PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jaakko Savolainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Harry Ballzonya (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Savolainen kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Winning. Harry Ballzonya told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Savolainen
vs
Ballzonya

184 cm
30
179 lbs
22 - 11 - 0

182 cm
38
178 lbs
23 - 23 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Sin City Allstars
Mohito Fightwear

Sin City Allstars

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 22 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Jaakko Savolainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 23 - 0, fighting out of New York, Harry Ballzonya!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Robert Twigg and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Ballzonya as Savolainen shoots in.
Ballzonya is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Savolainen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ballzonya's waist but Ballzonya gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Savolainen off to one side.
Savolainen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ballzonya swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jaakko Savolainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Savolainen takes the fight into the clinch.

Ballzonya breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Savolainen drives through with a takedown into Ballzonya's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Savolainen preventing the sweep.
Ballzonya avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Savolainen throws a strike but Ballzonya rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

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

Savolainen working for a triangle but Ballzonya defends it easily.

Savolainen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ballzonya can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballzonya is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Savolainen looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Ballzonya puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Ballzonya takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Savolainen moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Savolainen keeping moving, preventing Ballzonya from controlling successfully.
Ballzonya stopping the sweep attempt from Savolainen.

Savolainen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Savolainen seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ballzonya controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Ballzonya postures up and lands a big shot to Savolainen's brow.

Savolainen looking for a guillotine here but Ballzonya defends easily.
Ballzonya landing some decent shots from guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ballzonya is stalling in the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballzonya would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Savolainen wants to sweep here but Ballzonya controlling him for the moment.
Savolainen wants to hit a switch here but Ballzonya passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Savolainen there!
Savolainen throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Savolainen flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
BOOM! Ballzonya connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Savolainen is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ballzonya raining down shots from the mount!
Ballzonya controlling from mount.
Savolainen is trying desperately to improve position.
Ballzonya takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Savolainen can't escape the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ballzonya fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Savolainen working to try and regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harry Ballzonya dominated that round.
That's time! Savolainen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Savolainen tries for a takedown but Ballzonya sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ballzonya tests Savolainen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ballzonya misses with a wild body shot.
Ballzonya connects with a right hand. Savolainen shakes it off.
Savolainen is looking to clinch but Ballzonya is avoiding it.

Savolainen manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Ballzonya on his heels. He'll look to pass Ballzonya's guard now, I'm sure.
Ballzonya is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Savolainen won't allow Ballzonya to sweep him here.
Savolainen is looking to work some ground and pound but Ballzonya has wrist control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savolainen scoring with some ground and pound.
Ballzonya has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ballzonya seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Savolainen slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Ballzonya tries to bench press Savolainen off him but Savolainen keeps the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Savolainen wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ballzonya, who protects the arm well.
Ballzonya gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Savolainen takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Harry Ballzonya has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ballzonya wants to get back to full guard.
Savolainen not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Savolainen is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ballzonya defends it well.
Ballzonya moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savolainen throws an elbow that misses. Ballzonya uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Savolainen's guard. Nice move by Ballzonya!

Savolainen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ballzonya defends well.
Ballzonya is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Ballzonya trying to control the position from guard on top but Savolainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ballzonya keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Savolainen's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballzonya slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Ballzonya avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Savolainen has an active guard here but Ballzonya has managed to pass into half guard.

Savolainen actively working from the bottom here.
Savolainen strikes from the bottom but Ballzonya uses the opportunity to move to side control.
Ballzonya taking a breather here.
Ballzonya's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ballzonya trying to control the action but Savolainen is working from the bottom.
Savolainen is trying to get back to half guard.
Savolainen takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Ballzonya wants to stand but Savolainen is controlling his arm.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Savolainen is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Ballzonya is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Savolainen actively working from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Harry Ballzonya will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Savolainen wants to clinch
and Ballzonya counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Savolainen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ballzonya swivels and escapes.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ballzonya! But no joy.
Ballzonya misses with a leg kick
and Savolainen counters with a nice uppercut.
Savolainen fails with the takedown
enabling Ballzonya to counter with a crisp jab.
Savolainen fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jaakko Savolainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Ballzonya.
Nice straight punches there by Ballzonya. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Ballzonya.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ballzonya scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Savolainen checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Savolainen throws a counter high kick but Ballzonya was just alert enough to avoid it.
Jaakko Savolainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Savolainen misses with a takedown
and Ballzonya counters with a straight right hand.
Ballzonya defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Savolainen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savolainen shoots in for a takedown but Ballzonya shows good takedown defense.
Harry Ballzonya seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Horrible takedown attempt by Savolainen or perhaps it was just good defense by Ballzonya, which made it look bad.
Ballzonya misses with a looping right.
No joy there for Ballzonya, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ballzonya works the jab nicely.
Savolainen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ballzonya counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Savolainen fails with a takedown attempt.
Savolainen looks to land a left hand but Ballzonya moved out of range nicely.
Ballzonya throws a body kick that misses.
Savolainen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ballzonya sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Savolainen somewhat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ballzonya throws a push kick but Savolainen slaps the foot to one side.
Savolainen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ballzonya counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Savolainen darts in looking for a takedown but Ballzonya gets double underhooks and turns Savolainen into the cage.

Savolainen shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Savolainen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Savolainen stopping the sweep attempt from Ballzonya.

Savolainen drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Ballzonya manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Savolainen has Ballzonya in his guard.

Savolainen working for submissions but it's allowed Ballzonya to get to half guard.

Savolainen looking for subs from the bottom but Ballzonya mounts him!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballzonya lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Savolainen working to try and regain half guard.
Ballzonya sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Ballzonya landing strikes, looking to finish!
Ballzonya can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Savolainen is looking to escape.
Savolainen regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savolainen misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Ballzonya content to control rather than advance.

Savolainen has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Ballzonya escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Ballzonya!
Harry Ballzonya is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ballzonya in side control lands a decent elbow.
Ballzonya gets to mount! Savolainen was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Jaakko Savolainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Savolainen throwing hammer fists to the chest of Ballzonya. What's that going to do exactly?
Ballzonya sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Harry Ballzonya comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ballzonya winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Harry Ballzonya!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Harry Ballzonya waved his t-shirt featuring Milwaukee's Best 160 (80% laundry)'s logo in front of the cameras.