the fight on the outside.
Saksinen avoids the head kick by Frulani.
Frulani avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Frulani keeps the fight on the outside.
Saksinen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Saksinen lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Frulani stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Saksinen.
Saksinen fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Frulani fails with a takedown attempt.

Saksinen gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Frulani tries to score a body lock takedown but Saksinen shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Frulani wants a takedown but no success here.
Saksinen'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.
Frulani tries to score a body lock takedown but Saksinen shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Frulani looks gassed!
Saksinen leaning against his opponent.
Saksinen stops a takedown attempt from Frulani.
Saksinen gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Frulani.
Knees to the body from Saksinen.
Saksinen connects with a nasty looking knee right to Frulani's face.
Saksinen is pressed up against the cage. Frulani has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Saksinen down to the mat. Saksinen avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Frulani shoots for a double leg takedown but Saksinen sprawls well. He's pushed Frulani's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Saksinen lands a high kick!
A head kick by Saksinen misses
and Frulani counters with a one-two to the body.
Frulani will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Saksinen tries to clinch there but Frulani circles away.
Crunch! Frulani slams his shin into Saksinen's torso.
Frulani closes the distance and clinches up with Saksinen, looking for a takedown. Frulani pushes Saksinen against the cage but Saksinen circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saksinen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Saksinen misses with a body punch

and Frulani counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Frulani wants to pass the guard but Saksinen is keeping the position.
Frulani is looking to work some ground and pound but Saksinen has wrist control.
Frulani trying to control but Saksinen is working from the bottom.
Frulani has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Frulani trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Frulani wants to control from the top but Saksinen keeps moving.
Frulani throws a big right hand that misses.
Frulani working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Frulani slips nicely into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saksinen wants to control but Frulani is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Frulani shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Saksinen but Saksinen pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Saksinen drives through and clinches with Frulani against the cage.

Frulani breaks the clinch.
Saksinen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Frulani shoots in but Saksinen avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Saksinen throws an off balance right hand

and Frulani counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Saksinen!
Frulani wants to take Saksinen's back but he can't do it this time.

Frulani has control of Saksinen's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Saksinen regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Saksinen wants to hold on but Frulani pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Frulani throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Saksinen because Frulani loaded up on that one.
Saksinen is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Saksinen is wriggling around trying to escape.
Frulani looking to ground and pound but Saksinen is blocking nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saksinen is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Saksinen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Frulani on the ground.

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

Frulani working for a guillotine from mount but Saksinen is in no mood to give up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Saksinen wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Felipe Frulani dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Frulani swinging wilding here.
Frulani changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Saksinen tries to avoid it but Frulani manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Saksinen to the ground. Saksinen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Frulani tries for a takedown but Saksinen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Felipe Frulani is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Saksinen drives through and clinches with Frulani against the cage.
Frulani tries for a takedown but Saksinen manages to get underhooks.
Esa Saksinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Felipe Frulani.
Saksinen has Frulani pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Frulani manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Saksinen trying to stall but Frulani improves his position.
A knee to the head by Saksinen.
Frulani drops down looking for an ankle pick but Saksinen pulls his leg out and moves away.
Frulani looks for a takedown but Saksinen sprawls well.
Saksinen clinches but Frulani breaks the clinch

and Frulani counters with a single leg into guard. Saksinen didn't expect that.
Frulani trying to control but Saksinen is working from the bottom.
Saksinen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Frulani with a flurry of punches that miss.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Frulani pushing down on Saksinen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Frulani is working for a submission of some sort.

Frulani is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Saksinen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Frulani.
Saksinen is trying to stand up here but Frulani is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Frulani is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Saksinen is looking to escape.

Frulani is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Saksinen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Frulani.
Frulani tries to pass to full mount but Saksinen defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Saksinen moves in looking to clinch but Frulani pushes him off.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Frulani.
Saksinen tries to clinch up.
Esa Saksinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saksinen wants to clinch.
Frulani attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Frulani shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Saksinen as he jumps to the side.
Frulani changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Saksinen misses with a looping left.
Frulani circles away from the clinch attempt

and Frulani counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Frulani decides to stand up.
A head kick misses from Frulani.
Saksinen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Frulani shoots for a double leg takedown but Saksinen sprawls well. He's pushed Frulani's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Frulani shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Saksinen looks to clinch

and Frulani counters with a takedown into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Frulani advances to mount.

Frulani jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Saksinen manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Felipe Frulani has got the better of the ground game so far.

Frulani tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Frulani has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Frulani throws an elbow but Saksinen slips to the side and avoids it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Felipe Frulani showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

Saksinen stuffs the takedown.
Saksinen tries to clinch there but Frulani circles away.
Frulani changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Saksinen tries to avoid it but Frulani manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Saksinen to the ground. Saksinen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Saksinen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Frulani moves away.
Saksinen doesn't manage to clinch there - Frulani circles away.
Saksinen throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Frulani.
Saksinen closes the distance looking to clinch
and Frulani counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Saksinen tries to clinch but Frulani moves out of range.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Saksinen.
Saksinen lands a high kick!
Saksinen tries to clinch but Frulani is having none of it.
Frulani fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Esa Saksinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Felipe Frulani.
Frulani avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Frulani fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Frulani moves out of range as Saksinen strikes.

Saksinen has taken the fight to the clinch.
Saksinen using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Saksinen stalling in the clinch but Frulani improves position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Saksinen looking for a takedown.
Frulani is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Saksinen pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Saksinen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Frulani throws a head kick that misses
and Saksinen counters with a good low kick that Frulani was not able to check.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Saksinen.
Frulani misses the shot to the body.
Frulani misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Saksinen lands with a slapping head kick.
Saksinen wants to clinch up but Frulani keeps it at a distance.
Saksinen wants to clinch.

Saksinen rushes Frulani and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Saksinen tries to land a knee to the head but Frulani blocks with his arms.

Frulani has picked Saksinen up - he's going for a ride! Frulani dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Frulani is thwarting Saksinen's attempts to control the position.

Frulani is looking for a kimura here.
Frulani controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Saksinen is defending against the submission attempts here by Frulani.
Frulani seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Saksinen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Frulani sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Saksinen defending well though.
Frulani is pressing down on Saksinen's thigh, looking to free his foot. Saksinen is holding on for now.

Frulani gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saksinen lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Frulani uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Saksinen.
Saksinen throws a big shot that misses.
Saksinen throws a big shot that misses.
Saksinen wants to clinch.
Saksinen moves in looking to clinch but Frulani pushes him off.
Saksinen tries to clinch but Frulani is having none of it.
Frulani shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Saksinen but Saksinen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Esa Saksinen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Saksinen tries to clinch there but Frulani circles away.
Frulani misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Frulani closes the distance and clinches up with Saksinen, looking for a takedown. Frulani pushes Saksinen against the cage but Saksinen circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Saksinen throws a sloppy head kick

and Frulani counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Saksinen's guard now.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Frulani accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Frulani tries to free his leg and advance position but Saksinen is retaining full guard.
Frulani is looking to work some ground and pound but Saksinen has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Frulani looking to pass the guard.
Frulani wants to control from the top but Saksinen keeps moving.
Frulani is working Saksinen over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Frulani decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Frulani keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice takedown defense from Saksinen. No joy for Frulani on that attempt.

Frulani changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Saksinen looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Saksinen on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Saksinen tries to get out of the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Saksinen is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Frulani in side control, working for a kimura. He's got hold of an arm and he's torquing it... Saksinen is tapping! That's the end of the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Felipe Frulani!