PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jordan Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jaakko Savolainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Taylor might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Bow Down. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Taylor
vs
Savolainen

187 cm
43
181 lbs
34 - 29 - 0

184 cm
35
182 lbs
26 - 21 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 34 - 29 - 0, fighting out of London, Jordan Taylor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jaakko Savolainen!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Kenichi Hosakawa and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Savolainen fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Taylor to the ground. Savolainen is now in Taylor's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Savolainen lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Savolainen trying to control but Taylor is working from the bottom.
Taylor utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Savolainen has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Samran Muay Thai. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Savolainen stopping the sweep attempt from Taylor.
Taylor is pulling down on Savolainen's head. It's preventing any offense from Savolainen, at least for the moment.
Savolainen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Savolainen wants to pass the guard but Taylor is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taylor working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Savolainen.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Savolainen postures up.
Savolainen controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savolainen scoring with some ground and pound.
Savolainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Taylor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Taylor is on top in guard.

Savolainen keeping moving, preventing Taylor from controlling successfully.
Savolainen is pulling down on Taylor's head. It's preventing any offense from Taylor, at least for the moment.
Savolainen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Taylor is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor throws a big elbow that misses.
Savolainen 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.
Taylor 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.
Taylor is looking to advance position but Savolainen has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Savolainen throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

Savolainen is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Taylor to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Taylor shrugs it off.
Taylor gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor is looking to control Savolainen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Taylor avoid being mounted?
Savolainen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Taylor's head.
Taylor is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Taylor keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Taylor wants to control but Savolainen is keeping busy.
Ground and pound from Savolainen.
Savolainen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Savolainen is trying to control the action in half guard but Taylor is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Savolainen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Savolainen lands with a punch from half guard.
Taylor is looking to improve his position.
Taylor is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Savolainen's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Savolainen's back!
Savolainen is trying to break free.
Savolainen keeps trying to improve his position.
Savolainen is still trying to improve position.
Taylor controlling from the back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Savolainen is trying to escape under a series of strikes and manages to escape from Taylor 's hooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jaakko Savolainen dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Savolainen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Taylor defends it nicely.
A counter left hand to the body from Taylor misses its target.
Taylor avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Savolainen darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Savolainen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Taylor trying to hold on to Savolainen's head to control him but Savolainen postures up.
Savolainen is keen to just control but Taylor is a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taylor is controlling Savolainen's trapped leg to prevent Savolainen from advancing to side control.
Savolainen looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Savolainen seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savolainen tries to pass to full mount but Taylor defends it.
Savolainen is trying to control the action in half guard but Taylor is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Savolainen is working for a kimura but Taylor is defending it quite comfortably.
Savolainen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Taylor tries to get to full guard but Savolainen has control of the leg.
Savolainen is keen to just control but Taylor is a slippery customer.
Taylor has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Savolainen is working away from the top position though.

That's two 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.
Savolainen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Savolainen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Savolainen throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Taylor to regain full guard.
Savolainen throwing strikes from guard but Taylor blocks nicely.
Savolainen distracts Taylor with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Savolainen stopping the sweep attempt from Taylor.
Savolainen trying to control but Taylor is working from the bottom.
Savolainen's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Taylor displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

It looks like Jaakko Savolainen has been cut.
Taylor throws a body shot but no joy.
Savolainen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Taylor moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savolainen moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Taylor ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Savolainen tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Taylor defends well and Savolainen ends up having to push Taylor into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Taylor throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Savolainen uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Taylor has time to react.
Taylor throws out a leg kick but Savolainen moves out of range and Taylor only half commits.
Savolainen misses the shot to the body.
Savolainen slips a jab and a cross from Taylor.
Danga de danga de dang - Savolainen scores with a four punch combination!
Taylor on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A big right from Taylor misses.
Savolainen jabs Taylor right on the nose. Taylor blinks but takes it well.
Savolainen lands a jab to the nose.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Taylor lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A cross from Savolainen lands.
Jaakko Savolainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Savolainen looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Taylor!
Savolainen working the strikes but Taylor uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Jaakko Savolainen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Savolainen trying to control from half guard but Taylor is working away.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Savolainen lands a nice short elbow.
Savolainen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Savolainen wants to control but Taylor is keeping him busy.
Savolainen stalling away here and it's allowed Taylor to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Taylor looking to hit a scissor sweep but Savolainen is one step ahead there.
Taylor controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jaakko Savolainen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jaakko Savolainen's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Taylor pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Savolainen with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Savolainen has a takedown stuffed.
Taylor displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Savolainen throws out the jab.
Savolainen misses with a takedown attempt - Taylor sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A nice combination there by Savolainen.

Savolainen throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Taylor tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Savolainen is in Taylor's guard.
Taylor is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Taylor is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Savolainen defends well.
Savolainen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savolainen is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Taylor looking to control.
Savolainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Taylor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taylor is trying to keep Savolainen in close.
Savolainen lands a couple of elbows.
Savolainen throwing strikes from guard but Taylor blocks nicely.
Savolainen is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Jordan Taylor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Taylor has momentary wrist control but Savolainen slips an elbow through the middle.
Taylor looking for a sweep. Not yet Taylor, not yet.
Taylor lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Savolainen managing to control the position.
Savolainen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Taylor trying to control the position from guard on top but Savolainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taylor is really struggling to control Savolainen but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Taylor is looking to pass into half guard but Savolainen pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Savolainen is in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor 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.
Taylor trying to keep a closed guard but Savolainen is proving a slippery customer.
Savolainen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Savolainen chips away with some ground and pound.
Savolainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Taylor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taylor is trying to control the position but Savolainen postures up.
Taylor avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Savolainen throws a sloppy strike and Taylor has hooked up an armbar on the loose arm! He's turned and extended fully! Savolainen is forced to tap! Great BJJ from Taylor!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Jordan Taylor!
During a confident post fight interview, Jordan Taylor thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.