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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ilpo Saarela (ranked 5459 p4p, 399 weight class) and Sean O Sullivan (ranked 5590 p4p, 404 weight class). O Sullivan has chosen Tool - Invincible as his entrance music. Sean O Sullivan is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.
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| 175 cm
19
150 lbs
2 - 4 - 0 |
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178 cm
21
150 lbs
4 - 3 - 0 |
BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart |
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BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank |
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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
2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ilpo Saarela!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Sean O Sullivan!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Steve Smith and Robert Douchet.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
O Sullivan lands a body shot.
O Sullivan jabs Saarela right on the nose. Saarela blinks but takes it well.
O Sullivan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Saarela moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
O Sullivan digs a good body shot into Saarela's ribs.
Saarela avoids the body shot from O Sullivan.
O Sullivan changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Saarela looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
O Sullivan prevents Saarela from escaping the position.
O Sullivan is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Saarela's coaches at Blanc Fitness Academy have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Saarela wants to get back to his feet but O Sullivan drags him back down.
O Sullivan stands up and beckons Saarela to his feet.
O Sullivan looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
O Sullivan lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Saarela at a distance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saarela throws a body punch but O Sullivan moves out of range.
O Sullivan lands with a cross.
O Sullivan lands a nice shot to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Saarela. O Sullivan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Saarela connects with a nice looking jab.
O Sullivan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
O Sullivan slips under a jab from Saarela.
Saarela lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Ilpo Saarela seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saarela is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by O Sullivan.
Saarela takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
O Sullivan thuds a left hand into Saarela's body.
O Sullivan doesn't manage to clinch there - Saarela circles away.
Saarela works O Sullivan's body with a nice hook.
O Sullivan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Saarela.
O Sullivan just misses with a punch to the body.
O Sullivan misses with a hook. Saarela ducked under it nicely.
As O Sullivan looks to move away, Saarela throws a big counter combo but O Sullivan just gets out of the way.
Saarela looks to land a left hand but O Sullivan moved out of range nicely.
O Sullivan is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
O Sullivan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Saarela.
O Sullivan shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Saarela but Saarela pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ilpo Saarela has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sean O Sullivan.
Saarela avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saarela lands with a shot to the body.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
O Sullivan throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Saarela stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
O Sullivan swings for the body but Saarela moves out of range.
O Sullivan is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Saarela rather than just go for the knockout.
Saarela misses with a body shot.
O Sullivan misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
O Sullivan fails with a takedown attempt.
Saarela takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Saarela clobbers O Sullivan with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Left hook, right uppercut from Saarela.
A looping hook to the body misses from Saarela. O Sullivan does a little dance to reset his feet.
O Sullivan slips a straight right by Saarela.
Saarela sets himself, and O Sullivan steps forward looking for the clinch! Saarela avoids it this time.
O Sullivan just misses with a punch to the body.
Ilpo Saarela is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
O Sullivan ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
O Sullivan fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Saarela fakes high and swings low for a body shot but O Sullivan manages to avoid it.
Saarela looks to throw the jab but O Sullivan is out of range.
O Sullivan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Saarela moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
O Sullivan tries to score a power double leg takedown but Saarela sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten O Sullivan somewhat.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saarela ducks right into an uppercut from O Sullivan.
O Sullivan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
O Sullivan looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Saarela is fending him off so far but O Sullivan persists. Nope, Saarela circles away and we're back to standing.
Saarela's hands are dropping dangerously low here and O Sullivan connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Saarela scrambles back to his feet.
Saarela misses with a straight right.
O Sullivan avoids the body shot from Saarela.
Saarela waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract O Sullivan.
O Sullivan let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Saarela jabbing away but nothing is landing.
O Sullivan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Saarela.
O Sullivan lunges at Saarela with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Saarela's hand.
O Sullivan shoots for a takedown but Saarela saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
O Sullivan lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Saarela rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but O Sullivan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
O Sullivan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Saarela.
Some wild striking there from O Sullivan.
Saarela takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saarela throws the left hand but O Sullivan avoids the punch easily.
O Sullivan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
O Sullivan closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Saarela manages to escape and get back to his feet!
O Sullivan takes a swing at Saarela's ribcage but misses.
Saarela fakes high and swings low for a body shot but O Sullivan manages to avoid it.
Saarela misses with a two punch combination.
O Sullivan lands a really nice looking cross but Saarela seems unphased.
We've been informed that O Sullivan has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Saarela takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
O Sullivan jabs at Saarela's body.
Saarela looks to land a left hand but O Sullivan moved out of range nicely.
Saarela digs a good hook to O Sullivan's body.
O Sullivan changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Saarela tries to avoid it but O Sullivan manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Saarela to the ground. Saarela escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Saarela throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nice sprawl there from Saarela as O Sullivan shoots in.
The crowd cheers as Saarela lands an impressive looking overhand right. O Sullivan doesn't seem phased though.
O Sullivan jabs at Saarela's body.
Saarela misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from O Sullivan.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Sean O Sullivan will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!
O Sullivan connects with a good right hand that stumbles Saarela. Saarela circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
O Sullivan tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Saarela defends well and O Sullivan ends up having to push Saarela into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Saarela misses with a body shot.
Sean O Sullivan seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Saarela takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
O Sullivan defending well as Saarela loads up on a big left hand.
O Sullivan unleashes a big counter combination but Saarela bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Saarela swinging wildly here.
O Sullivan lands a body shot.
Saarela swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Saarela takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
O Sullivan scores with a hook to the body. Saarela takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
O Sullivan lands a nice looking body shot.
O Sullivan scores with a jab to the jaw.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saarela misses with a straight left.
O Sullivan dives in for a single leg takedown but Saarela sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Saarela drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Saarela throws a body shot but no joy.
O Sullivan unleashes a big counter combination but Saarela bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Saarela misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from O Sullivan.
O Sullivan ducks right into an uppercut from Saarela.
A jab from O Sullivan does it's job there.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Saarela shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Saarela throws a lazy uppercut
and O Sullivan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
O Sullivan thuds his right hand into Saarela's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
O Sullivan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Saarela moves away.
O Sullivan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Saarela moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
O Sullivan moves away from the strike by Saarela.
O Sullivan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Saarela moves away.
Saarela will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
O Sullivan dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
O Sullivan digs a good hook to Saarela's body.
O Sullivan punishes Saarela's body with a nice straight punch.
O Sullivan avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Saarela looks to score with a jab to the body but O Sullivan is just out of range.
O Sullivan dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
O Sullivan just misses with a punch to the body.
Saarela appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Saarela moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Saarela fakes high and swings low for a body shot but O Sullivan manages to avoid it.
Saarela misses with a series of wild punches.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as O Sullivan lands an impressive looking overhand right. Saarela doesn't seem phased though.
Saarela connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A combination from Saarela does no damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
O Sullivan stuns Saarela with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Saarela misses with a body shot.
Saarela walks into a left hand.
O Sullivan lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
O Sullivan misses the shot to the body.
O Sullivan connects with the punch.
Saarela takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Saarela looks to score with a jab to the body but O Sullivan is just out of range.
O Sullivan let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
O Sullivan bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Saarela's head.
O Sullivan lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by O Sullivan.
O Sullivan uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Saarela.
O Sullivan slips a jab and a cross from Saarela.
Saarela lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
O Sullivan moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nice shot lands for O Sullivan.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
O Sullivan lands a glancing blow to the side of Saarela's head.
O Sullivan works Saarela's body with a nice hook.
O Sullivan misses with a body shot.
O Sullivan throws a one two combo.
O Sullivan scores with a one two! Saarela had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
No joy there for Saarela, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Saarela looks to score with a jab to the body but O Sullivan is just out of range.
Saarela misses with a two punch combination.
Saarela misses with a few strikes there.
Saarela throws a hook but O Sullivan avoids it easily.
O Sullivan lands with a good body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saarela fakes high and swings low for a body shot but O Sullivan manages to avoid it.
O Sullivan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
O Sullivan throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Saarela stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
O Sullivan shoots in but Saarela avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ilpo Saarela has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sean O Sullivan.
O Sullivan digs a good hook to Saarela's body.
Saarela looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
O Sullivan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Saarela.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
O Sullivan throws a good cross that connects.
O Sullivan lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
O Sullivan defending well as Saarela loads up on a big left hand.
O Sullivan throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Saarela stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Saarela takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A combination from O Sullivan does no damage.
O Sullivan digs a good hook to Saarela's body.
No joy there for Saarela, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Saarela throws a right and a left that O Sullivan avoids nicely.
Saarela swings widly with a right hand
and O Sullivan counters with a stiff right hand.
O Sullivan lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Saarela at a distance.
Saarela misses the jab.
Saarela misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from O Sullivan.
O Sullivan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Saarela manages to avoid it.
O Sullivan connects with the punch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saarela takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
O Sullivan throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Saarela on the side of the head.
O Sullivan moves out of range as Saarela strikes.
O Sullivan throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
O Sullivan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Saarela.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Sean O Sullivan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.
Saarela takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
O Sullivan throws a right hand that Saarela ducks under and follows up with a left that Saarela also avoids with ease.
Saarela misses with a wild combination.
O Sullivan feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Saarelas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
O Sullivan misses with a takedown attempt - Saarela sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Saarela looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Saarela throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Saarela throws a big shot that misses.
O Sullivan shoots for a takedown but Saarela saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Saarela misses with a looping right.
O Sullivan moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
O Sullivan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Saarela paws at him with a jab and circles away.
O Sullivan throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Saarela stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Saarela misses with a few strikes there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saarela throws a right hand that O Sullivan ducks under and follows up with a left that O Sullivan also avoids with ease.
O Sullivan moves away from the strike by Saarela.
O Sullivan tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Saarela defends well and O Sullivan ends up having to push Saarela into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Ilpo Saarela has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sean O Sullivan.
O Sullivan uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Saarela.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Saarela misses with a right hand
and O Sullivan counters with a left to the body.
A punch combination from O Sullivan misses.
O Sullivan tries to clinch there but Saarela circles away.
O Sullivan uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Saarela has time to react.
Saarela tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but O Sullivan was well out of range. Poor timing from Saarela.
O Sullivan takes a swing at Saarela's ribcage but misses.
O Sullivan scores with a nice strike.
O Sullivan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Saarela as he jumps to the side.
Saarela misses with a wild body shot.
Saarela needs to keep his hands up - O Sullivan had a free shot at his head there.
O Sullivan scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Saarela misses the shot to the body.
Nice jab there from O Sullivan.
Saarela takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Saarela misses with a wild body shot.
O Sullivan fails with the takedown.
A quick step to the side and Saarela tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
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!
O Sullivan misses with a jab, cross combination.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
O Sullivan is looking to clinch but Saarela is avoiding it.
O Sullivan gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Saarela fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches O Sullivan on the side of the head.
A looping hook to the body misses from O Sullivan. Saarela does a little dance to reset his feet.
Saarela takes a shot right to the bread basket.
O Sullivan lands a really nice looking cross but Saarela seems unphased.
O Sullivan misses with a straight left.
Saarela dodges the punch combination from O Sullivan.
O Sullivan avoids the body shot from Saarela.
Saarela ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Saarela walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Saarela throws a body punch but O Sullivan moves out of range.
Saarela throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
O Sullivan digs a good hook to Saarela's body.
No joy there for O Sullivan, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Saarela takes a jab right on the kisser.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
O Sullivan smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
O Sullivan shoots in for a double leg but Saarela sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
O Sullivan looks for a takedown but Saarela sprawls well.
A counter left hand to the body from Saarela misses its target.
O Sullivan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Saarela.
Saarela throws a jab when O Sullivan was well out of range.
Saarela throws a combination but it was largely blocked by O Sullivan.
O Sullivan throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Saarela stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Saarela looks to land a left hand but O Sullivan moved out of range nicely.
Sean O Sullivan is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nice body punch from Saarela.
O Sullivan lands the left hand.
O Sullivan scores with the left hand. Saarela knows he should have avoided that one.
Saarela throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
O Sullivan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Saarela.
Saarela lands a jab to O Sullivan's midsection.
O Sullivan misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Saarela fails to land with a series of punches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saarela misses with a wild combination.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
O Sullivan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Saarela manages to avoid it.
Saarela takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
O Sullivan scores with a jab to the body.
O Sullivan scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Saarela doesn't seem bothered though.
Saarela misses with a shot to the body
and O Sullivan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
O Sullivan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
It looked like Saarela wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
O Sullivan shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Saarela but Saarela pushes him off and we're back to square one.
O Sullivan changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
O Sullivan misses with a jab, cross combination.
O Sullivan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
O Sullivan connects with a body shot that sends Saarela's belly button to the back.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A slow jab from Saarela misses its intended target.
O Sullivan misses with a wild body shot.
O Sullivan with a hook.
Ilpo Saarela has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
O Sullivan takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
And that's the end of the fight!
Sean O Sullivan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got O Sullivan 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sean O Sullivan!
During a confident post fight interview, Sean O Sullivan thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
96% |
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