PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Pikku Pioneeri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tony Sassano Jnr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pioneeri comes to the cage accompanied by Lenin-setä asuu Venäjällä. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Pioneeri
vs
Sassano Jnr

172 cm
25
158 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

180 cm
24
166 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Bullet Proof System

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 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Pikku Pioneeri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Tony Sassano Jnr!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pioneeri lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sassano Jnr circles away quickly and effectively.
Sassano Jnr tries a low kick but Pioneeri avoids it.
Pioneeri missing with a left hand there. Sassano Jnr was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Pioneeri jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Jab, jab by Pioneeri - just one landing.
Pioneeri shoots in looking for a takedown but Sassano Jnr manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Pioneeri's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sassano Jnr feints a counter leg kick.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Sassano Jnr 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.
Pioneeri shoots in for a takedown but Sassano Jnr shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Pioneeri lands with a nice combination. Sassano Jnr backs away looking to recover.
Pioneeri ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Pioneeri swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sassano Jnr flicks out a counter leg kick but Pioneeri steps away.
Sassano Jnr throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Pioneeri fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pioneeri will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pikku Pioneeri. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Pioneeri is defended easily by Sassano Jnr.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pioneeri misses with a hook.
Pioneeri shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Sassano Jnr counters with an inside leg kick.
Sassano Jnr fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Good standup being displayed there by Pioneeri as he connects with a hook.
Sassano Jnr misses with a low kick.
Sassano Jnr connects with a solid leg kick.
Pioneeri steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sassano Jnr.
It looked like Pioneeri wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Pioneeri lands with an uppercut that bounces Sassano Jnr off the cage and back into range.
Nice takedown defense from Sassano Jnr. No joy for Pioneeri on that attempt.
Sassano Jnr only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Sassano Jnr darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Sassano Jnr throws a body shot but no joy.
Sassano Jnr slips under a jab from Pioneeri.
Pioneeri looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sassano Jnr throws a front kick aimed at Pioneeri's knee but Pioneeri avoids it well.
Nice sprawl there from Sassano Jnr as Pioneeri shoots in.
Pioneeri throws an off balance right hand
and Pioneeri takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice shot by Pioneeri.
Sassano Jnr bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sassano Jnr tries to counter with a clinch but Pioneeri shakes him off and moves away.
Sassano Jnr pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Pioneeri was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Sassano Jnr looks to land a right hand but Pioneeri moved out of range.
Sassano Jnr gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Pioneeri is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Sassano Jnr throws a low kick but Pioneeri avoids it.
Sassano Jnr is looking to score with low kicks.
Pioneeri goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Pioneeri with a nice cross.

Pioneeri looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Sassano Jnr!
Sassano Jnr throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sassano Jnr is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Pioneeri has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Sassano Jnr manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Pioneeri looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Sassano Jnr connects with a nice short shot to Pioneeri's temple.
Sassano Jnr prevents Pioneeri from improving his position.

Pioneeri looking for submissions off his back.
Sassano Jnr slows the pace down in half guard.

Pioneeri looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Sassano Jnr in particular looking to stall.
Pioneeri wants to improve his position but Sassano Jnr is controlling well.
Sassano Jnr thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Pioneeri is staying active underneath Sassano Jnr, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Pioneeri looking for submissions off his back.

Pioneeri is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sassano Jnr pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Pikku Pioneeri will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sassano Jnr connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Sassano Jnr lands a leg kick that knocks Pioneeri off balance momentarily.
Pioneeri scores with a hook.
Pioneeri tries to bum rush Sassano Jnr with a series of wild strikes but Sassano Jnr uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Pioneeri will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Pioneeri looks to land a right hand but Sassano Jnr moved out of range.
Sassano Jnr flicks out a counter leg kick but Pioneeri steps away.
Sassano Jnr will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Pioneeri looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Pikku Pioneeri is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sassano Jnr.
Pioneeri looks for a takedown but Sassano Jnr sprawls well.
Sassano Jnr walks into a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sassano Jnr showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Pioneeri.
Sassano Jnr tries to work over Pioneeri's front leg with a kick but Pioneeri checks it.
Sassano Jnr goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Pioneeri shoots in and bounces Sassano Jnr off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Sassano Jnr had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Pioneeri defends it easily.
Sassano Jnr keeping moving, preventing Pioneeri from controlling successfully.
Pioneeri tries to free his leg and advance position but Sassano Jnr is retaining full guard.
Pioneeri trying to control the position from guard on top but Sassano Jnr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sassano Jnr pulls Pioneeri in close to prevent any damage.
Sassano Jnr looking to control.
Sassano Jnr is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Sassano Jnr wants to take a breather but Pioneeri is having none of it.
Pioneeri tries to roll over but Sassano Jnr keeps him under control.
Pioneeri slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Sassano Jnr tries to stand but Pioneeri is controlling from the bottom.

Pioneeri escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sassano Jnr gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pioneeri is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sassano Jnr defends well.
Sassano Jnr wanted to stand there but Pioneeri had control of the position.
Sassano Jnr trying to control the position from guard on top but Pioneeri is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sassano Jnr won't allow Pioneeri to sweep him here.

Pioneeri had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sassano Jnr defends it easily.
Sassano Jnr must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sassano Jnr in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Sassano Jnr trying to control the position from guard on top but Pioneeri is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Pioneeri working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Sassano Jnr has passed into half guard!
Pioneeri trying to control here.
Tony Sassano Jnr has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sassano Jnr works his way into full mount!
Pioneeri sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sassano Jnr tries to stand but can't do so whilst Pioneeri controls his leg.
Sassano Jnr is trying to control the action in half guard but Pioneeri is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tony Sassano Jnr will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. This is the final round!

Pioneeri looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sassano Jnr is fending him off so far but Pioneeri persists. Nope, Sassano Jnr circles away and we're back to standing.
Sassano Jnr is looking for the big counter here.
Sassano Jnr sizes up Pioneeri with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Pioneeri connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Sassano Jnr takes a jab right on the kisser.
Sassano Jnr throws a head kick that half lands.
Pioneeri avoids a kick to the body.
Pikku Pioneeri is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pioneeri swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sassano Jnr looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Sassano Jnr just misses with a punch to the body.
Sassano Jnr throws a solid leg kick but Pioneeri takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Sassano Jnr.
Pioneeri swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Pioneeri swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Pikku Pioneeri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sassano Jnr walks into a jab.
Pioneeri moves out of range of the leg kick from Sassano Jnr.
Sassano Jnr stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sassano Jnr wants it to stay on the feet.
Pioneeri thuds his right hand into Sassano Jnr's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sassano Jnr slips under a jab.
Pioneeri throws a series of punches but Sassano Jnr avoids them all with ease.
Pioneeri scores with a jab to the body.
Pioneeri connects with a crisp jab.
Pioneeri chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Sassano Jnr can pounce on him.
Sassano Jnr misses with a body kick.
Sassano Jnr with a hook.
Pioneeri misses with a few strikes there.
Sassano Jnr fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Pioneeri shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sassano Jnr as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pikku Pioneeri. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pioneeri avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sassano Jnr keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Pioneeri shoots in and drives through. Sassano Jnr sprawls well.
A nice side step and Sassano Jnr releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Tony Sassano Jnr is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sassano Jnr displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pioneeri throws out the jab.
Sassano Jnr now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pioneeri has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Sassano Jnr.
Pioneeri dives in for a single leg takedown but Sassano Jnr sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sassano Jnr listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Pioneeri avoids a kick to the body.
Pioneeri connects with a nice looking jab.
Pioneeri looks to land a right hand but Sassano Jnr moved out of range.
A big left from Pioneeri misses.
Sassano Jnr throws a low kick but Pioneeri moves out of range easily.
That kick from Sassano Jnr tenderised Pioneeri's leg. Pioneeri is trying to keep his angry face on.
Pioneeri scores with a decent looking hook.
Sassano Jnr bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Pioneeri looks to throw the jab but Sassano Jnr is out of range.
Pioneeri is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Sassano Jnr has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Sassano Jnr closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sassano Jnr takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Pioneeri fails with a takedown attempt.
Pioneeri scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Sassano Jnr moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Pioneeri misses with a hook. Sassano Jnr ducked under it nicely.
Pioneeri tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Sassano Jnr defends well and Pioneeri ends up having to push Sassano Jnr into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Pioneeri misses with a series of wild punches.
Pioneeri avoids the body shot from Sassano Jnr.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sassano Jnr throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
No joy there for Pioneeri, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Pioneeri is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Sassano Jnr ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pioneeri moves away.
Sassano Jnr swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Pioneeri scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Pioneeri keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sassano Jnr takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Pioneeri gets tackled into the cage by Sassano Jnr. Sassano Jnr maintains the clinch.
Sassano Jnr misses with a knee strike.
Sassano Jnr tries to land knees in the clinch but Pioneeri avoids the damage to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Pioneeri creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Sassano Jnr using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pioneeri has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A left hand lands to the body for Sassano Jnr.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Pioneeri turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Pioneeri manages to end up in side control.

Pioneeri wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Sassano Jnr, who protects the arm well.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Pikku Pioneeri.
I think Pioneeri 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pikku Pioneeri!
Pikku Pioneeri thanked the fans post fight for their support.