PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jake Belcher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tapio Sammalkorpi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Belcher
vs
Sammalkorpi

180 cm
27
185 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

177 cm
27
176 lbs
15 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jake Belcher!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tapio Sammalkorpi!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Belcher closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Belcher trying to control the position but Sammalkorpi is working away.
Sammalkorpi is looking for a sweep.
Sammalkorpi keeps trying to improve his position.
Belcher works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Belcher is looking to take a break and control but Sammalkorpi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Belcher tries to move to mount but Sammalkorpi blocks the move with his legs.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Belcher scoring with punches from side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Belcher lands a few punches from side control.
Belcher cracks Sammalkorpi with a big elbow.
Belcher lands a decent elbow from side control.
You can see the frustration on Sammalkorpi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sammalkorpi is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Belcher's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Belcher is pressing down on Sammalkorpi's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sammalkorpi is holding on for now.
Belcher has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Sammalkorpi regains full guard. Nicely done.
Belcher connects with a couple of short punches.
Belcher wants to control from the top but Sammalkorpi keeps moving.

Sammalkorpi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Belcher is aware though and is defending well.
Sammalkorpi keeping moving, preventing Belcher from controlling successfully.
Belcher throws a strike but Sammalkorpi rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sammalkorpi trying to control the position from guard on top but Belcher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sammalkorpi won't allow Belcher to sweep him here.
Belcher is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Belcher looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sammalkorpi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sammalkorpi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Belcher is controlling Sammalkorpi's posture.
Sammalkorpi with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sammalkorpi working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Sammalkorpi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sammalkorpi tries to free his leg and advance position but Belcher is retaining full guard.
Belcher is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Belcher preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sammalkorpi trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sammalkorpi working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Sammalkorpi throws a big elbow that misses.
Belcher has his hands on Sammalkorpi's head, controlling the position.
Sammalkorpi stopping the sweep attempt from Belcher.
Belcher has Sammalkorpi pulled in close to control his posture.
Sammalkorpi wants to control from the top but Belcher keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Sammalkorpi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Belcher sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sammalkorpi somewhat.
Belcher is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sammalkorpi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Belcher shoots in for a double leg but Sammalkorpi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sammalkorpi shoots in but no luck this time.
Nice takedown defense from Sammalkorpi. No joy for Belcher on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jake Belcher. That's going to take a lot out of him.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Sammalkorpi enables Belcher to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Sammalkorpi manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Belcher is looking to work some ground and pound but Sammalkorpi has wrist control.
Sammalkorpi looking to control.
Belcher chips away with some ground and pound.

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

Sammalkorpi working for submissions but it's allowed Belcher to get to half guard.
Belcher drops an elbow to the side of Sammalkorpi's head.
Sammalkorpi trying to hold on to Belcher's head to control him but Belcher postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Belcher dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Belcher shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sammalkorpi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Belcher's waist but Belcher gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sammalkorpi off to one side.
Belcher defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sammalkorpi.

Belcher shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Sammalkorpi manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Sammalkorpi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Belcher stopping the sweep attempt from Sammalkorpi.

Sammalkorpi is looking for a triangle but Belcher pushes his legs off easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sammalkorpi trying to keep a closed guard but Belcher is proving a slippery customer.
Belcher working some strikes from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Belcher's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Belcher pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sammalkorpi is keeping the position for now.
Sammalkorpi bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Belcher's guard.

Belcher is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sammalkorpi can do to turn this around?
Belcher looking for a sweep. Not yet Belcher, not yet.

Sammalkorpi thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Belcher manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sammalkorpi manages to get himself to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sammalkorpi is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Belcher is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Sammalkorpi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Belcher gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Belcher with a nice head shot there.
Belcher is pushing down on Sammalkorpi's leg trying to pass to half guard. Sammalkorpi is fighting to maintain full guard but Belcher has managed to sneak the leg through.
Belcher winds up and cracks Sammalkorpi with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Sammalkorpi taking some punishment here, with Belcher in his half guard.
Belcher trying to control the action but Sammalkorpi is working from the bottom.
Sammalkorpi is trying to get back to full guard.
Ground and pound from Belcher.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sammalkorpi works his way to full guard. Good work.
Sammalkorpi working a defensive guard here.

Belcher got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sammalkorpi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Belcher has managed to get both his arms back between Sammalkorpi's legs - danger averted.
Sammalkorpi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Belcher connects with a couple of short punches.
Belcher cracks Sammalkorpi with a solid left hand.
Belcher is in close to Sammalkorpi's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Sammalkorpi is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Sammalkorpi is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Belcher defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belcher stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sammalkorpi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sammalkorpi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Belcher slips nicely into half guard.
Sammalkorpi tries to roll over but Belcher keeps him under control.
Sammalkorpi taking some punishment here, with Belcher in his half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Belcher seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Belcher lands a nice short elbow.
Sammalkorpi tries to get to full guard but Belcher has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Belcher dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sammalkorpi fails with a takedown attempt.
Belcher looks for a takedown but Sammalkorpi sprawls well.
Belcher shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sammalkorpi pinned against the cage. Sammalkorpi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sammalkorpi drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Belcher defends it well.
Belcher fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sammalkorpi avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jake Belcher. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck for Sammalkorpi with that takedown attempt.
Sammalkorpi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Belcher sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sammalkorpi somewhat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sammalkorpi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Belcher swivels and escapes.
Belcher darts in looking for a takedown but Sammalkorpi gets double underhooks and turns Belcher into the cage.

Belcher gets caught flat footed, as Sammalkorpi shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Belcher managing to control the position.
Belcher is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sammalkorpi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Belcher is keeping the position for now.
Belcher trying to control the position here.
Belcher has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Belcher wants to sweep but no luck.
Belcher has control of Sammalkorpi's left arm, preventing Sammalkorpi from doing any damage.
Belcher working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sammalkorpi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Sammalkorpi throws a big elbow that misses.
Belcher is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Sammalkorpi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Belcher.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sammalkorpi.

Belcher closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Sammalkorpi did well to prevent Belcher getting side control.
Belcher is looking to take a break and control but Sammalkorpi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Belcher stalling.
Sammalkorpi trying to control but Belcher postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belcher lands with a punch from half guard.
Sammalkorpi is trying to maintain the position but Belcher is very close to passing his half guard.
Belcher lands strikes from half guard.
Belcher wants to control but Sammalkorpi is keeping him busy.
Belcher scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Sammalkorpi taking some punishment here, with Belcher in his half guard.
Belcher is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Sammalkorpi wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belcher takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Belcher tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sammalkorpi knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Belcher working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Sammalkorpi trying to control from the bottom.
Sammalkorpi is looking to improve his position.
Sammalkorpi manages to get to full guard.
Sammalkorpi keeping moving, preventing Belcher from controlling successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sammalkorpi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Belcher clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Belcher stuffs the takedown.
Belcher stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Belcher wants it to stay on the feet.
Belcher shoots for a takedown but Sammalkorpi saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Belcher shoots in for a double leg but Sammalkorpi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Sammalkorpi closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Belcher did well to prevent Sammalkorpi getting side control.
Sammalkorpi lands strikes from half guard.
Sammalkorpi thows a huge punch but Belcher dodges it nicely.
Belcher is refusing to be controlled, as Sammalkorpi sits in half guard.
Belcher keeping control of the position.
Belcher is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sammalkorpi's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sammalkorpi's back!
Belcher not allowing Sammalkorpi to control his hands.
Good control from Belcher.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sammalkorpi is really stuck here.
Jake Belcher overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Belcher loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Sammalkorpi hold on?
Belcher lands a shot to the body.
Sammalkorpi rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Belcher is nestled in close to Sammalkorpi, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Belcher looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Belcher working over Sammalkorpi with some ground and pound. Sammalkorpi looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Nice strikes from Belcher there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belcher scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Sammalkorpi is trying to maintain the position but Belcher is very close to passing his half guard.
Sammalkorpi is looking for a sweep. Belcher is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sammalkorpi gets full guard.

Sammalkorpi has his foot on Belcher's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Belcher works his way back into a safe position though.
Belcher wants to control from the top but Sammalkorpi keeps moving.
Sammalkorpi looking to control but Belcher passes into half guard.
Sammalkorpi trying to control but Belcher postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belcher seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Belcher blocks the strikes from Sammalkorpi.

Sammalkorpi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Belcher pulls his head out easily.
Belcher lands with a punch from half guard.
Belcher prevents Sammalkorpi from improving his position.
Sammalkorpi taking some punishment here, with Belcher in his half guard.
Sammalkorpi is looking to improve his position.
Ground and pound from Belcher.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sammalkorpi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Belcher is looking to take a break and control but Sammalkorpi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Belcher passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Sammalkorpi!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Belcher cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Sammalkorpi regains half guard.
Sammalkorpi is trying to maintain the position but Belcher is very close to passing his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Belcher had his way with Tapio Sammalkorpi in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sammalkorpi.
Sammalkorpi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Belcher swivels and escapes.
Belcher darts in looking for a takedown but Sammalkorpi gets double underhooks and turns Belcher into the cage.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sammalkorpi or perhaps it was just good defense by Belcher, which made it look bad.
Jake Belcher has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tapio Sammalkorpi.
Belcher darts in looking for a takedown but Sammalkorpi gets double underhooks and turns Belcher into the cage.
Belcher is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sammalkorpi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Belcher fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sammalkorpi shoots in for a double leg but Belcher sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Belcher shoots in looking for a takedown but Sammalkorpi manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Belcher's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Belcher dives in and grabs Sammalkorpi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sammalkorpi pushes down on Belcher's head and hops out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sammalkorpi goes for a double leg but Belcher avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Belcher continues to drive forward.

Belcher drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Sammalkorpi trying to control the position here.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Belcher content to stall in guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belcher trying to control the position from guard on top but Sammalkorpi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Belcher's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Belcher lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Sammalkorpi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Belcher doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Belcher manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Belcher working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sammalkorpi's head.
Belcher makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Belcher with a nice head shot there.
Belcher passes Sammalkorpi's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Belcher throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Sammalkorpi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sammalkorpi is looking for a sweep. Belcher is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sammalkorpi is trying to maintain the position but Belcher is very close to passing his half guard.
Ground and pound from Belcher.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sammalkorpi taking some punishment here, with Belcher in his half guard.
Belcher landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Sammalkorpi tries to roll over but Belcher keeps him under control.
Belcher is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Sammalkorpi wants to get back to full guard but Belcher has mounted him!
Belcher landing strikes from the mount.
Belcher lands a couple of good shots and Sammalkorpi has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Belcher controlling well, preventing Sammalkorpi from escaping the position.
Belcher has Sammalkorpi flattened out and is raining down punches.
Sammalkorpi is trapped and Belcher is scoring with shots to the head and body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sammalkorpi can't escape the position.
Belcher lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Belcher.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Belcher connects with a big shot to the side of Sammalkorpi's head.
Tapio Sammalkorpi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sammalkorpi covers up after that shot from Belcher.
Belcher trying to control momentarily.
Sammalkorpi is really stuck here.
Belcher is landing with strikes. Sammalkorpi can't take much more of this.
Sammalkorpi tries to break free.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Belcher. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!

And that's the end of the fight!
Jake Belcher showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Belcher, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 50:45
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 50:45
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 50:45

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