PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Atte Savitaipale (ranked 455 p4p, 57 weight class) and Marco Ajax (ranked 505 p4p, 68 weight class). Savitaipale kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Roger Whittaker - Finnish Whistler. Ajax is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by For Heavy Metal we will die!. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Savitaipale
vs
Ajax

177 cm
29
160 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

160 cm
39
158 lbs
39 - 21 - 1

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

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 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Atte Savitaipale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 39 - 21 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Marco Ajax!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Savitaipale does it's job there.
Savitaipale 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.
Savitaipale blocks a low kick nicely.
Ajax tries to score with a low kick but Savitaipale moves his leg out of the way.
A cross from Savitaipale lands.
Ajax throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Savitaipale stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Savitaipale bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Ajax is working to avoid the ground and pound but Savitaipale connects with a decent elbow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ajax gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Ajax wants to get back to full guard.
Savitaipale working Ajax over with strikes.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Ajax makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ajax.
Savitaipale works over Ajax with some ground and pound from guard.
Ajax is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Ajax is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ajax tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Savitaipale scoring with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ajax is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Savitaipale content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Savitaipale content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Savitaipale connects with a couple of short punches.
Savitaipale won't allow Ajax to sweep him here.
Savitaipale lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Ajax is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Ajax not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Savitaipale is looking to improve his position.
Savitaipale is pressing down on Ajax's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Savitaipale is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ajax wants to sweep here but Savitaipale controlling him for the moment.
Ajax is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Savitaipale passes into half guard.
Ajax wants to get back to full guard.
Ajax works his way to full guard. Good work.
Savitaipale makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Savitaipale scoring with some ground and pound.
Savitaipale trying to control the position from guard on top but Ajax is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Savitaipale is really struggling to control Ajax but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ajax manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Savitaipale manages to get himself to full guard.

Ajax landing some decent shots from guard.
Ajax is working Savitaipale over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Savitaipale has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ajax can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Savitaipale is looking for a triangle but Ajax pushes his legs off easily.
Savitaipale looking for a sweep. Not yet Savitaipale, not yet.
Savitaipale will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Savitaipale looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Savitaipale lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Savitaipale scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ajax tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Ajax working for a triangle but Savitaipale defends it easily.
Savitaipale preventing the sweep.
Savitaipale working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ajax's head.
Savitaipale postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Savitaipale wants to control from the top but Ajax keeps moving.
Savitaipale postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Ajax looking to hit a scissor sweep but Savitaipale is one step ahead there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Savitaipale working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ajax's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ajax is on top in guard.

Savitaipale working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ajax doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ajax manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Atte Savitaipale dominated that round.
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.

Savitaipale misses with an uppercut.
Ajax moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Savitaipale scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ajax in his tracks.
Savitaipale throws a looping overhand right but Ajax ducks down to avoid it.
Savitaipale misses with a hook.
Savitaipale moves out of range of the body kick from Ajax.
Savitaipale throws a jab but it's blocked by Ajax.
Savitaipale misses with a right hand

and Ajax counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Savitaipale!
Ajax looks up at the clock and then as Savitaipale takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Ajax smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Savitaipale is looking to regain half guard here but Ajax keeps moving and retains side control.
Check out the look on Ajax's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ajax is looking to take a break and control but Savitaipale is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Savitaipale is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Ajax off and has taken his back!

Savitaipale working for a choke but Ajax is defending well.
Savitaipale gets his hands free as Ajax looks to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ajax rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ajax manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Ajax is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Savitaipale defends well.
Ajax looking for a sweep. Not yet Ajax, not yet.
Savitaipale scoring with some ground and pound.
Ajax has momentary wrist control but Savitaipale slips an elbow through the middle.

Ajax throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ajax is on top in guard.

Atte Savitaipale overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ajax's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savitaipale is trying to keep Ajax in close.
Ajax cracks Savitaipale with a solid left hand.
Ajax scoring with punches to the head and body.
Savitaipale wants to sweep but no luck.
Ajax advances to half guard.
Savitaipale is trying to get back to full guard.
Ajax is trying to control. Savitaipale wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Savitaipale is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Savitaipale makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Savitaipale.
Ajax stands up over Savitaipale, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Ajax is working Savitaipale over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ajax preventing the sweep.

Savitaipale throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Ajax escapes and throws Savitaipale's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Check out the look on Ajax's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Ajax working the head with strikes.
Savitaipale is trying to get back to half guard.
Ajax landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Savitaipale wants to control but Ajax postures up.
Ajax is putting a hurting on Savitaipale here, landing some big shots from side control.
Ajax wants to control but Savitaipale is keeping him busy.
Savitaipale is looking to reverse the position.
Ajax has knee on belly and moves into mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savitaipale in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Ajax working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Savitaipale is desperately trying to improve his position but Ajax has a good base and remains in mount.
Ajax with shots to the head and body - Savitaipale looks very uncomfortable down there.
Savitaipale can't escape the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ajax takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Savitaipale tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Savitaipale tries to hold on but Ajax postures up.
Ajax prevents Savitaipale from getting the reversal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Ajax showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Ajax blocks a jab.
Ajax uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Savitaipale.
Ajax uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Savitaipale.

Savitaipale looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Ajax tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ajax keeps trying to improve his position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Savitaipale accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Savitaipale trying to control the position from guard on top but Ajax is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ajax bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Savitaipale's guard.

Savitaipale is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ajax is pushing down on Savitaipale's leg trying to pass to half guard. Savitaipale is fighting to maintain full guard but Ajax has managed to sneak the leg through.

Savitaipale looking for submissions off his back.

Savitaipale looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savitaipale is looking to improve his position.
Savitaipale taking some punishment here, with Ajax in his half guard.
Savitaipale trying to get back to full guard but Ajax takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Ajax can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Savitaipale is looking to escape.
Savitaipale slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Savitaipale wants to improve his position but Ajax is controlling well.
Ajax wants to take a breather but Savitaipale is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ajax trying to control the pace.
Savitaipale is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ajax scores with a couple of nice shots.
Savitaipale is looking to control Ajax's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Savitaipale avoid being mounted?
Ajax drops an elbow to the side of Savitaipale's head.
Ajax working over Savitaipale with some ground and pound. Savitaipale looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Savitaipale looking for submissions off his back.
Ground and pound from Ajax.
Savitaipale is trying to get back to full guard.
Ajax is trying to control. Savitaipale wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ajax lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Ajax stalling.
Savitaipale is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Ajax jumps into side control!
Savitaipale is not content to let Ajax control the position.
Savitaipale tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ajax wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Ajax trying to control the position but Savitaipale is working away.
Ajax in side control lands a decent elbow.
Ajax is putting a hurting on Savitaipale here, landing some big shots from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ajax lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Savitaipale down.
Savitaipale tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ajax wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Ajax is staying tight to Savitaipale's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Savitaipale is looking to regain half guard here but Ajax keeps moving and retains side control.
Ajax has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ajax lands an elbow.
Savitaipale is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Ajax off and has taken his back!
Ajax wants to control his opponent's hands but Savitaipale gets his hands free.
Ajax turns into Savitaipale and is now in his guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Savitaipale is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Ajax is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Ajax scoring with some ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marco Ajax comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ajax 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marco Ajax!
Marco Ajax was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.
The defeated Atte Savitaipale had this to say: 'Better man won..Respect to him!Gonna choke him back stage..'.