PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mika Saarenpää (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johannes Maanpohja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mika Saarenpää has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Saarenpää
vs
Maanpohja

183 cm
23
176 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

171 cm
27
173 lbs
8 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Fury Nutrition Inc.

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mika Saarenpää!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Johannes Maanpohja!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Johanna Lukiainen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maanpohja misses with a takedown attempt
and Saarenpää counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Maanpohja looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Maanpohja gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Saarenpää counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Maanpohja thinking.
Mika Saarenpää has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johannes Maanpohja.
Saarenpää lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Johannes Maanpohja seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maanpohja takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Maanpohja fails with the takedown
and Saarenpää counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Saarenpää 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.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Maanpohja is defended easily by Saarenpää.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maanpohja takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Nice shot lands for Saarenpää.
Saarenpää throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maanpohja misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maanpohja shoots in for a double leg but Saarenpää sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A quick step to the side and Saarenpää tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mika Saarenpää is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Good exchange - Saarenpää coming out on top.
Maanpohja misses with a takedown
and Saarenpää counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Saarenpää is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

Saarenpää sends Maanpohja crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Saarenpää is motioning to the referee to let Maanpohja up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!

Maanpohja is rocked!
Maanpohja wants to stay close but Saarenpää steps back to make room for something. Maanpohja seems frozen to the spot and bam! huge swing of the leg from Saarenpää and Maanpohja drops like he has been shot! A huge head kick and it's all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:31 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Mika Saarenpää!
Mika Saarenpää thanked the fans post fight for their support.