PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Fahad Al Qarni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jaakko Savolainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Al Qarni comes to the cage accompanied by Hells Bells. Savolainen is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Winning. The key to victory for Fahad Al Qarni has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Al Qarni
vs
Savolainen

180 cm
26
187 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

184 cm
27
179 lbs
16 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Spartan Nutrition

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 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Fahad Al Qarni!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Jaakko Savolainen!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Robert Twigg and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Al Qarni lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Savolainen circles away quickly and effectively.
Savolainen takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

It looks like Jaakko Savolainen has been cut.
Al Qarni throws a big shot that misses.
Al Qarni scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Savolainen tries for a takedown but Al Qarni sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Al Qarni throwing a counter right hand but Savolainen manages to avoid it.
Al Qarni's corner calls for a 1-2. Al Qarni obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Al Qarni lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Al Qarni scores with a nice head shot.
Savolainen scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Fahad Al Qarni seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Savolainen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Al Qarni misses with a looping right.
Savolainen tries to close the distance and clinch but Al Qarni swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sloppy strikes from Al Qarni. Those never looked like landing.
Al Qarni moves out of range of the body kick.
Savolainen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Al Qarni.
Al Qarni takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Savolainen takes one on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savolainen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Al Qarni swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Savolainen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Al Qarni is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Some wild striking there from Savolainen.
Savolainen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Al Qarni manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Savolainen tries to clinch up.
Al Qarni thuds his right hand into Savolainen's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Savolainen wants to clinch up but Al Qarni keeps it at a distance.
Al Qarni throws a looping overhand right but Savolainen ducks down to avoid it.
Savolainen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Al Qarni.
Savolainen tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Al Qarni avoids a kick to the body.
Al Qarni misses with a body shot
and Savolainen counters with a nice uppercut.
The fighters circling - Al Qarni throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Al Qarni scores with a jab to the jaw.
Savolainen 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.
Al Qarni misses with a straight right.
Savolainen misses with a body punch
and Al Qarni counters with a left and a right that stings Savolainen.
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!
Al Qarni throws a right hand that Savolainen ducks under and follows up with a left that Savolainen also avoids with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savolainen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Al Qarni throws a hook but Savolainen blocks it.
Al Qarni throws an overhand right that lands on Savolainen's shoulder, as Savolainen tries to avoid the shot.
Al Qarni throws a nice looking combination but Savolainen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Savolainen throws a series of punches but Al Qarni moves out of range.
Al Qarni slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Savolainen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Al Qarni swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Savolainen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Some wild striking there from Al Qarni.
Al Qarni throws an overhand right that lands on Savolainen's shoulder, as Savolainen tries to avoid the shot.
Savolainen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Al Qarni.
Al Qarni rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Savolainen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Al Qarni throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Al Qarni looks to throw the jab but Savolainen is out of range.
Al Qarni takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Qarni misses with a wild body shot.
Savolainen moves out of range of the strikes.
Savolainen is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Savolainen tries to clinch there but Al Qarni circles away.
Al Qarni cracks Savolainen with a right hand to the side of the head.
Savolainen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Al Qarni tries to bum rush Savolainen with a series of wild strikes but Savolainen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
The fighters circle momentarily. Al Qarni darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Savolainen slips a jab from Al Qarni.
Savolainen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Savolainen tries to clinch up.
Al Qarni throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Savolainen counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Savolainen pushing down on Al Qarni's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Al Qarni actively working from the bottom here.
Savolainen trying to control the action but Al Qarni is working from the bottom.
Savolainen is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Savolainen is trying to control the action in half guard but Al Qarni is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Al Qarni tries to roll over but Savolainen keeps him under control.

Savolainen seems to be looking for submissions.
Savolainen performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Al Qarni looking for submissions off his back.
Savolainen is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Savolainen takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Savolainen tries to pass the half guard into mount. Al Qarni knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Savolainen prevents Al Qarni from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fahad Al Qarni dominated 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.

Al Qarni looks to land a combination but Savolainen avoids it well.

Savolainen fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Al Qarni, pushing him back against the cage.
Savolainen blocks an uppercut.
Al Qarni fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Al Qarni misses with a hook from the clinch.
Savolainen is trying to drag Al Qarni to the mat but Al Qarni just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
I was talking to Al Qarni's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

Savolainen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Al Qarni lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Al Qarni misses with an uppercut. Savolainen saw that one coming.
Savolainen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Al Qarni swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Al Qarni sizes up Savolainen with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savolainen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Al Qarni.
Fahad Al Qarni is winning the standup battle so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Al Qarni misses with an uppercut. Savolainen saw that one coming.
Savolainen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Al Qarni circles away.
Al Qarni misses with an uppercut. Savolainen saw that one coming.
Al Qarni is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Savolainen can do to turn this around?
Al Qarni misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Qarni misses the jab.
Savolainen with the counter takedown but Al Qarni avoids it easily.

Al Qarni scores with a takedown into Savolainen's guard.
Al Qarni looking to pass the guard.
Savolainen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Al Qarni's guard.

Savolainen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Savolainen postures up and lands a big shot to Al Qarni's brow.
Savolainen trying to control but Al Qarni is working from the bottom.

Al Qarni is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Savolainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Al Qarni is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Savolainen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savolainen wants to pass the guard but Al Qarni is keeping the position.

Al Qarni throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Al Qarni keeping full guard, as Savolainen tries to pass.
Al Qarni manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Savolainen manages to get himself to full guard.

Savolainen working for a triangle but Al Qarni defends it easily.
Al Qarni advances to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Savolainen is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Al Qarni pulls his head out easily.

Al Qarni is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savolainen wants to get back to full guard.

Savolainen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Savolainen wants to control but Al Qarni is keeping busy.
Savolainen wants to get back to full guard.

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

Savolainen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four 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.
Savolainen won't allow Al Qarni to pass to mount.

Al Qarni is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Savolainen wants to improve his position but Al Qarni is controlling well.
Savolainen wants to control but Al Qarni is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Savolainen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Savolainen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Al Qarni wants to control from the top but Savolainen keeps moving.

Al Qarni drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Al Qarni jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Savolainen keeping full guard, as Al Qarni tries to pass.

Savolainen is looking for a triangle but Al Qarni pushes his legs off easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fahad Al Qarni dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jaakko Savolainen's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Savolainen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Al Qarni as he avoids it easily.
Savolainen takes one on the button.

Savolainen moves into range and clinches up with Al Qarni.

Savolainen has picked Al Qarni up - he's going for a ride! Savolainen dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Al Qarni tries to roll over but Savolainen keeps him under control.
Savolainen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Al Qarni is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Savolainen pulls his head out easily.
Savolainen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Jaakko Savolainen has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Qarni is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Savolainen is working for a submission of some sort.
Al Qarni avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Savolainen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savolainen lands strikes from half guard.
Al Qarni is not content to let Savolainen control the position.
Al Qarni is looking for a sweep. Savolainen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Savolainen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Al Qarni is trying to get back to full guard.
Savolainen is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Savolainen trying to control the action but Al Qarni is working from the bottom.

Al Qarni is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Savolainen pulls his head out easily.
Savolainen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Savolainen is keen to just control but Al Qarni is a slippery customer.
Savolainen scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savolainen controlling the action here.
Savolainen is thwarting Al Qarni's attempts to control the position.
Al Qarni gets back to full guard.

Al Qarni is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Savolainen looking to pass the guard.

Al Qarni looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Al Qarni keeping moving, preventing Savolainen from controlling successfully.
Savolainen stopping the sweep attempt from Al Qarni.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Qarni keeping full guard, as Savolainen tries to pass.

Al Qarni looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Savolainen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Al Qarni works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Savolainen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Al Qarni keeping moving, preventing Savolainen from controlling successfully.
Savolainen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Savolainen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Savolainen forces his way into half guard.
Al Qarni is refusing to be controlled, as Savolainen sits in half guard.
Savolainen is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Al Qarni actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savolainen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Al Qarni does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Savolainen looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Al Qarni with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Savolainen is trying to control the action in half guard but Al Qarni is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Savolainen stalling away here and it's allowed Al Qarni to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Savolainen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Savolainen landing some decent shots from guard.

Al Qarni is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Savolainen is aware though and is defending well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Al Qarni tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Savolainen is stalling in the full guard.

Savolainen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
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' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Al Qarni throws a series of punches but Savolainen moves out of range.
Savolainen wants to clinch.
Al Qarni looks to land a right hand but Savolainen moved out of range.
Savolainen drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Al Qarni defends it well.
Savolainen moves away from the strike by Al Qarni.
Savolainen feints the counter takedown.
Al Qarni fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Savolainen on the side of the head.
Al Qarni cracks Savolainen with an open hand slap.
Savolainen slips under a jab.
A combination from Al Qarni does no damage.
Savolainen slips under a jab from Al Qarni.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savolainen slips a straight right by Al Qarni.
Savolainen doesn't manage to clinch there - Al Qarni circles away.
It looked like Al Qarni wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Savolainen shoots in looking for a takedown. Al Qarni tries to sprawl out of it but Savolainen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Al Qarni manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savolainen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Al Qarni misses with a wild combination.
Savolainen tries to clinch up but Al Qarni circles away and keeps his distance.
Al Qarni lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Savolainen backs up against the cage.
Savolainen looks to land a right hand but Al Qarni moved out of range.
It looked like Al Qarni wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Al Qarni lands a nice shot that snaps Savolainen's head back.
Savolainen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Al Qarni scores with a sloppy right hand. Savolainen should have avoided that one.

Savolainen clinches up against the cage.
Al Qarni fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Savolainen tries to pull guard but Al Qarni holds him up against the cage and eventually Savolainen drops back down to his feet.
Savolainen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Fahad Al Qarni has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jaakko Savolainen.
Savolainen blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Savolainen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Savolainen gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Al Qarni.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Al Qarni throws a right and a left that Savolainen avoids nicely.
Savolainen takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Al Qarni scores with a punch to the head.
Al Qarni keeps the fight on the outside.
Savolainen has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Savolainen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Al Qarni avoids it really well and circles away.
Al Qarni throws a right hand that Savolainen ducks under and follows up with a left that Savolainen also avoids with ease.
A right-left combo lands from Al Qarni.
A telegraphed right hand from Al Qarni misses the target.
Savolainen feints the counter takedown.
Savolainen throws a head kick but Al Qarni moves out of range.
Al Qarni works the jab nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by Savolainen.
Savolainen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Al Qarni paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A jab from Al Qarni misses.
Savolainen changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Al Qarni misses the jab.
Al Qarni throws a looping overhand right but Savolainen ducks down to avoid it.
Al Qarni connects with a nice looking jab.
Al Qarni throws a hook but Savolainen blocks it.
Savolainen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Savolainen feints a jab promting Al Qarni to slip. Savolainen then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Al Qarni slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Savolainen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
It seemed like Savolainen was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Savolainen tries to clinch but Al Qarni moves out of range.
Savolainen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Al Qarni.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Qarni cracks Savolainen with an open hand slap.
Savolainen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Savolainen dives in and grabs Al Qarni's left leg, looking for a takedown. Al Qarni pushes down on Savolainen's head and hops out.
Al Qarni thows a left - swing and a miss!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Savolainen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Al Qarni paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Al Qarni was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Al Qarni!
Al Qarni jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Al Qarni lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The fight stays on the outside here - Savolainen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Savolainen tries to clinch up.
Al Qarni is looking to counter punch.
Savolainen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Al Qarni.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fahad Al Qarni had his way with Jaakko Savolainen in that round.
The cut man is working on Jaakko Savolainen's cut.
That's time! Al Qarni's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Savolainen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Savolainen tries to clinch there but Al Qarni circles away.
Al Qarni jabbing away but nothing is landing.
No joy there for Al Qarni, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Savolainen looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A jab from Al Qarni misses.
Al Qarni throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Al Qarni misses with a straight right.
A big left from Al Qarni misses.
Al Qarni misses with an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Qarni fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Savolainen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Al Qarni as he avoids it easily.
Savolainen tries to clinch up.
Savolainen fakes the leg kick and cracks Al Qarni in the body.
Savolainen moves in looking to clinch but Al Qarni pushes him off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Qarni throws an off balance right hand
and Savolainen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Savolainen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Savolainen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Al Qarni throws out the jab.
Al Qarni misses with a looping right.
Savolainen cracks Al Qarni with a right hand to the side of the head.

Savolainen takes the fight into the clinch.
Al Qarni lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Savolainen keeps control of Al Qarni as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Al Qarni misses with the head strike.
Al Qarni lands a left hand.
Savolainen tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Al Qarni just stands there and leans against the cage.
Al Qarni tries a body shot but Savolainen blocks it.
Savolainen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Fahad Al Qarni has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jaakko Savolainen.
Savolainen goes for a takedown attempt but Al Qarni pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savolainen takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Savolainen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Al Qarni.
Al Qarni missing with a left hand there. Savolainen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And Savolainen responds with a good body kick, but Al Qarni manages to step out the way in time.
Al Qarni looks to land a right hand but Savolainen moved out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A jab from Al Qarni does it's job there.
Al Qarni throws a big shot that misses.
And Savolainen tries to counter it with a takedown but Al Qarni pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Savolainen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Al Qarni paws at him with a jab and circles away.
No joy there for Al Qarni, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
The fight stays on the outside here - Savolainen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Al Qarni was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Savolainen throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Al Qarni tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Savolainen is in Al Qarni's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savolainen lands a couple of elbows.
Al Qarni keeping moving, preventing Savolainen from controlling successfully.
Savolainen stopping the sweep attempt from Al Qarni.

Al Qarni is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Savolainen lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Savolainen keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Al Qarni's head.
Al Qarni looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Savolainen scoring with punches to the head and body.
Savolainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Al Qarni is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Al Qarni had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Savolainen defends it easily.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Savolainen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Savolainen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Al Qarni swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savolainen sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Al Qarni's guard.
Al Qarni keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Savolainen wants to pass to mount but Al Qarni is defending the position.
Savolainen prevents Al Qarni from improving his position.
Savolainen tries to pass to full mount but Al Qarni defends it.
Savolainen trying to control from half guard but Al Qarni is working away.
Jaakko Savolainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Al Qarni trying to hold on to Savolainen's head to control him but Savolainen postures up.
Fahad Al Qarni is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Al Qarni is defending against the submission attempts here by Savolainen.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fahad Al Qarni showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Al Qarni has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 49:46
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 49:46
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fahad Al Qarni!
Fahad Al Qarni is the new welterweight champion!
After winning the bout, Fahad Al Qarni thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.