PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hannibal Lecter Vlll (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jaakko Savolainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Savolainen has chosen Winning as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Jaakko Savolainen enters the cage!

Lecter Vlll
vs
Savolainen

175 cm
33
170 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

184 cm
29
179 lbs
20 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Mohito Fightwear

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 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Hannibal Lecter Vlll!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Jaakko Savolainen!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Alan Glass and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice defenses there by Lecter Vlll.
Lecter Vlll keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Savolainen has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Savolainen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lecter Vlll is fending him off so far but Savolainen persists. Nope, Lecter Vlll circles away and we're back to standing.
Savolainen with a poor takedown
and Lecter Vlll counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

It looks like Jaakko Savolainen has been cut.
Hannibal Lecter Vlll has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jaakko Savolainen.

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

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

Savolainen is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Lecter Vlll is just riding it out for now. Savolainen eventually gives up the hold.
Lecter Vlll trying to hold on to Savolainen's head to control him but Savolainen postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lecter Vlll trying to control but Savolainen postures up.
Lecter Vlll wants to improve his position but Savolainen is controlling well.
Savolainen looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Lecter Vlll is trying to control but Savolainen manages to pass to mount!
Lecter Vlll prevents Savolainen from taking his back.
Savolainen scoring with strikes but Lecter Vlll is staying in there.

Savolainen is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Lecter Vlll can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Lecter Vlll slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lecter Vlll has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Savolainen is working away from the top position though.

Savolainen is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Lecter Vlll is looking for a sweep. Savolainen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Lecter Vlll is defending against the submission attempts here by Savolainen.

Savolainen is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Lecter Vlll wants to control but Savolainen is keeping busy.
Savolainen tries to pass the half guard into mount. Lecter Vlll knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lecter Vlll is looking to get back to full guard here but Savolainen has managed to pass to side control instead.

Savolainen tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Savolainen has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Lecter Vlll is looking to regain half guard here but Savolainen keeps moving and retains side control.

Savolainen is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Lecter Vlll is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lecter Vlll 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.

Savolainen working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Savolainen working away.

Savolainen looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

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

Savolainen is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Lecter Vlll is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
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.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Lecter Vlll's jab looks to have found its range, popping Savolainen under the eye.

Savolainen manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Lecter Vlll on his heels. He'll look to pass Lecter Vlll's guard now, I'm sure.
Savolainen slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Lecter Vlll is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Savolainen off and has taken his back!
Lecter Vlll connects with a big shot to the side of Savolainen's head.
Lecter Vlll scores with punches from the back.
Savolainen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
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!
Lecter Vlll throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Savolainen!
Lecter Vlll has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Savolainen.
Savolainen rolls, trying to escape but Lecter Vlll keeps control of the position.
Lecter Vlll punishes Savolainen with strikes from the back mount.
Savolainen is really stuck here.
Savolainen is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lecter Vlll trying to control.
Lecter Vlll has the hooks in. Savolainen is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Savolainen takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Savolainen turns into Lecter Vlll and is now in his guard.
Savolainen won't allow Lecter Vlll to sweep him here.

Savolainen has gone for a leg lock! Lecter Vlll slips out almost immediately though and dives into Savolainen's guard.

Lecter Vlll got a little sloppy there for a moment and Savolainen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Lecter Vlll has managed to get both his arms back between Savolainen's legs - danger averted.
Savolainen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Savolainen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lecter Vlll doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lecter Vlll manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Lecter Vlll lands a couple of elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Savolainen working for a triangle but Lecter Vlll defends it easily.
Lecter Vlll is stalling in the full guard.
Lecter Vlll trying to control but Savolainen is working from the bottom.
Lecter Vlll scoring with punches to the head and body.
Lecter Vlll trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Lecter Vlll got a little sloppy there for a moment and Savolainen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Lecter Vlll has managed to get both his arms back between Savolainen's legs - danger averted.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Savolainen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lecter Vlll.

Savolainen has his foot on Lecter Vlll's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lecter Vlll works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lecter Vlll is working Savolainen over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Lecter Vlll is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Lecter Vlll 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.
Jaakko Savolainen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lecter Vlll is looking to work some ground and pound but Savolainen has wrist control.
Savolainen thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Lecter Vlll is looking to work some ground and pound but Savolainen has wrist control.
Lecter Vlll postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lecter Vlll with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Lecter Vlll avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Lecter Vlll's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Savolainen throws his legs up looking for a submission but Lecter Vlll uses it to pass to side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Lecter Vlll is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Savolainen has escaped the position, nice work there.
Savolainen takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Savolainen is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Lecter Vlll off and has taken his back!

Lecter Vlll preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Savolainen.
Lecter Vlll trying to control the position but Savolainen manages to sink in the hooks.

Lecter Vlll is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Lecter Vlll showing good submission defense here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hannibal Lecter Vlll dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jaakko Savolainen's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Lecter Vlll connects with a leg kick. Savolainen looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Savolainen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Horrible takedown attempt by Savolainen or perhaps it was just good defense by Lecter Vlll, which made it look bad.
Lecter Vlll throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Savolainen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Savolainen moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Lecter Vlll leaves Savolainen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hannibal Lecter Vlll has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jaakko Savolainen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Savolainen fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Lecter Vlll sprawls well initially but Savolainen persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Savolainen lands a nice short elbow.
Savolainen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lecter Vlll gets full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lecter Vlll tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Savolainen throwing strikes but missing.
Lecter Vlll working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Savolainen.

Lecter Vlll working for a triangle but Savolainen defends it easily.

Lecter Vlll looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Savolainen has picked Lecter Vlll up and slammed him! Lecter Vlll can't keep hold of the triangle and Savolainen manages to pass to side control!

Savolainen working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Savolainen goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Lecter Vlll has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Savolainen but great work by Lecter Vlll.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lecter Vlll blocks the strikes from Savolainen.
Savolainen takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Savolainen sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Savolainen is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Lecter Vlll pulls his head out easily.
Savolainen landing rabbit punches to the side of Lecter Vlll's head. Not doing much damage but still scoring a few points.

Savolainen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Lecter Vlll landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Lecter Vlll drops an elbow to the side of Savolainen's head.
Lecter Vlll is trying to control. Savolainen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Savolainen actively working from the bottom here.
Savolainen is staying active underneath Lecter Vlll, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Savolainen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Lecter Vlll lands a nice short elbow.
Lecter Vlll scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Lecter Vlll 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 looking for submissions off his back.
Savolainen is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Lecter Vlll scores with a couple of nice shots.
Savolainen is refusing to be controlled, as Lecter Vlll sits in half guard.
Lecter Vlll content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Lecter Vlll thows a huge punch but Savolainen dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lecter Vlll is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Lecter Vlll slips a nice elbow through Savolainen's hands, connecting with Savolainen's forehead.
Savolainen is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Lecter Vlll scores with a couple of nice shots.
Lecter Vlll working Savolainen over with strikes.
Lecter Vlll is keen to just control but Savolainen is a slippery customer.
Savolainen throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Savolainen actively working from the bottom here.
Nice strikes from Lecter Vlll there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lecter Vlll is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Lecter Vlll prevents Savolainen from improving his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hannibal Lecter Vlll showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Lecter Vlll 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hannibal Lecter Vlll!
After winning the bout, Hannibal Lecter Vlll thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.