PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Per Saukko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eaton Cox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Saukko
vs
Cox

192 cm
35
272 lbs
28 - 13 - 0

175 cm
35
170 lbs
32 - 16 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Per Saukko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eaton Cox!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Marco Blurström and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saukko lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Cox fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Saukko has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Cox is looking to chop away at Saukko's legs.
Saukko looks to land a left hand but Cox moved out of range nicely.
Saukko is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Cox.
A nice combination there by Saukko.
Saukko fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Saukko swings widly with a right hand

and Cox counters with a single leg into guard. Saukko didn't expect that.
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!

Saukko has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cox can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Cox tries to free his leg and advance position but Saukko is retaining full guard.
Saukko is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Cox got a little sloppy there for a moment and Saukko has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Cox has managed to get both his arms back between Saukko's legs - danger averted.
Saukko keeping moving, preventing Cox from controlling successfully.
Saukko is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saukko not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Saukko has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cox can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Saukko 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.
Saukko pulls Cox in close to prevent any damage.

Saukko looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Cox wants to pass the guard but Saukko is keeping the position.
Saukko tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Saukko looking for a guillotine here but Cox defends easily.
Saukko has momentary wrist control but Cox slips an elbow through the middle.

Saukko throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Saukko is looking for a triangle but Cox pushes his legs off easily.

Cox got a little sloppy there for a moment and Saukko has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Cox has managed to get both his arms back between Saukko's legs - danger averted.
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!
Cox trying to control but Saukko is working from the bottom.
Saukko looking for a sweep. Not yet Saukko, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saukko controlling Cox's posture.

Saukko looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Cox trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Saukko is trying to keep Cox in close.
Saukko will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Saukko is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Saukko is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cox is aware though and is defending well.
Cox preventing the sweep.

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

Saukko throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cox wants to pass the guard but Saukko is keeping the position.
Cox forces his way into half guard.
Cox throwing shots but Saukko is blocking nicely.
Cox working the head and body with strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cox is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Saukko!
Cox lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Saukko hang on?
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Cox cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Cox lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Cox is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Saukko can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
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 Per Saukko will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Saukko throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Cox stuffs the takedown attempt from Saukko. Saukko gets slowly back to his feet.
Saukko scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Saukko looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Saukko throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Saukko takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Cox defending well as Saukko loads up on a big left hand.
Saukko cracks Cox with a right hand to the side of the head.
Saukko pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Saukko gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Cox makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Cox creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Saukko taking a breather.
Cox lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Cox has picked Saukko up - he's going for a ride! Cox dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cox landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cox missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Eaton Cox has got the better of the ground game so far.
Saukko is looking to control Cox's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Saukko avoid being mounted?
Saukko moves into full guard.
Cox throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Saukko working for a triangle but Cox defends it easily.
Cox keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Saukko's head.
Cox wants to control from the top but Saukko keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cox wants to pass the guard but Saukko is keeping the position.
Cox works over Saukko with some ground and pound from guard.
Saukko keeping moving, preventing Cox from controlling successfully.
Saukko trying to control the position.
Saukko wants to sweep but no luck.
Saukko keeping moving, preventing Cox from controlling successfully.
Saukko is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saukko trying to control the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Saukko checks the leg kick.
Per Saukko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cox misses with a low kick.
Saukko throws a leg kick but Cox checks it.

Saukko closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Saukko lands in his opponent's guard.

Cox looking for a guillotine here but Saukko defends easily.
Cox keeping moving, preventing Saukko from controlling successfully.

Cox is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Saukko pushes down on Cox's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saukko landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Saukko is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Saukko seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Cox does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saukko missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Saukko tries to pass the half guard into mount. Cox knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Cox looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Saukko works his way into side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saukko trying to control the position but Cox is working away.
Cox tries to buck Saukko off but Saukko is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Per Saukko dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

An inside leg kick from Saukko misses.
Some bone on bone action there as Cox checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Per Saukko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cox tries to close the distance and clinch up but Saukko swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Saukko misses with a hook. Cox ducked under it nicely.
Saukko misses with a takedown attempt - Cox sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Saukko throws a left and a right that both miss
and Cox makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Cox 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.

Cox closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Saukko's guard.
Cox stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Saukko swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Saukko 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.
Saukko is trying to keep Cox in close.
Cox throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cox being controlled here momentarily.
Saukko tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Saukko looking for a guillotine here but Cox defends easily.
Cox content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Saukko working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cox.
Cox trying to control the position from guard on top but Saukko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Saukko has his foot on Cox's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cox works his way back into a safe position though.
Cox wants to pass the guard but Saukko is keeping the position.
Eaton Cox has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saukko bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cox's guard.

Cox isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Saukko stacks Cox on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Saukko!
Cox takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Saukko landing a few strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saukko lands an elbow.
Cox tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Saukko is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Cox will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Saukko works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Saukko slows the pace down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saukko trying to control the action but Cox is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saukko tries to move to mount but Cox blocks the move with his legs.
Saukko lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Saukko works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Cox tries to buck Saukko off but Saukko is having none of it.
Saukko is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Cox is not content to let Saukko control the position.
Saukko works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saukko in side control, just content to control the action for now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saukko landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Per Saukko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Saukko looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Cox tries to bench press Saukko off him but Saukko keeps the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Saukko passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Cox!
Cox can't escape the position.
Cox in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Per Saukko showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Saukko, 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Per Saukko!