PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ryu Musashi (ranked 803 p4p, 110 weight class) and Mika Saarenpaa (ranked 446 p4p, 70 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Musashi
vs
Saarenpaa

179 cm
36
172 lbs
28 - 17 - 1

183 cm
38
170 lbs
39 - 16 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

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 28 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ryu Musashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 39 - 16 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mika Saarenpaa!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saarenpaa pivots, looking for a leg kick but Musashi is out of range and Saarenpaa settles back down.

Musashi fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Saarenpaa, pushing him back against the cage.
Musashi fails to pull guard.
Musashi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Musashi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Saarenpaa lands with a right to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Musashi.
Musashi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Saarenpaa gets through Musashi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Musashi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Musashi tries to throw a body punch but Saarenpaa avoids it by throwing Musashi back against the cage.
Musashi has a couple of punches blocked by Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Saarenpaa fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Saarenpaa fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Musashi lands a hook that snaps the head of Saarenpaa backwards.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Musashi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Musashi scores with a shot to the side of Saarenpaa's head.
Musashi misses with a punch on the inside.
Musashi's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Musashi lands a shot to the body.
Musashi works on Saarenpaa's body with a couple of short punches.
Saarenpaa lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Musashi backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from Musashi.
Saarenpaa misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Saarenpaa misses with the head strike.
Saarenpaa misses with the head strike.
Musashi swings wildly with an uppercut but Saarenpaa uses good head movement to avoid it.

Musashi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Saarenpaa misses with the head strike.
Saarenpaa misses with a short punch on the inside.
Musashi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right from Musashi.
Saarenpaa misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Saarenpaa misses with some punches.
Saarenpaa misses with the head strike.

Musashi pulls guard successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Musashi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Saarenpaa doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Saarenpaa manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Musashi is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Saarenpaa defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Musashi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Saarenpaa defends it easily.

Musashi is looking for a triangle here but Saarenpaa uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Saarenpaa stands up and beckons Musashi to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Musashi tries to clinch but Saarenpaa is having none of it.
Saarenpaa keeps the fight on the outside.
Musashi works the jab nicely.

Saarenpaa gets tackled into the cage by Musashi. Musashi maintains the clinch.
A short right from Musashi.
Saarenpaa blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa tries to throw a body punch but Musashi avoids it by throwing Saarenpaa back against the cage.
Musashi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Saarenpaa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Saarenpaa lands a slapping body shot.
Musashi 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.
We've been told by Musashi's head coaches at LOD:Top Team that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Musashi rushes Saarenpaa and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Saarenpaa lands a shoulder strike.
A short left from Saarenpaa.
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 tries a body shot but Musashi blocks it.
Musashi tries to throw a body punch but Saarenpaa avoids it by throwing Musashi back against the cage.
Saarenpaa misses with the head strike.

Musashi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mika Saarenpaa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Saarenpaa avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Musashi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Saarenpaa walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Musashi checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Musashi throws a quick counter kick to the body but Saarenpaa avoids it.
Musashi 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 solid leg kick but Musashi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa misses with a kick to the body.
Saarenpaa lands a nice looking body shot.

Musashi clinches with his opponent.
Musashi lands a hook that snaps the head of Saarenpaa backwards.
Musashi working aggressively here.
Musashi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Saarenpaa tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Musashi's elbow.
Musashi lands with a left to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Musashi.
Saarenpaa lands a left hand.
Saarenpaa lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Musashi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Musashi throws a head punch that misses.
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 Ryu Musashi will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Crunch! Saarenpaa slams his shin into Musashi's torso.
A telegraphed right hand from Musashi misses the target.
Saarenpaa looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Musashi tries to clinch up.
Musashi throws a head kick but Saarenpaa moves out of range.
Musashi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Saarenpaa paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Saarenpaa lands a leg kick that knocks Musashi off balance momentarily.
Saarenpaa scores with a head kick. Musashi tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Saarenpaa connects with a jab.

Musashi moves into the clinch successfully.
Musashi lands a body punch in the clinch.
Musashi takes a shot to the head.
Saarenpaa working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Saarenpaa tries to throw a body punch but Musashi avoids it by throwing Saarenpaa back against the cage.
Musashi lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Musashi ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Musashi no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Saarenpaa controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Saarenpaa preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Musashi looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Saarenpaa passes into half guard.
Saarenpaa prevents Musashi from improving his position.
Saarenpaa is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Musashi wants to control but Saarenpaa is keeping busy.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Musashi trying to hold on to Saarenpaa's head to control him but Saarenpaa postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Musashi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Saarenpaa pulls his head out easily.
Musashi is trying to control but Saarenpaa manages to pass to mount!
Musashi manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Musashi looking for submissions off his back.
Musashi has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Saarenpaa is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Musashi is trying to get back to full guard.

Musashi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Musashi trying to control from the bottom.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Musashi is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Saarenpaa lands with a slapping head kick.
Saarenpaa fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Musashi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Musashi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Saarenpaa delivers a nice body kick.
Musashi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Musashi 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.
Musashi slips under a jab.
Musashi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Saarenpaa swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Saarenpaa circles away from the clinch attempt.
Saarenpaa lands a nice shot that snaps Musashi's head back.
Musashi tries to clinch up
and Musashi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Saarenpaa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Musashi manages to avoid it.
Musashi is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Musashi wants to clinch but Saarenpaa slips to the side
and Saarenpaa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Saarenpaa throws a shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saarenpaa lands a nice leg kick that just misses Musashi's sensitive parts.
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! Musashi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Saarenpaa.
Musashi moves to clinch but Saarenpaa breaks away
and Saarenpaa counters with a nice uppercut.
Musashi lands with a straight right. Saarenpaa didn't see that one coming.
The fight stays on the outside here - Musashi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Musashi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Musashi tries to close the distance and clinch but Saarenpaa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Saarenpaa throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Saarenpaa scores with a sloppy right hand. Musashi should have avoided that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saarenpaa stuns Musashi with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Musashi gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Saarenpaa is trying to force a seperation but Musashi has the dominant position.

Saarenpaa breaks from the clinch.
Musashi tries to clinch but Saarenpaa is having none of it.
Saarenpaa is trying to counter with his kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saarenpaa chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Musashi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Saarenpaa paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Musashi gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Musashi throws a head punch that misses.
Musashi lands with a short shot to the head.
Saarenpaa lands a left hand.
Musashi lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Saarenpaa or not.

Saarenpaa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Saarenpaa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Saarenpaa keeps the fight on the outside.
Musashi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Musashi wants to clinch up but Saarenpaa keeps it at a distance.
Saarenpaa tries a head kick but it misses.
Musashi tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Saarenpaa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Musashi wants to clinch.
Saarenpaa throws a wild body kick that Musashi sees coming a mile off.
Saarenpaa lunges at Musashi with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Musashi's hand.
Musashi tries to close the distance and clinch but Saarenpaa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Musashi tries to clinch but Saarenpaa moves out of range.
Good leg kick by Saarenpaa there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Musashi walks forward, straight into a front kick from Saarenpaa.

Musashi clinches.
Saarenpaa blocking some punches.
Saarenpaa misses with a hook to the ribs.
Musashi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saarenpaa's elbow.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Musashi.
Saarenpaa blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Saarenpaa breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa swats away the attempt to clinch by Musashi.
Musashi doesn't manage to clinch there - Saarenpaa circles away.
Musashi fails with an attempt to clinch.
Saarenpaa keeps the fight on the outside.
Saarenpaa fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A head kick misses from Saarenpaa.
Musashi tries to clinch up but Saarenpaa circles away and keeps his distance.
Musashi moves out of range as Saarenpaa throws a body kick.
Saarenpaa pushes Musashi away with a front kick.
Musashi tries to close the distance and clinch but Saarenpaa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Saarenpaa lands a nice shot to the body.
Musashi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Saarenpaa looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Musashi 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Musashi tries to clinch but Saarenpaa is having none of it.
Musashi is looking to clinch.
Saarenpaa scores with a spinning back kick!
Saarenpaa fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Saarenpaa swats away the attempt to clinch by Musashi.
Musashi is looking to clinch but Saarenpaa is avoiding it.
Saarenpaa throws an off balance right hand
and Musashi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Musashi tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Saarenpaa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Mika Saarenpaa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Musashi drives through and clinches with Saarenpaa against the cage.
Saarenpaa tries a body shot but Musashi blocks it.
Saarenpaa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Musashi backwards.
Musashi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous 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.