PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sairanix Lokren (ranked 1378 p4p, 183 weight class) and Mika Saarenpaa (ranked 972 p4p, 125 weight class). Lokren's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Beast. This should be fireworks!

Lokren
vs
Saarenpaa

183 cm
31
179 lbs
22 - 12 - 1

183 cm
37
170 lbs
34 - 16 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

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 22 - 12 - 1, fighting out of New York, Sairanix Lokren!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 16 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mika Saarenpaa!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Frank Dennis and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saarenpaa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lokren.
A big right from Lokren misses.
Saarenpaa thumps Lokren with a low kick.
Lokren misses with a looping right.
Lokren takes one on the button.
Saarenpaa throws a solid leg kick but Lokren takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Saarenpaa.
Lokren cracks Saarenpaa with an open hand slap.
A big right from Lokren misses.
Saarenpaa takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Lokren throws a hook but Saarenpaa blocks it.
Lokren pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Lokren scores with a jab.
A slow jab from Saarenpaa misses its intended target.
Lokren takes a swing at Saarenpaa's ribcage but misses.
Lokren throws a looping overhand right but Saarenpaa ducks down to avoid it.
Saarenpaa looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Saarenpaa walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saarenpaa slips a straight right by Lokren.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saarenpaa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Saarenpaa lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Lokren at a distance.
Lokren is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Saarenpaa throws a body shot but no joy.
A jab from Lokren misses.
Lokren bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Saarenpaa moves out of range of the strikes.
The fighters circling - Saarenpaa throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Good standup being displayed there by Lokren as he connects with a hook.
Lokren keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Lokren throws a right hand that misses
letting Saarenpaa counter with a right hand.
Lokren misses with a left hand
and Saarenpaa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Saarenpaa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Saarenpaa steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Lokren throws a right hand that misses
and Saarenpaa counters with a thumping low kick.
Saarenpaa moves out of range of the strikes.
Saarenpaa flicks out a counter leg kick but Lokren steps away.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Saarenpaa, as that shot connected.
Lokren tries to move into range but Saarenpaa moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
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!
Lokren rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Saarenpaa counters with a stiff right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Saarenpaa lands a nice shot to the body.
Saarenpaa has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
A left and a right from Lokren both land. Nice combination.
A jab from Lokren misses.
Saarenpaa fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Saarenpaa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A punch lands to the side of Lokren 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Lokren moves out of range of the body kick from Saarenpaa.
No joy there for Lokren, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A jab from Lokren does it's job there.
Lokren misses with a hook. Saarenpaa ducked under it nicely.
Lokren avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Jab by Lokren.
Saarenpaa throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Saarenpaa walks into a straight right hand from Lokren.
A jab from Saarenpaa misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Lokren misses.
Saarenpaa throws a body shot but no joy.
Lokren misses with a hook
and Saarenpaa counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Lokren thinking.
Lokren swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lokren swings widly with a right hand
and Saarenpaa counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Lokren thinking.
Saarenpaa ducks under a wild hook from Lokren.
Lokren misses with a body shot
and Saarenpaa counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Lokren just misses with a punch to the body.
Lokren throws a nice looking combination but Saarenpaa bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Saarenpaa with a jab.
Lokren on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Saarenpaa is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Lokren had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Saarenpaa lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Saarenpaa.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saarenpaa misses with an uppercut.
Lokren throws a right hand that misses
and Saarenpaa counters with a nice uppercut.
Lokren takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Nice defenses there by Lokren.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lokren throws a poor cross that misses
and Saarenpaa counters with a straight right hand.
Saarenpaa slips under a jab.
Saarenpaa ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Saarenpaa misses with a straight right.
The fighters circling - Lokren throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Saarenpaa misses with a series of wild punches.
Lokren misses with a wild body shot.
Lokren takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Lokren misses with a hook.
Lokren misses with a straight left.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Saarenpaa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Saarenpaa throws a low kick, looking for Lokren's leg but Lokren calmly moves out of range.
Lokren is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Saarenpaa.
The crowd cheers as Saarenpaa lands an impressive looking overhand right. Lokren doesn't seem phased though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mika Saarenpaa dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Lokren misses with an uppercut. Saarenpaa saw that one coming.
Lokren throws a hook but Saarenpaa blocks it.
Lokren checks the leg kick.
Mika Saarenpaa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lokren throws a hook but Saarenpaa blocks it.
Lokren throws a looping overhand right but Saarenpaa ducks down to avoid it.
Saarenpaa misses with a lunging right hand
and Lokren makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Saarenpaa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Lokren might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Saarenpaa connects with a crisp jab.
Lokren throws a lazy right hand but Saarenpaa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Saarenpaa avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lokren throws a sloppy body shot
and Saarenpaa counters with a straight right hand.
Saarenpaa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lokren manages to avoid it.
Lokren misses the body punch
and Saarenpaa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A big left from Lokren misses.
Lokren throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Saarenpaa sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saarenpaa throws a big shot that misses.
Saarenpaa sizes up Lokren with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Saarenpaa moves away from the strike by Lokren.
Lokren throws a jab when Saarenpaa was well out of range.
Saarenpaa slips a straight right by Lokren.
Saarenpaa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Saarenpaa moves out of range as Lokren strikes.
Lokren misses with a two punch combination.
Saarenpaa looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Saarenpaa connects with an inside leg kick.
Lokren throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Saarenpaa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Saarenpaa throws a series of punches but Lokren avoids them all with ease.
Saarenpaa throws a low kick but Lokren moves out of range easily.
Saarenpaa feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Lokrens jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
A jab from Lokren misses.
A chopping leg kick lands by Saarenpaa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa scores with a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lokren misses with a lunging right hand
and Saarenpaa counters with a thumping low kick.
Saarenpaa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lokren.
Saarenpaa throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Lokren throws a hook but Saarenpaa blocks it.
Lokren misses with a hook. Saarenpaa ducked under it nicely.
Saarenpaa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Saarenpaa throws a low kick but Lokren moves out of range easily.
Saarenpaa will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A slow jab from Lokren misses its intended target.
Lokren throws a lazy uppercut
and Saarenpaa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Lokren lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Saarenpaa at a distance.
Lokren throws a jab when Saarenpaa was well out of range.
Saarenpaa looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Lokren connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Saarenpaa's hands.
Saarenpaa ducks right into an uppercut from Lokren.
The crowd cheers as Saarenpaa lands an impressive looking overhand right. Lokren doesn't seem phased though.

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 Saarenpaa.
Lokren scores with a jab to the jaw.
Saarenpaa looks to land a left hand but Lokren moved out of range nicely.
Saarenpaa tries a head kick but it misses.
Lokren looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Saarenpaa cracks the inside of Lokren's front leg.
Lokren scores with a shot to the body.
Saarenpaa tries to land a front kick but Lokren steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A cross from Lokren lands.
Lokren misses with a hook
and Saarenpaa counters with an inside leg kick.
A slow jab from Saarenpaa misses its intended target.
Lokren throws a body shot but no joy.
Lokren throws a hook but Saarenpaa avoids it easily.
Lokren blocks a head kick by Saarenpaa.
Lokren was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Saarenpaa scores with a shot to the body.
Saarenpaa avoids the body shot from Lokren.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lokren.
Saarenpaa scoring well with a low kick there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saarenpaa moves away from the strike by Lokren.
Lokren ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Saarenpaa moves away.
Lokren misses with a hook
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
and Saarenpaa counters with a left and a right that stings Lokren.
Lokren blocks a jab.
Saarenpaa throws a nice inside leg kick.
Lokren throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Jab by Lokren.
Lokren jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Saarenpaa fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Saarenpaa blocks a jab.
Saarenpaa connects with a leg kick. Lokren looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Saarenpaa buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Lokren throws a shot from downtown. Saarenpaa moves away and avoids it.
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.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Lokren throws a right hand that misses
and Saarenpaa counters with a nice uppercut.
Good shot there by Saarenpaa.
Lokren misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Saarenpaa.
It seemed like Saarenpaa was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Lokren lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Lokren is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Saarenpaa looks to score with a jab to the body but Lokren is just out of range.
Lokren misses with a body punch
letting Saarenpaa counter with a right hand.
Lokren misses with a lunging right hand
and Saarenpaa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Lokren lands a slapping body shot.
Saarenpaa lands the left hand.
Saarenpaa misses with the body kick
and Lokren counters with a straight right hand.
Saarenpaa's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Lokren connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Saarenpaa scrambles back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice defenses there by Saarenpaa.
Lokren takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Lokren walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Lokren connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Saarenpaa dips to his left and cracks Lokren with an uppercut!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saarenpaa takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Lokren uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa scores with a decent looking hook.
Saarenpaa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lokren moves out of range of the body kick from Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa misses with an uppercut.
Lokren swings for the body but Saarenpaa moves out of range.
Lokren takes a swing at Saarenpaa's ribcage but misses.
Saarenpaa looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Lokren throws a hook to the side of Saarenpaa's head but Saarenpaa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Despite the aggression on Saarenpaa's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Lokren misses with a wild body shot.
Lokren lands a jab to Saarenpaa's midsection.
A left and a right from Saarenpaa both land. Nice combination.
Saarenpaa fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Lokren is out of range.
A counter left hand to the body from Lokren misses its target.
Lokren misses with a hook. Saarenpaa ducked under it nicely.
A cross from Lokren lands.
Sairanix Lokren has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Lokren.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saarenpaa looks to land a combination. Lokren sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Lokren takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Lokren misses with a left hand
and Saarenpaa counters with a nice low kick that buckles Lokren's knee momentarily.
Lokren ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Saarenpaa moves away.
Saarenpaa looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Lokren misses with an uppercut
enabling Saarenpaa to counter with a crisp jab.
Saarenpaa connects with a crisp jab.
Saarenpaa throws a hook to the side of Lokren's head but Lokren sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Lokren keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lokren lands with a shot to the body.
Saarenpaa dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lokren. That did some damage!
Lokren misses with a two punch combination.
Saarenpaa flicks out a counter leg kick but Lokren steps away.
Lokren throws a lazy uppercut
and Saarenpaa counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Saarenpaa misses with a leg kick
and Lokren counters with a straight right hand.
Mika Saarenpaa is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Lokren misses with an uppercut
and Saarenpaa counters with a nice uppercut.
Saarenpaa on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Lokren swings for the body but Saarenpaa moves out of range.
Saarenpaa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lokren.
Lokren takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Lokren takes a swing at Saarenpaa's ribcage but misses.
Saarenpaa looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Lokren scores with a jab to the jaw.
A jab lands there for Lokren.
Saarenpaa with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A slow jab from Lokren misses its intended target.
Lokren throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lokren throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lokren throws an off balance right hand
and Saarenpaa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lokren swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Saarenpaa counters with an outside leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lokren thows a left - swing and a miss!
Saarenpaa throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Lokren takes one on the button.
A nice leg kick lands there from Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa keeps Lokren at a distance using the push kick.
Lokren throws the left hand but Saarenpaa avoids the punch easily.
A big left from Lokren misses.
Saarenpaa connects with a body shot that sends Lokren's belly button to the back.
Saarenpaa thows a body kick. Lokren tries to catch it but that hurt him.
The crowd cheers as Saarenpaa lands an impressive looking overhand right. Lokren doesn't seem phased though.
Saarenpaa lands with a slapping head kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Saarenpaa scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Saarenpaa connects with a nice looking jab.
Saarenpaa lands a really nice looking cross but Lokren seems unphased.
Saarenpaa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mika Saarenpaa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Saarenpaa has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30

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.