PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jaakko Savolainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Henley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Savolainen
vs
Henley

184 cm
22
187 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

176 cm
20
178 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Insanely flexible

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Powerful

No Contest Clothing
Firebird Designs - 10% Laundry commission

Firebird Designs - 10% Laundry commission

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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jaakko Savolainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Ben Henley!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Aafke Stam and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Savolainen looking to score a takedown here. Henley is defending well but Savolainen drives through and ends up in Henley's guard.

Henley is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Savolainen is aware though and is defending well.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Savolainen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Savolainen works over Henley with some ground and pound from guard.

Henley is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Henley throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Savolainen trying to control but Henley is working from the bottom.
Savolainen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Savolainen scoring with punches to the head and body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Savolainen is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Savolainen has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Henley is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Savolainen is aware though and is defending well.
Savolainen is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Our spies down at at Gorilla Warfare MMA inform us that Henley has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Savolainen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Savolainen 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.

Henley is looking for a triangle but Savolainen pushes his legs off easily.
Savolainen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Savolainen landing some decent shots from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savolainen connects with a couple of short punches.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Savolainen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Savolainen connects with a couple of short punches.

Henley looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Henley escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Savolainen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Savolainen passes Henley's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Savolainen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Savolainen tries to stand and escape but Henley is controlling the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Savolainen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Savolainen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Savolainen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Henley looking for submissions off his back.
Henley is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Savolainen lands a nice short elbow.

Henley looking for submissions off his back.
Savolainen seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Savolainen trying to control from half guard but Henley is working away.
Savolainen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Henley looking for submissions off his back.
Savolainen takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Savolainen looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Henley won't allow Savolainen to pass to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Savolainen connects with a nice short shot to Henley's temple.

Henley actively working from the bottom here.

Henley is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Savolainen pulls his head out easily.
Savolainen uses his free foot to push down on Henley's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Henley.
Henley is looking to get to half guard.
Savolainen lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Savolainen in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Henley is desperately trying to improve his position but Savolainen has a good base and remains in mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Henley is in a horrible position here. Savolainen smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

Henley is rocked!
Savolainen is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Henley is still in real trouble! Can Savolainen finish him?
Savolainen landing punches.
Oooooh, big shot lands for Savolainen! Henley is hurt baaadly! Savolainen is firing away with more strikes - Henley is covering up... the ref is warning him to do something. He's just covering up though still and the ref has to step in to end the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jaakko Savolainen!