PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Atte Savitaipale (ranked 1327 p4p, 142 weight class) and Samuel Washington (ranked 3112 p4p, 289 weight class). Savitaipale's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Roger Whittaker - Finnish Whistler. Washington has chosen TNT as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Savitaipale
vs
Washington

177 cm
25
160 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

169 cm
42
145 lbs
38 - 22 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

KOMBAT KLOTHING

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Atte Savitaipale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 38 - 22 - 2, fighting out of New York, Samuel Washington!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Sam Margolis and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Savitaipale uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Washington.
Savitaipale connects with a single shot there.
Savitaipale misses with a hook. Washington ducked under it nicely.
Savitaipale misses with a body shot.

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

Savitaipale looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Washington passes into half guard.
Savitaipale keeping hold of Washington's head, controlling as best he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Savitaipale is trying to maintain the position but Washington is very close to passing his half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savitaipale tries to roll over but Washington keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savitaipale trying to hold on to Washington's head to control him but Washington postures up.
Savitaipale is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Washington is nestled in close to Savitaipale, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Washington lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Savitaipale is refusing to be controlled, as Washington sits in half guard.

Savitaipale actively working from the bottom here.
Washington is keen to just control but Savitaipale is a slippery customer.
Savitaipale is trying to get back to full guard.

Washington is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Savitaipale defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savitaipale avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Washington.
Savitaipale wants to control but Washington is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Washington lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Savitaipale wants to improve his position but Washington is controlling well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Washington 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.
Washington throwing shots but Savitaipale is blocking nicely.
Washington is keen to just control but Savitaipale is a slippery customer.
Savitaipale moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Washington stopping the sweep attempt from Savitaipale.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Washington lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Savitaipale is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Washington is aware though and is defending well.
Washington must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Washington works over Savitaipale with some ground and pound from guard.

Savitaipale looking for a guillotine here but Washington defends easily.
Washington throws a big elbow that misses.
Washington trying to control but Savitaipale is working from the bottom.
Savitaipale pulls Washington in close to prevent any damage.

Washington avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Savitaipale is looking for a triangle but Washington pushes his legs off easily.

Savitaipale looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Savitaipale is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Washington sitting in guard here, content to control.

Savitaipale looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Savitaipale is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Washington defends well.
Washington scoring with punches to the head and body.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Savitaipale keeping full guard, as Washington tries to pass.

Washington avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
We've been hearing good reports from Savitaipale's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

Savitaipale has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Washington can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Samuel Washington will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Washington dives in and scores a takedown into Savitaipale's guard.
Savitaipale can't keep his opponent in guard - Washington advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Savitaipale actively working from the bottom here.
Savitaipale tries to get to full guard but Washington has control of the leg.
Washington lands strikes from half guard.
Washington is pressing down on Savitaipale's thigh, looking to free his foot. Savitaipale is holding on for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savitaipale is looking for a sweep. Washington is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Savitaipale trying to control here.
Savitaipale gets back to full guard.
Washington scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Washington is in close to Savitaipale's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Washington working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Savitaipale's head.
Savitaipale trying to control the position.
Washington loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Savitaipale wants to sweep but no luck.

Washington avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Washington distracts Savitaipale with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Washington lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Savitaipale is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Washington landing with the ground and pound.
Washington has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Savitaipale had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Washington defends it easily.
Washington wants to control from the top but Savitaipale keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savitaipale wants to sweep but no luck.
Washington postures up and lands a big shot to Savitaipale's brow.
Washington scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

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

Washington avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Washington lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Washington trying to control but Savitaipale is working from the bottom.
Savitaipale bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Washington's guard.

Savitaipale with a nice head shot there.
Washington pulls Savitaipale in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Washington utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Savitaipale keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Washington's head.
Savitaipale showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Savitaipale postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Savitaipale trying to control the position from guard on top but Washington is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Savitaipale wants to pass the guard but Washington is keeping the position.

That's four 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.
Savitaipale throws a big elbow that misses.

Savitaipale drops back, looking for a kneebar! Washington looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Washington looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Washington!

Washington cracks Savitaipale with a big elbow.
Savitaipale tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Washington is looking to take a break and control but Savitaipale is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Savitaipale is trying to get back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Washington wants to lay and pray for a moment but Savitaipale keeps working.
Washington might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Savitaipale haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Savitaipale tries to buck Washington off but Washington is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samuel Washington showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Washington misses the shot to the body.
Savitaipale throws a hook but Washington avoids it easily.
Savitaipale tests Washington's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Savitaipale looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Washington is fending him off so far but Savitaipale persists. Nope, Washington circles away and we're back to standing.
Savitaipale rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Washington to counter with a crisp jab.
Savitaipale misses with a wild combination.
Washington staying out of range there.

Washington scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Washington is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Savitaipale is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Washington scores with a couple of nice shots.

Savitaipale is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Washington pulls his head out easily.
Savitaipale tries to get to full guard but Washington has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savitaipale is refusing to be controlled, as Washington sits in half guard.

Savitaipale is defending against the submission attempts here by Washington.
Washington prevents Savitaipale from improving his position.

Savitaipale looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Washington seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Savitaipale does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ground and pound from Washington.
Savitaipale tries to get to full guard but Washington has control of the leg.
Savitaipale tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Washington has advanced to mount. Uh oh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savitaipale is looking to get to half guard.
Washington lands with some strikes.
Washington looking to control but Savitaipale is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Savitaipale sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Savitaipale is looking to improve his position.
Savitaipale is pressing down on Washington's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Washington engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Washington wants to control from the top but Savitaipale keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Washington content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Savitaipale is trying to keep Washington in close.
Washington sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Washington with a nice head shot there.

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

Savitaipale working for a triangle but Washington defends it easily.
Washington stopping the sweep attempt from Savitaipale.
Washington cracks Savitaipale with a solid left hand.
Washington postures up.

That's four 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.

Savitaipale is looking for a triangle but Washington pushes his legs off easily.
Washington postures up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Washington wants to control from the top but Savitaipale keeps moving.
Washington slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
You can see the frustration on Savitaipale's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Washington working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Washington connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Savitaipale some visible discomfort.
Savitaipale manages to work his way to half guard, despite Washington's best efforts.
Savitaipale is looking for a sweep. Washington is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Washington controlling the action here.
Washington prevents Savitaipale from improving his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Samuel Washington comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Washington 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Samuel Washington!
Samuel Washington thanked the fans post fight for their support.
Atte Savitaipale was interviewed post fight and said 'Better man won..Respect to him!Gonna choke him back stage..'.