PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Per Saukko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jiu Claw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Claw has chosen Orgineel! as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Saukko
vs
Claw

192 cm
32
272 lbs
23 - 10 - 0

190 cm
28
278 lbs
17 - 7 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Per Saukko!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jiu Claw!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Paul Aken and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Claw scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Saukko has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Claw finds it's way round the side to connect with Saukko's head.
Saukko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Claw was well out of range. Poor timing from Saukko.
Saukko slips a jab from Claw.
Saukko with a hook.
A jab lands there for Claw.
Saukko checks a leg kick nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saukko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Saukko tries to bum rush Claw with a series of wild strikes but Claw uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Claw takes a swing at Saukko's ribcage but misses.
Saukko waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Claw.

Saukko scores a takedown into full mount!
Saukko is landing with some decent strikes but Claw is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Claw really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Claw manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Still in half guard, Saukko seems content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Claw avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Saukko.
Saukko seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Claw does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Saukko trying to pass the guard but Claw defending well.
Saukko throws a strike but Claw avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Claw wants to stand and escape but Saukko is having none of it.
Saukko wants to control from the top but Claw keeps moving.
Claw pulls Saukko in close to his closed guard and prevents Saukko from doing any damage or advancing position.
Saukko tries to free his leg and advance position but Claw is retaining full guard.
Saukko trying to control the position from guard on top but Claw is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Claw trying to control the position here.

Per Saukko has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Decent striking displayed by Claw there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lazy left from Claw finds it's target.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Claw enables Saukko to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Claw manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Claw trying to keep a closed guard but Saukko is proving a slippery customer.
Saukko looking to pass the guard.
Saukko wants to control from the top but Claw keeps moving.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Claw is on top in guard.
Saukko seems keen to control Claw's posture.
Saukko keeping moving, preventing Claw from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Claw sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Saukko's guard.
Saukko is trying to get back to full guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Claw wants to free his trapped foot but Saukko is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Claw is looking to take a break and control but Saukko is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Claw might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Saukko kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Saukko won't allow Claw to pass to mount.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Jiu Claw.
Claw moves out of range as Saukko strikes.
Claw slips a jab from Saukko.
Claw throws a low kick, looking for Saukko's leg but Saukko calmly moves out of range.
Saukko throws a series of punches but Claw moves out of range.
Claw throws an overhand right that lands on Saukko's shoulder, as Saukko tries to avoid the shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saukko lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

It looks like Jiu Claw has been cut.
Saukko avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Saukko scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Claw tries to improve position but can't.
Claw avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Saukko.
Claw takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Saukko wants to lay and pray for a moment but Claw keeps working.
Claw tries to buck Saukko off but Saukko is having none of it.
Saukko wants to control for a moment but Claw uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Saukko takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Claw on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
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 Per Saukko will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jiu Claw's cut.
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.

Saukko misses with a body shot
and Claw counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Saukko takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A punch lands to the side of Claw 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Claw throws the left hand but Saukko avoids the punch easily.

Claw closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Claw lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Saukko.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Claw lands a left hand that snaps the head of Saukko backwards.
Claw lands a right hand.
Claw lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

It looks like Per Saukko has been cut.
Claw lands with a light punch inside.
Claw lands a knee to the head.
Claw lands with a light punch inside.

Saukko is rocked!
Claw has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Claw jerks Saukko's head down, straight into the path of a devastating knee! Saukko drops to the floor in a crumpled heap! Claw goes to throw a finishing haymaker but pulls out - good sportsmanship from Claw because Saukko was completely out of it. That was a nice finish - just the right level of brutality to send everyone home happy.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:53 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Knee). Jiu Claw!
Jiu Claw is the new heavyweight champion!
After winning the bout, Jiu Claw thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.