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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Johannes Maanpohja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saul Tigh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Saul Tigh was going to win. Let's see if he was right.
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| 171 cm
23
173 lbs
5 - 5 - 0 |
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182 cm
22
180 lbs
8 - 7 - 0 |
Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Cardio machine |
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Excellent grappler
Basic striking
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Johannes Maanpohja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Saul Tigh!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Valeri Chadov and Vladimir Khabensky.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tigh ducks under a wild hook from Maanpohja.
Maanpohja shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tigh will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Maanpohja tries a low kick but Tigh avoids it.
Tigh shoots for a takedown but Maanpohja saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Tigh throws a series of punches but Maanpohja avoids them all with ease.
Maanpohja throws a hook but Tigh blocks it.
Tigh tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Maanpohja swivels and escapes.
Johannes Maanpohja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saul Tigh.
Maanpohja moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Maanpohja has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Maanpohja looks to land a combination but Tigh avoids it well.
A jab from Tigh misses.
Tigh slips a jab and a cross from Maanpohja.
Tigh is trying hard to land a takedown here. Maanpohja sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Maanpohja closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Tigh's guard.
Maanpohja has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Tigh is proving hard to escape from.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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!
Tigh 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.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Tigh manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Tigh fails to take his opponent's back.
Tigh is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Maanpohja to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Maanpohja shrugs it off.
Maanpohja really wants to buck Tigh off and get back to his feet.
Tigh working for a guillotine from mount but Maanpohja is in no mood to give up.
Maanpohja is trying to stand.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tigh tries to control but Maanpohja wriggling away.
Maanpohja is trying to stand.
Tigh controlling his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tigh looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Tigh looking to control and managing it successfully.
My spies in Warrior MMA and Fitness inform me that Tigh has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
You get the feeling that Maanpohja really doesn't like being in this position too much.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tigh looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Maanpohja might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Maanpohja really wants to buck Tigh off and get back to his feet.
Tigh has control of Maanpohja's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Maanpohja regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Maanpohja is trying to stand.
Tigh looking for a guillotine from mount but Maanpohja is having none of it.
Tigh working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maanpohja is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Tigh has taken his back!
Maanpohja staying busy and making it hard for Tigh to control.
Tigh is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Tigh's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tigh has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Maanpohja has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Tigh has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Maanpohja has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Saul Tigh dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
A looping hook to the body misses from Maanpohja. Tigh does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tigh fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Maanpohja misses with a straight right.
Maanpohja instigates a clinch.
Maanpohja lands an elbow inside that Tigh shrugs off.
Maanpohja lands a nice elbow.
It looks like Saul Tigh has been cut.
Tigh has Maanpohja pressed against the cage, preventing Maanpohja from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Maanpohja lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Tigh prevents Maanpohja from breaking the clinch.
Maanpohja misses with an elbow over the top.
Maanpohja misses with an elbow over the top.
Maanpohja misses with an elbow strike.
Tigh has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Maanpohja after a bit of a struggle.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Tigh dodges an elbow strike from Maanpohja.
Maanpohja is trying to force a seperation but Tigh has the dominant position.
Maanpohja creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Tigh blocks an uppercut.
Tigh keeps control of Maanpohja as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Maanpohja's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tigh avoids the head kick by Maanpohja.
Johannes Maanpohja seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maanpohja misses with a kick to the body.
Maanpohja scores with a one two! Tigh had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Maanpohja stuffs the takedown attempt from Tigh. Tigh gets slowly back to his feet.
Johannes Maanpohja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saul Tigh.
Tigh gets the takedown into side control.
Maanpohja is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Tigh has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Tigh tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Tigh has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Tigh wants to lay and pray for a moment but Maanpohja keeps working.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maanpohja is pushing Tigh's head away, looking to escape. Tigh manages to hold on to the position though.
Maanpohja prevents Tigh from moving into mount.
Maanpohja is trying to get back to his feet.
Tigh tries for a kimura but Maanpohja is defending well.
Tigh tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Maanpohja is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Tigh asserts his dominance and retains side control.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tigh tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Tigh content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Maanpohja tries to escape but Tigh is in control.
Tigh is looking to take a break and control but Maanpohja is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Maanpohja is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Tigh asserts his dominance and retains side control.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tigh is trying to get an arm triangle but Maanpohja is defending well.
Maanpohja wants to get back to his feet but Tigh is dominant here and he's now got Maanpohja's back!
Tigh tightening his grip on Maanpohja, looking for the choke.
Maanpohja is trying to stand back up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Saul Tigh will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Saul Tigh's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!
Maanpohja moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Tigh stuffs the takedown attempt from Maanpohja. Maanpohja gets slowly back to his feet.
Maanpohja throws a nice looking combination but Tigh bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Maanpohja misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Maanpohja throws a right and a left that Tigh avoids nicely.
Tigh takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A momentary lapse in concentration from Maanpohja enables Tigh to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Maanpohja manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Tigh passes Maanpohja's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Maanpohja tries to kick Tigh off but Tigh keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Tigh is keen to just control but Maanpohja is a slippery customer.
Tigh prevents Maanpohja from standing back up.
Tigh works his foot free and advances to mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tigh wants to finish this one by submission but Maanpohja is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Tigh.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Tigh can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Maanpohja is looking to escape.
Maanpohja is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Tigh looking to control and managing it successfully.
Tigh with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Maanpohja trying desperately to get to his feet.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tigh tries to control but Maanpohja wriggling away.
Tigh looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Tigh trying to control but Maanpohja is having none of it.
Maanpohja wants to get back to his feet.
Tigh wants to take his opponent's back but Maanpohja doesn't allow it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maanpohja really wants to buck Tigh off and get back to his feet.
Tigh trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Maanpohja has given up his back. Will we see Tigh going for some submissions?
Tigh working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Maanpohja has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Maanpohja prevents Tigh from getting a body triangle.
Tigh has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Maanpohja has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maanpohja prevents Tigh from getting a body triangle.
Saul Tigh is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tigh slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Let's hope that Tigh has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Maanpohja defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Tigh's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maanpohja holding both Tigh 's hands and preventing any damage.
Johannes Maanpohja has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
And that's the end of the fight!
Saul Tigh comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Tigh winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Saul Tigh!
A very excited looking Saul Tigh made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
82% |
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