PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jonni Saastala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saastala comes into the arena with Nyrkillä naamaan - Look at your ugly mug from mirror. blaring out of the sound system. Gracie has chosen 9pm (Till I Come) as his entrance music. Jonni Saastala had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Saastala
vs
Gracie

171 cm
22
159 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

172 cm
23
165 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

V-Mask Clothing (10%)
GREEN!160

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jonni Saastala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Thiago Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Saastala takes a swing at Gracie's ribcage but misses.
And Gracie tries to counter it with a takedown but Saastala pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Saastala just misses with a punch to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Gracie. Those never looked like landing.
Nice shot lands for Gracie.
Nice defenses there by Gracie.
Saastala has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Gracie scores with a crisp jab that stopped Saastala in his tracks.

It looks like Jonni Saastala has been cut.
Saastala lands with a good body shot.

Gracie gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Saastala fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Saastala using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gracie has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Saastala tries to land a knee to the head but Gracie blocks with his arms.
A body shot lands from Gracie.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gracie prevents a body shot from Saastala.
A short left from Gracie.
Gracie lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Saastala.
Gracie lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Saastala.

Saastala is fighting off a takedown attempt but Gracie is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Saastala to the mat. Saastala regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Gracie pushes down on Saastala's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Gracie with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but Saastala defending well.
Gracie seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Gracie lands with a punch from half guard.
Gracie is nestled in close to Saastala, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Gracie looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Saastala with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saastala is trying to stand up here but Gracie is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Gracie frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Saastala is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

Gracie with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Saastala wants to try and get back to his feet.
Gracie lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Saastala hang on?

Saastala is rocked!

Gracie looking to isolate an arm here. Saastala doesn't see it coming and as Gracie extends the arm, he's forced to tap out! Nice submission by Gracie!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Thiago Gracie!
After winning the bout, Thiago Gracie thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.