PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Matt King (ranked 3977 p4p, 24911 weight class) and Jari Sillanpaa (ranked 233 p4p, 297 weight class). Sillanpaa has chosen Jari Sillanpää-Satulinna as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Jari Sillanpaa has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Matt King's chin.

King
vs
Sillanpaa

180 cm
20
122
5 - 3 - 0

190 cm
21
145
2 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Fantasy Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matt King!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jari Sillanpaa!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Robert Douchet and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
King shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sillanpaa defends it nicely.

Sillanpaa fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with King, pushing him back against the cage.
Sillanpaa tries to land knees in the clinch but King avoids the damage to the body.
Sillanpaa looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Sillanpaa missing with knees to the body.
King has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sillanpaa is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Sillanpaa turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Sillanpaa manages to end up in side control.
King is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
King takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Sillanpaa landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King is trying to get back to half guard.
King is not content to let Sillanpaa control the position.
King tries to bench press Sillanpaa off him but Sillanpaa keeps the position.
King sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
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. Sillanpaa connects with a nice short shot to King's temple.

King is rocked!
Sillanpaa content to control rather than advance.
Oh King is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
King really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

King looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sillanpaa is nestled in close to King, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Sillanpaa keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
King is refusing to be controlled, as Sillanpaa sits in half guard.
King seems to have got his legs back now.
Sillanpaa is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

King actively working from the bottom here.

King looking for submissions off his back.

King actively working from the bottom here.

King looking for submissions off his back.

King looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sillanpaa controlling the action here.
King is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sillanpaa seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sillanpaa trying to pass the guard but King defending well.
Sillanpaa seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Sillanpaa wants to control but King is keeping him busy.

King looking for subs from the bottom but Sillanpaa mounts him!
Sillanpaa looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
King working to try and regain half guard.
King is trying to reverse the position but instead Sillanpaa has taken his back - oops!
Sillanpaa scores with strikes from the back.
King turns into Sillanpaa and is now in his guard.
King won't allow Sillanpaa to sweep him here.
King looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sillanpaa seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
King connects with a couple of short punches.
Sillanpaa preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sillanpaa is trying to control the position but King postures up.

Sillanpaa is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. King is aware though and is defending well.
King stands up over Sillanpaa, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
King working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sillanpaa's head.
King throws an elbow that misses. Sillanpaa uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in King's guard. Nice move by Sillanpaa!

King is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

King working for a triangle but Sillanpaa defends it easily.

King is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Sillanpaa looking to pass the guard.

King is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jari Sillanpaa dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

King shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sillanpaa sprawls well. Sillanpaa wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. King gets slowly back to his feet.
King misses with a takedown attempt
and Sillanpaa counters with an inside leg kick.
Sillanpaa scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
King fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt King. That's going to take a lot out of him.
King misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sillanpaa stuffs the takedown attempt from King. King gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
King dives in for a single leg takedown but Sillanpaa sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Sillanpaa throws a counter combo.
King takes an elbow to the temple.
Sillanpaa throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but King blocks it with crossed arms.
Knees in the clinch landing for Sillanpaa.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King takes an elbow to the forehead.
Sillanpaa lands with a left to the head.
Sillanpaa throws a head punch that misses.
Sillanpaa scores with a shot to the side of King's head.
Sillanpaa gets underhooks to prevent King's takedown attempt.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Sillanpaa has King pressed against the cage.
Sillanpaa just leaning against King, taking a breather.
Sillanpaa receives a warning from the referee for stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sillanpaa misses with a short punch on the inside.
King looking for a takedown.
King goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sillanpaa prevents it.
Sillanpaa lands a knee to the head.
King drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sillanpaa gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A shot in the inside from Sillanpaa.
Sillanpaa creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through King's defenses.
King is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
King is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sillanpaa pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sillanpaa tried to land a shot to the body but connects with King's elbow.
King goes for a takedown attempt but Sillanpaa pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Jari Sillanpaa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
King changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sillanpaa tries to avoid it but King manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sillanpaa to the ground. Sillanpaa escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sillanpaa is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

King fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Sillanpaa to the ground. King is now in Sillanpaa's guard.
King lands a couple of elbows.
King preventing the sweep.
Sillanpaa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sillanpaa will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Sillanpaa is looking for a triangle but King pushes his legs off easily.

Sillanpaa looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sillanpaa lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

King is looking for a triangle but Sillanpaa pushes his legs off easily.
King looking for a sweep. Not yet King, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

King is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

King throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Sillanpaa escapes and throws King's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Sillanpaa is trying to get an arm triangle but King is defending well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
King is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Sillanpaa's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

King looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
King is trying to get back to full guard.
King won't allow Sillanpaa to pass to mount.

King looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jari Sillanpaa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! King's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

King avoids the body shot from Sillanpaa.

Sillanpaa takes the fight into the clinch.
Sillanpaa content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Sillanpaa decides to pull guard.
Sillanpaa trying to control the position.
Sillanpaa is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Sillanpaa is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. King doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sillanpaa.
Jari Sillanpaa has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

King actively working from the bottom here.
Sillanpaa working the head and body with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King wants to improve his position but Sillanpaa is controlling well.

King looking for submissions off his back.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Sillanpaa is sneakily working for an arm triangle but King sees it coming and defends easily.

King is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sillanpaa pulls his head out easily.
Sillanpaa uses his free foot to push down on King's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for King.

Sillanpaa working for a guillotine from mount but King is in no mood to give up.
King is trying desperately to improve position.
King sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sillanpaa wants to work for an arm triangle but King is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Sillanpaa wants to lay and pray for a moment but King keeps working.
King tries to roll over but Sillanpaa keeps him under control.
Sillanpaa working over King with some ground and pound. King looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Sillanpaa is looking for a kimura but King is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sillanpaa to get the leverage.

King looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sillanpaa sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Ground and pound from Sillanpaa.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sillanpaa working King over with strikes.

King is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sillanpaa pulls his head out easily.

King is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sillanpaa pulls his head out easily.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Sillanpaa in particular looking to stall.
King taking some punishment here, with Sillanpaa in his half guard.
King is looking for a sweep. Sillanpaa is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

King looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
King tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Sillanpaa has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
King is trying to escape the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sillanpaa with good strikes from the mount here!
Sillanpaa prevents King from getting the reversal.
Sillanpaa cracks King with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
A big strike lands for Sillanpaa! That's really hurt King and he's turned his back - Sillanpaa keeps firing away and the ref dives in to stop the fight! Sillanpaa jumps to his feet to celebrate the victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:35 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jari Sillanpaa!
A very excited looking Jari Sillanpaa made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.