PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Antti Kristian Saatanainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cain Velasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Kristian Saatanainen
vs
Velasquez

196 cm
21
274 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

185 cm
21
260 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
Good gas tank

Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Antti Kristian Saatanainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Cain Velasquez!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Winston Howard and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saatanainen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Velasquez.
A swing and a miss from Saatanainen.
Antti Kristian Saatanainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saatanainen scores with a nice right hand.
Velasquez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Saatanainen looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Velasquez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Saatanainen has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Velasquez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Saatanainen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Saatanainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Velasquez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Saatanainen throws a strike but Velasquez rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Velasquez is looking to pass into half guard but Saatanainen pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Saatanainen is in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Velasquez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saatanainen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Saatanainen throws an elbow that misses. Velasquez uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Saatanainen's guard. Nice move by Velasquez!
Velasquez works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Velasquez is working for a kimura but Saatanainen is defending it quite comfortably.
Velasquez not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Velasquez is looking for a kimura but Saatanainen is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Velasquez to get the leverage.

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

Velasquez is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Saatanainen is defending against the submission attempts here by Velasquez.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Velasquez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Saatanainen is refusing to be controlled, as Velasquez sits in half guard.
Velasquez has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Velasquez wants to control the pace but Saatanainen is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saatanainen really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Velasquez is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Saatanainen is surviving well by controlling Velasquez's body position as best he can.
Velasquez can't control as he wanted to and Saatanainen manages to get the fight back to his half guard.
Saatanainen makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Saatanainen.
Saatanainen keeping moving, preventing Velasquez from controlling successfully.
Velasquez scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saatanainen thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Saatanainen is looking for a triangle here but Velasquez uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Saatanainen is trying to control Velasquez's posture but Velasquez avoids it.
Saatanainen avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Velasquez.
Saatanainen tries to improve position but can't.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Velasquez tries to move into full mount but can't pass Saatanainen's legs.
Saatanainen tries to bench press Velasquez off him but Velasquez keeps the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Cain Velasquez will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Saatanainen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cain Velasquez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Saatanainen closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Saatanainen wants to pass the guard but Velasquez is defending well.
Velasquez taking some punishment here, with Saatanainen in his half guard.
Saatanainen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Velasquez wants to get back to full guard.
Saatanainen thows a huge punch but Velasquez dodges it nicely.
Velasquez wants to control but Saatanainen is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Velasquez looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Saatanainen looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Velasquez with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Antti Kristian Saatanainen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saatanainen moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Velasquez.
Saatanainen advances to mount.
Velasquez is looking to improve his position but Saatanainen isn't that keen on the idea.
Velasquez is bucking up trying to escape but Saatanainen cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Saatanainen scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Velasquez is working to get back to half guard.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Saatanainen cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saatanainen punishing his opponent with strikes.
Saatanainen has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Velasquez's face.
Saatanainen controlling from the full mount.
Velasquez is in a horrible position here. Saatanainen smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Saatanainen looking to control but Velasquez is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Saatanainen cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Saatanainen lands a big shot there that rocks Velasquez but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Saatanainen avoids the attempt from Velasquez to control.
Saatanainen tries to control but Velasquez wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saatanainen with the ground and pound from mount.
Saatanainen is in the full mount, landing strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saatanainen landing shots from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saatanainen with good strikes from the mount here!
Velasquez is trying to escape the mount.
Saatanainen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Velasquez can do to turn this around?
Saatanainen lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Velasquez keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Saatanainen landing punches.
Velasquez is wriggling around trying to escape.
Velasquez is still trying to improve position.
Velasquez regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saatanainen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Velasquez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Saatanainen.
Velasquez on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Saatanainen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Velasquez does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Still in half guard, Saatanainen seems content to control.
Velasquez throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Saatanainen trying to control the action but Velasquez is working from the bottom.

Velasquez looking for submissions off his back.
Saatanainen is looking to take a break and control but Velasquez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Saatanainen is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antti Kristian Saatanainen dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Saatanainen throws a jab when Velasquez was well out of range.
Velasquez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Saatanainen.

Saatanainen shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Velasquez napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Velasquez tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Saatanainen wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Saatanainen has an Americana. Velasquez didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Saatanainen is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Saatanainen hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:42 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Antti Kristian Saatanainen!
Antti Kristian Saatanainen decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.