PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Esa Kettu (ranked 343 p4p, 54 weight class) and Masa Sanada (ranked 66 p4p, 11 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kettu
vs
Sanada

179 cm
30
171 lbs
17 - 11 - 0

180 cm
32
174 lbs
28 - 9 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Conviction

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 17 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Esa Kettu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 9 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Masa Sanada!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanada throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Sanada throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sanada uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kettu.
Sanada let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Sanada scores with a jab to the head.
Kettu thuds his right hand into Sanada's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Sanada thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sanada misses the jab.
Sanada throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kettu sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sanada misses with a body shot.
Kettu displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sanada throws out the jab.
Sanada throws a right and a left that Kettu avoids nicely.
Kettu throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Sanada connects with a crisp jab.
Sanada takes a kick to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kettu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sanada misses with a wild body shot.
A little feinted left hand from Kettu on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kettu fails with an attempt to clinch.

Kettu shoots in and bounces Sanada off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sanada wants to stand but Kettu is controlling the position.
Kettu is fighting to break Sanada's control of his arms but Sanada is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Let's hope that Sanada has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Kettu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kettu wants to pass the guard but Sanada is keeping the position.
Sanada is adopting a defensive guard.
Sanada's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Sanada is continuing to stall.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A big left from Sanada misses.
Sanada cracks a nice hook into Kettu's ribs.
Kettu throws a leg kick which misses Sanada's front leg but catches the back leg as Sanada tries to avoid it.
Sanada misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sanada just misses with a punch to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kettu.
Esa Kettu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sanada fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kettu manages to avoid it.
Sanada throws a body shot but no joy.
Kettu takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kettu pivots, looking for a leg kick but Sanada is out of range and Kettu settles back down.
Kettu lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Sanada misses with a looping left.
Kettu thinks about countering with a head kick.
Kettu lands a head shot.
Kettu shoots in but no luck this time.
Sanada fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kettu looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kettu looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Sanada throws a series of punches but Kettu avoids them all with ease.
Kettu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sanada manages to avoid it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanada moves away from the strike by Kettu.
A telegraphed right hand from Sanada misses the target.
Kettu lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sanada at a distance.
Sanada ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kettu moves away.
Sanada misses with a wild body shot.
Sanada fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kettu manages to avoid it.
Kettu pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kettu's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Sanada connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kettu scrambles back to his feet.
Good standup being displayed there by Sanada as he connects with a hook.
Sanada wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kettu takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Sanada works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A jab lands there for Kettu.
Sanada listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kettu shoots in but no luck this time.
Kettu clobbers Sanada with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Good exchange - Kettu coming out on top.
Sanada throws a shot to the body.
Kettu looks for the body kick but Sanada saw that one coming.
Kettu looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kettu lands a right hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kettu just misses with a punch to the body.
Sanada appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Kettu scores with a leg kick.
Kettu ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sanada misses the shot to the body.
Sanada throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kettu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sanada cracks Kettu with an open hand slap.
A slow jab from Kettu misses its intended target.
Sanada loads up on a big right hand but Kettu slips the punch.
Sanada defending well as Kettu loads up on a big left hand.
Kettu looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Sanada ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sanada looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kettu shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Kettu swings widly with a right hand
and Sanada counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sanada throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kettu swings away with a leg kick that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kettu looks to score with a jab to the body but Sanada is just out of range.
Sanada ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kettu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sanada lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A slow jab from Kettu misses its intended target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Masa Sanada dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kettu.
Kettu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kettu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sanada moves away.
Sanada misses with a wild body shot.
Kettu tried to score with a low kick but Sanada checks it.
Sanada looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kettu defending well as Sanada loads up on a big left hand.
Sanada keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kettu feints and then cracks Sanada's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Sanada down.
Kettu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sanada swings for the body but Kettu moves out of range.
A counter left hand to the body from Kettu misses its target.
Kettu dips to his left and cracks Sanada with an uppercut!
Kettu works the jab nicely.
Kettu lands with a good body shot.
Sanada lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kettu circles away quickly and effectively.
Kettu takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Sanada misses the shot to the body.
Sanada misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kettu.
Kettu appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice body punch from Kettu.
Sanada throws a body punch but Kettu moves out of range.
Kettu tries to land a front kick but Sanada steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Sanada swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kettu throws a looping overhand right but Sanada ducks down to avoid it.
Sanada let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kettu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sanada moves away.
Kettu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sanada sizes up Kettu with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kettu lands with a right hand.
Kettu scores with a nice right hand.
Kettu throws a front kick that sends Sanada stumbling back into the cage.
Kettu throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Sanada ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kettu moves away.
Sanada scores with a nice strike.
Sanada misses with a straight right.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sanada. Kettu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sanada keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sanada throws a body punch but Kettu moves out of range.
Kettu lands with a slapping head kick.
Kettu displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sanada throws out the jab.
A head kick misses from Kettu.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kettu takes a swing at Sanada's ribcage but misses.
Kettu lands a head shot.
Kettu throws a sloppy head kick and Sanada moves out of range easily.
Sanada misses with a hook. Kettu ducked under it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Kettu does it's job there.
Sanada throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sanada missing with a left hand there. Kettu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Masa Sanada seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kettu ducks under a wild hook from Sanada.
Kettu lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sanada checks a leg kick nicely.
Kettu is looking to slow Sanada down with leg kicks.
Nice shot by Sanada.
Sanada lands a nice shot to the body.
Kettu doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Sanada uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kettu.
A big right from Sanada misses.
Kettu fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kettu does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Kettu feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sanada's calf.
Sanada tests Kettu's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sanada's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Sanada fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A left lands for Sanada.
Sanada checks a low kick from Kettu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanada misses with a right hand
and Kettu counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sanada takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kettu ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kettu pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Sanada lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Sanada lands a body shot.
Kettu misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kettu fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Sanada checks it well.
Sanada swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kettu throws a wild body kick that Sanada sees coming a mile off.
A little jabbing left from Sanada on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A slow jab from Sanada misses its intended target.
Sanada misses with a body shot.
Sanada throws a body shot but no joy.
The fighters circling - Kettu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kettu misses with a wild body shot.
Kettu dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sanada avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kettu misses with a straight right.
Sanada throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sanada connects with a nice looking jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kettu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sanada swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kettu throws a counter high kick but Sanada was just alert enough to avoid it.
Kettu moves away from the strike by Sanada.
Sanada changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kettu walks into a stiff left hand from Sanada.
Sanada moves out of range as Kettu throws a body kick.
Kettu slips under a jab from Sanada.
Kettu bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kettu fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Sanada jabs Kettu right on the nose. Kettu blinks but takes it well.
Kettu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kettu blocks a jab.
Kettu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kettu tries a head kick but it misses.
Kettu dodges the punch combination from Sanada.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A bone on bone clash there as Sanada blocks the leg kick.
Despite the aggression on Sanada's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Sanada just misses with a punch to the body.
Kettu tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sanada paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kettu fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sanada looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
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 Esa Kettu will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Sanada fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kettu manages to avoid it.
Kettu gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kettu tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sanada is able to avoid easily.
Sanada digs a good hook to Kettu's body.
Kettu ducks under a wild hook from Sanada.
Kettu swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Sanada throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kettu looks to throw the jab but Sanada is out of range.
Kettu throws a body shot but no joy.
Sanada moves out of range of the strikes.
A nice side step and Sanada releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Kettu lands with a shot to the body.
Kettu misses with an uppercut. Sanada saw that one coming.
Sanada checks the leg kick nicely there.
Sanada doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Sanada bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kettu tried to score with a low kick but Sanada checks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kettu throws a front kick aimed at Sanada's knee but Sanada avoids it well.
Kettu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sanada slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kettu goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Sanada throws a hook but Kettu avoids it easily.
Sanada swats away the attempt to clinch by Kettu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kettu throws a body punch but Sanada moves out of range.
Sanada avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Sanada misses with a straight left.
Kettu looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Sanada takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Sanada scores with a shot to the body.
Sanada throws a jab when Kettu was well out of range.
Kettu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sanada lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Sanada takes a swing at Kettu's ribcage but misses.
Kettu moves out of range of the strikes.
Kettu swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Sanada counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kettu lands a lovely overhand right.
Sanada ducks under a wild hook from Kettu.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sanada. Kettu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Danga de danga de dang - Sanada scores with a four punch combination!
Kettu jabs Sanada right on the nose. Sanada blinks but takes it well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sanada with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kettu with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Sanada bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A shot to the liver by Kettu. Beautiful body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kettu moves out of range of the strikes.
Kettu throws a leg kick but Sanada moved away.
Sanada now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Sanada misses with a wild combination.
Kettu blocks a jab.
Sanada throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kettu cracks Sanada with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Sanada lands with a right hand.
Sanada jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kettu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sanada manages to avoid it.
Sanada misses with a shot to the body
and Kettu counters with a good low kick that Sanada was not able to check.
Sanada throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kettu stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A jab lands there for Sanada.
Kettu swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Sanada.
Kettu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sanada missing with a left hand there. Kettu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kettu throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kettu, right into the meat.
Sanada lands a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanada misses with a few strikes there.
A big left from Kettu misses.
Kettu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sanada throws a shot from downtown. Kettu moves away and avoids it.
Kettu misses with a wild body shot.
Sanada misses with an uppercut.
Kettu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sanada moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kettu.
Sanada swings for the body but Kettu moves out of range.
Kettu swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sanada. Kettu does a little dance to reset his feet.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Kettu.
Kettu connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Sanada momentarily.
Sanada thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kettu lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Sanada moves out of range of the strikes.
Sanada looks to score with a jab to the body but Kettu is just out of range.
Sanada swings for the body but Kettu moves out of range.
Sanada scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kettu doesn't seem bothered though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sanada moves away from the strike by Kettu.
Kettu throws a leg kick which misses Sanada's front leg but catches the back leg as Sanada tries to avoid it.
Sanada looks to land a combination but Kettu avoids it well.
Sanada scores with a decent looking hook.
Kettu stuns Sanada with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Sanada takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Sanada throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sanada. Kettu does a little dance to reset his feet.
A big left from Kettu misses.
Sanada misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sanada takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Sanada just misses with a punch to the body.
Kettu defending well as Sanada loads up on a big left hand.
Sanada swings away with a body shot that misses
and Kettu counters with an inside leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sanada checks a leg kick nicely.
Kettu lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Sanada throws a hook to the side of Kettu's head but Kettu sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nice cross by Kettu.
Sanada swings and misses with a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Masa Sanada.
I think Sanada has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!