PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aku Saari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerrald James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saari comes to the cage accompanied by Rock You Like A Hurricane - Scorpions. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Saari
vs
James

185 cm
30
215 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

185 cm
28
206 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!

MayheM sportswear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Aku Saari!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gerrald James!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Andrew Berry and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James circles away from the clinch attempt.
James looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Saari moves away from the strike by James.
Saari slips under a jab from James.
Saari wants to clinch up but James keeps it at a distance.
James has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Saari is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Saari tries to clinch but James is having none of it.
Saari wants to clinch.
James misses with a shot to the body
and James takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
James keeps the fight on the outside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James misses with a wild body shot.
James misses with an uppercut

and Saari holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
James tries to throw a body punch but Saari avoids it by throwing James back against the cage.
Saari misses with a hook from the clinch.
James lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saari has a couple of punches blocked by James.
James tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saari's elbow.
Saari swings wildly with an uppercut but James uses good head movement to avoid it.
James misses with a punch to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Saari.
James lands a body shot.
Saari swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short right from Saari.
Saari goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Saari misses with a shot to the kidneys.
James doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Saari pushes James back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
James has a couple of punches blocked by Saari.
A head punch on the inside from Saari fails to land.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Saari creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Saari throws a punch but it's blocked by James.
James tries to break free but Saari pushes him back against the cage.
James tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Saari pushes James back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James lands with a right to the head.
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!
James throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Saaris head.
Saari scores with a shot to the side of James's head.

It looks like Gerrald James has been cut.
Saari misses with a hook from the clinch.
James misses with a hook from the clinch.
James throws a head punch that misses.
Saari scores with a nice hook to the head.
A head punch on the inside from James fails to land.
Good body shot from Saari.
Saari misses with some punches.
James swings wildly with an uppercut but Saari uses good head movement to avoid it.
James throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Saaris head.
Saari lands an elbow just above James 's eye.
A short right from Saari.
James blocks an uppercut.
James scores with a hook to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Saari.
Saari throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Jamess head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James wants to break free but Saari has control.
Saari throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Jamess head.
James lands a body punch.
James has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
James misses with the head strike.
Saari misses with the head strike.
Saari misses with a shot to the kidneys.
James tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
James throws a head punch that misses.
James tries to work over Saari's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Saari misses with a short punch on the inside.
Saari lands a right hand that snaps the head of James backwards.
Saari misses with a short punch on the inside.
Saari scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Saari blocking some punches.
James misses with the head strike.
Saari lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of James backwards.
A short right from Saari on the inside.
Saari lands a hook that snaps the head of James backwards.

That has opened up Gerrald James's cut even more.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Saari prevents a body shot from James.
James lands a shoulder strike.
Saari displaying some good clinch control by pressing James up against the cage.
Saari's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
James tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saari's elbow.
A short left from Saari.
Saari working some nice short punches in the clinch.
James misses with a hook from the clinch.
James throws a punch but it's blocked by Saari.
James tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saari's elbow.
James tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saari's elbow.
Saari misses with a short punch on the inside.
James lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Saari backwards.

It looks like Aku Saari has been cut.
James wants to get back to striking at distance but Saari won't allow it.
Nice body punch from Saari.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aku Saari dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

James throws a jab but it's blocked by Saari.
Saari is looking to counter the offense by James and move into the clinch.
James avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Saari tries to clinch there but James circles away.
Saari is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Saari takes the fight into the clinch.
James takes a shot to the head.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saari blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Saari lands a nice uppercut.
Saari lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Saari is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but James is keeping busy.
Saari has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James tries a body shot but Saari blocks it.
James lands a right hand that snaps the head of Saari backwards.
Saari swings wildly with an uppercut but James uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saari working aggressively here.
James lands a hook that snaps the head of Saari backwards.
A shot in the inside from Saari.
James throws a head punch that misses.
Saari struggles to land a body shot inside as James controls his hands.
A frustrated look appears on James's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Saari lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
James misses with a punch on the inside.
Saari misses with the head strike.
James tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Saari.
Saari is leaning against James and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Saari lands a shoulder strike.
Aku Saari has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A short right from James on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
James tries a body shot but Saari blocks it.
Saari scores with a shoulder strike.
James lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Saari or not.
James blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
James prevents a body shot from Saari.
James takes an elbow to the forehead.
Saari blocks an uppercut.
James misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Saari misses with a punch on the inside.
James can't find room to land a body shot as Saari controls the action.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Saari takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Saari prevents James from breaking the clinch.
James blocks an uppercut.
Saari tries to throw a body punch but James avoids it by throwing Saari back against the cage.
Saari lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of James backwards.
Saari lands a body punch in the clinch.
James swings wildly with an uppercut but Saari uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James pushes Saari back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Saari can't find room to land a body shot as James controls the action.
James has a couple of punches blocked by Saari.
Saari swings wildly with an uppercut but James uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saari tried to land a shot to the body but connects with James's elbow.
James misses with a shot to the kidneys.
James doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Saari has a couple of punches blocked by James.
Saari has a couple of punches blocked by James.
A head punch blocked on the inside by James.
Saari has a couple of punches blocked by James.
Saari lands a right hand.
A head punch on the inside from Saari fails to land.
James misses with some punches.
Saari swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Saari.

James pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saari tries to close the distance and clinch up but James swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Saari tries to clinch up but James circles away and keeps his distance.
Aku Saari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saari tries to clinch but fails miserably
and James counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Saari ducks under a wild hook from James.
James connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saari is looking to clinch but James is avoiding it.
James 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.
James misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Saari.
James keeps the fight on the outside.
James circles away from the clinch attempt.
James swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
James just misses with a punch to the body.
Saari moves in looking to clinch but James pushes him off.
James doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
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 Aku Saari will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Saari is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Saari misses the shot to the body.
James throws out a counter right but Saari avoids it with no problem.
James swats away the attempt to clinch by Saari.
Saari tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Saari tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Saari tries to close the distance and clinch up but James swats him away and circles back towards the center.
James throws a body punch but Saari moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saari fails in his attempt to clinch.
James is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Saari with a body shot.

Saari clinches with his opponent.
Saari has a couple of punches blocked by James.
James is working Saari over against the cage.
James tries to throw a body punch but Saari avoids it by throwing James back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James working aggressively here.
Saari working aggressively here.
James working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A short left from James.
A short right from Saari.
James fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Saari misses with a shot to the kidneys.
James dodges an elbow strike from Saari.
James lands with a light punch inside.
James blocks an uppercut.
Saari softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
James lands a left hand that snaps the head of Saari backwards.
Saari misses with a hook to the ribs.
Saari misses with a hook from the clinch.
Saari misses with a body punch.
James blocks an uppercut.
Saari pushes James back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
James wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Saari has him pressed against the cage.
Gerrald James has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saari can't find room to land a body shot as James controls the action.
James prevents a body shot from Saari.
James misses with a punch on the inside.
A short right from James on the inside.
Saari gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
James throws a punch but it's blocked by Saari.
James swings away with an uppercut that misses.
James blocks a punch to the side of the head.
James is trying to force a seperation but Saari has the dominant position.
James blocking some punches.
Saari prevents James from breaking the clinch.
Saari lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Saari lands with a left to the head.
Saari gets through James's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Saari misses with the head strike.
Saari lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Saari tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
James lands an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Saari.
James works on Saari's body with a couple of short punches.
James scores with an uppercut up the middle.
James misses with a short punch on the inside.
James softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Saari pushes James back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Saari throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Saari misses with the head strike.
James lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Saari's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Aku Saari is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
James is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
James takes an elbow to the forehead.

The cut above Gerrald James's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
James works on Saari's body with a couple of short punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for James.
Saari has James pressed against the cage, preventing James from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Saari fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from James.
Saari fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
James misses with a punch to the body.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Saari.
James tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saari's elbow.
Saari taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
James lands with a light punch inside.
James misses with the head strike.
Saari misses with the head strike.
Saari's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
James doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Saari goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
James fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Gerrald James.
I think Saari 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aku Saari!
In his post fight interview, Aku Saari started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.