PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Pauli Sankari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Niilo Tykyraato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sankari comes to the cage accompanied by SMC Hoodrats. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sankari
vs
Tykyraato

170 cm
24
180 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

167 cm
23
175 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Takomo

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pauli Sankari!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niilo Tykyraato!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sankari avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Sankari shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Sankari was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Tykyraato regains half guard.
Tykyraato is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Tykyraato manages to get to full guard.
Tykyraato manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sankari working to try and regain half guard.
Tykyraato lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

It looks like Pauli Sankari has been cut.
Sankari sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Sankari is defending against the submission attempts here by Tykyraato.
Sankari won't allow Tykyraato to pass to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sankari wants to improve his position but Tykyraato is controlling well.

Tykyraato stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Sankari attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

Sankari looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Tykyraato is staying active underneath Sankari, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Sankari is trying to work for a kimura but Tykyraato is defending well.

Tykyraato looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sankari uses his free foot to push down on Tykyraato's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Tykyraato.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Tykyraato really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Sankari mounts Tykyraato! Really nice guard pass there!
Tykyraato really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sankari looking to secure an arm triangle but Tykyraato defends it well.

Sankari working for a guillotine from mount but Tykyraato is in no mood to give up.
Sankari is breathing heavily.
Tykyraato prevents Sankari from taking his back.
Tykyraato really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Sankari is working for a guillotine from mount but Tykyraato frees his head quite easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tykyraato keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Sankari is looking to stand but Sankari has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Tykyraato manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Tykyraato works his way to full guard. Good work.

Tykyraato had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Sankari is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Tykyraato Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Sankari's back instead.

Tykyraato looking to break Sankari's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Sankari remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Tykyraato will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Tykyraato is persistently looking for the submission but Sankari is defending it well.
Tykyraato is trying to stick to Sankari's back but Sankari is turning into Tykyraato. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Tykyraato's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Sankari.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sankari trying to control but Tykyraato is working from the bottom.

Tykyraato escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sankari gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tykyraato looking for a sweep. Not yet Tykyraato, not yet.

Tykyraato has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sankari can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sankari wants to pass the guard but Tykyraato is keeping the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tykyraato doesn't manage to clinch there - Sankari circles away.
Tykyraato walks into a jab.
Tykyraato fails with an attempt to clinch.

Sankari tries to keep at a distance but Tykyraato has taken the fight into the clinch.
Tykyraato prevents a takedown attempt there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niilo Tykyraato dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Pauli Sankari's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Tykyraato tries to clinch there but Sankari circles away.
Sankari scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Tykyraato tries to clinch up but Sankari circles away and keeps his distance.
Tykyraato fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tykyraato tries to clinch but Sankari moves out of range.
Good leg kick by Sankari there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Sankari keeps the fight on the outside.
Tykyraato moves out of range of the body kick from Sankari.
Niilo Tykyraato is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tykyraato tries to clinch but Sankari is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tykyraato moves in looking to clinch but Sankari pushes him off.
Tykyraato throws a leg kick

and Sankari counters with a single leg into guard. Tykyraato didn't expect that.
Tykyraato is wriggling around but Sankari manages to pass to half guard.
Tykyraato is breathing heavily.
Tykyraato regains full guard. Nicely done.
Sankari trying to control the position from guard on top but Tykyraato is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sankari passes into half guard.

Sankari is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Tykyraato doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sankari.
Tykyraato is pressing down on Sankari's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sankari slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Sankari tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Sankari has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Sankari scores with a couple of short elbows.
Sankari wants to stand but Tykyraato has his arm trapped.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tykyraato gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Tykyraato regains full guard. Nicely done.
Tykyraato looking for a sweep. Not yet Tykyraato, not yet.

Tykyraato working for a triangle but Sankari defends it easily.
Sankari tries to free his leg and advance position but Tykyraato is retaining full guard.
Sankari controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Tykyraato looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sankari is pushing down on Tykyraato's leg trying to pass to half guard. Tykyraato is fighting to maintain full guard but Sankari has managed to sneak the leg through.
Tykyraato is trying to stand.

Sankari is looking for a kimura here.

Sankari is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Tykyraato is just riding it out for now. Sankari eventually gives up the hold.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tykyraato looking for submissions off his back.

Tykyraato actively working from the bottom here.

Sankari is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Tykyraato moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Tykyraato throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sankari advances position into side control!
Tykyraato is trying to improve his position.

Sankari is trying to get an arm triangle but Tykyraato is defending well.

Sankari tries for a kimura but Tykyraato is defending well.

Sankari wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Tykyraato, who protects the arm well.
Tykyraato manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Pauli Sankari will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Pauli Sankari's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Tykyraato tries to clinch but Sankari moves away
and Sankari counters with a leg kick.
Sankari circles away from the clinch attempt
and Sankari makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Tykyraato really felt that one!
Tykyraato tries to clinch
and Sankari counters with a nice low kick that buckles Tykyraato's knee momentarily.
Tykyraato darts in trying to clinch
and Sankari counters with a good, hard body kick but Tykyraato shrugs it off.
Tykyraato tries to clinch but Sankari moves away

and Sankari counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Tykyraato!
Tykyraato tries to reverse the position but Sankari maintains control.
Sankari lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Tykyraato hang on?
Sankari takes Tykyraato's back.

Sankari working for the choke.
Sankari is trying to stick to Tykyraato's back but Tykyraato is turning into Sankari. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Sankari's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Tykyraato.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tykyraato thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Tykyraato tries to free his leg and advance position but Sankari is retaining full guard.
Tykyraato postures up in Sankari's guard and throws a big left but Sankari blocks it.
Tykyraato won't allow Sankari to sweep him here.
Tykyraato stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sankari swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Sankari working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tykyraato doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tykyraato manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sankari is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Tykyraato works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Tykyraato stops Sankari from getting back to his feet.
Tykyraato wants to pass the guard but Sankari is defending well.

Sankari looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tykyraato is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Tykyraato passes the guard and advances to mount!

Tykyraato gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Tykyraato tries to clinch up
and Sankari counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Tykyraato darts in trying to clinch
and Sankari cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tykyraato looks to clinch

and Sankari counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Tykyraato looking for a guillotine here but Sankari defends easily.

Tykyraato working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sankari doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sankari manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sankari slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Tykyraato tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Sankari wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Sankari tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Tykyraato manages to work his way to half guard, despite Sankari's best efforts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tykyraato trying to get back to full guard but Sankari takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

Sankari has hold of an arm here, looking to extend it. He's committed to the armbar attempt here! Will he get it?! Yes! Tykyraato is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:27 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Pauli Sankari!