PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Heikko Saarinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Funk McTavish (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Saarinen might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to I Walk Alone. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Saarinen
vs
McTavish

170 cm
33
154 lbs
23 - 8 - 1

165 cm
21
150 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Cold Blooded Kemists ↑ 5x160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Heikko Saarinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Funk McTavish!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Paul Tew and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saarinen scores with a jab to the jaw.
Saarinen lands a nice leg kick that just misses McTavish's sensitive parts.
Saarinen throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
McTavish has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Saarinen.
Saarinen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McTavish.
Saarinen scores with a jab.
Saarinen scores with a shot to the body.
McTavish takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A clash of legs there as Saarinen blocks the low kick.
Saarinen blocks the body kick.

Saarinen rushes McTavish and presses him up against the cage.
McTavish letting Saarinen take a breather here.
A short right from Saarinen on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saarinen digs a right hand underneath McTavish's ribcage. McTavish let out a lung full of air as it connected.
McTavish throws a head punch that misses.
Saarinen stops a takedown attempt from McTavish.
Saarinen is stalling here.
McTavish wants a takedown but no success here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McTavish is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Saarinen is defending well.
Heikko Saarinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Funk McTavish.
Saarinen is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Saarinen stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
McTavish looks winded!
Saarinen stalling.
Saarinen scores with a shoulder strike.
A right hand to the body from Saarinen.
Saarinen lands with a short shot to the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Saarinen.
Saarinen taking a breather.
McTavish is working for takedown but Saarinen is calmly controlling the position for now.
Saarinen working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Saarinen lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
McTavish is looking for a takedown.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice body punch from Saarinen - that landed with a thud.
Saarinen stalls.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saarinen lands a body shot.
A shot in the inside from Saarinen.
A right hook to the body lands for Saarinen.
Saarinen lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of McTavish backwards.
Saarinen lands a body punch in the clinch.
Saarinen lands with a left to the head.
Saarinen pushes McTavish back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A left hand lands to the body for Saarinen.
Saarinen avoiding damage.
A short right from Saarinen.
Good body shot from Saarinen.
Saarinen controlling the action here for a moment.
A short left from Saarinen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McTavish trying to land knees to the body.
Saarinen scores with a shoulder strike.
A short body shot lands from Saarinen as the two fighters clinch.
Saarinen presses McTavish against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A nice left hand lands by Saarinen.
Saarinen lands an uppercut.
Saarinen lands with a left to the head.
Saarinen throws a blind hook that connects with the side of McTavishs head.
Saarinen works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Saarinen lands with a light punch inside.
Saarinen lands a hook to the side of the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Saarinen.

McTavish is rocked!
Saarinen throws a blind hook that connects with the side of McTavishs head.
McTavish is still on wobbly legs! Can Saarinen finish him?
Saarinen pushes McTavish back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
McTavish seems to have recovered his senses.
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!
Saarinen lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Saarinen.
Saarinen lands with a light punch inside.
Saarinen cracks McTavish with a nice body shot.
Nice body punch from Saarinen - that landed with a thud.
Saarinen lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Saarinen working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A hook to the body from Saarinen.
Saarinen lands a left hand that snaps the head of McTavish backwards.
Good body shot from Saarinen.
McTavish being controlled against the cage.
McTavish drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Saarinen slows down the pace here.
McTavish has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Saarinen after a bit of a struggle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Heikko Saarinen 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.

McTavish misses the shot to the body.
Saarinen thuds his right hand into McTavish's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Saarinen.
Saarinen getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Saarinen getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Saarinen lands a jab to McTavish's midsection.
A nice leg kick lands there from Saarinen.
McTavish moves forwards but Saarinen connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A nice inside leg kick there by Saarinen. That's going to slow McTavish down.
Saarinen fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt McTavish.
A solid leg kick lands there for Saarinen.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McTavish throws the left hand but Saarinen avoids the punch easily.

Saarinen forces McTavish back against the cage and clinches.
McTavish prevents a body shot from Saarinen.
Saarinen lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
McTavish takes a shot to the head.
Saarinen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that McTavish can do to turn this around?
Saarinen just leaning against McTavish, taking a breather.
McTavish is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McTavish is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Saarinen pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Saarinen lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of McTavish backwards.
McTavish is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Saarinen has McTavish pushed against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Saarinen.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Saarinen.
Saarinen stalling.
Saarinen gets underhooks to prevent McTavish's takedown attempt.
Heikko Saarinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Funk McTavish.
Saarinen lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down McTavish.
Saarinen stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Saarinen.
A body shot lands from Saarinen.
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!
A right hand to the body from Saarinen.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A hook to the body from Saarinen.
Saarinen leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Saarinen.
Saarinen cracks McTavish with a nice body shot.
A right handed body shot lands from Saarinen.
Heikko Saarinen has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A left hand lands to the body for Saarinen.
Saarinen is pushing McTavish up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
McTavish drops down looking for an ankle pick but Saarinen pulls his leg out and moves away.
Saarinen lands a leg kick that knocks McTavish off balance momentarily.
Saarinen scores with a jab to the body.
Heikko Saarinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saarinen thows a body kick. McTavish tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Nice shot lands for Saarinen.
McTavish's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
McTavish chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Saarinen can pounce on him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saarinen throws a quick inside leg kick.
McTavish takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Good leg kick by Saarinen there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
McTavish takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Saarinen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. McTavish doesn't seem bothered though.
A chopping leg kick lands by Saarinen.
Saarinen scores with a spinning back kick!
Saarinen explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Saarinen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Saarinen scores with a crisp jab that stopped McTavish in his tracks.
McTavish throws a sloppy body shot
and Saarinen counters with a head kick. That will keep McTavish thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Heikko Saarinen is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Saarinen throws a nice inside leg kick.
The crowd cheers as Saarinen lands an impressive looking overhand right. McTavish doesn't seem phased though.
A shot to the liver by Saarinen. Beautiful body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saarinen fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and McTavish has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
McTavish takes a kick to the side of the head.
McTavish takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Saarinen throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by McTavish.

Saarinen clinches up with McTavish and pushes him back against the cage.
McTavish has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Saarinen.
Saarinen scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Good body shot from Saarinen.
The referee calls for Saarinen to work.
A short body shot lands from Saarinen as the two fighters clinch.
Saarinen lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Saarinen stalls.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McTavish has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Saarinen is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Heikko Saarinen dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

McTavish gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from McTavish.
McTavish has a takedown stuffed.
Saarinen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from McTavish.
Saarinen leaves McTavish with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Heikko Saarinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Funk McTavish.
Saarinen connects with a right hand. McTavish shakes it off.
McTavish changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Saarinen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
McTavish takes a body punch but keeps moving.
McTavish takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
McTavish doesn't manage to clinch there - Saarinen circles away.
Saarinen scoring well with a low kick there.
Saarinen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to McTavish's calf.
McTavish takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saarinen goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
McTavish stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Saarinen.
Saarinen tests McTavish's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A left lands for Saarinen.
Saarinen tests McTavish's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Saarinen throws a nice head kick!
Saarinen works McTavish's body with a nice hook.
Saarinen fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
McTavish shoots in for a double leg but Saarinen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Saarinen lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Saarinen lands with a hook. McTavish tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Saarinen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Saarinen throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Saarinen.
Saarinen lands with a slapping head kick.
Saarinen throws a one two combo.
McTavish has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from McTavish there as he acknowledges the shot.
Saarinen scores with a leg kick.

Saarinen moves into the clinch.
McTavish wants to take the fight to the mat but Saarinen manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Saarinen lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Saarinen gets through McTavish's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Saarinen stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Saarinen lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Still in the clinch, Saarinen scores with a nice short uppercut.
Saarinen stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Nice body punch from Saarinen.
Saarinen just leaning against McTavish, taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Saarinen for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
McTavish is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Saarinen pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Saarinen lands a nice shot to the body.
Saarinen digs a right hand underneath McTavish's ribcage. McTavish let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Saarinen scores with a nice hook to the head.
Saarinen lands a hook to the side of the head.
A body shot lands from Saarinen.
Saarinen pushes McTavish back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Heikko Saarinen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Saarinen scores with an uppercut up the middle.
McTavish tries to land knees in the clinch but Saarinen avoids the damage to the body.
Saarinen presses McTavish against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A shot in the inside from Saarinen.
McTavish tries for a takedown but Saarinen manages to get underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saarinen pushes McTavish back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A short right from Saarinen on the inside.
Saarinen lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Saarinen works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Saarinen is working McTavish over against the cage.
Saarinen lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Saarinen lands a body punch.
Saarinen pushes McTavish back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Saarinen throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Saarinen pushes McTavish back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Saarinen stalling.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Saarinen seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Saarinen lands with a light punch inside.
Funk McTavish has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Saarinen.

And that's the end of the fight!
Heikko Saarinen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Saarinen has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:24
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:26
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Heikko Saarinen!
Heikko Saarinen bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.