PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ramazan Abdulkerimov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikael Saarrinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Abdulkerimov
vs
Saarrinen

188 cm
26
250 lbs
8 - 12 - 0

188 cm
23
210 lbs
1 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 8 - 12 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ramazan Abdulkerimov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikael Saarrinen!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, William Gold and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saarrinen's corner calls for a 1-2. Saarrinen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Saarrinen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Saarrinen has taken the fight to the clinch.

Saarrinen breaks the clinch.
Abdulkerimov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Saarrinen sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Saarrinen forces Abdulkerimov back against the cage and clinches.

Saarrinen breaks the clinch.
Abdulkerimov takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

Saarrinen drives through and clinches with Abdulkerimov against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Saarrinen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Abdulkerimov fails with an attempt to clinch.

Saarrinen has Abdulkerimov up against the cage in a clinch.

Saarrinen breaks the clinch.
Saarrinen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Saarrinen throws a nice looking combination but Abdulkerimov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Abdulkerimov moves in looking to clinch but Saarrinen pushes him off.
Saarrinen swats away the attempt to clinch by Abdulkerimov.

Saarrinen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Abdulkerimov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Saarrinen's brow.
Abdulkerimov tries to circle away but Saarrinen has him pinned against the cage.
Abdulkerimov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Saarrinen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Saarrinen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Abdulkerimov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Abdulkerimov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Saarrinen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Saarrinen keeps the fight on the outside.
Abdulkerimov looks to land a combination but Saarrinen avoids it well.
Abdulkerimov moves in looking to clinch but Saarrinen pushes him off.
Saarrinen swats away the attempt to clinch by Abdulkerimov.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Saarrinen has managed to clinch.
Abdulkerimov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Saarrinen breaks the clinch.
Saarrinen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Abdulkerimov.
Abdulkerimov is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Saarrinen has closed the distance and engaged Abdulkerimov in a clinch.
Abdulkerimov trying to land knees to the body.

Saarrinen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Saarrinen takes the fight into the clinch.

Saarrinen manages to break the clinch.

Saarrinen forces Abdulkerimov back against the cage and clinches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Saarrinen manages to break the clinch.
Abdulkerimov tries to clinch but Saarrinen moves out of range.
Saarrinen keeps the fight on the outside.

Saarrinen has taken the fight to the clinch.
Abdulkerimov misses with an elbow strike.

Saarrinen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Saarrinen has Abdulkerimov up against the cage in a clinch.
Abdulkerimov can't break the clinch.

Saarrinen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saarrinen paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Abdulkerimov doesn't manage to clinch there - Saarrinen circles away.
Saarrinen throws a series of punches but Abdulkerimov avoids them all with ease.

Saarrinen clinches.

Saarrinen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Abdulkerimov tries to clinch but Saarrinen moves out of range.
Abdulkerimov tries to clinch there but Saarrinen circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Saarrinen blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Saarrinen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Abdulkerimov gets tackled into the cage by Saarrinen. Saarrinen maintains the clinch.

Saarrinen breaks the clinch.
Saarrinen throws a nice head kick!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Abdulkerimov moves into the clinch.

Saarrinen breaks the clinch.
Saarrinen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Abdulkerimov throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Saarrinen forces Abdulkerimov back against the cage and clinches.

Saarrinen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Abdulkerimov tries to clinch there but Saarrinen circles away.
A combination from Saarrinen does no damage.
Abdulkerimov fails to land with a series of punches.
Abdulkerimov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Abdulkerimov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Abdulkerimov can't break the clinch.
Abdulkerimov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Saarrinen avoids it.
Abdulkerimov tries to circle away but Saarrinen has him pinned against the cage.

Saarrinen breaks from the clinch.
Abdulkerimov is looking to clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A punch combination from Abdulkerimov misses.
Saarrinen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Saarrinen misses with a double jab.
Saarrinen looks winded!

Saarrinen clinches up with Abdulkerimov and pushes him back against the cage.

Saarrinen manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikael Saarrinen dominated that round.
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.

The fight stays on the outside here - Abdulkerimov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Saarrinen instigates a clinch.
Abdulkerimov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Saarrinen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Abdulkerimov swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Saarrinen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Abdulkerimov tries to clinch up but Saarrinen circles away and keeps his distance.
Abdulkerimov throws a right and a left that Saarrinen avoids nicely.

Saarrinen clinches with his opponent.

Saarrinen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Saarrinen moves into range and clinches up with Abdulkerimov.

Saarrinen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Saarrinen has managed to clinch.
Abdulkerimov misses with some punches.

Saarrinen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Saarrinen has Abdulkerimov up against the cage in a clinch.

Saarrinen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saarrinen fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Abdulkerimov, pushing him back against the cage.
Abdulkerimov swings wildly with an uppercut but Saarrinen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Abdulkerimov is trying to force a seperation but Saarrinen has the dominant position.

Saarrinen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Saarrinen manages to break the clinch.

Abdulkerimov gets tackled into the cage by Saarrinen. Saarrinen maintains the clinch.

Saarrinen breaks from the clinch.
Saarrinen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Saarrinen rushes Abdulkerimov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Saarrinen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The fight stays on the outside here - Abdulkerimov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Abdulkerimov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Abdulkerimov pushes Saarrinen up against the cage in a clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Abdulkerimov misses with a short punch on the inside.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Abdulkerimov is looking to break free of the clinch but Saarrinen has double underhooks.
Mikael Saarrinen seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Abdulkerimov misses with a hook from the clinch.
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!

Saarrinen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Saarrinen moves into the clinch successfully.

Saarrinen breaks from the clinch.

Saarrinen moves into the clinch successfully.

Saarrinen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A combination from Abdulkerimov does no damage.
The fight stays on the outside here - Abdulkerimov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Abdulkerimov tries to clinch but Saarrinen is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Saarrinen moves into the clinch successfully.
Abdulkerimov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Saarrinen is defending well for now.
Abdulkerimov has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.

Saarrinen breaks from the clinch.
Mikael Saarrinen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Abdulkerimov misses with the combination.
Ramazan Abdulkerimov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Abdulkerimov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Abdulkerimov tries to close the distance and clinch but Saarrinen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Saarrinen has managed to clinch.
Abdulkerimov tries to stall but Saarrinen uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Abdulkerimov.

Saarrinen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Saarrinen drops Abdulkerimov with a left right combo! Saarrinen follows him down to the ground into side control.

It looks like Ramazan Abdulkerimov has been cut.
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!
Abdulkerimov manages to work his way to half guard, despite Saarrinen's best efforts.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saarrinen is breathing heavily.
Abdulkerimov works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abdulkerimov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Saarrinen's guard.

Abdulkerimov gets to his feet - Saarrinen follows without any prompting.
Abdulkerimov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Saarrinen swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Saarrinen takes the fight into the clinch.

Saarrinen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Abdulkerimov has closed the distance and engaged Saarrinen in a clinch.
Saarrinen dodges an elbow strike from Abdulkerimov.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Abdulkerimov is trying to push Saarrinen away but Saarrinen has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Saarrinen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Saarrinen fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Abdulkerimov, pushing him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikael Saarrinen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ramazan Abdulkerimov's cut.
That's time! Abdulkerimov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Saarrinen closes the distance and clinches.

Saarrinen manages to break the clinch.

Saarrinen moves into range and clinches up with Abdulkerimov.
Abdulkerimov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Saarrinen is defending well for now.

Saarrinen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Saarrinen gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Abdulkerimov is looking to break free of the clinch but Saarrinen has double underhooks.

Saarrinen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Saarrinen clinches.

Saarrinen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Abdulkerimov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Saarrinen.
Abdulkerimov tries to close the distance and clinch but Saarrinen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Saarrinen forces Abdulkerimov back against the cage and clinches.
Abdulkerimov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Abdulkerimov is trying to break the clinch but Saarrinen has him pressed against the cage.
Saarrinen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Abdulkerimov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saarrinen breaks the clinch.

Saarrinen clinches.
Abdulkerimov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Saarrinen as Abdulkerimov tries to tie him up.
Saarrinen blocks an uppercut.
Abdulkerimov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Saarrinen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Saarrinen rushes Abdulkerimov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Saarrinen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Saarrinen gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Abdulkerimov breaks the clinch.
Saarrinen takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Saarrinen closes the distance and pushes Abdulkerimov back into the cage.
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!

Saarrinen manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abdulkerimov is looking to clinch but Saarrinen is avoiding it.

Saarrinen closes the distance and pushes Abdulkerimov back into the cage.

Saarrinen breaks the clinch.
Saarrinen listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Abdulkerimov misses with a series of wild punches.
Abdulkerimov throws a nice looking combination but Saarrinen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Abdulkerimov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Saarrinen avoiding damage as Abdulkerimov throws knees to the body.

Saarrinen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sloppy strikes from Saarrinen. Those never looked like landing.
Saarrinen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Saarrinen rushes Abdulkerimov and presses him up against the cage.

Saarrinen breaks the clinch.

Saarrinen has managed to clinch.
Abdulkerimov is trying to push Saarrinen away but Saarrinen has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Saarrinen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Abdulkerimov fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abdulkerimov doesn't manage to clinch there - Saarrinen circles away.
Abdulkerimov is looking to clinch.

Saarrinen moves into the clinch.

Saarrinen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Abdulkerimov avoids the head kick by Saarrinen.

Saarrinen has Abdulkerimov up against the cage in a clinch.
Abdulkerimov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Saarrinen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A looping hook to the body misses from Abdulkerimov. Saarrinen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Abdulkerimov is looking to clinch but Saarrinen is avoiding it.

Saarrinen closes the distance and clinches.

Saarrinen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Abdulkerimov looks to land a left hand but Saarrinen moved out of range nicely.

Saarrinen moves into the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saarrinen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Saarrinen blocks a body shot from Abdulkerimov.
Abdulkerimov is trying to break the clinch but Saarrinen is controlling him.
Saarrinen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Abdulkerimov missing with knees to the body.

Saarrinen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Saarrinen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Abdulkerimov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saarrinen looks to land a combination but Abdulkerimov avoids it well.
Abdulkerimov wants to clinch up but Saarrinen keeps it at a distance.
Abdulkerimov missing with a left hand there. Saarrinen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Abdulkerimov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ramazan Abdulkerimov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Saarrinen closes the distance and pushes Abdulkerimov back into the cage.
Saarrinen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Abdulkerimov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Saarrinen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Saarrinen manages to break the clinch.
Abdulkerimov fails in his attempt to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mikael Saarrinen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Saarrinen winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mikael Saarrinen!