PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Henk Jan Van Gompel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonni Saastala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saastala has chosen Nyrkillä naamaan - Look at your ugly mug from mirror. as his entrance music. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Jonni Saastala was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Jan Van Gompel
vs
Saastala

170 cm
25
160 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

171 cm
20
159 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Worldwide Nutrition (160q)

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Henk Jan Van Gompel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jonni Saastala!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Dean Styles and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saastala connects with a body shot that sends Van Gompel's belly button to the back.
Van Gompel avoids the body shot from Saastala.
Van Gompel takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Saastala throws a head kick that misses.
Van Gompel is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Saastala.
Saastala scores with a jab to the head.
Van Gompel drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Van Gompel blocks a head kick by Saastala.
A head kick misses from Saastala.
Van Gompel was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Saastala scores with a body shot.

Van Gompel closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Saastala misses with a short punch on the inside.
Saastala stops a takedown attempt from Van Gompel.
A knee to the head by Saastala.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saastala looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Gompel goes for a takedown in the clinch but Saastala prevents it.
Saastala is pressed up against the cage. Van Gompel has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Saastala down to the mat. Saastala avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Henk Jan Van Gompel. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Van Gompel closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Van Gompel is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Saastala has escaped the position, nice work there.
Van Gompel trying to control the position but Saastala is working away.

Van Gompel wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Saastala, who protects the arm well.

Van Gompel thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Van Gompel goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Saastala rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Van Gompel's guard! Nice work there by Saastala!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saastala wants to control from the top but Van Gompel keeps moving.

Saastala is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Van Gompel keeping moving, preventing Saastala from controlling successfully.
Van Gompel lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Van Gompel trying to control the position from guard on top but Saastala is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Gompel seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Saastala escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Van Gompel gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Van Gompel wants to control from the top but Saastala keeps moving.
Saastala not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Van Gompel stays in close to Saastala's body and controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Saastala is looking for a triangle but Van Gompel pushes his legs off easily.

Saastala looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Saastala keeping moving, preventing Van Gompel from controlling successfully.
Van Gompel is stalling in the full guard.
Van Gompel advances position into side control!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Van Gompel thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Van Gompel working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonni Saastala dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Saastala tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Van Gompel was well out of range. Poor timing from Saastala.
Van Gompel takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Saastala has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Van Gompel is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Saastala throws a leg kick which misses Van Gompel's front leg but catches the back leg as Van Gompel tries to avoid it.
Van Gompel takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Saastala turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Saastala swings widly with a right hand

and Van Gompel counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Saastala is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Van Gompel thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Saastala looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Saastala is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Van Gompel is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Gompel pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Saastala is keeping the position for now.
Saastala keeping moving, preventing Van Gompel from controlling successfully.
Van Gompel advances to half guard.

Saastala looking for submissions off his back.
Van Gompel wants to lay and pray for a moment but Saastala keeps working.
Van Gompel is thwarting Saastala's attempts to control the position.

Van Gompel is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Saastala is just riding it out for now. Van Gompel eventually gives up the hold.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Saastala looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Van Gompel is working for a submission of some sort.
Saastala is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Gompel sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Saastala trying to hold on to Van Gompel's head to control him but Van Gompel postures up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Saastala.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
A big left from Van Gompel misses.
Saastala falls off balance throwing a combination

and Van Gompel counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Van Gompel.
Van Gompel working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Saastala's head.
Van Gompel wants to control from the top but Saastala keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Van Gompel lands a couple of digs.
Van Gompel is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Van Gompel seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Saastala for as long as he can get away with.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Van Gompel wants to control from the top but Saastala keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Henk Jan Van Gompel dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Good exchange - Saastala coming out on top.
Saastala closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Saastala gets a clinch.
Saastala misses with some punches.
Saastala working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Saastala looking to slow down the pace here.
Van Gompel wants a takedown.
Van Gompel is looking to take this one to the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saastala lands a right hand that snaps the head of Van Gompel backwards.

Van Gompel is rocked!
Saastala is trying to maintain a safe position but Van Gompel gets an underhook and turns Saastala into the cage.
Van Gompel tries to pull guard but Saastala holds him up against the cage and eventually Van Gompel drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Henk Jan Van Gompel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Van Gompel is working for takedown but Saastala is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saastala blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Saastala just leaning against Van Gompel, taking a breather.
Saastala misses with a hook to the ribs.
Van Gompel tries to score a body lock takedown but Saastala shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Saastala has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Saastala is looking to control Van Gompel's arms but Van Gompel gets an underhook and turns him. Now Saastala has his back to the cage.
Saastala is leaning against Van Gompel and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Saastala slows down the pace here.
Saastala lands a left hand.
I was talking to Van Gompel's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Van Gompel tries to pull guard but Saastala won't allow it.
Saastala swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Saastala is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Saastala tries a body shot but Van Gompel blocks it.
A body shot lands from Saastala.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Gompel is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Saastala gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Saastala misses with a punch on the inside.
Saastala gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Van Gompel.
Saastala doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Saastala tries to stall but Van Gompel uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Van Gompel is trying to drag Saastala to the mat but Saastala just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Still in the clinch, Saastala scores with a nice short uppercut.
Saastala tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Van Gompel's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Van Gompel gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Saastala regains guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Van Gompel avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Saastala had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Van Gompel defends it easily.

Saastala looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Saastala working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Van Gompel doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Van Gompel manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Van Gompel wants to control from the top but Saastala keeps moving.
Van Gompel stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Saastala swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Saastala looking to control.
Saastala being controlled here, momentarily.

Saastala is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Saastala throws his legs up looking for a submission but Van Gompel uses it to pass to side control.
You can see the frustration on Saastala's face as Van Gompel controls the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Van Gompel thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Henk Jan Van Gompel overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Saastala struggling a bit here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jonni Saastala comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Saastala 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 28:29
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jonni Saastala!
Post fight, an emotional Jonni Saastala said 'Great fight, Bok.. FOR ME! But for real, thanks for the fight.'.
In defeat, Henk Jan Van Gompel stepped up to the mic, saying 'I'll be back'.