PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jorde Runkputte (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sami Saari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Runkputte
vs
Saari

177 cm
24
175 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

170 cm
24
177 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Perkele!

Hellbent
{R.W} Four Aces Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jorde Runkputte!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sami Saari!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Wagner Zegers and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Runkputte throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Saari sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Saari swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Saari staying out of range there.

Saari clinches up against the cage.
Runkputte lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Nice body punch from Runkputte - that landed with a thud.
Runkputte tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saari's elbow.
Saari is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Runkputte misses with a hook to the ribs.
Saari lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Runkputte blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Saari tries to throw a body punch but Runkputte avoids it by throwing Saari back against the cage.
Saari scores with a shoulder strike.
Runkputte lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Runkputte scores with a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Saari's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The fighters circling - Saari throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Saari fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Runkputte manages to avoid it.

Saari pushes Runkputte up against the cage in a clinch.
Runkputte lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Runkputte lands a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runkputte throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Saari blocking some punches.
Saari scores with a shoulder strike.
Runkputte softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Runkputte is looking to take this one to the mat.
Runkputte lands a shoulder strike.
A nice right hand lands inside from Runkputte.
Runkputte working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Runkputte stalling in the clinch but Saari improves position.
Saari misses with a hook to the ribs.
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!
Saari has Runkputte pressed against the cage.
Saari stops a takedown attempt from Runkputte.
Runkputte misses with a hook from the clinch.
Saari swings wildly with an uppercut but Runkputte uses good head movement to avoid it.
Runkputte tries to throw a body punch but Saari avoids it by throwing Runkputte back against the cage.
Saari misses with a short punch on the inside.
Runkputte is working for takedown but Saari is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jorde Runkputte. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Runkputte blocks a body shot from Saari.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runkputte misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Runkputte prevents a body shot from Saari.
Saari lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Runkputte is struggling to control the position.
Saari wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Runkputte is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Saari can't fight it off and eventually Runkputte manages to take the fight to the floor. Saari looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Saari keeping moving, preventing Runkputte from controlling successfully.
Runkputte won't allow Saari to sweep him here.
Saari has Runkputte pulled in close to control his posture.
Runkputte trying to control the position from guard on top but Saari is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Runkputte wants to pass the guard but Saari is keeping the position.
Saari working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Runkputte.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saari trying to control the position here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Saari throws a series of punches but Runkputte moves out of range.
Runkputte stalks Saari and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Saari's face. Saari staggers backwards, shaken.

It looks like Sami Saari has been cut.
Runkputte throws a jab when Saari was well out of range.
Saari fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Runkputte manages to avoid it.
Runkputte looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Saari ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Saari forces Runkputte back against the cage and clinches.
Saari stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A body shot lands from Saari.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Runkputte softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Runkputte swings wildly with an uppercut but Saari uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saari tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Saari tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Runkputte's elbow.
A right hand to the body from Runkputte.
Runkputte swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Runkputte slowing the pace effectively.

Runkputte pulls guard successfully.
Runkputte utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Saari wants to pass the guard but Runkputte is keeping the position.
Saari wants to control from the top but Runkputte keeps moving.
Runkputte is adopting a defensive guard.
Runkputte is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Runkputte looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Runkputte tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Saari was well out of range. Poor timing from Runkputte.
Saari's jab looks to have found its range, popping Runkputte under the eye.
Runkputte misses with a hook.
Saari fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Runkputte looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Jorde Runkputte will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Sami Saari's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Runkputte punishes Saari's body with a nice straight punch.
Saari cracks Runkputte with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
A looping hook to the body misses from Saari. Runkputte does a little dance to reset his feet.
Saari misses with a wild body shot.
Saari pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Saari ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Runkputte moves away.
Runkputte dodges the punch combination from Saari.
Saari rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Runkputte moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Saari connects with a body shot that sends Runkputte's belly button to the back.
Saari takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Saari jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Saari lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Saari throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Runkputte on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Runkputte is rocked!
Runkputte shoots in but Saari avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Oh Runkputte is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Saari uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Runkputte has time to react.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saari slaps away a takedown attempt from Runkputte, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Saari looks to score with a jab to the body but Runkputte is just out of range.
Runkputte misses with an uppercut.
Runkputte seems to have got his legs back now.
Runkputte takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Runkputte has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Saari finds it's way round the side to connect with Runkputte's head.
Runkputte tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Saari swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jorde Runkputte. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Runkputte fails in his attempt to clinch.
Saari is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Runkputte rather than just go for the knockout.
Saari throws a shot to the body.
Saari lands a nice shot to the body.
Runkputte throws a hook but Saari blocks it.
Sami Saari is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Runkputte scores with a jab to the head.
Saari fails to land with a series of punches.
Runkputte dodges the punch combination from Saari.
Saari jabs Runkputte to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saari throws a lazy right hand but Runkputte sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Runkputte misses with a wild body shot.
Runkputte tries to close the distance and clinch but Saari swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Saari ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nice defenses there by Runkputte.

Saari clinches with his opponent.
Saari working aggressively here.
Saari misses with some punches.
Saari swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Saari prevents a body shot from Runkputte.
Runkputte lands a nice uppercut.
Saari working aggressively here.
Saari swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Runkputte is looking to control Saari's arms but Saari gets an underhook and turns him. Now Runkputte has his back to the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Runkputte.
Runkputte throws a head punch that misses.
Runkputte lands a left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saari working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Saari wants to break the clinch but can't.
Runkputte fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Runkputte lands with a left to the head.
Saari lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Runkputte backwards.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Saari scores with a shot to the side of Runkputte's head.
Saari trying to stall but Runkputte improves his position.
Saari stalls.
A shot in the inside from Saari.
Runkputte is looking to control Saari's arms but Saari gets an underhook and turns him. Now Runkputte has his back to the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Runkputte tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saari's elbow.
Runkputte misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Saari fails to land.
Runkputte stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Runkputte lands a body punch in the clinch.
Runkputte can't find room to land a body shot as Saari controls the action.
Runkputte swings wildly with an uppercut but Saari uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short uppercut from Runkputte.
Saari misses with a punch on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Saari.

Runkputte has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Saari is trying to keep an underhook but Runkputte manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Saari wants to control but Runkputte is keeping busy.
Saari is staying active underneath Runkputte, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Saari is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Runkputte's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Runkputte's back!
Runkputte tries to escape the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Runkputte is working hard here to advance position.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Saari is hanging on to Runkputte's back as he tries to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sami Saari showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Sami Saari's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Runkputte dives in and grabs Saari's left leg, looking for a takedown. Saari pushes down on Runkputte's head and hops out.
Runkputte jabs at Saari's body.
Runkputte misses with a kick to the body.
Saari throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Runkputte swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Saari has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Sami Saari seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Saari misses with a hook. Runkputte ducked under it nicely.
Runkputte misses with an uppercut.
Runkputte tries to move into range but Saari moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Runkputte moves out of range of the strikes.
Saari keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Saari lands with a nice body punch.

Saari darts in and clinches Runkputte up against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Runkputte as Saari tries to tie him up.
Runkputte working aggressively here.
Runkputte misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Saari lands a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runkputte has a couple of punches blocked by Saari.
Runkputte drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Saari gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Runkputte stalling in the clinch but Saari improves position.
A nice right hand lands inside from Runkputte.
Saari has Runkputte pushed against the cage.
Saari fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Saari.
Saari lands a right hand that snaps the head of Runkputte backwards.
Saari lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Runkputte misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short left from Runkputte.
Saari manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Saari lands a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saari misses with a body punch.
Saari throws a punch but it's blocked by Runkputte.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saari misses with a body punch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Runkputte blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Saari.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Runkputte digs a right hand underneath Saari's ribcage. Saari let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Runkputte as Saari tries to tie him up.
Runkputte lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Runkputte tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saari's elbow.
A short right from Runkputte.
Saari blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Saari as Runkputte tries to tie him up.
Runkputte tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saari's elbow.
Saari taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saari prevents a body shot from Runkputte.
Saari taking a breather.
Saari stalling in the clinch but Runkputte improves position.
Saari wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Saari tries to stall but Runkputte uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Runkputte is trying to maintain a safe position but Saari gets an underhook and turns Runkputte into the cage.
Saari fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sami Saari seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Saari is trying to push Runkputte away but Runkputte has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Runkputte.
Saari tries to break the clinch but Runkputte is controlling the position.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Saari.
Saari scores with a hook to the body.
Runkputte works on Saari's body with a couple of short punches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Runkputte working aggressively here.
Saari is trying to break free.
A hook to the body from Runkputte.
Saari misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saari can't find room to land a body shot as Runkputte controls the action.
Runkputte misses with a short punch on the inside.
Saari misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Saari breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Runkputte throws a body punch but Saari moves out of range.
Saari dodges the punch combination from Runkputte.
Saari rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Runkputte decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Saari's guard.
Saari wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Saari looking to hit a scissor sweep but Runkputte is one step ahead there.
Saari keeping full guard, as Runkputte tries to pass.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Runkputte with a nice head shot there.
Runkputte is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Sami Saari just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Sami Saari's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Saari avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Saari throws a poor cross that misses

and Runkputte counters with a shoot takedown. Saari fights it but they end up in guard.
Saari keeping moving, preventing Runkputte from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jorde Runkputte overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Runkputte stopping the sweep attempt from Saari.
Saari pulls Runkputte in close to prevent any damage.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Runkputte lands a couple of digs.
Runkputte is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runkputte working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Runkputte throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Runkputte postures up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Runkputte uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Saari.
Saari throws a hook but Runkputte blocks it.
Runkputte swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Saari throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Runkputte clinches up against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Saari.
The crowd are getting on Saari's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Saari misses with a short punch on the inside.
Good body shot from Saari.
Saari slows down the pace here.
Saari is looking to break free of the clinch but Runkputte has double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saari trying to control the position but instead, Runkputte has worked for underhooks and has pushed Saari into the cage.

Saari manages to break the clinch.
Saari lands a nice looking body shot.
Runkputte lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Saari at a distance.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saari defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Runkputte.
Saari lands with a nice body punch.
Saari connects with a good right hand that stumbles Runkputte. Runkputte circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Runkputte takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Runkputte uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Saari.
Runkputte takes a jab right on the kisser.
Sami Saari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Runkputte has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saari misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Runkputte blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Saari is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Runkputte is keeping busy.
Saari working aggressively here.
Runkputte fails to pull guard.
Runkputte swings wildly with an uppercut but Saari uses good head movement to avoid it.
Runkputte scores with a nice hook to the head.
Runkputte swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Runkputte is stalling here.
Saari working aggressively here.
Saari wants to stall.
A body shot lands from Saari.
Saari has a couple of punches blocked by Runkputte.
Saari is looking to control Runkputte's arms but Runkputte gets an underhook and turns him. Now Saari has his back to the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for Saari to work.
A nice left hand lands by Runkputte.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saari lands a hook to the side of the head.
Saari lands with a left to the head.
Runkputte misses with a body punch.
Saari lands a body shot in the clinch.
Saari struggles to land a body shot inside as Runkputte controls his hands.
Runkputte fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Runkputte doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Runkputte blocking some punches.
Runkputte misses with a short punch on the inside.
Saari taking a breather.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Saari swings wildly with an uppercut but Runkputte uses good head movement to avoid it.
Runkputte goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Saari lands a body shot in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sami Saari dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Sami Saari's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. 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.

Saari will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Saari misses the shot to the body.
Runkputte tries to clinch there but Saari circles away.
Saari tries to move into range but Runkputte moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Runkputte lands the left hand.

Saari has managed to clinch.
Saari looking to slow down the pace here.
Saari misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Runkputte lands a left hand.
Runkputte digs a right hand into Saari's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Saari's gas tank.
Saari prevents a body shot from Runkputte.

Runkputte manages to pull guard.
Runkputte 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.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saari looking to pass the guard.
Saari stopping the sweep attempt from Runkputte.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saari must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Saari connects with a couple of short punches.
Runkputte has momentary wrist control but Saari slips an elbow through the middle.
Saari pushes down on Runkputte's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Saari wants to lay and pray for a moment but Runkputte keeps working.
Runkputte is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Saari jumps into side control!
Runkputte is looking for a sweep.
Runkputte sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Saari trying to mount his opponent but Runkputte defends it.
Jorde Runkputte has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runkputte gets full guard.
Saari has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Runkputte is proving hard to escape from.
Saari trying to control the position from guard on top but Runkputte is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Saari working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Runkputte seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Runkputte working for a triangle but Saari defends it easily.
Runkputte wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runkputte keeping moving, preventing Saari from controlling successfully.

Runkputte is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Runkputte is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Saari defends well.
Saari wants to control from the top but Runkputte keeps moving.
Saari might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Runkputte haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Runkputte has control of Saari's left arm, preventing Saari from doing any damage.

Runkputte throws his legs up looking for a submission but Saari uses it to pass to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Runkputte tries to buck Saari off but Saari is having none of it.

Saari stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Saari throws a shot from downtown. Runkputte moves away and avoids it.
Saari with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Runkputte doesn't manage to clinch there - Saari circles away.
Runkputte slips under a jab from Saari.
Runkputte tries to clinch but Saari is having none of it.
Saari takes one to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Runkputte tries to clinch there but Saari circles away.
Runkputte looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Saari lands with an uppercut that bounces Runkputte off the cage and back into range.
Saari looks to land a left hand but Runkputte moved out of range nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jorde Runkputte.
I think Saari 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 47:48
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 48:47
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Sami Saari!
Sami Saari is the new welterweight champion!