PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Junes Saki (ranked 4206 p4p, 4110 weight class) and Sinan Vrases (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Saki
vs
Vrases

183 cm
21
155
0 - 0 - 0

172 cm
24
162
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

Good wrestler
Decent knees
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Junes Saki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sinan Vrases!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Vrases gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Vrases throws a knee to the head but misses.
Vrases stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Vrases is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Vrases continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Vrases unloads a knee to the mid-section. Saki lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Saki can't break the clinch.
Vrases wants a takedown but no success here.
Vrases connects with a knee to the head.
Saki wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Vrases can't get the takedown.
Vrases with a knee to the head.

Saki is rocked!

It looks like Junes Saki has been cut.
Vrases throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Saki blocks it with crossed arms.
Oh Saki is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Vrases landing knees to the head.
Vrases misses with a knee strike.

Saki ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Saki no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Saki is adopting a defensive guard.
Saki seems to have got his legs back now.
Saki is looking to stand up but Vrases isn't so interested in that idea.
Vrases really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Saki. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vrases cracks Saki with a solid left hand.

Saki looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Vrases lands a couple of digs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Vrases got a little sloppy there for a moment and Saki has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Vrases has managed to get both his arms back between Saki's legs - danger averted.
Vrases prevents Saki from getting back to his feet.
Saki thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Vrases scoring with some ground and pound.
Vrases with a nice head shot there.
Vrases postures up and lands a big shot to Saki's brow.
Saki is breathing heavily.
Vrases is looking to work some ground and pound but Saki has wrist control.
Vrases stands up over Saki, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Vrases is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vrases throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Vrases with a nice head shot there.
Saki wants to stand and escape but Vrases is having none of it.
Saki will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Saki is looking for a triangle but Vrases pushes his legs off easily.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Vrases landing with the ground and pound.
Vrases must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Vrases landing some decent shots from guard.
Vrases throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Saki works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Saki is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Saki thows a huge punch but Vrases dodges it nicely.
Vrases wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saki seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Vrases does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Saki throwing shots but Vrases is blocking nicely.
Saki prevents Vrases from standing back up.
Saki missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Saki thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Vrases's head.
Saki missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Saki thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Vrases's head.

Saki is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Vrases doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Saki.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Saki throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Saki controlling the action here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Saki shoots in but Vrases avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Saki is trying hard to land a takedown here. Vrases sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Vrases instigates a clinch.
Saki is looking to control Vrases's arms but Vrases gets an underhook and turns him. Now Saki has his back to the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vrases misses with a knee strike.
Saki trying to stall but Vrases improves his position.
Saki is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Vrases is defending well for now.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sinan Vrases dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Junes Saki's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Saki dives in and grabs Vrases's left leg, looking for a takedown. Vrases pushes down on Saki's head and hops out.

Vrases rushes Saki and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Vrases.
Saki takes a knee to the side of the body.
Vrases landing knees to the head.
A knee to the head by Vrases.
Saki is trying to pull guard but Vrases has him pressed against the cage.
Vrases with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Vrases landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Vrases is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Vrases has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vrases utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Vrases crunches a lovely knee into Saki's ribcage.
Vrases lands a good knee to the midsection. Saki won't want to take too many of those.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Saki tries to break free but Vrases pushes him back against the cage.
Vrases dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Saki has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Vrases is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Junes Saki. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vrases with a knee to the head.
Saki tries to stall but Vrases uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Vrases unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Saki is trying to break the clinch but Vrases has him pressed against the cage.
Saki jumps guard but Vrases turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Vrases landing knees to the body.
Saki is trying to break the clinch but Vrases is controlling him.
Vrases tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Vrases obliges.
Saki has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Vrases is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Vrases with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Saki prevents a takedown attempt there.
Saki drops down looking for an ankle pick but Vrases pulls his leg out and moves away.

Saki tries to keep at a distance but Vrases has taken the fight into the clinch.
Sinan Vrases seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saki misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Vrases.
Vrases tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Saki breaks the clinch.
Saki misses with a double jab.
Vrases takes a shot to the body in his stride.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saki misses with a body shot.

Vrases moves into the clinch successfully.
Vrases tries to land a knee to the head but Saki blocks with his arms.
Saki goes for a takedown in the clinch but Vrases prevents it.
Vrases holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Vrases lands a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saki tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Vrases just stands there and leans against the cage.
Vrases tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Saki wants to stall.
Saki looking to slow down the pace here.
Saki seems a little flustered. He's come in with the intention of controlling the clinch but Vrases is preventing him from doing so, at least for the moment.
Vrases blocking some punches.
Saki wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A knee to the head by Vrases.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Vrases as Saki tries to tie him up.
Saki wants to break the clinch but can't.
Vrases tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Saki tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Saki wants to take the fight to the mat but Vrases manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Vrases manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Saki on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saki is trying to break free.
Vrases displaying some good clinch control by pressing Saki up against the cage.
Saki drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Vrases gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Vrases prevents a body shot from Saki.
Saki tries to break the clinch but Vrases is controlling the position.
The referee calls for Saki to work.
Vrases putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Saki in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Vrases tries a knee to the head but Saki blocks it.
Vrases keeps control of Saki as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sinan Vrases showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Junes Saki's cut.
That's time! Saki's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Vrases shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Saki as he avoids it easily.

Vrases has taken the fight to the clinch.
Vrases drops down looking for an ankle pick but Saki pulls his leg out and moves away.
Vrases tries to clinch up.

Vrases darts in and clinches Saki up against the cage.
Vrases tries to land a knee to the head but Saki blocks with his arms.
Saki putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Vrases in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Vrases with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A nice left hand lands by Saki.
Vrases blocks an elbow strike from Saki.
A head punch on the inside from Saki fails to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saki tries to pull guard but Vrases won't allow it.
Saki jumps guard but Vrases turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Saki has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Vrases uses from the top position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Saki manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Vrases manages to get himself to full guard.

Saki missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vrases working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Saki.
Junes Saki overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Saki throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Vrases works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Saki missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Saki throws a big elbow that misses.
Saki wants to control from the top but Vrases keeps moving.
Saki throwing strikes from guard but Vrases blocks nicely.
Vrases wants to sweep but no luck.

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.
Saki loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Saki working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Saki throws a big elbow that misses.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Vrases utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Vrases tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Saki clinches.
Saki tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Vrases avoids it.
Saki tries to land knees in the clinch but Vrases avoids the damage to the body.
Saki tries to score a body lock takedown but Vrases shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Junes Saki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saki wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Vrases has him pressed against the cage.
Vrases unloads a knee to the mid-section. Saki lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Saki tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Vrases smiles and moves away.
Saki with a lazy takedown attempt

and Vrases moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vrases with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Saki is trying to pull guard but Vrases turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Saki misses with a body punch.
Vrases stalling against the cage.
Saki drops down looking for an ankle pick but Vrases pulls his leg out and moves away.
Saki closes the distance and clinches up with Vrases, looking for a takedown. Saki pushes Vrases against the cage but Vrases circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Vrases looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A counter left hand to the body from Saki misses its target.
Saki lands a head kick. Vrases smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Saki throws a nice looking combination but Vrases bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Vrases instigates a clinch.
Vrases looking to throw knees to the head but Saki is blocking nicely.
Saki tries to break free but Vrases pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vrases using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Saki is trying to push Vrases away but Vrases has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Vrases lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Vrases misses with a knee to the head.

Saki breaks from the clinch.
Sinan Vrases is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Saki clinches up with Vrases and pushes him back against the cage.
Saki working aggressively here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Saki tries to land knees in the clinch but Vrases avoids the damage to the body.
Vrases controlling the action here for a moment.
Saki is trying to force a seperation but Vrases has the dominant position.
Junes Saki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vrases drops down looking for an ankle pick but Saki pulls his leg out and moves away.

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 Junes Saki.
I think Vrases 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight for Sinan Vrases!
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight for Sinan Vrases!
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight for Sinan Vrases!

Sinan Vrases wins by unanimous decision!