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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mika Saarenpaa (ranked 462 p4p, 65 weight class) and Troy Hooper (ranked 844 p4p, 119 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.
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| 183 cm
42
170 lbs
48 - 21 - 2 |
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180 cm
37
175 lbs
28 - 14 - 2 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
48 - 21 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mika Saarenpaa!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
28 - 14 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Troy Hooper!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Joseph Jones and Eddie Farnsworth.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hooper looks to score with a jab to the body but Saarenpaa is just out of range.
Saarenpaa throws a body punch but Hooper moves out of range.
Hooper scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Saarenpaa ducks under a wild hook from Hooper.
It looked like Saarenpaa was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Hooper.
Hooper throws a hook to the side of Saarenpaa's head but Saarenpaa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hooper scores with a shot to the body.
Hooper misses with a double jab.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Hooper checks a leg kick.
Saarenpaa throws the kick towards the body but Hooper avoids it.
Saarenpaa ducks under a wild hook from Hooper.
Hooper dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Donk. Hooper catches Saarenpaa right on the button with a cross.
Good exchange - Hooper coming out on top.
Hooper swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Saarenpaa.
Hooper connects with a good right hand that stumbles Saarenpaa. Saarenpaa circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hooper connects with a solid leg kick.
Hooper jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Saarenpaa checks a low kick from Hooper.
An attempted straight right counter from Saarenpaa misses the target.
Hooper gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Saarenpaa counter with a right hand.
Nice body punch from Hooper.
Hooper throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hooper lands a body shot.
Mika Saarenpaa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Saarenpaa gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Hooper.
Saarenpaa throws a looping overhand right but Hooper ducks down to avoid it.
Saarenpaa closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Saarenpaa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hooper.
Saarenpaa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hooper defending well as Saarenpaa loads up on a big left hand.
Saarenpaa takes one to the chin there.
Hooper is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Saarenpaa had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Saarenpaa on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Saarenpaa throws a right and a left that both miss.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hooper takes a swing at Saarenpaa's ribcage but misses.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa missing with a left hand there. Hooper was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hooper connects with a good right hand that stumbles Saarenpaa. Saarenpaa circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Hooper checks the leg kick nicely there.
Saarenpaa moves out of range of the strikes.
Saarenpaa walks into a straight right hand from Hooper.
Saarenpaa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hooper.
Saarenpaa lunges at Hooper with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hooper's hand.
A thudding body kick lands there by Hooper!
Hooper throws a hook but Saarenpaa avoids it easily.
Hooper jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hooper scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nice cross by Saarenpaa.
Hooper throws an overhand right that lands on Saarenpaa's shoulder, as Saarenpaa tries to avoid the shot.
Hooper misses with an uppercut. Saarenpaa saw that one coming.
Saarenpaa half committed to a counter leg kick.
Hooper with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Saarenpaa misses the target.
Hooper throws a hook to the side of Saarenpaa's head but Saarenpaa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Troy Hooper seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fighters circling - Saarenpaa throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hooper misses with a wild body shot.
Hooper tries for a takedown but Saarenpaa circles away easily
and Saarenpaa counters with a nice uppercut.
Saarenpaa missing with a left hand there. Hooper was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hooper cracks Saarenpaa with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hooper throws a right and a left that both miss.
Saarenpaa scores with a one two! Hooper had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
It looks like Troy Hooper has been cut.
Saarenpaa closes the distance and pushes Hooper back into the cage.
Hooper has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Saarenpaa after a bit of a struggle.
Mika Saarenpaa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Troy Hooper.
Hooper misses with a punch on the inside.
Saarenpaa tries to break the clinch but Hooper is controlling the position.
Saarenpaa tries to throw a body punch but Hooper avoids it by throwing Saarenpaa back against the cage.
Saarenpaa is pressed up against the cage. Hooper has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Saarenpaa down to the mat. Saarenpaa avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Saarenpaa looks to throw the jab but Hooper is out of range.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hooper slips a straight right by Saarenpaa.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Saarenpaa. Hooper shrugs it off though.
Saarenpaa scoring well with a low kick there.
Hooper feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Saarenpaa's calf.
Hooper misses with an uppercut.
It looked like Saarenpaa wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Hooper pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Saarenpaa throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hooper swings for the body but Saarenpaa moves out of range.
It appears Saarenpaa was looking to counter with a kick there.
Hooper tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Saarenpaa was well out of range. Poor timing from Hooper.
Hooper misses with a jab to the body
and Saarenpaa connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hooper misses with a hook.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Saarenpaa fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hooper.
Hooper misses with a takedown attempt - Saarenpaa sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Saarenpaa throws a head kick but Hooper moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Troy Hooper dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Troy Hooper's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
A solid body kick from Saarenpaa.
An inside leg kick lands from Hooper.
Saarenpaa ducks under a wild hook from Hooper.
Saarenpaa avoids the body shot from Hooper.
Hooper misses the jab.
Hooper scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Saarenpaa doesn't seem bothered though.
Hooper scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Hooper connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Saarenpaa's hands.
Saarenpaa shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A clash of legs there as Hooper blocks the low kick.
Hooper has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Saarenpaa lands a nice looking kick to the body. Hooper takes a step back to recover.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saarenpaa tries to clinch up.
Hooper jabs Saarenpaa to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Saarenpaa slips under a jab from Hooper.
Hooper throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Saarenpaa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saarenpaa throws a nice head kick!
That's one minute gone in the round.
Saarenpaa lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Hooper thows a left - swing and a miss!
Saarenpaa swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Saarenpaa takes one on the button.
Hooper misses with an uppercut.
A big left from Saarenpaa misses.
Hooper swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Saarenpaa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Saarenpaa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hooper.
Saarenpaa keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hooper.
Hooper darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Hooper scores with a sloppy right hand. Saarenpaa should have avoided that one.
Saarenpaa moves forwards but Hooper connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Saarenpaa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hooper.
A counter left hand to the body from Saarenpaa misses its target.
Saarenpaa wants to clinch up but Hooper keeps it at a distance.
Hooper drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Saarenpaa defends it well.
Hooper misses the jab.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hooper dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Saarenpaa. That did some damage!
Troy Hooper seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hooper throws a leg kick which misses Saarenpaa's front leg but catches the back leg as Saarenpaa tries to avoid it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Saarenpaa takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Saarenpaa listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Hooper digs a good body shot into Saarenpaa's ribs.
Hooper has a takedown stuffed.
Saarenpaa lands a jab to Hooper's midsection.
Saarenpaa defending well as Hooper loads up on a big left hand.
Saarenpaa tries to clinch up but Hooper circles away and keeps his distance.
A head kick misses from Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Saarenpaa on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Hooper misses with a right hand
and Saarenpaa counters with a nice body shot.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hooper jabs at Saarenpaa's body.
Nice sprawl there from Saarenpaa as Hooper shoots in.
Saarenpaa tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hooper manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hooper throws out a counter right but Saarenpaa avoids it with no problem.
Hooper checks a leg kick.
Saarenpaa misses with a straight right.
Saarenpaa's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Saarenpaa duly obliges.
Saarenpaa blocks a head kick by Hooper.
The fighters circling - Saarenpaa throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Saarenpaa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hooper.
A big right from Hooper misses.
As Hooper tries to get set, Saarenpaa tries to push him back and clinch up but Hooper manages to avoid the attempt.
Hooper throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Saarenpaa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hooper throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Saarenpaa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Saarenpaa moves out of range as Hooper strikes.
Hooper tests Saarenpaa's chin there with a solid looking shot.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Saarenpaa is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hooper.
Hooper misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Saarenpaa.
Hooper connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Saarenpaa momentarily.
Hooper lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Hooper fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Saarenpaa manages to avoid it.
Saarenpaa drops his hands momentarily and Hooper takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Hooper misses with a straight right.
Hooper throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Saarenpaa takes a swing at Hooper's ribcage but misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Hooper! But no joy.
Saarenpaa throws a hook but Hooper avoids it easily.
Saarenpaa closes the distance and lands a one-two.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hooper misses with a looping right.
Hooper throws a body shot but no joy.
Hooper looks to score with a jab to the body but Saarenpaa is just out of range.
Hooper avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Troy Hooper will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Troy Hooper's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
A slapping leg kick lands for Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Saarenpaa takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Saarenpaa drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Hooper cracks Saarenpaa with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hooper swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Saarenpaa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Saarenpaa looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Nice body punch from Hooper.
Hooper looks for a takedown but Saarenpaa sprawls well.
It looked like Saarenpaa was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Hooper.
Saarenpaa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hooper.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hooper darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Saarenpaa fails to land with a series of punches.
Hooper throws a good cross that connects.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hooper misses with an uppercut.
Saarenpaa wants to clinch up but Hooper keeps it at a distance.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hooper works the jab nicely.
Saarenpaa misses with a wild body shot.
Hooper paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Hooper shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Saarenpaa but Saarenpaa pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Saarenpaa lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hooper circles away quickly and effectively.
Hooper looks to score with a jab to the body but Saarenpaa is just out of range.
Hooper shoots in looking for a takedown but Saarenpaa manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hooper's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Mika Saarenpaa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Troy Hooper.
Hooper scores with a nice head shot.
Hooper fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Saarenpaa manages to avoid it.
Saarenpaa wants to clinch.
Hooper throws a nice outside leg kick.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa dips to his left and cracks Hooper with an uppercut!
Hooper cracks Saarenpaa with a good jab.
Saarenpaa takes one on the button.
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!
Decent striking displayed by Saarenpaa there.
Hooper misses with a hook.
Saarenpaa appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Hooper misses with a jab, cross combination.
Saarenpaa throws the kick towards the body but Hooper avoids it.
Hooper with a nice cross.
Hooper takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hooper jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Saarenpaa connects with a crisp jab.
Hooper misses the body punch
and Saarenpaa counters with a left to the body.
A slapping body kick lands there for Saarenpaa.
Hooper takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa lands a jab to the nose.
Hooper misses with a hook
letting Saarenpaa counter with a right hand.
Hooper is rocked!
Hooper throws out a loose jab but Saarenpaa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hooper is still on wobbly legs! Can Saarenpaa finish him?
An inside leg kick lands from Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa looks to score with a jab to the body but Hooper is just out of range.
Hooper seems to have recovered his senses.
Saarenpaa defending well as Hooper loads up on a big left hand.
It looked like Saarenpaa wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Hooper throws out a powerful jab.
Hooper misses with an uppercut.
Hooper connects with a crisp jab.
Saarenpaa uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hooper.
Saarenpaa with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Saarenpaa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hooper.
Saarenpaa fires out a quick counter leg kick but Hooper just manages to avoid it.
Hooper pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Saarenpaa with a jab.
Hooper is looking to score with low kicks.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saarenpaa is looking to clinch.
Hooper blocks a head kick by Saarenpaa.
Hooper misses with a hook.
Saarenpaa appears to be looking for a big counter.
Hooper tries to bum rush Saarenpaa with a series of wild strikes but Saarenpaa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hooper throws a front kick aimed at Saarenpaa's knee but Saarenpaa avoids it well.
Hooper with a nice cross.
Saarenpaa moves into the clinch.
Saarenpaa stops a takedown attempt from Hooper.
Saarenpaa misses with a body punch.
Hooper is working for takedown but Saarenpaa is calmly controlling the position for now.
Saarenpaa presses Hooper against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hooper working aggressively here.
Hooper has Saarenpaa pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Saarenpaa manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hooper struggles to land a body shot inside as Saarenpaa controls his hands.
Hooper is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Saarenpaa gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Saarenpaa scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hooper tries for a takedown. No joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but Mika Saarenpaa did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Troy Hooper's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!
Saarenpaa lands a nice looking body shot.
Saarenpaa throws a hook but Hooper blocks it.
No joy there for Saarenpaa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Saarenpaa clinches.
Saarenpaa prevents a takedown attempt there.
Saarenpaa misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa gets underhooks to prevent Hooper's takedown attempt.
Saarenpaa is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Hooper tries to work over Saarenpaa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Saarenpaa throws a head punch that misses.
Saarenpaa has a couple of punches blocked by Hooper.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hooper is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Saarenpaa pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Mika Saarenpaa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Troy Hooper.
Saarenpaa tries to work over Hooper's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hooper blocks the elbow strike.
Saarenpaa can't find room to land a body shot as Hooper controls the action.
Hooper blocks an uppercut.
Hooper breaks from the clinch.
Hooper misses with an uppercut
and Saarenpaa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hooper throws a looping overhand right but Saarenpaa ducks down to avoid it.
Saarenpaa throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hooper lands a jab.
Hooper avoids the head kick by Saarenpaa.
Hooper works Saarenpaa's body with a nice hook.
Saarenpaa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hooper moves away.
Saarenpaa misses with a body kick.
Hooper shoots and misses
and Saarenpaa makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hooper swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hooper looks to land a left hand but Saarenpaa moved out of range nicely.
Hooper rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Saarenpaa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hooper tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Saarenpaa was well out of range. Poor timing from Hooper.
Hooper connects with a body shot that sends Saarenpaa's belly button to the back.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hooper looks to land a combination but Saarenpaa avoids it well.
Hooper looks to throw the jab but Saarenpaa is out of range.
Saarenpaa scores with a jab to the jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saarenpaa cracks Hooper with an open hand slap.
A jab from Hooper misses.
Hooper scores with a jab to the head.
Saarenpaa misses with a body kick.
Saarenpaa throws a leg kick but Hooper sees it coming and moves out of range.
Saarenpaa tried to score with a low kick but Hooper checks it.
Hooper throws a right hand that misses
and Saarenpaa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hooper misses with a hook to the body
and Saarenpaa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Saarenpaa moves out of range as Hooper strikes.
Hooper tries a low kick but Saarenpaa avoids it.
Saarenpaa moves in looking to clinch but Hooper pushes him off.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hooper looks for a takedown but Saarenpaa sprawls well.
Saarenpaa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hooper sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hooper. Saarenpaa does a little dance to reset his feet.
Saarenpaa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hooper.
Hooper slips a jab and a cross from Saarenpaa.
Hooper looks to land a left hand but Saarenpaa moved out of range nicely.
Saarenpaa lands with a nice body punch.
Hooper looks to throw the jab but Saarenpaa is out of range.
Saarenpaa avoids the body shot from Hooper.
Hooper rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Saarenpaa moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hooper tries to bum rush Saarenpaa with a series of wild strikes but Saarenpaa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Saarenpaa closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Hooper is looking to slow Saarenpaa down with leg kicks.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hooper takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hooper swings away with a body shot that misses
and Saarenpaa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hooper swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hooper looks to score with a jab to the body but Saarenpaa is just out of range.
Saarenpaa is looking to counter punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Saarenpaa tries to clinch there but Hooper circles away.
Hooper tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Saarenpaa was well out of range. Poor timing from Hooper.
Saarenpaa keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hooper.
A nice leg kick lands there from Saarenpaa.
Hooper swats away the attempt to clinch by Saarenpaa.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Hooper checks a leg kick.
Saarenpaa thuds a left hand into Hooper's body.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hooper.
Saarenpaa misses with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Mika Saarenpaa had his way with Troy Hooper in that round.
The cut man is working on Troy Hooper's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!
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.
Hooper throws a looping overhand right but Saarenpaa ducks down to avoid it.
Hooper dodges the punch combination from Saarenpaa.
Hooper throws a predictable looking body shot
and Saarenpaa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hooper throws a body punch but Saarenpaa moves out of range.
Hooper swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Saarenpaa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hooper loads up on a big right hand but Saarenpaa slips the punch.
A slow jab from Hooper misses its intended target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saarenpaa misses with a left hand
and Hooper counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Saarenpaa pushes Hooper off and gets back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hooper pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A slapping body kick lands there for Saarenpaa.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hooper waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Saarenpaa.
Hooper avoids the body shot from Saarenpaa.
Hooper walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Saarenpaa misses with a body kick.
Hooper lands a nice hook to Saarenpaa's body. Saarenpaa takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Hooper scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hooper fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Saarenpaa manages to avoid it.
Saarenpaa clinches with his opponent.
Hooper gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Hooper throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hooper thows a huge punch but Saarenpaa dodges it nicely.
Hooper looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Saarenpaa with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Saarenpaa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hooper slips a nice elbow through Saarenpaa's hands, connecting with Saarenpaa's forehead.
Hooper has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hooper throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hooper moves nicely into side control.
Hooper working the strikes but Saarenpaa uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Hooper is looking to stall here but Saarenpaa recovers full guard.
Hooper lands a couple of elbows.
Hooper pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Saarenpaa is keeping the position for now.
Hooper with a flurry of punches that miss.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hooper missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Saarenpaa avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hooper throws a big right hand that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saarenpaa has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Hooper is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Hooper lands with a short shot to the head.
Hooper misses with a punch to the body.
Saarenpaa lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Hooper wants to take the fight to the mat but Saarenpaa manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Hooper lands a shoulder strike.
A short left from Hooper.
Saarenpaa throws a punch but it's blocked by Hooper.
Saarenpaa misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hooper tries to work over Saarenpaa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Saarenpaa gets underhooks to prevent Hooper's takedown attempt.
Saarenpaa gets underhooks to prevent Hooper's takedown attempt.
Mika Saarenpaa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Troy Hooper.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa is pressed up against the cage. Hooper has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Saarenpaa down to the mat. Saarenpaa avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Hooper tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Saarenpaa was well out of range. Poor timing from Hooper.
Hooper looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hooper throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Saarenpaa sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Saarenpaa is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Hooper.
Saarenpaa throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saarenpaa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hooper was well out of range. Poor timing from Saarenpaa.
Hooper tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Saarenpaa closes the distance and clinches.
Hooper tries to score a body lock takedown but Saarenpaa shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Saarenpaa misses with a hook from the clinch.
Saarenpaa is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Saarenpaa doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Saarenpaa.
Hooper tries for a takedown but Saarenpaa manages to get underhooks.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Hooper wants to take the fight to the mat but Saarenpaa manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
And that's the end of the fight!
Mika Saarenpaa showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Saarenpaa has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 48:47
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 48:47
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 48:48
In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Mika Saarenpaa!
Mika Saarenpaa retains his welterweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Mika Saarenpaa thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
75% |
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