PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Akiro Sata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksandr Pistoletov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sata comes to the cage accompanied by Onward to Victory!. Pistoletov comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Kita je spremna ! kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sata
vs
Pistoletov

171 cm
22
143 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

183 cm
26
169 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Very quick

Dangerous GnP
Decent boxing
Granite chin

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Akiro Sata!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aleksandr Pistoletov!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pistoletov throws a body punch but Sata moves out of range.

Sata throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Pistoletov tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Sata is in Pistoletov's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sata throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pistoletov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Pistoletov wants to sweep but no luck.
Sata might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Pistoletov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Sata missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Pistoletov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sata is one step ahead there.
Sata scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Pistoletov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sata trying to control but Pistoletov is working from the bottom.
Sata stopping the sweep attempt from Pistoletov.
Pistoletov is still trying to improve position.
Pistoletov manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sata regains half guard.
Sata 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.
Pistoletov working Sata over with strikes.
Sata wants to improve his position but Pistoletov is controlling well.
Sata is working hard here to advance position.
Pistoletov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Pistoletov working the head and body with strikes.
Sata is trying to get back to full guard.
Sata definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Pistoletov is thwarting Sata's attempts to control the position.

Sata actively working from the bottom here.
Pistoletov lands with a punch from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sata is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Pistoletov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pistoletov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sata is trying to maintain the position but Pistoletov is very close to passing his half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Pistoletov connects with a nice short shot to Sata's temple.
Pistoletov prevents Sata from improving his position.
Sata is pressing down on Pistoletov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Sata is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Pistoletov is aware though and is defending well.
Pistoletov postures up and lands a big shot to Sata's brow.

Pistoletov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Pistoletov preventing the sweep.
Pistoletov scoring with some ground and pound.
Pistoletov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Pistoletov throwing strikes but missing.
Pistoletov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pistoletov lands a couple of digs.
Sata strikes from his own guard.

Sata escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Pistoletov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Pistoletov throwing strikes but missing.
Pistoletov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Pistoletov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Pistoletov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Pistoletov lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Sata has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Pistoletov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sata controls Pistoletov momentarily but Pistoletov frees himself.
Pistoletov postures up in Sata's guard and throws a big left but Sata blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sata has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Pistoletov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Sata has his foot on Pistoletov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Pistoletov works his way back into a safe position though.
Pistoletov is working Sata over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Pistoletov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sata works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Sata has his foot on Pistoletov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Pistoletov works his way back into a safe position though.
Sata is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Sata looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Pistoletov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Pistoletov is looking to work some ground and pound but Sata has wrist control.
Pistoletov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Pistoletov throws a big right hand that misses.
Pistoletov lands a couple of digs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Aleksandr Pistoletov will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Pistoletov throws a right hand that misses
and Sata counters with a straight right hand.
Pistoletov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sata shoots in for a takedown but Pistoletov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Pistoletov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Sata!
Pistoletov cracks Sata with a big elbow.
Sata manages to get back to half guard.
Pistoletov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Sata with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Pistoletov winds up and cracks Sata with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Sata moves into full guard.
Sata will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pistoletov distracts Sata with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Pistoletov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Sata is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Pistoletov is staying active underneath Sata, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Sata is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sata seems to be working for a kimura but Pistoletov defends the submission attempt.
Pistoletov gets full guard.
Sata working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Pistoletov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sata trying to control but Pistoletov is working from the bottom.
Sata working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sata sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Sata stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Pistoletov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Pistoletov wants to hit a switch here but Sata passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Pistoletov there!
Sata connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Sata lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Sata pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Pistoletov felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sata prevents Pistoletov from getting the reversal.

Sata wants to finish this one by submission but Pistoletov is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Sata.
Pistoletov tries to reverse the position but Sata maintains control.
Sata trying to control but Pistoletov is having none of it.
Sata lands a big shot there that rocks Pistoletov but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pistoletov tries to reverse the position but Sata maintains control.
Sata is landing with some decent strikes but Pistoletov is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Pistoletov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Pistoletov takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Pistoletov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Sata is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Pistoletov can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Pistoletov is squirming around, avoiding Sata's attempts to control the action.

Sata has control of Pistoletov's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Pistoletov regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Pistoletov is squirming around, avoiding Sata's attempts to control the action.
Pistoletov manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Sata prevents Pistoletov from improving his position.
Sata seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Pistoletov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Sata here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

Sata is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Pistoletov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sata.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sata working the head and body with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akiro Sata dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Sata throws a hook but Pistoletov blocks it.
Pistoletov misses with a series of wild punches.
Sata throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Pistoletov's waist but Pistoletov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sata off to one side.

Sata shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Sata was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Pistoletov regains half guard.
Pistoletov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sata is looking to take a break and control but Pistoletov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sata throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Pistoletov is not content to let Sata control the position.
Pistoletov is looking for a sweep. Sata is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Sata is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Pistoletov defends it well.
Pistoletov is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sata moves nicely into side control.
Pistoletov manages to work his way to half guard, despite Sata's best efforts.

Sata is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Pistoletov has managed to free his arm - good work.
Pistoletov is not content to let Sata control the position.
Pistoletov wants to get back to full guard but Sata has passed into side control.
Pistoletov tries to bench press Sata off him but Sata keeps the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pistoletov looking for a sweep but Sata has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Sata with the ground and pound from mount.
Sata has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Pistoletov's face.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Sata looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Pistoletov can't escape the position.
Sata is landing with some decent strikes but Pistoletov is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Pistoletov working to try and regain half guard.

Sata is working for a guillotine from mount but Pistoletov frees his head quite easily.
Sata tries to control but Pistoletov wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pistoletov is wriggling around trying to escape.
Sata trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Sata postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Pistoletov looks a forlorn figure.
Pistoletov takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pistoletov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Pistoletov manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Sata is working for a kimura but Pistoletov is defending it quite comfortably.
Sata trying to mount his opponent but Pistoletov defends it.
The fighters are battling for position here. Pistoletov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pistoletov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sata is one step ahead there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Akiro Sata showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sata has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akiro Sata!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Akiro Sata made sure he mentioned FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!), along with how happy he was to win his fight.