PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nino Babel (ranked 498 p4p, 1097 weight class) and Lasse Savisto (ranked 65 p4p, 131 weight class). Lasse Savisto will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Babel
vs
Savisto

195 cm
27
265
12 - 4 - 0

190 cm
29
265
10 - 5 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

FUClothing

FF Gear
Bondi MMA ðŸï¸

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nino Babel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Lasse Savisto!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Babel throws a series of punches but Savisto avoids them all with ease.
It seemed like Savisto was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Savisto has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

Babel throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Savisto was covering up waiting for the punch and Babel finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Babel wants to control from the top but Savisto keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Babel passes Savisto's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Savisto looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savisto is staying active underneath Babel, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Savisto moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Savisto 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.
We've been hearing good reports from Babel'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.
Savisto is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Babel wants to control but Savisto is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Babel is trying is best to control the position here.
Savisto looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Babel with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Savisto is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Savisto working the head and body with strikes.
Babel avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Savisto.
Babel wants to control but Savisto is keeping busy.

Babel looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Babel is staying active underneath Savisto, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Babel trying to control here.
Babel is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Savisto controlling the pace.
Savisto trying to control from half guard but Babel is working away.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Savisto slips a nice elbow through Babel's hands, connecting with Babel's forehead.

Babel looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Babel has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Savisto is working away from the top position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Babel looking for submissions off his back.
Babel slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Babel had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Savisto defends it easily.
Savisto distracts Babel with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Babel has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Savisto can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Lasse Savisto will probably get the nod.
That's time! Babel's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Babel closes the distance and clinches.
A short right from Savisto on the inside.
Babel jumps guard but Savisto turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Babel drags the fight down to the ground.
Savisto pushes down on Babel's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Savisto thows a huge punch but Babel dodges it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savisto is thwarting Babel's attempts to control the position.
Babel wants to get back to full guard.
Babel trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Savisto is working for a submission of some sort.

Babel is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Savisto pulls his head out easily.
Savisto wants to take a breather but Babel is having none of it.

Babel actively working from the bottom here.
Babel is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Babel looking for submissions off his back.

Babel looking for submissions off his back.
Babel trying to control here.
Savisto scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Babel trying to control from the bottom.
Savisto takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savisto throwing shots but Babel is blocking nicely.
Babel is looking to control Savisto's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Babel avoid being mounted?

Babel actively working from the bottom here.
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. Savisto connects with a nice short shot to Babel's temple.
Savisto missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Babel is refusing to be controlled, as Savisto sits in half guard.
Lasse Savisto has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nice strikes from Savisto there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savisto is nestled in close to Babel, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Savisto working Babel over with strikes.
Babel desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Savisto seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Babel does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Babel controlling the position for now.
Babel is looking to control Savisto's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Babel avoid being mounted?
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Savisto is nestled in close to Babel, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lasse Savisto showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Babel has a takedown stuffed.
Savisto swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

Babel closes the distance and pushes Savisto back into the cage.
Babel tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Savisto swings wildly with an uppercut but Babel uses good head movement to avoid it.

Babel manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savisto makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Savisto tries to free his leg and advance position but Babel is retaining full guard.
Savisto trying to control but Babel is working from the bottom.
Savisto works over Babel with some ground and pound from guard.
Savisto has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Babel keeping moving, preventing Savisto from controlling successfully.

Babel looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Savisto wants to control from the top but Babel keeps moving.
Savisto pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Babel is keeping the position for now.
Nino Babel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two 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.

Babel is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Babel controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Babel looking for subs off his back but Savisto has passed one foot through into half guard.
Babel is refusing to be controlled, as Savisto sits in half guard.
Savisto is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Babel looking for submissions off his back.
Babel wants to control but Savisto is keeping busy.
Savisto scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Babel wants to control but Savisto is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Ground and pound from Savisto.
Savisto is keen to just control but Babel is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Babel has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Savisto is working away from the top position though.
Savisto working the head and body with strikes.
Babel wants to control but Savisto is keeping busy.

Savisto is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Babel defends it well.

Babel is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Savisto pulls his head out easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Savisto is keen to just control but Babel is a slippery customer.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lasse Savisto comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Savisto 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lasse Savisto!
Lasse Savisto decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.