PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jonas Sakalas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Karol Operhalski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sakalas comes to the cage accompanied by Deliver Me. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sakalas
vs
Operhalski

169 cm
25
180 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

172 cm
22
175 lbs
3 - 9 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jonas Sakalas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Karol Operhalski!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Wagner Zegers and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Operhalski throws a body kick that misses.

Sakalas gets a double leg takedown into Operhalski's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Sakalas with a nice head shot there.
Sakalas postures up in Operhalski's guard and throws a big left but Operhalski blocks it.
Operhalski is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sakalas throws an elbow that misses. Operhalski uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sakalas's guard. Nice move by Operhalski!
Operhalski tries to free his leg and advance position but Sakalas is retaining full guard.

Sakalas looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Operhalski pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sakalas is keeping the position for now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Operhalski is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Sakalas had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Operhalski defends it easily.
Sakalas has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Sakalas is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Operhalski is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Operhalski is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Operhalski wants to control from the top but Sakalas keeps moving.
Operhalski is looking to stand up but Sakalas won't let him.
Operhalski trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Sakalas escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Operhalski gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Sakalas has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Operhalski can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Sakalas working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Operhalski doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Operhalski manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Sakalas throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Operhalski must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Operhalski tries to stand but Sakalas is controlling from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sakalas is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Operhalski is aware though and is defending well.
Operhalski is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Operhalski trying to control but Sakalas is working from the bottom.
Operhalski is stalling in the full guard.
Sakalas could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Operhalski trying to control but Sakalas is working from the bottom.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Karol Operhalski wasn't active enough on the ground.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Operhalski is looking to reverse the position.
Operhalski is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Sakalas has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Operhalski wants to control but Sakalas postures up.
Operhalski is working to avoid the ground and pound but Sakalas connects with a decent elbow.
Sakalas looks up at the clock and then as Operhalski takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Sakalas smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Operhalski is looking for a sweep.
Operhalski looks gassed!
Sakalas grinds an elbow into Operhalski's temple.
Sakalas is chipping away with strikes.
Sakalas misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Operhalski is trying to get back to half guard.
Sakalas throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakalas working the ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Operhalski managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Sakalas.
Operhalski taking punishment in the form of punches.
Sakalas working the ground and pound.
Sakalas working the ground and pound but Operhalski is defending the strikes.
Operhalski is looking to reverse the position.
Operhalski wants to control but Sakalas postures up.
Operhalski is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Sakalas off and has taken his back!
Sakalas tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Sakalas is working to get back to half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sakalas sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Sakalas actively working from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonas Sakalas dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Operhalski gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Sakalas to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Sakalas missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Operhalski not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sakalas loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sakalas throws an elbow that misses. Operhalski uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sakalas's guard. Nice move by Operhalski!
Operhalski is pushing down on Sakalas's leg trying to pass to half guard. Sakalas is fighting to maintain full guard but Operhalski has managed to sneak the leg through.

Sakalas looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Operhalski wants to get back to his feet.

Sakalas actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Operhalski scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Sakalas keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Operhalski is trying to control. Sakalas wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Sakalas looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Jonas Sakalas overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sakalas is not content to let Operhalski control the position.

Operhalski is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sakalas sees it coming and defends easily.

Sakalas is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Operhalski pulls his head out easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Operhalski not doing much here.

Sakalas looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sakalas looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Operhalski wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sakalas keeps working.

Operhalski escapes and gets back to his feet.

Operhalski gets caught napping as Sakalas dives in and scores a takedown. Operhalski manages to retain 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!
Sakalas throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Operhalski wants to get back to his feet but Sakalas is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Operhalski looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sakalas tries to free his leg and advance position but Operhalski is retaining full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sakalas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Operhalski has momentary wrist control but Sakalas slips an elbow through the middle.
Operhalski working a defensive guard here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sakalas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Operhalski preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sakalas throwing strikes from guard but Operhalski blocks nicely.
Operhalski wants to stand but Sakalas is controlling the position.
Operhalski utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Operhalski trying to keep a closed guard but Sakalas is proving a slippery customer.
Sakalas working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Operhalski has momentary wrist control but Sakalas slips an elbow through the middle.

Sakalas is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Sakalas wants to pass the guard but Operhalski is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Operhalski trying to control the position here.

Sakalas has gone for a leg lock! Operhalski slips out almost immediately though and dives into Sakalas's guard.
Operhalski trying to control but Sakalas is working from the bottom.
Sakalas keeping full guard, as Operhalski tries to pass.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Sakalas throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Sakalas is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonas Sakalas dominated that second round.
That's time! Sakalas's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Sakalas fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Operhalski sprawls well initially but Sakalas persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Operhalski looking for submissions off his back.
Operhalski is looking to control Sakalas's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Operhalski avoid being mounted?
Operhalski taking some punishment here, with Sakalas in his half guard.
Operhalski wants to get back to his feet.
Sakalas not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Operhalski wants to get back to his feet.
Operhalski keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Operhalski is defending against the submission attempts here by Sakalas.
Operhalski is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakalas thows a huge punch but Operhalski dodges it nicely.
Operhalski takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Sakalas is looking for a kimura but Operhalski is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sakalas to get the leverage.
Sakalas takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Operhalski is trying to stand.
Operhalski tries to get to full guard but Sakalas has control of the leg.
Operhalski trying to control from the bottom.
Operhalski keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sakalas working over Operhalski with some ground and pound. Operhalski looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Sakalas sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Operhalski defending well though.
Operhalski tries to get to full guard but Sakalas has control of the leg.
Sakalas is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Operhalski avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sakalas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakalas landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Operhalski is trying to stand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sakalas missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Sakalas is looking for a kimura here.
Operhalski is looking for a sweep. Sakalas is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sakalas looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Sakalas stops Operhalski from getting back to his feet.
Sakalas looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Operhalski with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Sakalas working the head and body with strikes.
Operhalski is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Operhalski blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sakalas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Operhalski wants to control but Sakalas is keeping busy.

Operhalski manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Sakalas gets a takedown into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sakalas lands a nice short elbow.
Sakalas missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Operhalski won't allow Sakalas to pass to mount.
Operhalski avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sakalas.
Sakalas throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sakalas missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Operhalski pushes Sakalas off looking to stand but Sakalas dives back in and keeps control.
Sakalas not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Operhalski is trying to maintain the position but Sakalas is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Operhalski is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Sakalas is staying active.
Operhalski is trying to stand back up but Sakalas is controlling him
Sakalas tries to pass to full mount but Operhalski defends it.
Operhalski trying to control here.
Karol Operhalski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

The ref stands the fighters back up. Karol Operhalski was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Sakalas decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sakalas blocks the strikes from Operhalski.
Sakalas is thwarting Operhalski's attempts to control the position.
Jonas Sakalas is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sakalas lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jonas Sakalas showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Sakalas 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jonas Sakalas!