PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Lucio Vera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tapani Saha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tapani Saha has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Vera
vs
Saha

183 cm
20
179 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

183 cm
22
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

Valhalla War Gear

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lucio Vera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tapani Saha!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Marco Blurström and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vera throws an overhand right that lands on Saha's shoulder, as Saha tries to avoid the shot.
Saha scores with a nice head shot.

Saha gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Vera to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Saha preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Saha utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Vera scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Saha keeping moving, preventing Vera from controlling successfully.
Vera has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Vera stopping the sweep attempt from Saha.
Saha is looking to stand up but Vera isn't so interested in that idea.
Vera with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Saha has Vera pulled in close to control his posture.
Saha utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Vera trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Saha is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Saha holds on and takes a little breather.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Vera accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Vera throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Saha works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Saha is looking to stand up but Vera isn't so interested in that idea.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Vera moves out of range as Saha strikes.
Vera feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Saha's calf.
Good exchange - Saha coming out on top.
Saha throws a series of punches but Vera avoids them all with ease.
A telegraphed right hand from Vera misses the target.
Vera uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Saha.
A slow jab from Vera misses its intended target.
Vera ducks under a wild hook from Saha.
Vera slips under a jab from Saha.
A punch lands to the side of Saha 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Vera throws a nice inside leg kick.

Vera shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Saha is trying to defend but Vera finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vera throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Vera landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vera throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Saha can do anything to dispel that myth.
The fighters are battling for position here. Saha manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vera throws a big right hand that misses.
Vera throws a big right hand that misses.
Saha trying to control the position.
Vera throwing strikes from guard but Saha blocks nicely.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Vera is working Saha over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Vera lands a couple of elbows.
Saha wants to get back to his feet but Vera is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Saha looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saha keeping moving, preventing Vera from controlling successfully.
Vera throwing strikes from guard but Saha blocks nicely.
Vera in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Saha not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Vera wants to control from the top but Saha keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Vera uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Saha.
Tapani Saha seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saha lands a with a good body shot.
Saha looks to score with a jab to the body but Vera is just out of range.
Saha misses with a jab, cross combination.
Vera rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Saha moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Saha getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Vera closes the distance and clinches up with Saha, looking for a takedown. Vera pushes Saha against the cage but Saha circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Vera takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saha lands a glancing blow to the side of Vera's head.
Vera bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Vera misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A nice inside leg kick there by Vera. That's going to slow Saha down.
Saha scores with a body shot.
Saha misses with the combination.
Saha displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Vera.
Saha cracks Vera with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Vera drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Saha lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Saha chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Vera can pounce on him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Saha connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Saha is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round!Vera had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Vera takes one to the side of the head.
Tapani Saha is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vera shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Saha but Saha pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lucio Vera. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vera tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Saha swivels and escapes.
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 Lucio Vera will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Saha scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Vera doesn't seem bothered though.
Vera looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Saha connects with a crisp jab.
Tapani Saha seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Saha jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

Vera shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Saha tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Saha is trying to stand up.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Vera cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Vera raining down shots from the mount!
Vera lands a nice shot to the head.
Vera throwing strikes here but Saha is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Saha is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Saha's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Vera lands a big elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saha takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Vera lands with some strikes.
Vera unloading with bombs!
Vera landing strikes from the mount.
Saha really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Vera. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Vera lands a nice shot to the head.
Vera in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Saha is in all sorts of trouble here.
Vera avoids the attempt from Saha to control.
Vera looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Vera won't let Saha get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Vera is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Saha can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Vera scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Saha?
Vera working away from the top, dropping strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saha wants to get back to his feet.
Saha is looking to improve his position but Vera isn't that keen on the idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vera scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Saha tries to hold on but Vera pushes him away.
Saha is desperately trying to improve his position but Vera has a good base and remains in mount.
Vera scoring with strikes but Saha is staying in there.
Vera tries to control but Saha wriggling away.
Saha wants to get back to his feet.
Vera dominating with strikes here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vera has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Saha's face.
Saha takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Saha is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Saha is in a horrible position here. Vera smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

Saha is rocked!
Vera working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Saha is still in real trouble! Can Vera finish him?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vera breaks from Saha's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Saha seems to have recovered his senses.
Vera is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Vera looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Vera lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Vera with shots to the head and body - Saha looks very uncomfortable down there.
Vera breaks from Saha's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Vera with the ground and pound from mount.
Saha is working to get back to half guard.
Vera scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Saha?
Saha is desperately trying to improve his position but Vera has a good base and remains in mount.
Vera landing shots from mount.
Vera looking to control but Saha is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The referee warns Saha that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saha is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Vera working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Vera looking to finish Saha with some ground and pound. This is bad for Saha!
Vera with the ground and pound from mount.
Vera working Saha over with strikes here.
Saha tries to reverse the position but Vera maintains control.
Vera lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Saha is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Vera landing punches.
Saha is working to get back to half guard.
Vera lands a big shot there that rocks Saha but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vera working Saha over with strikes here.
Vera raining down shots from the mount!
Saha wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lucio Vera dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Vera steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Saha.
Tapani Saha is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Saha throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Saha ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Vera swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Saha cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Vera throws a big shot that misses.
Saha throws a body punch but Vera moves out of range.
Vera throws a predictable looking body shot
and Saha counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Vera thinking.
Saha throws a right hand that Vera ducks under and follows up with a left that Vera also avoids with ease.
Saha uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vera.
Saha connects with a single shot there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vera with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Saha to score with a decent uppercut.
Saha scores with a one two! Vera had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Vera throws a body punch but Saha moves out of range.
Saha takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vera fails with a takedown attempt.
Vera slips a jab and a cross from Saha.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saha uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Vera.
Vera scores with a head kick.
Saha falls off balance throwing a combination
and Vera counters with a good low kick that Saha was not able to check.
A combination from Saha does no damage.
Vera on the wrong end of a nice jab.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Vera.
Saha throws a big shot that misses.
Saha throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Saha lands a jab to the nose.
Saha is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Saha scores with a punch to the head.
A telegraphed right hand from Saha misses the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vera ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Vera thows a left - swing and a miss!
Saha throws a one two combo.
Vera takes a swing at Saha's ribcage but misses.
A solid body kick from Vera.
Vera throws a big shot that misses.
Saha misses the jab.
Vera looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lucio Vera. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saha cracks Vera with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Vera takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Saha fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Saha misses with a two punch combination.
Saha throws a right hand that Vera ducks under and follows up with a left that Vera also avoids with ease.
Saha ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Vera moves away.
A solid leg kick lands there for Vera.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Saha does it's job there.
Saha slips under a jab.
Vera throws a half hearted mid kick.
Saha defending well as Vera loads up on a big left hand.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Vera is defended easily by Saha.
Saha misses with a two punch combination.
Tapani Saha has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice uppercut lands for Saha. That snapped Vera's head back.
Saha lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Vera with a hook.
Saha bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Vera's head.
Vera throws a big shot that misses.
Vera showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Saha.
Vera takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vera takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Saha throws a lazy right hand but Vera sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Vera throws a looping overhand right but Saha ducks down to avoid it.
Vera fails to land the takedown.
Saha ducks under a wild hook from Vera.
Saha lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Vera circles away quickly and effectively.
Vera moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Saha ducks under a wild hook from Vera.
Saha blocks a jab.
Lucio Vera is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Saha misses with a few strikes there.
Saha throws a jab but it's blocked by Vera.
Danga de danga de dang - Saha scores with a four punch combination!
Good standup being displayed there by Saha as he connects with a hook.
Vera blocks a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tapani Saha comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Vera 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lucio Vera!