PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sinbad Baba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jaakko Savolainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Baba comes to the cage accompanied by King of Seven Seas. Savolainen has chosen Winning as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Baba
vs
Savolainen

183 cm
25
185 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

184 cm
27
179 lbs
15 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

KAISER

Underworld Clothing
Modern Wear Apparel

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 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sinbad Baba!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Jaakko Savolainen!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Wesley Smith and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baba tries to land a front kick but Savolainen steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Savolainen takes one on the chin but seems OK.

It looks like Jaakko Savolainen has been cut.

Savolainen closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Baba to the mat! Baba manages to get full guard.
Baba wants to get back to his feet but Savolainen is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Savolainen throws a big right hand that misses.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Baba manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

Savolainen breaks the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Savolainen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Baba.
Baba stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Baba wants it to stay on the feet.
Savolainen shoots in for a takedown but Baba shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Savolainen shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Savolainen lands a nice short elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savolainen looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Baba is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Savolainen is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Baba sees it coming and defends easily.
Baba is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Savolainen jumps into side control!

That's two 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.
Savolainen working the head and body with strikes.

Savolainen tries for a kimura but Baba is defending well.
Baba tries to buck Savolainen off but Savolainen is having none of it.

Savolainen looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Baba takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Savolainen is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Baba is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Baba is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Savolainen is controlling him well.
Baba is trying to control Savolainen's posture but Savolainen avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Savolainen misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Baba is trying to buck Savolainen off.
Savolainen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Savolainen swings around for an armbar but Baba sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Savolainen's guard.
Baba sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Savolainen's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Savolainen flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Savolainen is pressing down on Baba's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jaakko Savolainen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jaakko Savolainen's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Savolainen closes the distance and clinches up with Baba, looking for a takedown. Savolainen pushes Baba against the cage but Baba circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Decent striking displayed by Baba there.
Baba takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Baba swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Baba.
Savolainen has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Baba finds it's way round the side to connect with Savolainen's head.
Baba rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Savolainen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Savolainen gets a takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Savolainen is nestled in close to Baba, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Baba avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Savolainen.

Savolainen is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Baba doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Savolainen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baba makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Baba.
Baba is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Savolainen trying to stand up but can't free himself from Baba's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Baba trying to control the position.
Savolainen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Baba is keeping the position for now.
Savolainen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Sinbad Baba is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Baba throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Savolainen takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Baba gets caught napping as Savolainen dives in and scores a takedown. Baba manages to retain guard.
Savolainen lands a couple of digs.
Savolainen slips nicely into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baba works his way to full guard. Good work.
Savolainen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Savolainen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Savolainen thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Baba is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Savolainen advances position into side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Savolainen working away.
Savolainen scoring with punches from side control.
Baba is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Miletich Xtreme Fighting Systems, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Savolainen creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Baba sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Savolainen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Savolainen wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Baba, who protects the arm well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Baba is trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jaakko Savolainen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jaakko Savolainen's cut.
That's time! Baba's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Baba swats away the attempt to clinch by Savolainen.
Baba throws a left and a right that both miss
and Baba takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Savolainen misses with a takedown
and Baba counters with a nice uppercut.
Baba connects with a single shot there.
Sinbad Baba is winning the standup battle so far.
Savolainen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Baba is fending him off so far but Savolainen persists. Nope, Baba circles away and we're back to standing.

Savolainen closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Baba did well to prevent Savolainen getting side control.

Savolainen is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Baba defends it well.

Savolainen wants to work for an arm triangle but Baba is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Savolainen wants to free his trapped foot but Baba is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baba pushes Savolainen off looking to stand but Savolainen dives back in and keeps control.

Savolainen seems to be working for a kimura but Baba defends the submission attempt.
Savolainen lands with a punch from half guard.
Savolainen looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Savolainen is trying to work for a kimura but Baba is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Savolainen passes to side control.
Savolainen throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Baba works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Baba works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savolainen passes into half guard.
Savolainen has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Savolainen throws some wild stikes that Baba manages to avoid easily.

Savolainen has control of Baba's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Baba regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baba wants to control but Savolainen is having none of it.
Savolainen sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Savolainen lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Savolainen wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Baba tries to reverse the position but Savolainen maintains control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jaakko Savolainen really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jaakko Savolainen's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Baba throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Savolainen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A little jabbing left from Savolainen on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Savolainen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Baba pinned against the cage. Baba gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A swing and a miss from Baba.
Baba defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Savolainen.
Baba throws a big counter combination but Savolainen scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Savolainen takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Baba connects with a single shot there.
Savolainen takes one to the side of the head.
Savolainen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Baba.
Savolainen wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baba swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Savolainen is looking to clinch but Baba is avoiding it.
Baba comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Baba misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savolainen fails with a takedown attempt.
Baba seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Sinbad Baba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jaakko Savolainen.

Savolainen drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Savolainen prevents Baba from escaping the position.
Baba is looking to regain half guard here but Savolainen keeps moving and retains side control.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Savolainen stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Savolainen shoots in but no luck this time.
Savolainen tries to clinch up but Baba circles away and keeps his distance.
Savolainen checks a leg kick nicely.
Savolainen shoots in for a double leg but Baba sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Savolainen shoots in but Baba avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Baba lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Savolainen takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Savolainen is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Baba throws a series of punches but Savolainen moves out of range.
Baba lands a head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savolainen explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Baba throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Savolainen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Baba throws a series of strikes that have Savolainen backpedaling.

That has opened up Jaakko Savolainen's cut even more.
Baba comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Baba fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Savolainen shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Savolainen is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Baba defends it well.

Baba kicks Savolainen off and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Savolainen moves out of range of the strikes.
Savolainen throws out a counter right but Baba avoids it with no problem.
Sinbad Baba is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Baba lands with a thumping leg kick.
Savolainen tries to clinch but Baba moves out of range.
Baba swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Savolainen loads up on a big right hand but Baba slips the punch.
Savolainen moves to clinch but Baba breaks away
and Savolainen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Savolainen moves out of range of the leg kick from Baba.
Baba keeps the fight on the outside.
Savolainen tries to close the distance and clinch but Baba swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Savolainen is looking to clinch.
Baba looks to land a combination but Savolainen avoids it well.

Savolainen dives in and scores a takedown into Baba's guard.
Baba wants to stand up but Savolainen is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sinbad Baba had his way with Jaakko Savolainen in that round.
The cut man is working on Jaakko Savolainen's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Baba connects with an inside leg kick.
Savolainen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A right-left combo lands from Savolainen.
Savolainen dives in for a single leg takedown but Baba sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Baba lands the left hand.
Baba checks the leg kick.
Savolainen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Baba scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Savolainen shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Savolainen showed some decent athleticism there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Savolainen wants to work for an arm triangle but Baba is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baba is trying to get back to full guard.

Savolainen wants to work for an arm triangle but Baba is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Savolainen misses with a head shot. Baba uses the momentum to regain guard.
Savolainen throwing strikes from guard but Baba blocks nicely.

That's two 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.
Baba working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Savolainen.
Savolainen looking to pass the guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Baba misses with a straight left.
Savolainen tries to clinch up but Baba circles away and keeps his distance.
Savolainen on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Savolainen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Baba sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Savolainen ducks right into an uppercut from Baba.
Savolainen takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Baba keeps the fight on the outside.
A combination from Baba does no damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savolainen fails with a takedown attempt.
Sinbad Baba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jaakko Savolainen.
Baba will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Savolainen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Savolainen staying out of range there.
Savolainen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Baba pinned against the cage. Baba gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sinbad Baba has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Savolainen tries to clinch but Baba moves out of range.
Savolainen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Baba manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Baba scores with a nice right hand.
A good leg kick by Baba.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Savolainen is defended easily by Baba.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baba throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Savolainen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Savolainen shoots for a takedown but Baba saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Savolainen moves out of range of the leg kick from Baba.
Savolainen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Baba is looking to slow Savolainen down with leg kicks.
Baba circles away from the clinch attempt.
Savolainen tries to clinch up.
Savolainen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Baba!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Savolainen closes the distance looking to clinch
and Baba counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Baba swats away the attempt to clinch by Savolainen.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sinbad Baba showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Savolainen 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 47:48
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 47:48
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jaakko Savolainen!
Jaakko Savolainen is the new welterweight champion!
Jaakko Savolainen bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.