PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Harald Hillgrund (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jaakko Savolainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Savolainen has chosen Winning as his entrance music. Jaakko Savolainen has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hillgrund
vs
Savolainen

170 cm
31
164 lbs
21 - 10 - 0

184 cm
29
179 lbs
20 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Harald Hillgrund!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Jaakko Savolainen!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Frank Dennis and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hillgrund has taken the fight to the clinch.
Savolainen has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hillgrund is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Savolainen jumps guard but Hillgrund turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Savolainen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hillgrund fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hillgrund makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Savolainen jumps guard but Hillgrund turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Harald Hillgrund has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jaakko Savolainen.
Hillgrund misses with a body punch.
Savolainen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Savolainen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hillgrund misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Savolainen softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Savolainen blocking some punches.
Hillgrund tries to throw a body punch but Savolainen avoids it by throwing Hillgrund back against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hillgrund.

It looks like Jaakko Savolainen has been cut.
Savolainen trying to stall but Hillgrund improves his position.
Hillgrund misses with a punch to the body.

Savolainen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Savolainen shoots in and bounces Hillgrund off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Savolainen is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Savolainen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hillgrund has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Savolainen has managed to get both his arms back between Hillgrund's legs - danger averted.
Savolainen preventing the sweep.
Savolainen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hillgrund works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Savolainen postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Hillgrund is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Savolainen, into his guard.

Hillgrund is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Hillgrund in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hillgrund trying to control but Savolainen is working from the bottom.
Hillgrund works over Savolainen with some ground and pound from guard.
Hillgrund scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Hillgrund trying to control but Savolainen is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Savolainen is looking for a triangle but Hillgrund pushes his legs off easily.

Savolainen looking for a guillotine here but Hillgrund defends easily.

Savolainen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Savolainen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hillgrund defends it easily.
Hillgrund trying to control but Savolainen is working from the bottom.
Savolainen can't keep his opponent in guard - Hillgrund advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Savolainen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Hillgrund might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hillgrund looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Savolainen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hillgrund working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Savolainen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hillgrund defends it easily.
Hillgrund sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Hillgrund is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Savolainen working for a triangle but Hillgrund defends it easily.
Hillgrund with a nice head shot there.
Hillgrund wants to control from the top but Savolainen keeps moving.
Hillgrund landing with the ground and pound.

Savolainen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hillgrund is aware though and is defending well.
Hillgrund stands up over Savolainen, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hillgrund trying to control the position from guard on top but Savolainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hillgrund cracks Savolainen with a solid left hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Savolainen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hillgrund defends well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harald Hillgrund dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jaakko Savolainen's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hillgrund ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Savolainen shoots in but no luck this time.
Savolainen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hillgrund defends it nicely.
Hillgrund wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

Hillgrund darts in and clinches Savolainen up against the cage.
Hillgrund tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hillgrund scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hillgrund lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hillgrund tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short right from Hillgrund on the inside.
A hook to the body from Savolainen.
Savolainen drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hillgrund pulls his leg out and moves away.
Harald Hillgrund has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jaakko Savolainen.
Savolainen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Hillgrund forces Savolainen back against the cage and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savolainen is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Hillgrund gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Savolainen has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Hillgrund seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Savolainen can turn it around.
Hillgrund misses with a punch to the body.
Hillgrund misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hillgrund throws a punch but it's blocked by Savolainen.
Savolainen lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hillgrund backwards.
Savolainen lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Hillgrund here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Savolainen is working for takedown but Hillgrund is calmly controlling the position for now.
Hillgrund lands a shot to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Hillgrund.
A body shot lands from Hillgrund.
Savolainen fails to pull guard.
Hillgrund working aggressively here.
Savolainen drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hillgrund pulls his leg out and moves away.
Savolainen is breathing heavily.
Hillgrund feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Savolainens jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Hillgrund with a nice cross.
Hillgrund scores with a sloppy right hand. Savolainen should have avoided that one.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Savolainen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hillgrund. Hillgrund obviously looking to wear him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hillgrund scoring well with a low kick there.
A solid body kick from Hillgrund.
Savolainen shoots in looking for a takedown but Hillgrund manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Savolainen's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hillgrund is looking to counter the offense by Savolainen and move into the clinch.
Hillgrund connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
We've been told by Hillgrund's head coaches at O'Brannigans MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Savolainen has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Savolainen there as he acknowledges the shot.
Hillgrund moves in looking to clinch but Savolainen pushes him off.
Hillgrund bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Hillgrund clinches up against the cage.
Hillgrund is leaning against Savolainen and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Savolainen is trying to pull guard but Hillgrund turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Hillgrund is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Savolainen can do to turn this around?
Savolainen can't get the takedown.
Hillgrund digs a right hand underneath Savolainen's ribcage. Savolainen let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Hillgrund lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hillgrund throws a head punch that misses.
Hillgrund pushes Savolainen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Savolainen has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hillgrund is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hillgrund makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Savolainen misses with a punch to the body.
Still in the clinch, Hillgrund scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hillgrund prevents a body shot from Savolainen.
Savolainen blocks an uppercut.
Savolainen lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hillgrund misses with a body punch.
Hillgrund misses with a punch to the body.
Savolainen is looking to take this one to the mat.
Savolainen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hillgrund pulls him back up using the underhooks.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hillgrund.
Savolainen has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hillgrund is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hillgrund misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hillgrund swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Savolainen.
Hillgrund doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Savolainen is looking for a takedown.
Hillgrund scores with a shot to the side of Savolainen's head.
Hillgrund makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Savolainen looking for a takedown.
Hillgrund misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hillgrund lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Savolainen fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savolainen blocking some punches.
Hillgrund tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hillgrund lands with a light punch inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A short left from Hillgrund.
Hillgrund lands a left hand that snaps the head of Savolainen backwards.
Savolainen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hillgrund gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hillgrund lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Savolainen or not.
Hillgrund lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Savolainen or not.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Savolainen.
Hillgrund working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Savolainen tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A short uppercut from Hillgrund.
Savolainen tries to pull guard but Hillgrund won't allow it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Savolainen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hillgrund lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Savolainen tries to pull guard but Hillgrund forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Savolainen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right from Hillgrund.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harald Hillgrund dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jaakko Savolainen's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Savolainen shoots for a takedown but Hillgrund saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Hillgrund shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Hillgrund trying to control but Savolainen is working from the bottom.

Savolainen is looking for a triangle here but Hillgrund uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

Hillgrund tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Hillgrund has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Hillgrund looks up at the clock and then as Savolainen takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Hillgrund smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savolainen seems a little lost for a moment, as Hillgrund dominates the positioning.

Hillgrund is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Savolainen is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Savolainen misses with an elbow from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hillgrund lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Savolainen down.
Hillgrund is putting a hurting on Savolainen here, landing some big shots from side control.
Hillgrund scores with a couple of short elbows.
Hillgrund controlling the position from side mount.
Savolainen manages to get back to half guard.
Hillgrund working the head and body with strikes.
Hillgrund looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Hillgrund passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Savolainen!
Savolainen is in a horrible position here. Hillgrund smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Savolainen really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hillgrund trying to control but Savolainen is having none of it.
Savolainen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Savolainen regains half guard.
Savolainen punching from the bottom.
Savolainen tries to roll over but Hillgrund keeps him under control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hillgrund wants to take a breather but Savolainen is having none of it.
Hillgrund drops an elbow to the side of Savolainen's head.
Hillgrund scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savolainen punching from the bottom.
Hillgrund seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Savolainen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Savolainen taking some punishment here, with Hillgrund in his half guard.
Hillgrund scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Hillgrund is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Hillgrund is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Savolainen has managed to free his arm - good work.
Hillgrund working the head and body with strikes.

Hillgrund looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Savolainen has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Hillgrund escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Hillgrund!
Harald Hillgrund is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hillgrund wants to control but Savolainen is keeping him busy.
Hillgrund lands a nice forearm strike.
A lull in the action here.
Savolainen is looking to regain half guard here but Hillgrund keeps moving and retains side control.
Harald Hillgrund overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Savolainen is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Hillgrund is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Jaakko Savolainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hillgrund can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Savolainen is looking to escape.
Savolainen throwing hammer fists to the chest of Hillgrund. What's that going to do exactly?

And that's the end of the fight!
Harald Hillgrund showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hillgrund 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:25
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Harald Hillgrund!
Harald Hillgrund bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.