PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Saku Sammakko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Titus Napao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sammakko comes into the arena with Saku Sammakko blaring out of the sound system. Saku Sammakko could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Titus Napao's chin.

Sammakko
vs
Napao

171 cm
20
166 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

170 cm
25
165 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Saku Sammakko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Titus Napao!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, James Glass and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Napao shoots for a takedown but Sammakko saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Napao misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sammakko.
Napao fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sammakko avoids it really well and circles away.
Napao moves in looking to clinch but Sammakko pushes him off.
Sammakko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sammakko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Napao forces Sammakko back against the cage and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Napao avoiding damage as Sammakko throws knees to the body.

Napao gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Sammakko preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Sammakko is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sammakko is trying to control but can't.

Napao is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Napao throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Napao is thwarting Sammakko's attempts to control the position.
Sammakko avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Napao.

Napao is trying to work for a kimura but Sammakko is defending well.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sammakko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sammakko scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sammakko shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Sammakko trying to control the position from guard on top but Napao is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sammakko forces his way into half guard.

Sammakko is looking for a kimura here.
Napao is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Sammakko scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sammakko seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Napao does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sammakko is pressing down on Napao's thigh, looking to free his foot. Napao is holding on for now.
Napao moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Sammakko postures up.
Napao striking off his back but it's not causing Sammakko any problems.

Sammakko got a little sloppy there for a moment and Napao has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sammakko has managed to get both his arms back between Napao's legs - danger averted.
Sammakko throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sammakko trying to control but Napao is working from the bottom.

Sammakko is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Napao is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Napao has escaped and now he's on top!
Napao missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
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 Saku Sammakko will probably get the nod.
That's time! Sammakko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sammakko tries to clinch up.
Sammakko is trying hard to land a takedown here. Napao sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Sammakko scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Napao actively working from the bottom here.

Sammakko seems to be looking for submissions.
Sammakko wants to take a breather but Napao is having none of it.
Napao moves into full guard.
Napao trying to keep a closed guard but Sammakko is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sammakko wants to control from the top but Napao keeps moving.

Napao looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sammakko stands and throws Napao's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Sammakko tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Sammakko has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Napao is trying to control Sammakko's posture but Sammakko avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Napao tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Sammakko wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
You can see the frustration on Napao's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Napao is trying to improve his position.

Sammakko tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Sammakko has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sammakko swings around for an armbar but Napao sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Sammakko's guard.
Sammakko can't keep his opponent in guard - Napao advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Napao working over Sammakko with some ground and pound. Sammakko looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Napao is looking to stall here but Sammakko recovers full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Sammakko working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Napao doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Napao manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Napao wants to control from the top but Sammakko keeps moving.
Napao working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Napao trying to control but Sammakko is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Napao throws a big right hand that misses.
Napao stops Sammakko from standing up.
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 Saku Sammakko will probably get the nod.
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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Sammakko throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Napao on the side of the head.
Napao tries to clinch but Sammakko moves out of range.
Napao fails to land the takedown.
Sammakko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Napao tries for a takedown but Sammakko circles away easily
and Napao takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sammakko tries to close the distance and clinch up but Napao swats him away and circles back towards the center.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sammakko scores with a decent looking hook.
Sammakko throws a sloppy head kick and Napao moves out of range easily.
Napao with a lazy takedown attempt
and Sammakko counters with a nice uppercut.
Saku Sammakko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Titus Napao.
Napao takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sammakko clinches up with Napao and pushes him back against the cage.
Napao jumps guard but Sammakko stands there with Napao around his waist. Napao gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sammakko gets through Napao's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Sammakko prevents Napao from breaking the clinch.
Sammakko comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Titus Napao has been cut.
Sammakko is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Sammakko trying to land knees to the body.
Sammakko is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Napao tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sammakko just stands there and leans against the cage.

Napao pulls guard successfully.
Sammakko throwing strikes but missing.

Napao working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sammakko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sammakko manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sammakko advances position into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sammakko is trying to get an arm triangle but Napao is defending well.
Napao can't do much from the bottom here.

Sammakko is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Napao is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sammakko wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Napao, who protects the arm well.
Napao dodges the ground and pound from Sammakko.
Napao is trying to control Sammakko's posture but Sammakko avoids it.

Sammakko tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Saku Sammakko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Sammakko wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Napao, who protects the arm well.
Napao is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Sammakko's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Napao has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sammakko is working away from the top position though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Saku Sammakko showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Sammakko has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Saku Sammakko!