PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tad Ghostal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Heikko Saarinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ghostal comes to the cage accompanied by Good King Wenceslas. Saarinen has chosen I Walk Alone as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ghostal
vs
Saarinen

183 cm
23
145 lbs
13 - 2 - 0

170 cm
25
154 lbs
15 - 4 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tad Ghostal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Heikko Saarinen!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Donatello Bradman and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Ghostal misses.
Ghostal bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
A lazy left from Saarinen finds it's target.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Saarinen - that will leave a mark!
Ghostal takes a swing at Saarinen's ribcage but misses.
Ghostal misses with a straight left.
Saarinen throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Ghostal scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saarinen takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Saarinen sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Saarinen has his hands clasped together around Ghostal's back. He's all about the action.
Saarinen pushes Ghostal off looking to stand but Ghostal dives back in and keeps control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saarinen is not content to let Ghostal control the position.
Ghostal throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saarinen is not content to let Ghostal control the position.
Saarinen tries to kick Ghostal off but Ghostal keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Saarinen won't allow Ghostal to pass to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Saarinen is looking to improve his position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ghostal jabs at Saarinen's body.
Ghostal checks the leg kick.
Ghostal connects with a crisp jab.
Heikko Saarinen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ghostal checks a leg kick nicely.
Saarinen scores with a jab.
Saarinen throws a head kick but Ghostal moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saarinen avoids a kick to the body.
Jab, jab by Ghostal - just one landing.
Ghostal throws a low kick, looking for Saarinen's leg but Saarinen calmly moves out of range.
Ghostal slips under a jab from Saarinen.
Ghostal looks to land a combination but Saarinen avoids it well.
Saarinen scores with a nice strike.
Ghostal swings for the body but Saarinen moves out of range.
Saarinen lands with an uppercut that bounces Ghostal off the cage and back into rage.
Saarinen slips a jab from Ghostal.
Good shot there by Saarinen.
Ghostal throws a series of punches but Saarinen avoids them all with ease.
Ghostal is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Saarinen - that will leave a mark!
Ghostal really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Ghostal sizes up Saarinen with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Ghostal throws a leg kick that is checked
and Saarinen counters with a one-two to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A big right from Ghostal misses.
Sloppy strikes from Ghostal. Those never looked like landing.
Ghostal throws a leg kick but Saarinen checks it.
Ghostal looks to throw the jab but Saarinen is out of range.
Ghostal looks for the body kick but Saarinen saw that one coming.
Ghostal misses with an uppercut.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ghostal misses with a hook.
Saarinen's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Ghostal connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Saarinen scrambles back to his feet.
Saarinen closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tad Ghostal dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ghostal swings for the body but Saarinen moves out of range.
Ghostal lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Tad Ghostal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saarinen misses with a hook.
Ghostal throws a hook but Saarinen avoids it easily.
Jab, jab by Saarinen - just one landing.
Ghostal thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ghostal misses with a low kick as Saarinen jumps back.
Saarinen misses with a hook.
Ghostal fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ghostal slips a straight right by Saarinen.
A big right from Ghostal misses.
Ghostal cracks Saarinen with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghostal jabs Saarinen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Ghostal misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Saarinen with a jab.
Saarinen lands a slapping body shot.
Ghostal misses with a body kick.
Ghostal darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Tad Ghostal is winning the standup battle so far.
Ghostal connects with a body shot that sends Saarinen's belly button to the back.
Saarinen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nice body punch from Saarinen.
Saarinen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Saarinen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Ghostal does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saarinen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ghostal was well out of range. Poor timing from Saarinen.
Saarinen throws a shot to the body.
Ghostal throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Saarinen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ghostal goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Saarinen scores with a jab to the jaw.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice body kick from Ghostal.
Saarinen throws an overhand right that lands on Ghostal's shoulder, as Ghostal tries to avoid the shot.
Saarinen dodges the punch combination from Ghostal.
Ghostal throws a right hand that Saarinen ducks under and follows up with a left that Saarinen also avoids with ease.
Saarinen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ghostal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Saarinen.
Ghostal throws a shot to the body.
Saarinen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ghostal throws out the jab.
Saarinen lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ghostal's sensitive parts.
Ghostal loads up on a big right hand but Saarinen slips the punch.
Ghostal throws out a loose jab but Saarinen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ghostal jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ghostal throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ghostal lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Ghostal dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Saarinen fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Saarinen misses with a looping left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ghostal swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Saarinen punishes Ghostal's body with a nice straight punch.
Ghostal misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Saarinen counters with an outside leg kick.
Saarinen defending well as Ghostal loads up on a big left hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Saarinen throws a front kick aimed at Ghostal's knee but Ghostal avoids it well.
Ghostal scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Saarinen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ghostal throws out the jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ghostal on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Saarinen. Saarinen obviously looking to wear him down.
Ghostal turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Ghostal throws a low kick but Saarinen moves out of range easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tad Ghostal dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Saarinen misses with a wild combination.
Ghostal just misses with a punch to the body.
Saarinen ducks under a wild hook from Ghostal.
Ghostal moves out of range of the leg kick from Saarinen.
Saarinen moves out of range of the strikes.
Saarinen takes a swing at Ghostal's ribcage but misses.
Ghostal fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Saarinen moves out of range as Ghostal throws a body kick.
Ghostal throws a lazy right hand but Saarinen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Saarinen avoids the body shot from Ghostal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ghostal. Saarinen does a little dance to reset his feet.

Ghostal scores a takedown into full mount!
Ghostal throws some wild stikes that Saarinen manages to avoid easily.
Saarinen is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Ghostal avoids the attempt from Saarinen to control.
Saarinen wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Ghostal throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal avoids the attempt from Saarinen to control.
Saarinen wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Ghostal.
Ghostal trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Ghostal is really struggling to control Saarinen but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Saarinen wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Saarinen can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Ghostal lands a heavy elbow.
Ghostal is landing with some decent strikes but Saarinen is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Ghostal throws some wild stikes that Saarinen manages to avoid easily.
Ghostal trying to control but Saarinen is having none of it.
Saarinen is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Tad Ghostal overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Saarinen is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Ghostal prevents Saarinen from getting the reversal.
Ghostal connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Ghostal will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saarinen is squirming around, avoiding Ghostal's attempts to control the action.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Saarinen squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tad Ghostal clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A telegraphed right hand from Ghostal misses the target.
Ghostal throws a body punch but Saarinen moves out of range.
Saarinen ducks under a wild hook from Ghostal.
Ghostal avoids the body shot from Saarinen.
Ghostal goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Ghostal fakes the leg kick and cracks Saarinen in the body.
Saarinen throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Saarinen checks a leg kick.
Ghostal throws a lazy body kick
and Saarinen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Saarinen misses with a looping right.
Saarinen throws a low kick, looking for Ghostal's leg but Ghostal calmly moves out of range.
Ghostal throws a leg kick that is checked
and Saarinen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghostal shoots in looking for a takedown but Saarinen manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ghostal's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ghostal shoots in but no luck this time.
Ghostal tries to clinch there but Saarinen circles away.
Saarinen misses with a looping right.
Ghostal lands a jab to the nose.
Ghostal connects with a crisp jab.
Ghostal connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Saarinen throws a nice inside leg kick.
Ghostal throws a body punch but Saarinen moves out of range.
Saarinen throws a leg kick but Ghostal moved away.
Ghostal swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saarinen lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ghostal thows a leg kick but Saarinen checks it
and Saarinen counters with a low kick, right behind Ghostal 's knee.
Saarinen throws a series of punches but Ghostal avoids them all with ease.
Ghostal throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Ghostal misses the jab.
Ghostal lands a slapping body shot.
Ghostal closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Ghostal is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saarinen drops his hands momentarily and Ghostal takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Saarinen will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Jab, jab by Ghostal - just one landing.
Ghostal misses with a straight right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saarinen misses with a leg kick.
A jab from Saarinen misses.
Saarinen does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A slow jab from Ghostal misses its intended target.
Saarinen walks into a stiff left hand from Ghostal.
A nice inside leg kick there by Saarinen. That's going to slow Ghostal down.
Ghostal tests Saarinen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ghostal pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ghostal. Saarinen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ghostal misses with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saarinen slips under a jab.
Ghostal swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ghostal thows a body shot but no joy.
Ghostal throws a solid leg kick but Saarinen takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Ghostal.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Saarinen. Ghostal shrugs it off though.
Saarinen scores with a punch to the head.
Ghostal throws a leg kick that misses.
Saarinen fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ghostal has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saarinen feints and then cracks Ghostal's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ghostal down.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saarinen misses with a hook
and Ghostal counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Ghostal misses with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tad Ghostal had his way with Heikko Saarinen in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Ghostal throws a chopping leg kick but Saarinen manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Saarinen drops his hands momentarily and Ghostal takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Ghostal takes a swing at Saarinen's ribcage but misses.
Ghostal shoots in looking for a takedown but Saarinen manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ghostal's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ghostal is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Saarinen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ghostal throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Nice uppercut there from Ghostal.
Ghostal lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ghostal is looking to land body kicks.
Saarinen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Saarinen defending well as Ghostal loads up on a big left hand.

Ghostal shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Ghostal showed some decent athleticism there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saarinen is trying to stand back up but Ghostal is controlling him
Saarinen makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Saarinen.
Saarinen wants to stand but Ghostal is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saarinen is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Ghostal trying to control but Saarinen is working from the bottom.
Heikko Saarinen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Saarinen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ghostal is aware though and is defending well.
Ghostal thows a big elbow that misses.
Ghostal trying to control the position from guard on top but Saarinen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Saarinen manages to escape and get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Ghostal.
Ghostal misses with a double jab.
Ghostal ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ghostal misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Saarinen.
Ghostal looks to land a left hand but Saarinen moved out of range nicely.
Ghostal thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ghostal chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Saarinen can pounce on him.
Saarinen loads up on a big right hand but Ghostal slips the punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal sizes up Saarinen with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Saarinen throws a leg kick that misses.
Ghostal misses with an uppercut.
Saarinen throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Saarinen defending well as Ghostal loads up on a big left hand.
Ghostal cracks a nice hook into Saarinen's ribs.
Ghostal uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Saarinen.
Saarinen takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Saarinen misses with a head kick.
A good leg kick by Ghostal.
Ghostal keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tad Ghostal showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ghostal has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 50:45
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 50:45
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tad Ghostal!