PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Miller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mika Saarenpaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Miller comes to the cage accompanied by Logic feat. Castro - Ballin. Johnny Miller is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Miller
vs
Saarenpaa

180 cm
37
156 lbs
20 - 9 - 1

183 cm
30
170 lbs
22 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition 160Q with Proof
Museum of Monsters & Madmen

Invictus
MayheM sportswear

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 20 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Johnny Miller!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mika Saarenpaa!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saarenpaa ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Saarenpaa throws a head kick but Miller moves out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Miller misses the target.
Miller takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Miller jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Miller tries to bum rush Saarenpaa with a series of wild strikes but Saarenpaa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Miller fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Miller moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Saarenpaa ducks right into an uppercut from Miller.
Miller tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Saarenpaa is able to avoid easily.
Miller connects with a crisp jab.
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.
Donk. Saarenpaa catches Miller right on the button with a cross.
Miller misses with a looping right.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Miller gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Miller jumps guard and drags Saarenpaa to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Saarenpaa seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Miller is pulling down on Saarenpaa's head. It's preventing any offense from Saarenpaa, at least for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saarenpaa not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Miller looking for a sweep. Not yet Miller, not yet.
Miller is pulling down on Saarenpaa's head to control his posture.
Miller tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Miller controlling Saarenpaa's posture.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Saarenpaa tries to land a front kick but Miller steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Saarenpaa scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Miller throws a wild body kick that Saarenpaa sees coming a mile off.
Miller tries to land a leg kick but Saarenpaa saw it coming and moves away.
Saarenpaa misses with a jab, cross combination.
A slow jab from Miller misses its intended target.

Saarenpaa clinches with his opponent.
Saarenpaa lands with a left to the head.
Miller tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Miller changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Saarenpaa fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Miller tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Saarenpaa looks to land a right hand but Miller moved out of range.
Miller half committed to a counter leg kick.
Saarenpaa avoids the body shot from Miller.
Miller takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Miller takes one to the chin there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller connects with a solid leg kick.
Miller takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Miller swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Saarenpaa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Miller's corner calls for a 1-2. Miller obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Miller tries to clinch up but Saarenpaa circles away and keeps his distance.
Miller misses with a leg kick
and Saarenpaa counters with an inside leg kick.
Saarenpaa keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Saarenpaa scoring well with a low kick there.
Miller fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Saarenpaa checks it well.
Miller tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Saarenpaa swivels and escapes.
Miller is looking to chop away at Saarenpaa's legs.
Saarenpaa looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Miller throws an off balance right hand
and Saarenpaa counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Saarenpaa throws a leg kick that misses.
Miller wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Mika Saarenpaa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Miller misses the jab.
Saarenpaa is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Miller with a body shot.
Saarenpaa is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Miller ducks under a wild hook from Saarenpaa.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa throws a body shot but no joy.
Miller closes the distance and clinches up with Saarenpaa, looking for a takedown. Miller pushes Saarenpaa against the cage but Saarenpaa circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Miller. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Saarenpaa moves into the clinch.

Saarenpaa manages to break the clinch.
Saarenpaa misses with a low kick.
Miller misses with a straight right.

Miller looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Saarenpaa!
We've been hearing that Miller has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Miller creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Saarenpaa sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Miller lands an elbow.

Miller decides to stand back up. Miller steps back and let's Saarenpaa get back to his feet.
Saarenpaa scores with a nice body kick.
Miller misses with a leg kick
and Saarenpaa counters with a nice kick to the body.
Miller throws the left hand but Saarenpaa avoids the punch easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mika Saarenpaa dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A lazy left from Saarenpaa finds it's target.
Saarenpaa throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Miller tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Saarenpaa paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Miller fails to land with a series of punches.
A jab lands there for Miller.
The fighters circling - Miller throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Miller lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Saarenpaa slips under a jab from Miller.
Saarenpaa fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Miller swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Saarenpaa scores with a nice strike.

Miller clinches with his opponent.
Miller blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Saarenpaa takes a shot to the head.
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!
Saarenpaa prevents a body shot from Miller.

Saarenpaa manages to break the clinch.
A lazy left from Saarenpaa finds it's target.
Saarenpaa throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Miller has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Saarenpaa finds it's way round the side to connect with Miller's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saarenpaa throws a right hand that Miller ducks under and follows up with a left that Miller also avoids with ease.
Miller scores with a kick to the body.
A big right from Miller misses.
Saarenpaa looks to land a left hand but Miller moved out of range nicely.
Miller ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Saarenpaa moves away.
Saarenpaa let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Miller avoids a punch combination nicely.
Saarenpaa on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Miller is looking to score with low kicks.
Saarenpaa lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Miller throws a leg kick but Saarenpaa checks it.
Miller tries to close the distance and clinch but Saarenpaa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Miller misses with a low kick.
Miller works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Miller.
Saarenpaa drops his hands momentarily and Miller takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Miller throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Saarenpaa looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Miller paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Saarenpaa cracks Miller with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Miller bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
A big left from Saarenpaa misses.
Miller checks a leg kick.
Miller throws a right hand that misses
and Saarenpaa counters with a nice uppercut.
Saarenpaa misses with a hook. Miller ducked under it nicely.
Miller fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Saarenpaa manages to avoid it.
Saarenpaa scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Saarenpaa throws a hook but Miller avoids it easily.
Miller jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Saarenpaa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Miller tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Saarenpaa paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Miller tries to score with a low kick but Saarenpaa moves his leg out of the way.
Miller avoids a punch combination nicely.
Miller feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Saarenpaa's calf.
Miller tries to land a front kick but Saarenpaa steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Miller moves into the clinch successfully.
Saarenpaa lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Saarenpaa doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Miller tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Miller swings wildly with an uppercut but Saarenpaa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Still in the clinch, Miller scores with a nice short uppercut.
Saarenpaa misses with a punch on the inside.

Miller pulls Saarenpaa into guard.
Miller has Saarenpaa pulled in close to control his posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miller wants to sweep here but Saarenpaa controlling him for the moment.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Miller is on top in guard.

Miller trying to control the position from guard on top but Saarenpaa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Miller distracts Saarenpaa with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saarenpaa keeping moving, preventing Miller from controlling successfully.
Miller connects with a couple of short punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Johnny Miller will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Miller loads up on a big right hand but Saarenpaa slips the punch.
Saarenpaa motions for Miller to come forward. Saarenpaa throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Saarenpaa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Miller was well out of range. Poor timing from Saarenpaa.
Miller checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Miller lands a nice leg kick that just misses Saarenpaa's sensitive parts.
Saarenpaa scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Saarenpaa blocks a low kick nicely.
Saarenpaa scores with a nice head shot.
Miller is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slow jab from Saarenpaa misses its intended target.
Saarenpaa looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Saarenpaa lands a nice leg kick that just misses Miller's sensitive parts.
Miller tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Saarenpaa is able to avoid easily.
Saarenpaa is looking for the big counter here.
Miller looks to land a left hand but Saarenpaa moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller throws a big shot that misses.
Miller tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Saarenpaa manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Saarenpaa throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Saarenpaa connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Saarenpaa keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Saarenpaa is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Miller with a body shot.
Miller throws a chopping leg kick but Saarenpaa manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Miller pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Saarenpaa swings for the body but Miller moves out of range.
Saarenpaa lands a nice looking body kick.
Saarenpaa moves out of range as Miller strikes.
Miller tries to clinch up
and Saarenpaa makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Miller misses with a left hand
and Saarenpaa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Saarenpaa moves out of range as Miller strikes.
Saarenpaa wants to counter with a clinch but Miller pushes him away.
Miller pivots, looking for a leg kick but Saarenpaa is out of range and Miller settles back down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Miller is out of range.
Miller connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Saarenpaa misses with a straight left.
Saarenpaa throws a right hand that Miller ducks under and follows up with a left that Miller also avoids with ease.
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!
Saarenpaa ducks under a wild hook from Miller.
Miller moves in looking to clinch but Saarenpaa pushes him off.
Saarenpaa let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Miller misses with an uppercut.
Miller misses the jab.
Miller lands a nice shot that snaps Saarenpaa's head back.
Saarenpaa lands a glancing blow to the side of Miller's head.
Miller swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Miller attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Miller misses with a right hand
and Saarenpaa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Miller throws the kick towards the body but Saarenpaa avoids it.
Saarenpaa looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Miller throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Saarenpaa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Miller explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
The fighters circle momentarily. Saarenpaa darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Miller fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Miller wants to clinch up but Saarenpaa keeps it at a distance.
Saarenpaa lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Miller wants to land a leg kick but Saarenpaa is out of range.
Saarenpaa now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Miller avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Miller half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Miller takes a jab right on the kisser.
Saarenpaa getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Miller fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Miller closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saarenpaa wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miller slips a nice elbow through Saarenpaa's hands, connecting with Saarenpaa's forehead.
Miller stalling away here and it's allowed Saarenpaa to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Miller trying to control the position from guard on top but Saarenpaa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Saarenpaa wants to stand up but Miller is controlling him.
Miller missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Miller postures up in Saarenpaa's guard and throws a big left but Saarenpaa blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mika Saarenpaa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mika Saarenpaa!
An out of breath Mika Saarenpaa thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.