PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Naru Jarkko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Saunders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Jarkko might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Hawaii 78 & E ala E. Saunders has chosen Fort Minor - Remember the Name as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Jarkko
vs
Saunders

180 cm
27
155 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

190 cm
25
169 lbs
12 - 0 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Good gas tank

[CBK] LEGAL HIGHS « Fatality MMA ↑ 5x160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Naru Jarkko!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 0 - 2, fighting out of London, John Saunders!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Colin Fotheringham and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jarkko shoots in looking for a takedown. Saunders tries to sprawl out of it but Jarkko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Saunders manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Saunders just misses with a punch to the body.
Jab from Saunders.
Sloppy strikes from Saunders. Those never looked like landing.
Saunders moves out of range as Jarkko strikes.
Jarkko throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Jarkko throws a shot from downtown. Saunders moves away and avoids it.
A head kick misses from Saunders.
Jarkko on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Jarkko checks a low kick from Saunders.
Jarkko checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Jarkko misses with a straight left.
Saunders jabs Jarkko to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Jarkko goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jarkko loads up on a big right hand but Saunders slips the punch.
Danga de danga de dang - Jarkko scores with a four punch combination!
Saunders throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Saunders slips a jab and a cross from Jarkko.
Saunders is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Jarkko misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Jarkko misses with a hook
and Saunders counters with a stiff right hand.
John Saunders is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Saunders displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Jarkko throws out the jab.
A nice leg kick lands there from Saunders.
Jarkko tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Saunders swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Naru Jarkko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saunders scoring well with a low kick there.
Saunders attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A shot to the body from Jarkko misses
and Saunders counters with a nice uppercut.
Saunders checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jarkko looks to score with a jab to the body but Saunders is just out of range.
Jarkko takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Saunders fails with an attempt to clinch.
Saunders throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Saunders throws a shot to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Saunders.
Jarkko avoids the body shot from Saunders.
Jarkko throws the left hand but Saunders avoids the punch easily.
Jarkko throws a body punch but Saunders moves out of range.
Saunders tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Jarkko is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Saunders's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Saunders avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Jarkko misses with a body shot.
Saunders drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Jarkko just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Jarkko.
Saunders keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Saunders throws a hook to the side of Jarkko's head but Jarkko sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Jarkko ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Saunders looks to land a right hand but Jarkko moved out of range.
A slow jab from Jarkko misses its intended target.
A bone on bone clash there as Saunders blocks the leg kick.
Saunders has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A cross from Jarkko lands.

Jarkko shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Jarkko was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Saunders is squirming around, avoiding Jarkko's attempts to control the action.
Saunders keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jarkko working the ground and pound effectively.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saunders is looking to get to half guard.
Jarkko wants to control the pace but Saunders is squirming around nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jarkko lands a nice shot to the head.
Jarkko thowing shots but they're missing.
Saunders tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Jarkko cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Jarkko wants to control the pace but Saunders is squirming around nicely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jarkko blocks Saunders's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Saunders is bucking up trying to escape but Jarkko cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Jarkko lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
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 Naru Jarkko will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

An inside leg kick lands from Jarkko.
John Saunders seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A slow jab from Jarkko misses its intended target.
Jarkko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Saunders throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Saunders throws the left hand but Jarkko avoids the punch easily.
Jarkko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Saunders.
Jarkko circles away from the clinch attempt.
Saunders misses with a hook.
Jarkko keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Saunders.
Jarkko misses with a body shot.
Saunders tries to clinch up.
Saunders throws a hook to the side of Jarkko's head but Jarkko sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Saunders ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jarkko moves away.
Jarkko moves out of range of the leg kick from Saunders.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jarkko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Saunders.
Saunders throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jarkko has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Saunders.
Saunders swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Jarkko takes a kick to the side of the head.
Jarkko is looking to score with low kicks.
Saunders closes the distance looking to clinch
and Jarkko connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Saunders ducks under a wild hook from Jarkko.
Jarkko throws a body punch but Saunders moves out of range.
Saunders throws a jab when Jarkko was well out of range.
Jarkko on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saunders throws a looping overhand right but Jarkko ducks down to avoid it.
Jarkko connects with a looping right hand.
Decent striking displayed by Jarkko there.

Saunders gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jarkko accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Jarkko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Saunders wants to stand but Jarkko is controlling the position.
Saunders trying to keep a closed guard but Jarkko is proving a slippery customer.
Jarkko postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Saunders keeping moving, preventing Jarkko from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jarkko controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders wants to stand and escape but Jarkko is having none of it.
Jarkko throws a big right hand that misses.
Jarkko looking to pass the guard.
Jarkko trying to control the position from guard on top but Saunders is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Saunders lands the left hand.
Jarkko misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Jarkko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Saunders.
Saunders misses with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jarkko misses the jab.
Saunders jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Jarkko checks a leg kick.
Jarkko moves out of range as Saunders strikes.
Saunders scores with a jab to the head.
Saunders lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Jarkko is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Saunders.
Saunders tries to clinch up but Jarkko circles away and keeps his distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A big right from Saunders misses.
Jarkko scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saunders lands with a shot to the body.
Jarkko moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
No joy there for Jarkko, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but John Saunders will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Saunders tries to clinch but Jarkko moves away
and Jarkko counters with a lovely shot to the body.
That kick from Saunders tenderised Jarkko's leg. Jarkko is trying to keep his angry face on.
Jarkko throws a body punch but Saunders moves out of range.
Jarkko lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Saunders is looking to slow Jarkko down with leg kicks.
Saunders jabs Jarkko right on the nose. Jarkko blinks but takes it well.
Jarkko slips a straight right by Saunders.
Saunders lands a jab.
Jarkko uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Saunders.
Jarkko throws the left hand but Saunders avoids the punch easily.
Saunders moves away from the strike by Jarkko.
Jarkko misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jarkko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Saunders uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Jarkko looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Jarkko thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Saunders's head.
Saunders trying to hold on to Jarkko's head to control him but Jarkko postures up.
Jarkko is looking to advance position but Saunders won't allow it.
Saunders wants to control but Jarkko is keeping busy.
Saunders taking some punishment here, with Jarkko in his half guard.
Jarkko tries to pass to full mount but Saunders defends it.
Saunders looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jarkko misses with a head shot. Saunders uses the momentum to regain guard.
Jarkko lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jarkko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Saunders is keeping the position for now.
Jarkko is working hard here to advance position.
Saunders not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Jarkko preventing the sweep.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by John Saunders.
Jarkko closes this distance looking for a takedown but Saunders circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jarkko tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Saunders slips under a jab from Jarkko.
Saunders misses with a wild body shot.
Jarkko 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.
Saunders throws a jab but it's blocked by Jarkko.
A telegraphed right hand from Jarkko misses the target.
Saunders will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Jarkko misses with a hook.
Jarkko tries to score with a low kick but Saunders moves his leg out of the way.
Jarkko shoots in for a takedown but Saunders shows good takedown defense.
Jarkko takes a swing at Saunders's ribcage but misses.
Saunders doesn't manage to clinch there - Jarkko circles away.
Saunders misses with a leg kick
and Jarkko counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saunders takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Saunders swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Saunders throws a head kick that misses.
Saunders on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Jarkko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Saunders lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Jarkko thows a body shot but no joy.
Jarkko thows a body shot but no joy.
Jarkko misses the body punch
and Saunders counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jarkko avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jarkko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Saunders moves away.
Saunders digs a good hook to Jarkko's body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Naru Jarkko did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Jarkko takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Saunders feints and then cracks Jarkko's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Jarkko down.
Saunders scores with a jab to the head.
Nice defenses there by Jarkko.
Saunders looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Jarkko is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Jarkko scores with a three punch combo!
Saunders misses with a low kick.
Saunders slips under a jab from Jarkko.
Saunders scores with a nice right hand.
Saunders misses with a two punch combination.
Saunders misses with a body kick.
Jarkko throws a jab when Saunders was well out of range.
Jarkko looks to land a right hand but Saunders moved out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunders misses the body punch
and Jarkko makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Jarkko looks to land a left hand but Saunders moved out of range nicely.
Jarkko uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Saunders.
Jarkko walks into a straight right hand from Saunders.
Jarkko fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Saunders tries to clinch there but Jarkko circles away.
Jarkko fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Jarkko rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Saunders moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Saunders looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Saunders tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Jarkko manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Saunders defending well as Jarkko loads up on a big left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jarkko cracks Saunders with a right hand to the side of the head.
Saunders is looking to clinch.
Jarkko jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Jarkko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Saunders closes the distance and clinches.

Jarkko breaks from the clinch.
Saunders lands with a cross.
Jarkko misses with a double jab.
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!
Saunders tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Jarkko manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jarkko drops his hands momentarily and Saunders takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Saunders throws a hook but Jarkko avoids it easily.
Jarkko throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Saunders throws a head kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jarkko swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Saunders tries a head kick but it misses.
Jarkko works over Saunders's head and body with a nice combination.
Saunders is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Jarkko throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Jarkko, as that shot connected.
Jarkko shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Saunders eats them both and turns towards Jarkko to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Saunders missing with a left hand there. Jarkko was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Saunders wants to clinch up but Jarkko keeps it at a distance.
Saunders slips a jab from Jarkko.
Saunders thuds a left hand into Jarkko's body.
Saunders slips under a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saunders throws out a powerful jab.
A jab from Saunders misses.
A big left from Saunders misses.
A punch combination from Jarkko misses.
Jarkko swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Saunders pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jarkko just misses with a punch to the body.
Jarkko circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jarkko throws a right and a left that Saunders avoids nicely.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saunders lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Nice cross by Saunders.
Jarkko punishes Saunders's body with a nice straight punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Saunders dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Jarkko takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Jarkko takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Jarkko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jarkko.
Saunders fails with an attempt to clinch.
Jarkko throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Saunders sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Jarkko takes one on the button.
Jarkko misses with a straight right.
Saunders blocks a jab.
Saunders missing with a left hand there. Jarkko was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jarkko circles away from the clinch attempt.
Saunders swings for the body but Jarkko moves out of range.
Jarkko circles away from the clinch attempt.
A low kick from Saunders misses
enabling Jarkko to counter with a crisp jab.
Saunders has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Saunders 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.
Jarkko takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Jarkko looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Jarkko drops his hands momentarily and Saunders takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Jarkko walks into a stiff left hand from Saunders.
Jarkko rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Saunders counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Saunders uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Jarkko.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jarkko checks a leg kick.
Jarkko will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Saunders tries to clinch up but Jarkko circles away and keeps his distance.
A shot to the liver by Jarkko. Beautiful body shot.
Saunders slips a jab and a cross from Jarkko.
Jarkko missing with a left hand there. Saunders was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Jarkko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Saunders manages to avoid it.
Saunders throws a solid leg kick but Jarkko takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Saunders.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Saunders thows a body shot but no joy.
Jarkko misses with an uppercut. Saunders saw that one coming.
Jarkko cracks Saunders with a good jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jarkko throws out a loose jab but Saunders uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saunders keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Jarkko throws a series of punches but Saunders moves out of range.
Jarkko swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Jarkko blocks a jab.
A big right from Saunders misses.
Jarkko throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Jarkko throws a shot from downtown. Saunders moves away and avoids it.
Saunders moves into range and connects with a jab.
Jarkko throws a shot from downtown. Saunders moves away and avoids it.
Jarkko misses with a leg kick
and Saunders counters with a nice body shot.
Saunders looks to throw the jab but Jarkko is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Jarkko misses.

Jarkko feints and as Saunders raises his hands in defense, Jarkko changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
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.
Jarkko stops Saunders from standing up.
Jarkko throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Saunders manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saunders looking to control but Jarkko is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Jarkko gets back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Saunders escapes and gets back to his feet.
Saunders lands with a right hand.
Saunders thows a body shot but no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Saunders comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Saunders has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 William Gold scores the fight 47:48
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 47:49
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Saunders! John Saunders retains his lightweight title!
John Saunders took to the mic in his post fight interview and said '"Hell Ya!" *Shouts to Wilson: "Who's next? Klaus Andersen or John Kyle Romo?" "Don't forget I want one more shot @ 185lbs."'.