PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alkiviadis Samaras (ranked 1883 p4p, 1157 weight class) and Samuel Sarinnen (ranked 153 p4p, 111 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Samaras
vs
Sarinnen

176 cm
22
148
3 - 0 - 0

188 cm
21
149
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Alkiviadis Samaras!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Samuel Sarinnen!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, John Kavanagh and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Samaras looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Samaras uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sarinnen.
Good work by Sarinnen as he checks the leg kick.
Nice straight punches there by Sarinnen. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Sarinnen.
Sarinnen has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Samaras.
Samaras displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sarinnen.
Samaras misses with an uppercut.
Sarinnen tests Samaras's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sarinnen bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Samaras's head backwards.
Sarinnen throws a body shot but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Samaras getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Sarinnen lands with a cross.
Sarinnen tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Samaras defends well and Sarinnen ends up having to push Samaras into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Samaras bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Sarinnen's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Samaras lands with a slapping head kick.

Sarinnen is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sarinnen throws an overhand right that lands on Samaras's shoulder, as Samaras tries to avoid the shot.
Sarinnen is still on wobbly legs! Can Samaras finish him?
Samaras displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sarinnen.
Alkiviadis Samaras has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Samuel Sarinnen.
Sarinnen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Samaras avoids it really well and circles away.
Sarinnen seems to have recovered his senses.
Sarinnen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sarinnen throws a shot from downtown. Samaras moves away and avoids it.
Samaras uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sarinnen.
Sarinnen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Samaras. Samaras obviously looking to wear him down.
Samaras takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

Sarinnen shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Samaras is trying to defend but Sarinnen finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Samaras on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Samaras tries to get out of the position.
Samaras wants to improve his position but Sarinnen is controlling well.
Sarinnen stops Samaras from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sarinnen seems to be working for a kimura but Samaras defends the submission attempt.
Samaras is looking for a sweep. Sarinnen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sarinnen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Samaras keeps working.

Sarinnen is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Samaras defends it well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Sarinnen is trying to work for a kimura but Samaras is defending well.
Samaras definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Samaras tries to get to full guard but Sarinnen has control of the leg.
Samaras is trying to stand back up but Sarinnen is controlling him
Sarinnen prevents Samaras from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sarinnen tries to pass the half guard into mount. Samaras knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Samaras might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sarinnen is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Samaras!
Samaras prevents Sarinnen from taking his back.
Sarinnen is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Samaras is squirming around, avoiding Sarinnen's attempts to control the action.
Samaras is looking to get to half guard.
Sarinnen trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Samaras is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sarinnen is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Samaras can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Sarinnen working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Samaras is squirming around, avoiding Sarinnen's attempts to control the action.

Sarinnen is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Samaras is surviving well by controlling Sarinnen's body position as best he can.
Samaras tries to reverse the position but Sarinnen maintains control.
Sarinnen is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Sarinnen looking to secure an arm triangle but Samaras defends it well.

Sarinnen goes for an armbar but Samaras turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Samaras.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Sarinnen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Samaras defends well.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Sarinnen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Samaras is aware though and is defending well.
Sarinnen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Samaras's guard.

Samaras looking for a sweep. Not yet Samaras, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sarinnen looking to pass the guard.
Sarinnen passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Sarinnen is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Samaras is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Samaras is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Samaras is working hard here to advance position.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Samaras is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Samaras trying to control but Sarinnen postures up.

Sarinnen is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Samaras defends it well.
Samaras is refusing to be controlled, as Sarinnen sits in half guard.
Samaras is in trouble now - Sarinnen has advanced to mount!
Sarinnen trying to control but Samaras is having none of it.

Samaras tries to improve his position but Sarinnen has taken his back! Sarinnen has a choke - it's sunk in pretty tight... Will Samaras tap? No... maybe... yes! He's tapped! Sarinnen pushes Samaras away and gets up to celebrate with his corner!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 7:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Samuel Sarinnen! Samuel Sarinnen retains his featherweight title!
A victorious Samuel Sarinnen thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.