PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Phil Laak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saku Sammakko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Sammakko's choice of entrance music: Saku Sammakko. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Laak
vs
Sammakko

172 cm
33
169 lbs
10 - 7 - 1

171 cm
37
168 lbs
23 - 22 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

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 10 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Phil Laak!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 22 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Saku Sammakko!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Paulsen Ambrosius and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sammakko feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Sammakko wants to stand but Laak has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Laak working a defensive guard here.
Laak is looking to stand up but Sammakko isn't so interested in that idea.
Sammakko slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Sammakko trying to control the position but Laak is working away.
Sammakko is putting a hurting on Laak here, landing some big shots from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sammakko working away.
Sammakko remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
It looks like Sammakko might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
My spies in **CENTRUM GYM** inform me that Sammakko has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Laak manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Sammakko is looking to take a break and control but Laak is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sammakko wants to pass to mount but Laak is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sammakko tries to stand but can't do so whilst Laak controls his leg.
Laak is trying to get back to full guard.
Laak regains full guard. Nicely done.
Laak wants to control the position but Sammakko says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Laak is doing well to control the position and prevent Sammakko from advancing to side control.
Sammakko is keen to just control but Laak is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laak gets full guard.
Laak wants to stand but Sammakko is controlling the position.
Sammakko is looking to stand up but Laak won't let him.
Laak looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sammakko is one step ahead there.
Laak keeping moving, preventing Sammakko from controlling successfully.
Laak wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sammakko drops back, looking for a kneebar! Laak looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Laak looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Laak!
Sammakko tries to buck Laak off but Laak is having none of it.
Sammakko is still trying to improve position.
Laak wants to control but Sammakko is keeping him busy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sammakko wants to control but Laak postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saku Sammakko 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.

Sammakko fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Laak avoids it really well and circles away.
Laak connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A left lands for Laak.
Laak lands a jab to the head.
A telegraphed right hand from Sammakko misses the target.
Sammakko looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Laak is fending him off so far but Sammakko persists. Nope, Laak circles away and we're back to standing.
Laak lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Laak defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sammakko.
Phil Laak has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saku Sammakko.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sammakko fails with the takedown

and Laak counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Laak.
Laak manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Sammakko blocks an elbow strike from Laak.
Sammakko has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Laak is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Laak throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sammakko blocks it with crossed arms.
Laak stops a takedown attempt from Sammakko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laak lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Sammakko tries to score a body lock takedown but Laak shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sammakko has Laak pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Laak manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Laak lands a body punch.
Sammakko is breathing heavily.
A short right from Laak on the inside.
Laak on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Laak stops a takedown attempt from Sammakko.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sammakko as Laak tries to tie him up.
Sammakko tries to score a body lock takedown but Laak shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Laak obliges.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sammakko takes a shot to the head.
Nice elbow from Laak.
Laak working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Laak blocks an elbow strike.
Laak lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Sammakko.
Phil Laak has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Laak gets through Sammakko's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Sammakko takes a shot to the head.
Laak with a knee to the head.
Laak leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laak can't find room to land a body shot as Sammakko controls the action.
Sammakko is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sammakko wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A right hook to the body lands for Laak.
Laak softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Laak lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sammakko backwards.
Sammakko dodges an elbow strike from Laak.

Laak escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Laak lands with a shot to the body.
Laak connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Sammakko's hands.
That kick from Laak tenderised Sammakko's leg. Sammakko is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sammakko wants to clinch.
Laak scores with a hook to the body. Sammakko takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Laak stuffs the takedown.
Laak connects with a single shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laak throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Laak gets caught flat footed, as Sammakko shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Laak has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Sammakko off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Laak cracks Sammakko with a right hand to the side of the head.
Laak goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Laak swings for the body but Sammakko moves out of range.
Laak scores with a punch to the head.
Laak connects with a right hand. Sammakko shakes it off.
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!
Sammakko fails with an attempt to clinch.
Saku Sammakko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Laak checks a leg kick.
Sammakko is looking to clinch but Laak is avoiding it.
Sammakko takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Sammakko has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Laak finds it's way round the side to connect with Sammakko's head.

Sammakko is rocked!
Laak is looking to clinch.
Sammakko is still on wobbly legs! Can Laak finish him?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sammakko darts in looking for a takedown but Laak gets double underhooks and turns Sammakko into the cage.
Sammakko seems to have recovered his senses.
Laak lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Laak breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The crowd cheers as Sammakko lands an impressive looking overhand right. Laak doesn't seem phased though.
Laak tries to close the distance and clinch but Sammakko swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Laak gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sammakko goes for a takedown attempt but Laak pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Laak throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Laak throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sammakko throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Laak's waist but Laak gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sammakko off to one side.
Phil Laak is winning the standup battle so far.
Laak tries to clinch up but Sammakko circles away and keeps his distance.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Laak waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sammakko.
Sammakko tries to clinch but Laak moves out of range.
Laak misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sammakko.
Sammakko fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phil Laak dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Laak scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A swing and a miss from Laak.
Sammakko wants to clinch up but Laak keeps it at a distance.
Sammakko gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Laak counters with a left and a right that stings Sammakko.
Sammakko fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sammakko goes for a double leg but Laak avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Laak continues to drive forward.
Phil Laak has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saku Sammakko.
Sammakko wants a takedown.
Laak connects with a knee to the head.
Laak landing knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Laak lands a shoulder strike.
Laak unloads a knee to the mid-section. Sammakko lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Laak lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Laak pushes Sammakko back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Laak avoiding damage.
Sammakko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Laak lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Sammakko backwards.
Sammakko tries to land knees in the clinch but Laak avoids the damage to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sammakko is looking for a takedown.
Laak unloads a knee to the mid-section.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Laak creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Laak using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Laak lands an elbow inside.

Laak's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sammakko blocks a head kick by Laak.
Sammakko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sammakko shoots and misses
and Laak counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Laak stuns Sammakko with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Laak shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Sammakko napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Laak slows the pace down.
Sammakko wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Sammakko is not content to let Laak control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laak taking a breather here.
Laak trying to control the position but Sammakko is working away.
Phil Laak overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Phil Laak.

Sammakko takes the fight into the clinch.
Laak is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Laak working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Laak lands a left hand.

Laak breaks from the clinch.
Laak stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Laak wants it to stay on the feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sammakko is defended easily by Laak.

Sammakko gets tackled into the cage by Laak. Laak maintains the clinch.
Sammakko is trying to pull guard but Laak has him pressed against the cage.
Laak keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sammakko's efforts to push away.
Laak is leaning against Sammakko and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laak pushes Sammakko back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Laak can't find room to land a body shot as Sammakko controls the action.
Laak lands with a right to the head.
Sammakko takes a shot to the head.
Laak lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sammakko backwards.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Laak just misses with a elbow thrown towards Sammakko's brow.
A short right from Laak.

Laak breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sammakko throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Laak's waist but Laak gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sammakko off to one side.
Laak sizes up Sammakko with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Laak throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Sammakko tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Laak defends well and Sammakko ends up having to push Laak into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Laak throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Sammakkos head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Laak unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A short right from Laak.
Laak is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sammakko can do to turn this around?
Laak scores a nice knee to the body.
A body shot lands from Laak.

And that's the end of the fight!
Phil Laak showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Laak 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Phil Laak!
Phil Laak really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Hellbent logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.