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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kenji Kato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mika Saarenpaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!
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| 176 cm
30
167 lbs
18 - 9 - 0 |
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183 cm
26
170 lbs
12 - 4 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class 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 lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
18 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kenji Kato!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mika Saarenpaa!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Arvi Lind.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick lands from Saarenpaa.
Kato throws a nice looking combination but Saarenpaa bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Saarenpaa has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Kato connects with a crisp jab.
Saarenpaa dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kato. That did some damage!
Saarenpaa thuds a left hand into Kato's body.
Saarenpaa lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kato at a distance.
Kato lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Saarenpaa looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Saarenpaa lands with a nice body kick.
Saarenpaa slips under a jab.
Kato lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
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!
Kato moves out of range of the leg kick from Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa moves out of range of the strikes.
Saarenpaa moves out of range as Kato strikes.
Saarenpaa takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Saarenpaa takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kato takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
A leg kick checked by Kato.
Saarenpaa tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Saarenpaa lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kato will feel that in the morning.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Saarenpaa slips under a jab.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Saarenpaa, right into the meat.
Kato connects with a nice looking jab.
Kato pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Saarenpaa clinches with his opponent.
Kato blocks a body shot from Saarenpaa.
A right handed body shot lands from Kato.
Saarenpaa lands a left hand.
Kato has had enough of the clinch but Saarenpaa keeps him there for the moment.
Kato breaks from the clinch.
Kato 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.
Saarenpaa misses with a hook. Kato ducked under it nicely.
A head kick misses from Kato.
Kato lands with a kick to the temple. Saarenpaa shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kato throws a head kick but Saarenpaa moves out of range.
Kato fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Saarenpaa manages to avoid it.
Kato avoids a kick to the body.
Saarenpaa throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kato swings for the body but Saarenpaa moves out of range.
A head kick from Saarenpaa lands but Kato takes it in his stride.
Saarenpaa slips under a jab.
Kato pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kato throws an overhand right that lands on Saarenpaa's shoulder, as Saarenpaa tries to avoid the shot.
Saarenpaa looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A solid leg kick lands there for Saarenpaa.
Kato throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Saarenpaa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Saarenpaa is looking to score with low kicks.
A head kick misses from Kato.
Kato tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Saarenpaa was well out of range. Poor timing from Kato.
Saarenpaa avoids the head kick by Kato.
Kato looks to throw the jab but Saarenpaa is out of range.
Kato throws a head kick but Saarenpaa moves out of range.
Kato displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Kato throws a shot from downtown. Saarenpaa moves away and avoids it.
Kato takes a head kick and keeps coming.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa slips a jab from Kato.
Kato throws a jab but it's blocked by Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa moves out of range as Kato strikes.
Kato misses with a hook.
Kato tries a head kick but it misses.
Kato ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kato throws a sloppy head kick and Saarenpaa moves out of range easily.
Saarenpaa throws out a counter right but Kato avoids it with no problem.
Kato throws a shot from downtown. Saarenpaa moves away and avoids it.
Saarenpaa punishes Kato's body with a nice straight punch.
Saarenpaa misses with a body kick.
Kato throws a one two combo.
Kato tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A slapping leg kick lands for Saarenpaa.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa misses with a low kick.
Saarenpaa fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kato on the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Saarenpaa throws a leg kick but Kato sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Saarenpaa throws a leg kick but Kato sees it coming and checks it nicely.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Kato misses.
Kato keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Saarenpaa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kato.
Kato avoids the body shot from Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa digs a good hook to Kato's body.
A big left from Kato misses.
Saarenpaa flicks out a counter leg kick but Kato steps away.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kato checks a leg kick.
Kato misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kato walks into a straight right hand from Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa moves out of range of the strikes.
Saarenpaa throws a low kick, looking for Kato's leg but Kato calmly moves out of range.
Saarenpaa attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kato looks to land a left hand but Saarenpaa moved out of range nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kato throws an off balance right hand
and Saarenpaa connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kato dodges the punch combination from Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kenji Kato seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saarenpaa doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Kenji Kato will probably get the nod.
That's time! Kato's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Kato throws a nice looking combination but Saarenpaa bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Saarenpaa slips a jab from Kato.
A big left from Kato misses.
Saarenpaa takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A nice inside leg kick there by Saarenpaa. That's going to slow Kato down.
Saarenpaa misses with a low kick.
Saarenpaa attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kato keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Saarenpaa throws out a leg kick but Kato moves out of range and Saarenpaa only half commits.
Saarenpaa uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kato.
Kato ducks under a wild hook from Saarenpaa.
Kato moves out of range of the body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saarenpaa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Jab by Kato.
Saarenpaa throws an overhand right that lands on Kato's shoulder, as Kato tries to avoid the shot.
Kato lands a head shot.
A swing and a miss from Kato.
Saarenpaa ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kato throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kato.
Saarenpaa misses with a body shot.
Kato throws a hook but Saarenpaa blocks it.
Saarenpaa swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Saarenpaa looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kato is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Saarenpaa takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Kato connects with a body shot.
Saarenpaa uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kato.
Saarenpaa is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kato rather than just go for the knockout.
A jab from Kato does it's job there.
Kato swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Saarenpaa turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Saarenpaa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Saarenpaa defending well as Kato loads up on a big left hand.
Kato tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kato bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Saarenpaa's head backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kato thows a left - swing and a miss!
Saarenpaa follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Kato crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Saarenpaa - the referee stops the clock and Kato gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Saarenpaa. Kato manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Saarenpaa looks to land a body kick but Kato moved away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Saarenpaa. Kato does a little dance to reset his feet.
Saarenpaa connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kato momentarily.
Saarenpaa moves away from the strike by Kato.
Saarenpaa blocks a head kick by Kato.
A head kick from Kato lands but Saarenpaa takes it in his stride.
Saarenpaa defending well as Kato loads up on a big left hand.
Saarenpaa avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kato misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Good exchange - Saarenpaa coming out on top.
Kato with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Saarenpaa to score with a decent uppercut.
Kato pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kato misses with a hook
and Saarenpaa counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Saarenpaa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kato manages to avoid it.
Saarenpaa looking to land some kicks to the body here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kato shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Saarenpaa connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kato. Kato circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Saarenpaa connects with a single shot there.
Kato checks the leg kick nicely there.
Saarenpaa takes a kick to the side of the head.
Saarenpaa tried to score with a low kick but Kato checks it.
Kato misses the jab.
Kato misses with a right hand
and Saarenpaa counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Saarenpaa fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Kato throws an off balance right hand
and Saarenpaa counters with a nice body shot.
Saarenpaa takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kato avoids a kick to the body.
Kato throws a body shot but no joy.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kato lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Kato ducks right into an uppercut from Saarenpaa.
Kato tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kato fails to land with a series of punches.
Kato on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Saarenpaa. Saarenpaa obviously looking to wear him down.
Kato lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Saarenpaa circles away quickly and effectively.
A head kick misses from Kato.
Saarenpaa let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Saarenpaa throws a looping overhand right but Kato ducks down to avoid it.
Kato tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A nice inside leg kick there by Saarenpaa. That's going to slow Kato down.
Kato throws a sloppy head kick
and Saarenpaa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Saarenpaa moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Saarenpaa throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kato connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Saarenpaa momentarily.
Kato blocks a low kick nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kato misses with a looping left.
Kato scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kato rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Saarenpaa counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Saarenpaa takes one to the side of the head.
Saarenpaa slips a straight right by Kato.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Mika Saarenpaa will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!
Saarenpaa slips a straight right by Kato.
Kato throws a head kick that misses.
Saarenpaa looks to score with a jab to the body but Kato is just out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kato checks a leg kick.
Saarenpaa thows a body kick. Kato tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Saarenpaa listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Saarenpaa takes a swing at Kato's ribcage but misses.
Kato misses with a double jab
and Saarenpaa makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Kato misses with a hook.
Saarenpaa feints a counter leg kick.
Jab by Kato.
Kato connects with a leg kick. Saarenpaa looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kato misses with a head kick.
Saarenpaa looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Saarenpaa.
Kenji Kato is winning the standup battle so far.
Saarenpaa scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kato throws a hook to the side of Saarenpaa's head but Saarenpaa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Saarenpaa misses with an uppercut. Kato saw that one coming.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kato scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Saarenpaa blocks a head kick by Kato.
Kato avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kato throws a counter high kick but Saarenpaa was just alert enough to avoid it.
Saarenpaa scores with a shot to the body.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Saarenpaa lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Kato has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Kato and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kato is looking for a counter combo.
Kato cracks Saarenpaa with an open hand slap.
Saarenpaa tries to clinch but Kato moves out of range.
Kato throws a big shot that misses.
Nice defenses there by Kato.
Saarenpaa tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Kato counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kato throws an off balance right hand
and Saarenpaa counters with a left to the body.
Kato blocks a jab.
Kato will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Saarenpaa tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Saarenpaa lands a right hook to the body.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kato.
Saarenpaa has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Saarenpaa goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kato 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.
Saarenpaa swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Saarenpaa fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kato throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Saarenpaa's head.
Saarenpaa misses with a hook
and Kato connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kato misses with an uppercut. Saarenpaa saw that one coming.
Kato sets himself, and Saarenpaa steps forward looking for the clinch! Kato avoids it this time.
Kato connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Saarenpaa's hands.
Saarenpaa avoids the head kick by Kato.
Kato moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromSaarenpaa.
Saarenpaa displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kato throws out the jab.
Saarenpaa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kato attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kato takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Saarenpaa lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Saarenpaa looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kato is looking to counter punch.
Kato throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Saarenpaa 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 three minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa scores with a nice right hand.
Saarenpaa just misses with a punch to the body.
Saarenpaa misses with a head kick.
Saarenpaa throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Kato throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Saarenpaa's head.
Saarenpaa moves out of range as Kato strikes.
Saarenpaa lands a nice hook to Kato's body. Kato takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Saarenpaa throws a leg kick
and Kato counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Saarenpaa lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kato will feel that in the morning.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kato throws a lazy uppercut
and Saarenpaa counters with a good low kick that Kato was not able to check.
Saarenpaa lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kato at a distance.
Kato throws a hook but Saarenpaa avoids it easily.
Saarenpaa feints and then cracks Kato's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kato down.
Kato moves out of range of the leg kick from Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa swings for the body but Kato moves out of range.
Kato appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kato throws a shot from downtown. Saarenpaa moves away and avoids it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kato misses with a few strikes there.
Saarenpaa moves into the clinch.
Kato manages to break the clinch.
Kato tries a head kick but it misses.
Kato jabs Saarenpaa right on the nose. Saarenpaa blinks but takes it well.
Saarenpaa gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Saarenpaa tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kato manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kato has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kato there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kato throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Saarenpaa stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kato throws an overhand right that lands on Saarenpaa's shoulder, as Saarenpaa tries to avoid the shot.
Saarenpaa lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Saarenpaa has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Saarenpaa throws a body punch but Kato moves out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Kato on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Saarenpaa takes a swing at Kato's ribcage but misses.
Saarenpaa takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kato tries a head kick but it misses.
Saarenpaa appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Saarenpaa throws a nice outside leg kick.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mika Saarenpaa.
I think Saarenpaa has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Mika Saarenpaa!
During a confident post fight interview, Mika Saarenpaa thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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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
83% |
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