PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between eL IsoG (ranked 4849 p4p, 4848 weight class) and Leevi Saros (ranked 523 p4p, 521 weight class). IsoG comes to the cage accompanied by Natowg Mo sure Oi. Saros is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Marko Hietala - Stones. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

IsoG
vs
Saros

177 cm
18
185
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
18
184
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, eL IsoG!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Leevi Saros!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
IsoG misses with a looping left.
A telegraphed right hand from IsoG misses the target.
Saros fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Saros avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
IsoG looks to land a left hand but Saros moved out of range nicely.
Saros avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A punch lands to the side of IsoG 's head but he takes it in his stride.
IsoG throws a right and a left that Saros avoids nicely.
Leevi Saros seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saros moves away from the strike by IsoG.
IsoG tries to clinch but Saros is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saros uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from IsoG.
A punch combination from Saros misses.
IsoG throws a big counter combination but Saros scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

Saros has IsoG up against the cage in a clinch.
IsoG misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
IsoG struggles to land a body shot inside as Saros controls his hands.

IsoG pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Saros is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
IsoG takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

It looks like eL IsoG has been cut.
Saros digs a good hook to IsoG's body.

Saros gets a takedown into half guard.
Saros throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Saros is thwarting IsoG's attempts to control the position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Saros connects with a nice short shot to IsoG's temple.
IsoG is trying to maintain the position but Saros is very close to passing his half guard.
Saros slips a nice elbow through IsoG's hands, connecting with IsoG's forehead.
Saros working IsoG over with strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice strikes from Saros there.

IsoG is rocked!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saros moves nicely into side control.
Saros looking to punish the body of his opponent here but IsoG is avoiding damage well.
Saros lands some shots froms side control.
IsoG is looking to regain half guard here but Saros keeps moving and retains side control.
Saros connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused IsoG some visible discomfort.
Oh IsoG is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
IsoG managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Saros.
IsoG seems to have got his legs back now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saros working the head with strikes.

Saros tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
IsoG tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Saros wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Saros in side control, just content to control the action for now.
IsoG is trying to control Saros's posture but Saros avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saros just content to control the position.
Saros working the ground and pound.
Saros is putting a hurting on IsoG here, landing some big shots from side control.
Saros tries to score with some ground and pound. IsoG controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
IsoG manages to get back to half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Saros seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but IsoG does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
IsoG manages to get to full guard.
Saros lands a couple of elbows.
Saros scoring with some ground and pound.
Saros stopping the sweep attempt from IsoG.
Saros stands up over IsoG, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Saros postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saros throws a big elbow that misses.
IsoG 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.
Saros is working IsoG over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
IsoG wants to sweep but no luck.

Saros thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Saros trying to control but IsoG is working from the bottom.
Saros lands a couple of elbows.
Saros is looking to advance position but IsoG has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

IsoG tries to control but Saros wriggling away.
Saros sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leevi Saros dominated that round.
The cut man is working on eL IsoG's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

IsoG scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Saros throws a nice looking combination but IsoG bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Saros moves into range and clinches up with IsoG.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Saros.
IsoG throws a punch but it's blocked by Saros.
IsoG tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
IsoG prevents the takedown attempt.
Saros blocks an uppercut.

Saros gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, IsoG regains guard.
Saros showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
IsoG wants to sweep but no luck.
IsoG has momentary wrist control but Saros slips an elbow through the middle.
IsoG wants to stand and escape but Saros is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
IsoG wants to sweep but no luck.
Saros has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
IsoG utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Saros working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
IsoG keeping moving, preventing Saros from controlling successfully.

Saros is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! IsoG is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! IsoG has escaped and now he's on top!

Saros controlling IsoG's posture.
Saros is continuing to stall.
IsoG trying to stand up but can't free himself from Saros's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saros is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
IsoG trying to control the position from guard on top but Saros is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Saros 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.
IsoG trying to control the position from guard on top but Saros is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Saros takes the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saros tries to throw a body punch but IsoG avoids it by throwing Saros back against the cage.
IsoG is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
IsoG lands with a right to the head.
Saros goes for a takedown attempt but IsoG pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
IsoG punishes Saros's body with a nice straight punch.
IsoG moves out of range of the strikes.
IsoG was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Saros throws a head kick that misses.
Saros swats away the attempt to clinch by IsoG.
IsoG slips a jab from Saros.
Saros tries to close the distance and clinch up but IsoG swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
IsoG tries to close the distance and clinch but Saros swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
IsoG tries to clinch up but Saros circles away and keeps his distance.
Saros's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Saros duly obliges.

IsoG clinches.
IsoG misses with a short punch on the inside.
IsoG blocking some punches.
Saros lands an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
IsoG taking a breather.
IsoG looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Saros goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Saros lands a shoulder strike.
IsoG misses with the head strike.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
IsoG misses with the head strike.
IsoG scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A hook to the body from IsoG.
IsoG scores with an uppercut up the middle.
IsoG tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Leevi Saros will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on eL IsoG's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, 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.

IsoG looks to land a combination but Saros avoids it well.
Saros fails to land with a series of punches.
IsoG throws a hook but Saros avoids it easily.
Leevi Saros is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
IsoG tries to close the distance and clinch up but Saros swats him away and circles back towards the center.
IsoG blocks a jab.
Saros on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Saros uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from IsoG.
IsoG wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
IsoG keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The fighters circling - IsoG throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saros throws a series of punches but IsoG moves out of range.
Saros misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from IsoG.
Saros circles away from the clinch attempt.
eL IsoG is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Saros lands a nice shot to the body.
IsoG throws a big shot that misses.
Saros throws a body shot but no joy.
A little feinted left hand from IsoG on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Saros keeps the fight on the outside.
Some wild striking there from IsoG.
IsoG throws a looping overhand right but Saros ducks down to avoid it.
Nice defenses there by IsoG.
Saros keeps the fight on the outside.
eL IsoG has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saros tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but IsoG was well out of range. Poor timing from Saros.
It looked like IsoG was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Saros moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Saros takes a jab right on the kisser.
A cross from IsoG lands.
Saros scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Saros forces IsoG back against the cage and clinches.
IsoG tries to work over Saros's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Saros is trying to trip IsoG. He has hold of a leg but IsoG is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Saros persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

IsoG pushes Saros off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
IsoG fails with an attempt to clinch.
IsoG misses the jab.
Saros works IsoG's body with a nice hook.

Saros moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from IsoG fails to land.
Saros working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Saros misses with a body punch.
Saros blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Saros is trying to drag IsoG to the mat but IsoG just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
IsoG can't find room to land a body shot as Saros controls the action.
Leevi Saros is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
IsoG wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
IsoG is trying to break the clinch but Saros has him pressed against the cage.
Saros drops to a knee looking for a takedown but IsoG gets the underhooks and prevents it.
IsoG misses with a punch on the inside.
IsoG digs a right hand underneath Saros's ribcage. Saros let out a lung full of air as it connected.
IsoG misses with some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from IsoG fails to land.
IsoG lands a nice uppercut.
Saros wants a takedown.
eL IsoG has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leevi Saros.
IsoG misses with a hook from the clinch.
Saros blocking some punches.
eL IsoG has scored more points in the clinch so far.
IsoG misses with a punch on the inside.
IsoG working aggressively here.
IsoG struggles to land a body shot inside as Saros controls his hands.

Saros works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Saros is stalling in the full guard.
IsoG keeping full guard, as Saros tries to pass.

Saros is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to eL IsoG.
I think Saros 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!