PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Atte Savitaipale (ranked 1590 p4p, 194 weight class) and Winslow Berhardt (ranked 1026 p4p, 130 weight class). Savitaipale comes into the arena with Roger Whittaker - Finnish Whistler blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Savitaipale
vs
Berhardt

177 cm
26
160 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

175 cm
28
167 lbs
14 - 10 - 3

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)
KOMBAT KLOTHING

Pit Bull Development

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 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Atte Savitaipale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 10 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Winslow Berhardt!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Eddie Farnsworth and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Savitaipale fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Berhardt manages to avoid it.
Savitaipale waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Berhardt.
Berhardt thows a leg kick but Savitaipale checks it

and Savitaipale counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Savitaipale.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Berhardt holds on and takes a little breather.
Savitaipale tries to free his leg and advance position but Berhardt is retaining full guard.
Savitaipale forces his way into half guard.
Savitaipale drops an elbow to the side of Berhardt's head.
Berhardt trying to hold on to Savitaipale's head to control him but Savitaipale postures up.
Savitaipale is trying to control the action in half guard but Berhardt is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Berhardt gets back to full guard.
Our spies down at at Roosters Coop inform us that Berhardt has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berhardt is adopting a defensive guard.
Berhardt looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berhardt seems keen to control Savitaipale's posture.

Berhardt working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Savitaipale doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Savitaipale manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Berhardt working a defensive guard here.
Berhardt pulls Savitaipale in close to prevent any damage.
Berhardt working a defensive guard here.
Savitaipale distracts Berhardt with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Savitaipale working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Berhardt's head.

Savitaipale avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Berhardt avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Berhardt controls Savitaipale momentarily but Savitaipale frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savitaipale content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Savitaipale landing with the ground and pound.
Berhardt pulls Savitaipale in close to prevent any damage.
Savitaipale is looking to work some ground and pound but Berhardt has wrist control.

Berhardt is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Savitaipale defends well.
Savitaipale postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Savitaipale with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Berhardt has momentary wrist control but Savitaipale slips an elbow through the middle.
Savitaipale tries to free his leg and advance position but Berhardt is retaining full guard.
Savitaipale content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Berhardt is pulling down on Savitaipale's head to control his posture.
Savitaipale with a nice head shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savitaipale works over Berhardt with some ground and pound from guard.
Savitaipale content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Berhardt is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Berhardt seems keen to control Savitaipale's posture.
Berhardt has momentary wrist control but Savitaipale slips an elbow through the middle.
Berhardt has momentary wrist control but Savitaipale slips an elbow through the middle.
Savitaipale scoring with some ground and pound.
Berhardt wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Savitaipale is in close to Berhardt's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Savitaipale throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Berhardt works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Savitaipale trying to control the position from guard on top but Berhardt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Berhardt working a defensive guard here.
Savitaipale chips away with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berhardt is trying to control the position but Savitaipale postures up.
Savitaipale is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Savitaipale got a little sloppy there for a moment and Berhardt has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Savitaipale has managed to get both his arms back between Berhardt's legs - danger averted.
Savitaipale working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Savitaipale postures up and lands a big shot to Berhardt's brow.
Savitaipale content to stall in guard here.

Berhardt had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Savitaipale defends it easily.
Savitaipale postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Berhardt lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Savitaipale has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Berhardt 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.

Atte Savitaipale dominated that round.
That's time! Savitaipale's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Berhardt swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Berhardt tries to clinch up.
Savitaipale scores with a crisp jab that stopped Berhardt in his tracks.

Berhardt shoots in and bounces Savitaipale off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Berhardt avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Berhardt wants to control from the top but Savitaipale keeps moving.
Berhardt works over Savitaipale with some ground and pound from guard.
Savitaipale tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Savitaipale escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Berhardt gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Berhardt is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Berhardt lands a couple of elbows.
Savitaipale is trying to control the position but Berhardt postures up.
Berhardt in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savitaipale trying to keep a closed guard but Berhardt is proving a slippery customer.
Savitaipale 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.
Berhardt works over Savitaipale with some ground and pound from guard.
Berhardt postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Berhardt makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Berhardt keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Savitaipale's head.
Savitaipale seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

Savitaipale working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Berhardt doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Berhardt manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Berhardt wants to control from the top but Savitaipale keeps moving.
Atte Savitaipale overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Berhardt working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Berhardt is looking to work some ground and pound but Savitaipale has wrist control.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berhardt passes Savitaipale's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Berhardt winds up and cracks Savitaipale with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Berhardt wants to pass the guard but Savitaipale is defending well.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Berhardt in particular looking to stall.
Berhardt has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Savitaipale is trying to control but can't.
Berhardt lands with a punch from half guard.
Berhardt thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Savitaipale's head.
Berhardt is trying to control the action in half guard but Savitaipale is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Savitaipale trying to control here.
Savitaipale tries to get to full guard but Berhardt has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Berhardt slips a nice elbow through Savitaipale's hands, connecting with Savitaipale's forehead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berhardt content to control rather than advance.
Berhardt prevents Savitaipale from improving his position.
Savitaipale manages to get to full guard.
Berhardt throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Savitaipale escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Berhardt gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Savitaipale wants to sweep here but Berhardt controlling him for the moment.
Berhardt scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Savitaipale trying to keep a closed guard but Berhardt is proving a slippery customer.
Berhardt tries to free his leg and advance position but Savitaipale is retaining full guard.
Savitaipale manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Berhardt manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berhardt looking to hit a scissor sweep but Savitaipale is one step ahead there.
Savitaipale postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Berhardt looking for a sweep. Not yet Berhardt, not yet.
Berhardt is trying to keep Savitaipale in close.
Savitaipale postures up and lands a big shot to Berhardt's brow.
Savitaipale postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Savitaipale trying to control but Berhardt is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Berhardt bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Savitaipale's guard.

Savitaipale wants to sweep here but Berhardt controlling him for the moment.
Berhardt is in close to Savitaipale's body, working some short punches and elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Winslow Berhardt showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Berhardt throws a body punch but Savitaipale moves out of range.

Savitaipale scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Berhardt takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Berhardt tries to buck Savitaipale off but Savitaipale is having none of it.
Berhardt manages to work his way to half guard, despite Savitaipale's best efforts.
Berhardt is trying to stand up here but Savitaipale is controlling him well.
Berhardt wants to control but Savitaipale is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The fighters are battling for position here. Berhardt manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Berhardt looking to control.
Savitaipale postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Savitaipale distracts Berhardt with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savitaipale postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Berhardt is trying to keep Savitaipale in close.
Savitaipale sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Savitaipale throwing strikes from guard but Berhardt blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berhardt 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.
Savitaipale postures up and lands a big shot to Berhardt's brow.

Berhardt is looking for a triangle but Savitaipale pushes his legs off easily.
Savitaipale with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Savitaipale working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Savitaipale scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Berhardt holds on and takes a little breather.
Savitaipale landing with the ground and pound.
Berhardt keeping moving, preventing Savitaipale from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savitaipale missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Savitaipale trying to control but Berhardt is working from the bottom.
Savitaipale landing some decent shots from guard.
Berhardt is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Savitaipale trying to control but Berhardt is working from the bottom.
Berhardt preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Berhardt avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Savitaipale is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Berhardt can do to turn this around?
Savitaipale works over Berhardt with some ground and pound from guard.
Berhardt is trying to control the position but Savitaipale postures up.
Savitaipale working some strikes from top position.

Berhardt has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Savitaipale can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savitaipale makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Savitaipale is working Berhardt over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Savitaipale landing some decent shots from guard.
Berhardt is trying to keep Savitaipale in close.
Savitaipale is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Savitaipale postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Savitaipale's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Savitaipale pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Berhardt is keeping the position for now.
Savitaipale throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Berhardt works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Savitaipale trying to control the position from guard on top but Berhardt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Savitaipale postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Berhardt is on top in guard.

Savitaipale keeping moving, preventing Berhardt from controlling successfully.
Savitaipale trying to keep a closed guard but Berhardt is proving a slippery customer.
Savitaipale 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.
Berhardt is in close to Savitaipale's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Berhardt lands a couple of elbows.

Savitaipale is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Berhardt throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Savitaipale bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Berhardt's guard.

Berhardt managing to control the position.

Berhardt is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Atte Savitaipale showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Savitaipale has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 29:28
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Atte Savitaipale!
Atte Savitaipale made sure to mention his sponsor, KOMBAT KLOTHING in his post fight interview.
In defeat, Winslow Berhardt stepped up to the mic, saying 'Next time I'll break him!'.