PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Per Saukko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeffrey Lebowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lebowski has chosen VHB - Freedom Fighter as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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
Lebowski

192 cm
39
272 lbs
34 - 18 - 0

201 cm
34
265 lbs
23 - 14 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 34 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Per Saukko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Jeffrey Lebowski!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Johanna Lukiainen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saukko misses with an uppercut.
Per Saukko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lebowski misses with a straight left.
Saukko looks to score with a jab to the body but Lebowski is just out of range.
Lebowski looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Lebowski takes a swing at Saukko's ribcage but misses.
Saukko fails to land the takedown.
Saukko tries for a takedown but Lebowski sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Lebowski cracks the inside of Saukko's front leg.
Saukko stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Lebowski.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Lebowski.
A big right from Saukko misses.
Saukko fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Per Saukko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saukko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lebowski has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Saukko avoids the head kick by Lebowski.
That kick from Lebowski tenderised Saukko's leg. Saukko is trying to keep his angry face on.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lebowski throws a leg kick but Saukko sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Saukko shoots for a double leg takedown but Lebowski sprawls well. He's pushed Saukko's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Lebowski moves out of range of the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saukko tries to close the distance and clinch but Lebowski swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Good exchange - Lebowski coming out on top.
A swing and a miss from Lebowski.
Saukko avoids the head kick by Lebowski.
Lebowski ducks under a wild hook from Saukko.
Saukko is looking to land body kicks.
Saukko fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Lebowski on the side of the head.
Lebowski showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Saukko.

Saukko scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Lebowski is looking to control Saukko's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lebowski avoid being mounted?
Saukko is just content to waste time from the top position. Lebowski takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saukko trying to control but Lebowski is working from the bottom.
Saukko distracts Lebowski with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saukko preventing the sweep.
Lebowski not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Saukko is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Saukko won't allow Lebowski to get back to his feet.

Lebowski had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Saukko defends it easily.
Lebowski keeping full guard, as Saukko tries to pass.

Lebowski looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Lebowski wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lebowski is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Lebowski wants to stand and escape but Saukko is having none of it.
Lebowski looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lebowski keeping full guard, as Saukko tries to pass.
Saukko trying to control the position from guard on top but Lebowski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Saukko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lebowski uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Saukko.
Saukko misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Lebowski.
Saukko walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Lebowski checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Saukko checks a leg kick.
Lebowski gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Saukko.
Lebowski scores with a nice body kick.
Lebowski throws a leg kick but Saukko checks it.
Lebowski tries a low kick but Saukko avoids it.
Saukko closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saukko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lebowski works the jab nicely.
Nice body punch from Saukko.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Lebowski.
Lebowski misses with a wild body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lebowski throws a nice inside leg kick.

Saukko shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Saukko 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.
Saukko is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jeffrey Lebowski will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Saukko shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lebowski pinned against the cage. Lebowski gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Lebowski throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Saukko stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Saukko fails with a takedown attempt.
Saukko needs to keep his hands up - Lebowski had a free shot at his head there.
A clash of legs there as Saukko blocks the low kick.
Lebowski lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Per Saukko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A decent looking cross lands there for Lebowski.
Lebowski lets loose with a powerful body kick. Saukko will feel that in the morning.
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!
Saukko throws out a leg kick but Lebowski moves out of range and Saukko only half commits.
Saukko throws a left and a right that both miss
and Lebowski counters with a nice kick to the body.
Lebowski throws a head kick that misses.
Saukko on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Lebowski just misses with a punch to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lebowski is looking to slow Saukko down with leg kicks.
Saukko stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Lebowski.
A left lands for Lebowski.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Lebowski.
Lebowski lands a body shot.
Lebowski lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saukko takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Saukko takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Lebowski lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Lebowski.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Lebowski.
Lebowski thuds his shin into the meat of Saukko's side.
Saukko looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Lebowski just misses with a punch to the body.
Lebowski connects with a single shot there.
Saukko showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Lebowski.
Lebowski scores with a hook to the body. Saukko takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lebowski's jab looks to have found its range, popping Saukko under the eye.
Saukko looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lebowski is fending him off so far but Saukko persists. Nope, Lebowski circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Per Saukko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lebowski misses with a body shot.
Lebowski tries a low kick but Saukko avoids it.
Lebowski lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Saukko is looking to clinch.
Lebowski lands a nice shot to the body.
Lebowski bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Saukko's head.
Saukko takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Saukko throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lebowski sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Saukko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lebowski throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Lebowski.
Saukko on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Lebowski has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lebowski lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Saukko at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lebowski moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Saukko tries to move into range but Lebowski moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Saukko throws a low kick but Lebowski moves out of range easily.
Saukko on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A slapping leg kick lands for Lebowski.
Lebowski lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
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!
Saukko ducks right into an uppercut from Lebowski.
Saukko closes the distance looking to clinch
and Lebowski counters with a solid body kick.
Lebowski bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Saukko's head backwards.
Jeffrey Lebowski is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Saukko moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Lebowski explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Lebowski scores with a body shot.
Nice shot lands for Lebowski.
Lebowski dips to his left and cracks Saukko with an uppercut!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lebowski scores with a punch to the head.
Lebowski scores with a spinning back kick!
Lebowski connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A slapping leg kick lands for Lebowski.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Saukko crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Lebowski - the referee stops the clock and Saukko gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Lebowski. Saukko manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Saukko on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Lebowski lands a two punch combo.

Lebowski lands a big shot that drops Saukko! Can he finish him?

Saukko is rocked!
Lebowski working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Oh Saukko is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Lebowski connects with a couple of short punches.
Lebowski chips away with some ground and pound.
Per Saukko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Lebowski's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lebowski trying to control but Saukko is working from the bottom.
Lebowski working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeffrey Lebowski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Jab by Lebowski.
Saukko seems to have got his legs back now.
Lebowski ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Lebowski throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Saukko throws a right and a left that both miss.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Lebowski.
Saukko is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Lebowski takes a jab right on the kisser.
Lebowski throws a head kick that half lands.

Saukko drives through with a takedown into Lebowski's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lebowski 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.
Lebowski working a defensive guard here.
Saukko throwing strikes from guard but Lebowski blocks nicely.
Lebowski is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Saukko is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lebowski is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Saukko trying to control the position from guard on top but Lebowski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Saukko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lebowski works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Saukko looking to sit in guard and control but Lebowski gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Lebowski keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Saukko's head.

Saukko has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lebowski can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Lebowski loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saukko has momentary wrist control but Lebowski slips an elbow through the middle.

Saukko has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lebowski can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Lebowski passes Saukko's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lebowski not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Saukko regains full guard. Nicely done.
Saukko has momentary wrist control but Lebowski slips an elbow through the middle.
Lebowski wants to control from the top but Saukko keeps moving.
Saukko manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Lebowski manages to get himself to full guard.
Saukko throwing strikes from guard but Lebowski blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saukko trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Saukko stopping the sweep attempt from Lebowski.
Lebowski keeping moving, preventing Saukko from controlling successfully.
Per Saukko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Saukko is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Lebowski is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Lebowski has his hands on Saukko's head, controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saukko content to stall in guard here.
Saukko passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Saukko in side control lands a decent elbow.
Jeffrey Lebowski is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saukko cracks Lebowski with a big elbow.

It looks like Jeffrey Lebowski has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lebowski dodges the ground and pound from Saukko.
Saukko working the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Per Saukko showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Lebowski has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jeffrey Lebowski!
A very excited looking Jeffrey Lebowski made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.