PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Saku Lehtonen (ranked 2299 p4p, 1999 weight class) and James McGuire (ranked 299 p4p, 260 weight class). McGuire has chosen Metallica - Enter Sandman as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Lehtonen
vs
McGuire

175 cm
24
220
12 - 6 - 0

192 cm
36
210
20 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Hot Spunk

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Saku Lehtonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 16 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, James McGuire!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Daniel Cesar and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGuire with a nice cross.

McGuire moves into the clinch successfully.

McGuire jumps guard and drags Lehtonen to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

McGuire throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Lehtonen trying to control the position from guard on top but McGuire is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lehtonen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McGuire is keeping the position for now.

McGuire is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGuire keeping moving, preventing Lehtonen from controlling successfully.
We've been hearing good reports from Lehtonen's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lehtonen works a leg free and moves into half guard.

McGuire actively working from the bottom here.
Lehtonen trying to control the action but McGuire is working from the bottom.
Lehtonen is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because McGuire is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Lehtonen is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Lehtonen tries to pass the half guard into mount. McGuire knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

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

McGuire with the active half guard here but Lehtonen passes nicely into side control.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Lehtonen tries to move into full mount but can't pass McGuire's legs.
Lehtonen prevents McGuire from escaping the position.
Lehtonen wants to control but McGuire is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGuire is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Lehtonen's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

McGuire looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

McGuire actively working from the bottom here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lehtonen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lehtonen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McGuire on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Lehtonen. Lehtonen obviously looking to wear him down.

McGuire fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lehtonen, pushing him back against the cage.

McGuire tightens his grip and picks Lehtonen up, before dumping him to the ground. Lehtonen manages to land in guard.
McGuire trying to control the position from guard on top but Lehtonen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lehtonen working for a triangle but McGuire defends it easily.
McGuire wants to get up but he can't break Lehtonen's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lehtonen looking to control.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells McGuire's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
McGuire trying to control the position from guard on top but Lehtonen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

James McGuire dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

McGuire takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Lehtonen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lehtonen misses with the combination.
Lehtonen walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Lehtonen gets tackled into the cage by McGuire. McGuire maintains the clinch.
McGuire misses with a hook to the ribs.
McGuire tries to land knees in the clinch but Lehtonen avoids the damage to the body.
McGuire avoiding damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGuire stalls.

McGuire ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. McGuire no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Lehtonen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McGuire is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McGuire has his foot on Lehtonen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lehtonen works his way back into a safe position though.
Lehtonen trying to control the position from guard on top but McGuire is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Lehtonen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

McGuire working for a triangle but Lehtonen defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Lehtonen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from McGuire. Lehtonen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lehtonen checks a leg kick.
Lehtonen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McGuire manages to avoid it.
Lehtonen misses with an uppercut.
Lehtonen throws a right and a left that McGuire avoids nicely.
Lehtonen avoids the body shot from McGuire.
McGuire lands a right hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by McGuire. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of McGuire.
Lehtonen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
McGuire tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A cross from Lehtonen lands.
James McGuire seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lehtonen chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A head kick by Lehtonen misses
and McGuire counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
McGuire checks the leg kick nicely there.
McGuire avoids the head kick by Lehtonen.
Saku Lehtonen is winning the standup battle so far.
Lehtonen lands a high kick!

It looks like James McGuire has been cut.
McGuire cracks Lehtonen with a good jab.
Lehtonen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lehtonen throws a leg kick that misses.
McGuire keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A swing and a miss from Lehtonen.

McGuire gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGuire misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lehtonen.
McGuire drops down looking for an ankle pick but Lehtonen pulls his leg out and moves away.
Lehtonen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lehtonen misses with a hook. McGuire ducked under it nicely.
Lehtonen connects with a solid leg kick.
The fighters circling - Lehtonen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lehtonen swats away the attempt to clinch by McGuire.
McGuire throws a sloppy body shot
and Lehtonen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lehtonen moves in looking to clinch but McGuire pushes him off.
McGuire throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McGuire throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lehtonen is looking to counter punch.
McGuire throws a solid leg kick but Lehtonen takes the impact on his shin and smiles at McGuire.
McGuire lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
McGuire lunges at Lehtonen with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Lehtonen's hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but James McGuire will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on James McGuire's cut.
That's time! Lehtonen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. 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.

McGuire misses the shot to the body.
McGuire tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lehtonen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lehtonen thows a left - swing and a miss!
McGuire scores with a crisp jab that stopped Lehtonen in his tracks.
McGuire takes a kick to the side of the head.
Lehtonen misses with a hook. McGuire ducked under it nicely.
McGuire throws a shot to the body.
Lehtonen takes a body punch but keeps moving.

McGuire rushes Lehtonen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Lehtonen taking a breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lehtonen prevents a body shot from McGuire.
Lehtonen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McGuire slowing the pace effectively.
McGuire is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
McGuire jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Lehtonen walks away with a smile on his face. McGuire gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGuire is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Lehtonen rushes McGuire and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
McGuire tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lehtonen just stands there and leans against the cage.

McGuire's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lehtonen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lehtonen lands the left hand.
Lehtonen moves out of range of the body kick.
McGuire throws a body punch but Lehtonen moves out of range.
McGuire waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lehtonen.
McGuire lands a jab to Lehtonen's midsection.
McGuire checks a low kick from Lehtonen.
Saku Lehtonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McGuire feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Lehtonen sprawling to the canvas! Lehtonen rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can McGuire finish him?!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McGuire scores with a hook to the body. Lehtonen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lehtonen loads up on a big right hand but McGuire slips the punch.

McGuire clinches up with Lehtonen and pushes him back against the cage.
McGuire missing with knees to the body.
McGuire tries for a takedown but Lehtonen manages to get underhooks.
Saku Lehtonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James McGuire.
The referee calls for McGuire to work.
McGuire dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
McGuire tries to break the clinch but Lehtonen is controlling the position.
McGuire pressing his opponent against the cage.
Lehtonen taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGuire blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Lehtonen misses with a hook from the clinch.
McGuire fails to pull guard.
McGuire is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Lehtonen managing to block the knees to the body from McGuire.
McGuire stalling the fight.

McGuire jumps guard.

McGuire had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Lehtonen defends it easily.
McGuire is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Lehtonen is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lehtonen trying to control but McGuire is working from the bottom.

Lehtonen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Lehtonen won't allow McGuire to get back to his feet.
Lehtonen throws a big right hand that misses.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
James McGuire is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
McGuire has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Lehtonen throws a lazy right hand but McGuire sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
James McGuire comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well McGuire has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James McGuire!
James McGuire very nearly forgot to thank Velocity Fightwear amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.