PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Max Savage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and PekkaKalle Ollilankuja (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.

Savage
vs
Ollilankuja

175 cm
20
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
18
162 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 New York, Max Savage!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, PekkaKalle Ollilankuja!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Columbo Gatti and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Savage has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Savage takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Savage drives through with a takedown into guard.
Ollilankuja really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Savage. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ollilankuja keeping full guard, as Savage tries to pass.
Savage stopping the sweep attempt from Ollilankuja.

Savage drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Ollilankuja manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Savage has Ollilankuja in his guard.
Savage is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Savage looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Savage is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ollilankuja is just riding it out for now. Savage eventually gives up the hold.
Savage is breathing heavily.
Ollilankuja wants to control but Savage is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Savage is working for a submission of some sort.
Ollilankuja trying to control here.
Savage wants to pass to mount but Ollilankuja is defending the position.
Ollilankuja tries to roll over but Savage keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ollilankuja connects with a jab.
Ollilankuja lands a jab-cross combination.
Ollilankuja lands with a right hand.
Ollilankuja keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Savage is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Ollilankuja.

Savage is rocked!
Savage has a takedown stuffed.
Oh Savage is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Donk. Ollilankuja catches Savage right on the button with a cross.
Savage avoids the body shot from Ollilankuja.
Savage seems to have got his legs back now.
Ollilankuja connects with a single shot there.
Savage fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Max Savage. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ollilankuja pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ollilankuja lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Ollilankuja scores with a jab to the jaw.

Savage looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Savage is working for a kimura but Ollilankuja is defending it quite comfortably.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savage is looking to advance position but Ollilankuja won't allow it.
Savage wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ollilankuja keeps working.

Savage is looking for submissions but instead, Ollilankuja has regained full guard.
Savage wants to pass the guard but Ollilankuja is keeping the position.
Savage preventing the sweep.

Savage thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

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.
Savage looking for a sweep. Not yet Savage, not yet.

Savage isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Ollilankuja stacks Savage on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Ollilankuja!
Ollilankuja has knee on belly momentarily but Savage bucks him off and regains half guard.
Savage wants to get back to full guard.
Ollilankuja seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Savage does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Savage gets full guard.

Savage throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ollilankuja must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Savage working for a triangle but Ollilankuja defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

PekkaKalle Ollilankuja dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Savage gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Ollilankuja throws a one two combo.

Savage drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Savage working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Savage tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Savage is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ollilankuja is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Savage is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Ollilankuja has escaped the position, nice work there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Savage goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Ollilankuja has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Savage but great work by Ollilankuja.
Ollilankuja works to advance to full mount. Savage defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Savage looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Savage tries to escape the position.
Ollilankuja doesn't have the hooks in and Savage manages to turn into his guard.
Savage looking to pass the guard.

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.
Ollilankuja 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.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Savage shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A jab from Ollilankuja finds it's way through Savage's defenses.
Nice takedown defense from Ollilankuja. No joy for Savage on that attempt.
Max Savage is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Good standup being displayed there by Ollilankuja as he connects with a hook.
Nice uppercut lands for Ollilankuja. That snapped Savage's head back.
PekkaKalle Ollilankuja is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Savage looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Savage has gone for a leg lock! Ollilankuja slips out almost immediately though and dives into Savage's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ollilankuja wants to pass the guard but Savage is keeping the position.
Savage is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Savage working for a triangle but Ollilankuja defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Savage has his foot on Ollilankuja's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ollilankuja works his way back into a safe position though.

Savage had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Ollilankuja is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Savage Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Ollilankuja's back instead.
Savage has the hooks in. Ollilankuja is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Savage looking for the RNC.
Savage gets his hands free as Ollilankuja looks to control.

Savage looking to break Ollilankuja's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Ollilankuja remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Savage will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Max Savage overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Savage working for a choke but Ollilankuja reverses nicely into Savage 's guard.
Savage manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ollilankuja manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savage pushing down on Ollilankuja's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Savage is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ollilankuja doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Savage.

Savage is trying to work for a kimura but Ollilankuja is defending well.

Savage trying to work for an americana but Ollilankuja has managed to regain full guard.
Savage wants to control from the top but Ollilankuja keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Savage dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. 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.

Savage scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Savage trying to control the action but Ollilankuja is working from the bottom.

Savage seems to be looking for submissions.
Savage is thwarting Ollilankuja's attempts to control the position.

Savage looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Savage is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Savage is working for a kimura but Ollilankuja is defending it quite comfortably.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Savage is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ollilankuja doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Savage.
Savage trying to mount his opponent but Ollilankuja defends it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Ollilankuja thuds a left hand into Savage's body.
Nice uppercut lands for Ollilankuja. That snapped Savage's head back.
Nice uppercut there from Ollilankuja.
Ollilankuja digs a good body shot into Savage's ribs.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ollilankuja lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
PekkaKalle Ollilankuja seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ollilankuja lands with an overhand left.
Ollilankuja lands a slapping body shot.
Savage takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Jab, jab by Ollilankuja - just one landing.
Ollilankuja scores with the left hand. Savage knows he should have avoided that one.
Ollilankuja digs a good hook to Savage's body.
Ollilankuja scores with a punch to the head.
Ollilankuja cracks Savage with a right hand to the side of the head.
Ollilankuja is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Ollilankuja scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Savage doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Ollilankuja lands the left hand.
Ollilankuja connects with a nice looking jab.
Horrible takedown by Savage or perhaps it was just good defense by Ollilankuja which made him look bad.
Ollilankuja misses with a head kick.
No joy there for Ollilankuja, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Savage takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ollilankuja with a jab.
Savage has a takedown stuffed.
Ollilankuja scores with a shot to the body.
PekkaKalle Ollilankuja seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Savage shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ollilankuja's guard.

Savage thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Ollilankuja had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Savage is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Ollilankuja Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Savage's back instead.
Savage manages to reverse the position and now he's in Ollilankuja's guard. Nice work there by Savage.
Ollilankuja keeping full guard, as Savage tries to pass.

Ollilankuja has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Savage can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ollilankuja wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Savage drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Savage jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Savage advances to half guard.

Savage is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Savage prevents Ollilankuja from improving his position.

Savage seems to be looking for submissions.
Ollilankuja wants to improve his position but Savage is controlling well.
Savage is thwarting Ollilankuja's attempts to control the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Ollilankuja thuds his right hand into Savage's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Savage tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ollilankuja swivels and escapes.

And that's the end of the fight!
PekkaKalle Ollilankuja comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ollilankuja 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:29
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... PekkaKalle Ollilankuja!