PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Viktor Kulakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jaakko Savolainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kulakov comes to the cage accompanied by Lube-Shparu. Savolainen has chosen Winning as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Jaakko Savolainen enters the cage!

Kulakov
vs
Savolainen

184 cm
42
185 lbs
43 - 36 - 1

184 cm
30
179 lbs
22 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Sin City Allstars

Sin City Allstars
Mohito Fightwear

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 43 - 36 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Viktor Kulakov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Jaakko Savolainen!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Cecil Peabody and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kulakov throws a series of punches but Savolainen avoids them all with ease.
Savolainen steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Kulakov.
Savolainen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kulakov appears to be looking for a big counter.
Savolainen ducks under a wild hook from Kulakov.
Savolainen shoots in for a takedown but Kulakov shows good takedown defense.
Kulakov is looking for a counter combo.
Jab by Kulakov.
Savolainen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Savolainen bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Kulakov managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Savolainen.

Savolainen wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kulakov, who protects the arm well.
Kulakov tries to escape but Savolainen is in control.

Savolainen tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Kulakov tries to escape but Savolainen is in control.
Savolainen working the head and body with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kulakov sneaks out the side door and pushes Savolainen away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Kulakov misses with a two punch combination.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Savolainen.
Viktor Kulakov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jaakko Savolainen.
Savolainen fails to land the takedown.

Savolainen closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Kulakov pushes Savolainen off looking to stand but Savolainen dives back in and keeps control.

Savolainen is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Savolainen prevents Kulakov from standing back up.

Savolainen is trying to work for a kimura but Kulakov is defending well.
Kulakov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Savolainen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kulakov is defending against the submission attempts here by Savolainen.

Savolainen is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kulakov defends it well.

Savolainen seems to be working for a kimura but Kulakov defends the submission attempt.

Savolainen is looking for a kimura but Kulakov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Savolainen to get the leverage.
Kulakov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Savolainen.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kulakov has one foot on Savolainen's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Savolainen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kulakov is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Kulakov.

It looks like Jaakko Savolainen has been cut.
Savolainen fails with a takedown attempt.
Kulakov throws a nice looking combination but Savolainen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Kulakov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Savolainen to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Savolainen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kulakov wants to stand but Savolainen is controlling the position.
Savolainen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Savolainen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Savolainen drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Savolainen jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kulakov uses the cage to get back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Savolainen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kulakov's waist but Kulakov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Savolainen off to one side.
An attempted straight right counter from Kulakov misses the target.
Kulakov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Savolainen closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kulakov did well to prevent Savolainen getting side control.

Kulakov kicks off Savolainen and gets to his feet.
Savolainen tries to close the distance and clinch but Kulakov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Savolainen fails to land the takedown.
Kulakov lands a jab to the nose.
Savolainen shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kulakov sprawls well. Kulakov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Savolainen gets slowly back to his feet.
Savolainen takes one to the side of the head.
Savolainen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kulakov as he jumps to the side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Viktor Kulakov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jaakko Savolainen's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kulakov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Savolainen moves into the clinch.

Kulakov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A punch combination from Kulakov misses.
Savolainen scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kulakov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Savolainen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Savolainen darts in and clinches Kulakov up against the cage.
Kulakov is pressed up against the cage. Savolainen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kulakov down to the mat. Kulakov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Savolainen shoots in looking for a takedown. Kulakov tries to sprawl out of it but Savolainen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kulakov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kulakov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savolainen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Viktor Kulakov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jaakko Savolainen.
Kulakov misses with a straight left.
Savolainen shoots in but no luck this time.
Kulakov lands a slapping body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kulakov with a hook.
Kulakov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Savolainen.
Kulakov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Savolainen can do to turn this around?
Savolainen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kulakov tries to avoid it but Savolainen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kulakov to the ground. Kulakov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Savolainen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kulakov as he jumps to the side.

Savolainen shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kulakov napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Kulakov sneaks out the side door and pushes Savolainen away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Savolainen tries to close the distance and clinch but Kulakov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Viktor Kulakov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kulakov scores with a hook to the body. Savolainen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Savolainen is looking to clinch but Kulakov is avoiding it.
Kulakov misses with the combination.
Viktor Kulakov is winning the standup battle so far.
Kulakov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kulakov misses with a looping right.
Savolainen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kulakov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Savolainen somewhat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kulakov's jab looks to have found its range, popping Savolainen under the eye.
Savolainen shoots in for a takedown but Kulakov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Savolainen drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Kulakov takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Kulakov wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Savolainen thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Viktor Kulakov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Savolainen is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kulakov has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savolainen prevents Kulakov from escaping the position.

Savolainen thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Kulakov is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Savolainen working the ground and pound but Kulakov is defending the strikes.
Kulakov is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Savolainen has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Savolainen working the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Savolainen lands some shots froms side control.

Savolainen thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kulakov is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Savolainen has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Kulakov on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Kulakov managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Savolainen.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Savolainen swings around for an armbar but Kulakov sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Savolainen's guard.

Savolainen looking for a guillotine here but Kulakov defends easily.

Savolainen is working an open guard so Kulakov takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Kulakov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Savolainen.
Kulakov fails to land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Viktor Kulakov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jaakko Savolainen's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kulakov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kulakov wants it to stay on the feet.
Kulakov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Savolainen fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kulakov lands the left hand.

Savolainen drives through and clinches with Kulakov against the cage.
Kulakov lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Kulakov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Savolainen tries to clinch but Kulakov moves out of range.
Savolainen slips a jab and a cross from Kulakov.
Kulakov throws a series of punches but Savolainen moves out of range.

Savolainen scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Savolainen working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Savolainen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kulakov is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Savolainen asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Savolainen tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Savolainen has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Savolainen landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Kulakov is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Savolainen has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Savolainen tries for a kimura but Kulakov is defending well.

Savolainen is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kulakov has escaped the position, nice work there.
Kulakov wants to get back to his feet but Savolainen drags him back down.

Savolainen is trying to get an arm triangle but Kulakov is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Savolainen tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Savolainen has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Kulakov throws Savolainen to one side and escapes!
Savolainen fails with a takedown attempt.
Kulakov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Savolainen's head backwards.

Savolainen moves into the clinch successfully.

Kulakov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Savolainen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kulakov is fending him off so far but Savolainen persists. Nope, Kulakov circles away and we're back to standing.
Viktor Kulakov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jaakko Savolainen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kulakov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Savolainen. Savolainen circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Savolainen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kulakov.
Savolainen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kulakov but Kulakov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Savolainen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kulakov's waist but Kulakov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Savolainen off to one side.
Savolainen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Savolainen shoots in looking for a takedown but Kulakov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Savolainen's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kulakov swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Kulakov throws a nice looking combination but Savolainen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

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

Kulakov manages to escape and get back to his feet!
This has been an exciting period of action!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Savolainen is defended easily by Kulakov.
Savolainen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kulakov pinned against the cage. Kulakov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kulakov 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kulakov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Savolainen slips under a jab.
Kulakov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Savolainen circles away quickly and effectively.

Savolainen moves into the clinch successfully.
Kulakov is trying to break the clinch but Savolainen is controlling him.

Kulakov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Savolainen has a takedown stuffed.
Kulakov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Kulakov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Savolainen.
Savolainen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
An attempted straight right counter from Kulakov misses the target.
Jaakko Savolainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Savolainen shoots in for a double leg but Kulakov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Viktor Kulakov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Savolainen drops his hands momentarily and Kulakov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Viktor Kulakov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kulakov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Viktor Kulakov!
Viktor Kulakov made sure to mention his sponsor, Sin City Allstars in his post fight interview.