PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Atte Savitaipale (ranked 405 p4p, 1084 weight class) and John Starman (ranked 51 p4p, 142 weight class). Savitaipale comes to the cage accompanied by Roger Whittaker - Finnish Whistler. Starman has chosen David Bowie - Starman as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Savitaipale
vs
Starman

177 cm
37
160
28 - 17 - 0

178 cm
32
165
21 - 16 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

PWNAGE
Aspire Clothing

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 28 - 17 - 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 21 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Starman!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Yuuki Gou and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Savitaipale is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Starman.
A jab from Savitaipale misses.
Starman keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Savitaipale.

Starman clinches up against the cage.
Savitaipale prevents a body shot from Starman.
Savitaipale takes a shot to the head.
Savitaipale misses with a short punch on the inside.
Starman blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Savitaipale working aggressively here.
Savitaipale makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Savitaipale lands a body shot in the clinch.
Savitaipale blocks an elbow strike from Starman.
A short right from Savitaipale.
Savitaipale has Starman pressed against the cage, preventing Starman from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Starman struggles to land a body shot inside as Savitaipale controls his hands.
Starman is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A short left from Starman.
Starman scores with an uppercut up the middle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Starman lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Savitaipale lands with a left to the head.
Savitaipale scores with a shot to the side of Starman's head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Savitaipale.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Starman breaks the clinch.
Atte Savitaipale seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Starman takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Savitaipale wants to clinch
and Starman counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Starman connects with a single shot there.
Starman ducks right into an uppercut from Savitaipale.
A left lands for Savitaipale.
Savitaipale misses with a straight right.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Savitaipale enables Starman to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Savitaipale manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Savitaipale throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Starman got a little sloppy there for a moment and Savitaipale has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Starman has managed to get both his arms back between Savitaipale's legs - danger averted.
Starman trying to control the position from guard on top but Savitaipale is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Starman looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Starman working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Starman won't allow Savitaipale to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Savitaipale manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Starman manages to get himself to full guard.

Savitaipale in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Starman preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Savitaipale is working Starman over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Starman is trying to control the position but Savitaipale postures up.
Savitaipale postures up in Starman's guard and throws a big left but Starman blocks it.
Savitaipale stopping the sweep attempt from Starman.
Savitaipale throwing strikes but missing.
Starman working a defensive guard here.
Savitaipale is looking to work some ground and pound but Starman has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savitaipale trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Savitaipale trying to control the position from guard on top but Starman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Savitaipale scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Savitaipale working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Starman not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Starman utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Savitaipale throws a strike but Starman rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Savitaipale not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Savitaipale looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Starman not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Savitaipale looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Starman throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Starman trying to control the position from guard on top but Savitaipale is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Savitaipale is looking for a triangle but Starman pushes his legs off easily.
Starman postures up.
Starman stopping the sweep attempt from Savitaipale.
Savitaipale being controlled here, momentarily.
Savitaipale bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Starman's guard.

Savitaipale is in close to Starman's body, working some short punches and elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Atte Savitaipale dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nice defenses there by Starman.
Savitaipale misses with an uppercut.

Starman shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Starman showed some decent athleticism there.
Savitaipale is trying to get back to full guard.
Savitaipale is not content to let Starman control the position.
Savitaipale is looking to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Starman is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Starman not doing much here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Savitaipale manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starman stands up over Savitaipale, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Starman working some strikes from top position.
Starman sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Savitaipale's guard.
Savitaipale trying to control but Starman postures up.

Savitaipale looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Savitaipale trying to control here.
Starman is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Savitaipale is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savitaipale has hold of Starman's hands but Starman slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Starman performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Starman trying to control from half guard but Savitaipale is working away.

Savitaipale looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Savitaipale trying to control but Starman postures up.
Starman 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.

Savitaipale looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Starman takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Starman looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Savitaipale looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Savitaipale is looking to control Starman's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Savitaipale avoid being mounted?
Starman is trying to control. Savitaipale wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Starman controlling the action here.
Savitaipale wants to get back to full guard.
Starman is trying to control. Savitaipale wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Starman trying to control the pace.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four 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.
A shot to the liver by Savitaipale. Beautiful body shot.

Savitaipale closes the distance and pushes Starman back into the cage.
Starman blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Savitaipale misses with the head strike.
Savitaipale misses with a hook from the clinch.
Atte Savitaipale has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Starman's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Savitaipale tries to clinch but Starman moves out of range.
Starman looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Savitaipale is fending him off so far but Starman persists. Nope, Savitaipale circles away and we're back to standing.
Savitaipale throws a big shot that misses.
A left lands for Starman.
Savitaipale shoots in for a takedown but Starman shows good takedown defense.
Starman looks like he wants to counter punch here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Savitaipale cracks a nice hook into Starman's ribs.
Savitaipale misses with a hook
and Starman counters with a nice body shot.
Savitaipale scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Savitaipale ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Starman moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but John Starman will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Savitaipale shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Starman as he jumps to the side.
Savitaipale misses with a hook

and Starman counters with a nice double leg into side control. Savitaipale won't be happy with that.
Starman scoring with punches from side control.
Savitaipale is holding Starman down, trying to stall.
Savitaipale is looking for a sweep.
Starman slows the pace down.
Starman landing a few strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savitaipale is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Starman working the head and body with strikes.

Savitaipale actively working from the bottom here.
Starman is looking to take a break and control but Savitaipale is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savitaipale has hold of Starman's hands but Starman slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Savitaipale looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Starman scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Starman wants to control but Savitaipale is keeping him busy.
Savitaipale moves into full guard.
Savitaipale is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Starman works over Savitaipale with some ground and pound from guard.
Starman makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Starman won't allow Savitaipale to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Starman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Starman preventing the sweep.
Starman postures up.
Savitaipale keeping moving, preventing Starman from controlling successfully.

Starman avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Starman trying to control but Savitaipale is working from the bottom.

Savitaipale is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Starman is aware though and is defending well.
Starman sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Starman wants to control from the top but Savitaipale keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savitaipale ducks right into an uppercut from Starman.
Starman connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Savitaipale's hands.
Savitaipale looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Starman shoots in for a takedown but Savitaipale shows good takedown defense.
Savitaipale swings widly with a right hand
letting Starman counter with a right hand.
Savitaipale misses with a straight left.
Savitaipale throws a big shot that misses.
Savitaipale misses with a looping left.
Savitaipale takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Starman fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Savitaipale drives through and clinches with Starman against the cage.
Savitaipale misses with a body punch.
Savitaipale lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Savitaipale working aggressively here.

Starman's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Savitaipale throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Starman drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Savitaipale defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Starman scores with a body shot.
Savitaipale throws a jab but it's blocked by Starman.
Starman will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Starman tries to bum rush Savitaipale with a series of wild strikes but Savitaipale uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Savitaipale throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Starman.
Starman connects with a body shot.
Nice straight punches there by Savitaipale. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Savitaipale.
Starman's corner calls for a 1-2. Starman obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Starman lands with a right hand.
Savitaipale misses with a straight right.
Starman is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Savitaipale throws a body punch but Starman moves out of range.
Savitaipale takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Savitaipale throws the left hand but Starman avoids the punch easily.
Savitaipale misses with a shot to the body
and Starman cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Starman comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Starman 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... John Starman!
A relieved looking John Starman thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
Atte Savitaipale spoke after the fight, saying 'Better man won..Respect to him!Gonna choke him back stage..'.