PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mika Saarenpaa (ranked 624 p4p, 82 weight class) and Alessandro Rizzuto (ranked 1670 p4p, 194 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Saarenpaa
vs
Rizzuto

183 cm
40
170 lbs
44 - 20 - 2

185 cm
28
181 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent 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 44 - 20 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mika Saarenpaa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alessandro Rizzuto!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Lou da Vinci and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rizzuto throws a right and a left that Saarenpaa avoids nicely.
Saarenpaa bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Saarenpaa cracks a nice hook into Rizzuto's ribs.
Saarenpaa with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Rizzuto scores with a punch to the head.

Saarenpaa takes the fight into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Saarenpaa fails to land.
Saarenpaa scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rizzuto lands a right hand.
Saarenpaa taking a breather.
Saarenpaa tries a body shot but Rizzuto blocks it.
A body shot lands from Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Rizzuto or not.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Saarenpaa lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Saarenpaa works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Rizzuto misses with a short punch on the inside.

Saarenpaa manages to break the clinch.
Rizzuto 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.
Rizzuto is looking to land body kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Saarenpaa there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Saarenpaa lands an overhand right.
Saarenpaa changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Saarenpaa lands with a cross.
Saarenpaa throws a shot from downtown. Rizzuto moves away and avoids it.
Rizzuto rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Saarenpaa moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rizzuto throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Saarenpaa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Saarenpaa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rizzuto.
Rizzuto chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Saarenpaa can pounce on him.
Saarenpaa connects with a solid leg kick.
Saarenpaa connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Rizzuto's hands.
Saarenpaa throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Rizzuto's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Saarenpaa clinches.
Saarenpaa is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Saarenpaa with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rizzuto blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Saarenpaa misses with a body punch.
Rizzuto blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Saarenpaa misses with a hook to the ribs.
Saarenpaa tries a body shot but Rizzuto blocks it.
Saarenpaa lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rizzuto backwards.
Rizzuto using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Saarenpaa has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Saarenpaa working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Saarenpaa struggles to land a body shot inside as Rizzuto controls his hands.
A head punch on the inside from Saarenpaa fails to land.
Rizzuto lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Rizzuto goes for a takedown attempt but Saarenpaa pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Saarenpaa scores with a nice head shot.
A nice inside leg kick there by Saarenpaa. That's going to slow Rizzuto down.
Mika Saarenpaa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rizzuto uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Saarenpaa.
Rizzuto is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rizzuto throws a head kick that misses.
Rizzuto misses with a left hand
enabling Saarenpaa to counter with a crisp jab.
Saarenpaa throws out a leg kick but Rizzuto moves out of range and Saarenpaa only half commits.
Rizzuto missing with a left hand there. Saarenpaa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rizzuto throws a big shot that misses.
Rizzuto lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Saarenpaa circles away quickly and effectively.
A jab from Saarenpaa does it's job there.
Saarenpaa is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.

Saarenpaa gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rizzuto misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rizzuto throws a head punch that misses.
Rizzuto tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Saarenpaa avoids it.
Saarenpaa misses with a hook from the clinch.
Saarenpaa tries to work over Rizzuto's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rizzuto throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Saarenpaas head.
Saarenpaa pushes Rizzuto back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rizzuto blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Saarenpaa lands with a left 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!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rizzuto.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa tries to throw a body punch but Rizzuto avoids it by throwing Saarenpaa back against the cage.
Saarenpaa has a couple of punches blocked by Rizzuto.
Saarenpaa can't find room to land a body shot as Rizzuto controls the action.
Saarenpaa avoiding damage as Rizzuto throws knees to the body.
Saarenpaa tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rizzuto's elbow.
Saarenpaa is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Saarenpaa misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Saarenpaa lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Rizzuto or not.
Saarenpaa scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Saarenpaa lands a body shot in the clinch.
Saarenpaa tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Still in the clinch, Rizzuto scores with a nice short uppercut.
Saarenpaa digs a right hand into Rizzuto's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Rizzuto's gas tank.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Saarenpaa scores with a shoulder strike.
Saarenpaa lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rizzuto backwards.
Saarenpaa blocks an uppercut.
Saarenpaa blocks a punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mika Saarenpaa dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rizzuto misses with a body shot.
Mika Saarenpaa is winning the standup battle so far.
Rizzuto looks to land a right hand but Saarenpaa moved out of range.
Saarenpaa lands a jab to the head.
An inside leg kick from Rizzuto misses.
Crunch! Saarenpaa slams his shin into Rizzuto's torso.

Saarenpaa gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Saarenpaa stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Rizzuto working aggressively here.
Rizzuto goes for a takedown attempt but Saarenpaa pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rizzuto moves out of range as Saarenpaa strikes.

Saarenpaa gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Saarenpaa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rizzuto can do to turn this around?
Rizzuto won't allow Saarenpaa to get back to his feet.
Rizzuto works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rizzuto is looking for a kimura but Saarenpaa is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rizzuto to get the leverage.
Rizzuto wants to take a breather but Saarenpaa is having none of it.
Rizzuto takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rizzuto is looking to stall here but Saarenpaa recovers full guard.
Rizzuto controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Rizzuto scoring with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Rizzuto makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Saarenpaa preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rizzuto throws a big elbow that misses.
Rizzuto stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Saarenpaa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Saarenpaa is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rizzuto is controlling him.
Rizzuto throwing strikes but missing.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Rizzuto wants to control from the top but Saarenpaa keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rizzuto connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rizzuto steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Saarenpaa.
Nice defenses there by Rizzuto.
Rizzuto tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Saarenpaa throws a hook but Rizzuto blocks it.
Rizzuto throws a lazy right hand but Saarenpaa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rizzuto misses with a straight right.
Rizzuto throws an off balance right hand
and Saarenpaa counters with a right hand to the body.
Saarenpaa tries to clinch but Rizzuto is having none of it.
Saarenpaa ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Saarenpaa takes one to the chin there.
Rizzuto bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rizzuto catches Saarenpaa with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Saarenpaa scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Rizzuto missing with a left hand there. Saarenpaa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Saarenpaa is looking to counter punch.
Saarenpaa tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rizzuto manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Saarenpaa thuds a left hand into Rizzuto's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rizzuto lands a slapping body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saarenpaa's corner calls for a 1-2. Saarenpaa obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Rizzuto with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Saarenpaa counter with a right hand.
Rizzuto tries to move into range but Saarenpaa moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A nice leg kick lands there from Saarenpaa.
Some wild striking there from Rizzuto.
Saarenpaa connects with a right hand. Rizzuto shakes it off.
Saarenpaa scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rizzuto in his tracks.
Saarenpaa throws a nice inside leg kick.
Saarenpaa bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Rizzuto takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Saarenpaa avoids the head kick by Rizzuto.
Rizzuto connects with an inside leg kick.
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 Mika Saarenpaa will probably get the nod.
That's time! Saarenpaa's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Rizzuto has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Rizzuto takes one to the chin there.
Rizzuto takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Saarenpaa throws a low kick but it's checked well by Rizzuto.
Rizzuto connects with a crisp jab.
Rizzuto uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Saarenpaa.
A jab from Rizzuto misses.
Saarenpaa wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Saarenpaa throws a low kick but it's checked well by Rizzuto.
Rizzuto looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Saarenpaa dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rizzuto lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Rizzuto missing with a left hand there. Saarenpaa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rizzuto throws a leg kick that misses.
Saarenpaa throws a left and a right that both miss
and Rizzuto counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saarenpaa drops his hands momentarily and Rizzuto takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Rizzuto tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saarenpaa throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rizzuto on the side of the head.
That kick from Saarenpaa tenderised Rizzuto's leg. Rizzuto is trying to keep his angry face on.
Rizzuto thows a leg kick but Saarenpaa checks it
and Saarenpaa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Saarenpaa scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Rizzuto takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Saarenpaa walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Rizzuto checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Rizzuto takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Some bone on bone action there as Saarenpaa checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Saarenpaa feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rizzuto's calf.
Saarenpaa throws a leg kick which misses Rizzuto's front leg but catches the back leg as Rizzuto tries to avoid it.
Rizzuto throws a body kick that misses.
Rizzuto takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A jab from Saarenpaa does it's job there.
Rizzuto has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rizzuto throws a head kick but Saarenpaa moves out of range.
Saarenpaa lands a nice looking body shot.
Alessandro Rizzuto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Rizzuto misses the target.
Saarenpaa connects with a looping right hand.

Rizzuto shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Saarenpaa manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Saarenpaa pushes Rizzuto off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Rizzuto throws an overhand right that lands on Saarenpaa's shoulder, as Saarenpaa tries to avoid the shot.
Saarenpaa throws a nice inside leg kick.
Saarenpaa with a nice cross.
Rizzuto throws a hook but Saarenpaa blocks it.
Saarenpaa lands the left hand.
Rizzuto thows a leg kick but Saarenpaa checks it
and Saarenpaa counters with a stiff right hand.
Saarenpaa feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rizzuto's calf.
A solid leg kick lands there for Saarenpaa.
A telegraphed right hand from Rizzuto misses the target.
Mika Saarenpaa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa misses with a body kick.
Saarenpaa takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Rizzuto throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Saarenpaa lands a nice looking body shot.
Rizzuto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rizzuto digs a good body shot into Saarenpaa's ribs.
Saarenpaa slips under a jab.
Rizzuto throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Saarenpaa lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rizzuto at a distance.
Rizzuto looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Saarenpaa scores with the left hand. Rizzuto knows he should have avoided that one.
Rizzuto throws a head kick but Saarenpaa moves out of range.
Saarenpaa feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Saarenpaa moves out of range of the strikes.
Rizzuto takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saarenpaa connects with a right hand. Rizzuto shakes it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa misses with a body kick.
Saarenpaa takes a jab right on the kisser.
A low kick from Rizzuto is predictable there
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Saarenpaa works the jab nicely.
Rizzuto takes one to the chin there.
Saarenpaa lands a really nice looking cross but Rizzuto seems unphased.
Saarenpaa lands a jab.
Saarenpaa connects with a right hand. Rizzuto shakes it off.
Saarenpaa throws a right and a left that Rizzuto avoids nicely.
Saarenpaa connects with a leg kick. Rizzuto looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rizzuto tries to land a front kick but Saarenpaa steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Rizzuto moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Rizzuto misses with a lunging right hand
and Saarenpaa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mika Saarenpaa showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Saarenpaa, 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:27
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mika Saarenpaa!
Our winner, Mika Saarenpaa, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.