PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Silvio Provenza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tapio Sammalkorpi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Provenza kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Madreblu - Certamente. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Provenza
vs
Sammalkorpi

182 cm
27
180 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

177 cm
27
176 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Leviathan Clothing

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Silvio Provenza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tapio Sammalkorpi!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Michael Johnstone and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Provenza looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sammalkorpi is fending him off so far but Provenza persists. Nope, Sammalkorpi circles away and we're back to standing.
No luck for Sammalkorpi with that takedown attempt.

Sammalkorpi gets a takedown into half guard.
Sammalkorpi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sammalkorpi drops an elbow to the side of Provenza's head.
Provenza tries to roll over but Sammalkorpi keeps him under control.
Sammalkorpi is trying to control. Provenza wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Sammalkorpi looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sammalkorpi takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Sammalkorpi is nestled in close to Provenza, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Provenza is staying active underneath Sammalkorpi, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Provenza is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sammalkorpi working over Provenza with some ground and pound. Provenza looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Provenza is looking to control Sammalkorpi's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Provenza avoid being mounted?

Provenza actively working from the bottom here.
Provenza is looking for a sweep. Sammalkorpi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sammalkorpi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Provenza is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sammalkorpi pulls his head out easily.
Sammalkorpi landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Provenza avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sammalkorpi.
Sammalkorpi is thwarting Provenza's attempts to control the position.
Sammalkorpi is keen to just control but Provenza is a slippery customer.

Sammalkorpi is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Provenza sees it coming and defends easily.
Sammalkorpi looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Provenza on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Provenza is looking for a sweep. Sammalkorpi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Sammalkorpi is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Provenza has managed to free his arm - good work.
Sammalkorpi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Provenza is trying to maintain the position but Sammalkorpi is very close to passing his half guard.
Sammalkorpi wants to free his trapped foot but Provenza is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Provenza gets back to full guard.
Sammalkorpi throws a big elbow that misses.
Sammalkorpi working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sammalkorpi controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sammalkorpi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sammalkorpi with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Provenza looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Provenza trying to keep a closed guard but Sammalkorpi is proving a slippery customer.
Sammalkorpi wants to control from the top but Provenza keeps moving.
Sammalkorpi lands a couple of digs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sammalkorpi stays in close to Provenza's body and controls the position.
Sammalkorpi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sammalkorpi trying to control the position from guard on top but Provenza is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Provenza looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Provenza is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sammalkorpi cracks Provenza with a solid left hand.

Sammalkorpi 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.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sammalkorpi landing some decent shots from guard.
Sammalkorpi works over Provenza with some ground and pound from guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tapio Sammalkorpi dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Sammalkorpi shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Provenza as he avoids it easily.
Sammalkorpi shoots in but no luck this time.

Provenza gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Provenza looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sammalkorpi is one step ahead there.
Provenza keeping moving, preventing Sammalkorpi from controlling successfully.
Sammalkorpi lands a couple of digs.
Provenza working a defensive guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Provenza looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sammalkorpi is one step ahead there.
Sammalkorpi postures up and lands a big shot to Provenza's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sammalkorpi stopping the sweep attempt from Provenza.
Provenza lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Sammalkorpi is looking for a triangle here but Provenza uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Provenza is looking to take a break and control but Sammalkorpi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Provenza wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Sammalkorpi, who protects the arm well.
Provenza tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Provenza is trying to get an arm triangle but Sammalkorpi is defending well.
Sammalkorpi sneaks back into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sammalkorpi is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Provenza jumps into side control!
Sammalkorpi prevents Provenza from moving into mount.
Sammalkorpi is looking for a sweep.
Sammalkorpi is still trying to improve position.
Sammalkorpi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Provenza is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sammalkorpi is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Sammalkorpi tries to buck Provenza off but Provenza is having none of it.
Sammalkorpi sneaks back into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sammalkorpi is looking to improve his position.

Sammalkorpi looking for submissions off his back.

Sammalkorpi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Provenza content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Sammalkorpi is not content to let Provenza control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sammalkorpi is trying to get back to full guard.
Sammalkorpi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Provenza.
Sammalkorpi gets back to full guard.
Provenza passes Sammalkorpi's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Provenza prevents Sammalkorpi from improving his position.
Provenza not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Provenza 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.
Sammalkorpi wants to improve his position but Provenza is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Silvio Provenza dominated that second round.
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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Sammalkorpi shoots for a takedown but Provenza saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sammalkorpi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Provenza sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sammalkorpi somewhat.
Provenza fails with a takedown attempt.

Sammalkorpi scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Sammalkorpi looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Sammalkorpi working the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A bit of a lull in the action here.

Sammalkorpi working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Provenza tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Provenza regains half guard.
Provenza gets back to full guard.
Sammalkorpi wants to control from the top but Provenza keeps moving.
Sammalkorpi is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Sammalkorpi distracts Provenza with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Tapio Sammalkorpi has got the better of the ground game so far.

Provenza had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sammalkorpi defends it easily.
Provenza is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Provenza is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Provenza seems to be looking for submissions.
Sammalkorpi wants to improve his position but Provenza is controlling well.

Provenza is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Sammalkorpi works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sammalkorpi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Sammalkorpi has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Provenza is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Sammalkorpi.
Sammalkorpi is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Provenza's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Provenza thows a huge punch but Sammalkorpi dodges it nicely.
Sammalkorpi is looking to control Provenza's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sammalkorpi avoid being mounted?
Sammalkorpi is not content to let Provenza control the position.

Sammalkorpi is defending against the submission attempts here by Provenza.
Provenza thows a huge punch but Sammalkorpi dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sammalkorpi tries to get to full guard but Provenza has control of the leg.
Provenza thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sammalkorpi's head.
Sammalkorpi is looking to improve his position.
Sammalkorpi makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sammalkorpi.

Sammalkorpi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Provenza is aware though and is defending well.
Tapio Sammalkorpi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Provenza lands a couple of digs.
Sammalkorpi controlling Provenza's posture.

Sammalkorpi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tapio Sammalkorpi.
I think Sammalkorpi has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight for Tapio Sammalkorpi!
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight for Tapio Sammalkorpi!
Judge David Hoff scores the fight for Tapio Sammalkorpi!

Tapio Sammalkorpi wins by unanimous decision!
Tapio Sammalkorpi seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.