PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Slade (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leo Sarsola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sarsola is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Mono - 16.12. 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.

Slade
vs
Sarsola

182 cm
27
199 lbs
17 - 5 - 1

180 cm
28
197 lbs
19 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
World class boxer
Good gas tank

•• Beast Mode ••
Brute

•• Beast Mode ••

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 17 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, John Slade!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Leo Sarsola!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sarsola tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Good work by Slade as he checks the leg kick.
Slade misses the shot to the body.
Slade has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Sarsola.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sarsola.
Slade lands with a shot to the body.
Sarsola throws an off balance right hand
and Slade counters with a low kick, right behind Sarsola 's knee.
Slade chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Sarsola can pounce on him.
Sarsola shoots in but Slade avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sarsola lands a jab to the head.
Leo Sarsola seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sarsola pivots, looking for a leg kick but Slade is out of range and Sarsola settles back down.
Sarsola tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Slade was well out of range. Poor timing from Sarsola.
Sarsola lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Slade blocks the body kick.
Slade swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Sarsola decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sarsola is looking to take a break and control but Slade is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Slade moves into full guard.
Sarsola won't allow Slade to sweep him here.
Sarsola slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Sarsola fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slade tries to escape but Sarsola is in control.

Sarsola working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Sarsola throws a strike aimed at the side of Slade's head but Slade avoids it well.
Slade dodges the ground and pound from Sarsola.
You can see the frustration on Slade's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Slade pushes Sarsola away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Sarsola gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slade is looking to regain half guard here but Sarsola keeps moving and retains side control.
Sarsola is looking to take a break and control but Slade is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sarsola working the ground and pound but Slade is defending the strikes.
The strikes coming from Sarsola are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Slade stops Sarsola from passing to mount.
Slade is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Slade's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Sarsola trying to control the position but Slade is working away.
Sarsola has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sarsola postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Sarsola laying and praying for a moment but Slade takes advantage and regains half guard.
Slade avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sarsola.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leo Sarsola dominated that round.
That's time! Slade's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sarsola connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Sarsola throws a jab when Slade was well out of range.
Slade lands with a nice body kick.
Sarsola throws the left hand but Slade avoids the punch easily.
Slade checks a low kick from Sarsola.
Nice shot by Sarsola.
Sarsola scores with a nice body kick.
Sarsola throws a poor cross that misses
and Slade counters with a nice body kick.
Sarsola takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sarsola throws a hook but Slade blocks it.
Sarsola slips a jab from Slade.
Slade connects with a crisp jab.
A bone on bone clash there as Sarsola blocks the leg kick.
Sarsola swings for the body but Slade moves out of range.
Sarsola throws out a powerful jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sarsola thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Slade. Sarsola shrugs it off though.
Slade lands with a hook. Sarsola tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Sarsola throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sarsola misses with an uppercut. Slade saw that one coming.
Slade lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Slade tries to land a leg kick but Sarsola saw it coming and moves away.
Slade misses with a body shot.

Sarsola instigates a clinch.
Sarsola misses with some punches.
Sarsola lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Slade backwards.
Slade blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Slade's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Sarsola tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Slade blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sarsola lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Slade backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sarsola struggles to land a body shot inside as Slade controls his hands.

Slade escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Slade defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sarsola.
Sarsola is looking to score with low kicks.
Slade keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Slade misses with a leg kick.
John Slade is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Slade throws the left hand but Sarsola avoids the punch easily.
Sarsola scores with a jab to the head.
Sarsola thows a left - swing and a miss!
Slade tries to close the distance and clinch but Sarsola swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Slade checks a low kick from Sarsola.
Sarsola lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Slade tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Slade throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slade misses with an uppercut
and Sarsola counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Sarsola, as that shot connected.
Sarsola missing with a left hand there. Slade was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sarsola misses with a leg kick
and Slade counters with a leg kick.
Slade on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Sarsola connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Sarsola is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Sarsola swings for the body but Slade moves out of range.
Slade throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sarsola throws a jab when Slade was well out of range.
Sarsola throws a leg kick that is checked
and Slade counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sarsola is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Slade.
Sarsola checks the leg kick nicely there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A big right from Sarsola misses.
Slade wants to clinch.
Slade looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Sarsola keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Slade.
Sarsola uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Slade.
Sarsola looks to score with a jab to the body but Slade is just out of range.
Slade misses with a hook. Sarsola ducked under it nicely.
Slade throws a leg kick
and Sarsola counters with a leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Some wild striking there from Slade.
Sarsola misses with a body shot.
Nice body kick there by Sarsola.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Leo Sarsola will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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.

Slade throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sarsola sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Slade connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A thudding body kick lands there by Sarsola!
Slade throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Slade attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Slade looks to land a left hand but Sarsola moved out of range nicely.
Sarsola misses with a looping right.
Slade takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Slade blocks a leg kick.
Slade moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Sarsola throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sarsola misses with a left hand
and Slade counters with a left to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sarsola swings for the body but Slade moves out of range.
Sarsola throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slade checks a leg kick nicely.
Slade smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Sarsola takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Slade jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Slade throws a half hearted mid kick.

Slade clinches.
Slade blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sarsola lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Slade gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Sarsola.
Sarsola tries a body shot but Slade blocks it.
A short left from Sarsola.
Slade throws a punch but it's blocked by Sarsola.
Sarsola is looking for a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slade scores with a shoulder strike.
Sarsola misses with some punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Slade lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Sarsola backwards.
Slade misses with the head strike.
Slade has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Sarsola tries to throw a body punch but Slade avoids it by throwing Sarsola back against the cage.
Sarsola scores with a hook to the body.

Slade pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sarsola on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

Sarsola manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Slade on his heels. He'll look to pass Slade's guard now, I'm sure.

Slade has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Sarsola off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Slade takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Slade misses with a low kick.
Sarsola fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Slade has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sarsola changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Sarsola takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Sarsola throws a front kick that sends Slade stumbling back into the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Slade gets caught napping as Sarsola dives in and scores a takedown. Slade manages to retain guard.
Sarsola trying to control but Slade is working from the bottom.
Sarsola postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Sarsola throwing strikes but missing.
Slade wants to stand and escape but Sarsola is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sarsola in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Sarsola postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Slade is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Sarsola, into his guard.
Slade has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Slade has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Sarsola is proving hard to escape from.
Sarsola wants to sweep here but Slade controlling him for the moment.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Slade wants to stand but Sarsola is controlling his posture from full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Leo Sarsola just about did enough to take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Sarsola is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Slade.
Slade defending well as Sarsola loads up on a big left hand.
Sarsola ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sarsola shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Slade pinned against the cage. Slade gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sarsola throws a body kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Slade thuds his right hand into Sarsola's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Sarsola lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Sarsola lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Slade throws a head kick that Sarsola semi-blocks.
Slade takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slade throws a body punch but Sarsola moves out of range.
Sarsola thumps Slade with a low kick.
Sarsola shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Slade sprawls well. Slade wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sarsola gets slowly back to his feet.
Sarsola slips under a jab from Slade.
Sarsola throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Slade's waist but Slade gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sarsola off to one side.
John Slade has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leo Sarsola.
Sarsola lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Slade shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Slade misses the jab.
Sarsola moves out of range of the body kick.
Slade is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sarsola looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sarsola is looking to score with low kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sarsola throws a hook to the side of Slade's head but Slade sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
An inside leg kick lands from Slade.
Slade misses with a straight left.
Sarsola takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Sarsola misses with an uppercut.
Sarsola throws a nice inside leg kick.
Sarsola fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Slade is out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sarsola connects with a right hand. Slade shakes it off.
Sarsola avoids the head kick by Slade.
Sarsola walks into a straight right hand from Slade.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Slade.
Sarsola fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sarsola blocks a head kick by Slade.
Jab, jab by Sarsola - just one landing.
Sarsola looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Sarsola shoots in for a takedown but Slade shows good takedown defense.
That kick from Slade tenderised Sarsola's leg. Sarsola is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sarsola throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Slade.
Slade ducks under a wild hook from Sarsola.
Slade throws a leg kick but Sarsola sees it coming and moves out of range.
Sarsola takes a swing at Slade's ribcage but misses.
Slade swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sarsola avoids the head kick by Slade.

Sarsola clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sarsola lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Slade backwards.
Slade lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Sarsola backwards.
Sarsola misses with a body punch.
Slade lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Sarsola fails to land.
Sarsola tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sarsola lands with a light punch inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A short uppercut from Slade.
Sarsola tries for a takedown but Slade manages to get underhooks.
Sarsola tries to work over Slade's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Slade scores with a shoulder strike.
A short left from Slade.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sarsola makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Slade looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Sarsola lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Slade.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sarsola.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Leo Sarsola will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Slade's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Slade throws a wild body kick that Sarsola sees coming a mile off.
Slade connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Slade gets caught napping as Sarsola dives in and scores a takedown. Slade manages to retain guard.
Sarsola slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Sarsola postures up.
Sarsola won't allow Slade to get back to his feet.
Sarsola wants to control from the top but Slade keeps moving.
Sarsola tries to free his leg and advance position but Slade is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Some bone on bone action there as Slade checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Slade throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sarsola sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sarsola throws a shot to the body.
Slade moves out of range of the strikes.
A slow jab from Slade misses its intended target.
Slade looks to score with a jab to the body but Sarsola is just out of range.
Sarsola tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Slade scores with a jab to the body.
Slade avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Slade throws a shot from downtown. Sarsola moves away and avoids it.
Leo Sarsola seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Slade lands a jab to Sarsola's midsection.
Sarsola misses with a low kick.
Slade scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
John Slade has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sarsola throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Slade throws out a loose jab but Sarsola uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sarsola throws a shot from downtown. Slade moves away and avoids it.
Sarsola takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Slade thows a body shot but no joy.
Slade tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sarsola was well out of range. Poor timing from Slade.

Sarsola drives through with a takedown into Slade's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Sarsola trying to control the position from guard on top but Slade is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Slade utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sarsola working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sarsola got a little sloppy there for a moment and Slade has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sarsola has managed to get both his arms back between Slade's legs - danger averted.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Sarsola trying to control the position from guard on top but Slade is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Slade is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Slade is looking for a triangle but Sarsola pushes his legs off easily.
Sarsola showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sarsola trying to control the position from guard on top but Slade is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Leo Sarsola is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sarsola controlling from the top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Leo Sarsola was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Sarsola misses with an attempted mid kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sarsola scores with a body shot.
Slade tried to score with a low kick but Sarsola checks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leo Sarsola comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sarsola has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 45:50
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 45:50
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leo Sarsola!
Leo Sarsola is the new middleweight champion!
Leo Sarsola really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Perkele! logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.