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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Avon Barksdale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mika Saarenpaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.
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| 174 cm
29
185 lbs
11 - 9 - 0 |
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183 cm
25
176 lbs
8 - 3 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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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
11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Avon Barksdale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mika Saarenpaa!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saarenpaa takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Barksdale. Saarenpaa shrugs it off though.
Saarenpaa connects with a solid leg kick.
Barksdale moves out of range of the strikes.
Barksdale throws a quick counter head kick but Saarenpaa was just out of range.
Saarenpaa throws a front kick aimed at Barksdale's knee but Barksdale avoids it well.
Nice body punch from Saarenpaa.
A looping hook to the body misses from Saarenpaa. Barksdale does a little dance to reset his feet.
Barksdale throws a big counter combination but Saarenpaa scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Saarenpaa looks to score with a jab to the body but Barksdale is just out of range.
Barksdale looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Barksdale pushing down on Saarenpaa's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Saarenpaa gets back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saarenpaa manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Barksdale manages to get himself to full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Saarenpaa sitting in guard here, content to control.
Saarenpaa must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Barksdale keeping full guard, as Saarenpaa tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barksdale bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Saarenpaa's guard.
Saarenpaa is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Barksdale passes into half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale tries to pass to full mount but Saarenpaa defends it.
Saarenpaa tries to roll over but Barksdale keeps him under control.
Barksdale wants to work for an arm triangle but Saarenpaa is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Barksdale trying to mount his opponent but Saarenpaa defends it.
Saarenpaa tries to roll over but Barksdale keeps him under control.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale wants to take a breather but Saarenpaa is having none of it.
Barksdale tries to pass the half guard into mount. Saarenpaa knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Barksdale is working hard here to advance position.
Barksdale not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
A good leg kick by Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa misses with an attempted mid kick.
Barksdale swings for the body but Saarenpaa moves out of range.
Barksdale throws a lazy right hand but Saarenpaa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Saarenpaa looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Barksdale throws a series of punches but Saarenpaa moves out of range.
Barksdale throws a combination that misses
and Saarenpaa counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Good work by Barksdale as he checks the leg kick.
Saarenpaa connects with a single shot there.
Saarenpaa fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Barksdale looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Barksdale avoids a punch combination nicely.
Barksdale tried to counter with a leg kick but Saarenpaa avoided it.
Saarenpaa lands a lovely overhand right.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Mika Saarenpaa will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Saarenpaa looks to score with a jab to the body but Barksdale is just out of range.
Saarenpaa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Barksdale.
Saarenpaa connects with an inside leg kick.
Barksdale misses with a body kick.
Saarenpaa let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Saarenpaa just misses with a punch to the body.
Barksdale tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Saarenpaa throws a sloppy head kick and Barksdale moves out of range easily.
Saarenpaa misses with a hook. Barksdale ducked under it nicely.
Barksdale is looking to counter with head kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saarenpaa staying out of range there.
Saarenpaa connects with a body shot that sends Barksdale's belly button to the back.
Barksdale misses with a double jab.
Barksdale lands a nice looking kick to the body. Saarenpaa takes a step back to recover.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Saarenpaa wants to slow Barksdale down by chopping away at his legs.
Barksdale uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Saarenpaa.
A quick step to the side and Barksdale tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jab by Saarenpaa.
Good leg kick by Saarenpaa there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Saarenpaa lands with an overhand left.
Barksdale walks into a left hand.
Saarenpaa throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Barksdale's head.
Barksdale ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Barksdale missing with a left hand there. Saarenpaa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Saarenpaa misses with a body kick.
Barksdale tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mika Saarenpaa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Barksdale avoids the body shot from Saarenpaa.
Barksdale appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Barksdale swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A nice side step and Saarenpaa releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Saarenpaa changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Saarenpaa blocks a head kick by Barksdale.
Barksdale throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A chopping leg kick lands by Saarenpaa.
Barksdale fails to land with a series of punches.
Saarenpaa scores with a nice strike.
Mika Saarenpaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saarenpaa scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Saarenpaa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Saarenpaa swings for the body but Barksdale moves out of range.
No joy there for Saarenpaa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Barksdale.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa misses with a wild body shot.
Barksdale looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Barksdale moves away from the strike by Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa stuns Barksdale with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Saarenpaa misses with an attempted mid kick.
A little feinted left hand from Barksdale on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Barksdale throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Saarenpaa on the side of the head.
Saarenpaa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Barksdale.
Barksdale goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Saarenpaa appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Saarenpaa.
Barksdale swings for the body but Saarenpaa moves out of range.
Saarenpaa unleashes a big counter combination but Barksdale bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Saarenpaa lands a glancing blow to the side of Barksdale's head.
Saarenpaa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Barksdale moves away.
Barksdale throwing a counter right hand but Saarenpaa manages to avoid it.
Saarenpaa misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saarenpaa swings away with a body shot that misses
and Barksdale makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
A good leg kick by Barksdale.
Barksdale slips under a jab.
Barksdale is looking to counter the offense by Saarenpaa and move into the clinch.
Avon Barksdale is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Barksdale fails to land the takedown.
A momentary lapse in concentration from Saarenpaa enables Barksdale to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Saarenpaa manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Mika Saarenpaa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
Barksdale misses with a left hand
and Saarenpaa counters with a left to the body.
Saarenpaa plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Barksdale has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa connects with a leg kick. Barksdale looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Saarenpaa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Barksdale.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Barksdale. That did some damage!
Nice straight punches there by Saarenpaa. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Saarenpaa.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barksdale defending well as Saarenpaa loads up on a big left hand.
Mika Saarenpaa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Barksdale throws a low kick but Saarenpaa moves out of range easily.
Saarenpaa listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Nice uppercut lands for Saarenpaa. That snapped Barksdale's head back.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Saarenpaa jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Saarenpaa throws a jab when Barksdale was well out of range.
Barksdale lands a jab to Saarenpaa's midsection.
Saarenpaa wants to land a leg kick but Barksdale is out of range.
Barksdale is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Barksdale shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Nice defenses there by Barksdale.
Saarenpaa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Saarenpaa throws out a loose jab but Barksdale uses good head movement to avoid it.
Barksdale lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Saarenpaa circles away quickly and effectively.
Barksdale fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Barksdale.
Saarenpaa scores with a kick to the body.
Saarenpaa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Saarenpaa throws a hook to the side of Barksdale's head but Barksdale sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Barksdale feinted with a counter takedown.
Saarenpaa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Barksdale moves away.
Crunch! Saarenpaa slams his shin into Barksdale's torso.
Barksdale throws a leg kick
letting Saarenpaa counter with a right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barksdale misses with a double jab.
Barksdale looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Saarenpaa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa avoids the body shot from Barksdale.
Saarenpaa thuds his right hand into Barksdale's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Barksdale checks the leg kick nicely there.
The crowd cheers as Saarenpaa lands an impressive looking overhand right. Barksdale doesn't seem phased though.
Saarenpaa takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Saarenpaa lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Avon Barksdale has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Barksdale has his takedown stuffed
and Saarenpaa connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Barksdale jabs Saarenpaa to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Saarenpaa looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Saarenpaa cracks Barksdale with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale misses with a head kick.
Saarenpaa lands a nice leg kick that just misses Barksdale's sensitive parts.
Saarenpaa walks into a left hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Saarenpaa throws a jab when Barksdale was well out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for Barksdale.
Saarenpaa misses with a hook.
Saarenpaa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
As Saarenpaa tries to get set, Barksdale tries to push him back and clinch up but Saarenpaa manages to avoid the attempt.
Saarenpaa misses with a leg kick.
Barksdale misses with a body kick.
Saarenpaa lands a lovely overhand right.
A left lands for Barksdale.
And that's the end of the fight!
Mika Saarenpaa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Saarenpaa 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mika Saarenpaa!
Mika Saarenpaa thanked the fans post fight for their support.
Avon Barksdale was interviewed post fight and said 'I'll be back.'.
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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
50% |
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