PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jaakko Savolainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sean Avery (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Savolainen
vs
Avery

184 cm
33
182 lbs
24 - 20 - 0

178 cm
27
175 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

PED Nutrition
Perkele!

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 24 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jaakko Savolainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sean Avery!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Ryoma Takatsuka and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Avery uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Savolainen.
Savolainen misses with a hook to the body
and Avery cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Avery lands a really nice looking cross but Savolainen seems unphased.
Savolainen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Avery scores with a punch to the head.
Avery moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Avery tries to work over Savolainen's front leg with a kick but Savolainen checks it.
Avery avoids the body shot from Savolainen.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Avery.
Savolainen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Savolainen is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Savolainen shoots in but no luck this time.
Avery tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Savolainen is able to avoid easily.
Savolainen checks the leg kick nicely there.
Avery connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Avery gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Savolainen to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Savolainen won't allow Avery to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savolainen postures up in Avery's guard and throws a big left but Avery blocks it.
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.
Avery trying to control the position.
Avery keeping moving, preventing Savolainen from controlling successfully.
Avery is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Avery looking for a sweep. Not yet Avery, not yet.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Savolainen controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

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.
Savolainen lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Nice defenses there by Avery.
Avery lands a head kick!

It looks like Jaakko Savolainen has been cut.
Nice takedown defense from Avery. No joy for Savolainen on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jaakko Savolainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Avery smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Savolainen stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Avery wants to land a leg kick but Savolainen is out of range.
Savolainen changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Savolainen connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Avery momentarily.
Avery tries to clinch up but Savolainen circles away and keeps his distance.
Savolainen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Avery is looking to score with low kicks.
Savolainen moves away from the strike by Avery.
Savolainen connects with a good right hand that stumbles Avery. Avery circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Savolainen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Avery moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Avery lands a leg kick that knocks Savolainen off balance momentarily.
Savolainen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Avery doesn't seem bothered though.
Avery lands with a good body shot.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Avery.
Savolainen loads up on a big right hand but Avery slips the punch.
Avery fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Savolainen is out of range.
Savolainen ducks under a wild hook from Avery.
Savolainen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Avery listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Avery cracks Savolainen with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Avery takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Avery fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Savolainen.
Savolainen swings widly with a right hand
and Avery counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Avery with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Avery closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Avery displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Savolainen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savolainen sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Avery misses with a body kick.
Savolainen drops down looking for a counter takedown but Avery sprawls and moves away.
Avery lands a nice hook to Savolainen's body. Savolainen takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
The fighters circling - Avery throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Savolainen misses the jab.
Avery tests Savolainen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Avery throws a low kick, looking for Savolainen's leg but Savolainen calmly moves out of range.
Avery throws a lazy right hand but Savolainen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Savolainen scores with a takedown into Avery's guard.
Avery wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Savolainen slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Savolainen has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Savolainen throwing strikes but missing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sean Avery dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jaakko Savolainen's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Avery connects with a jab.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Avery, right into the meat.
Avery uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Savolainen.
A countering left hand to the body from Avery misses.

Savolainen feints and as Avery raises his hands in defense, Savolainen changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Savolainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Avery is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Avery tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Savolainen works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Savolainen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savolainen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Savolainen is trying to control the action in half guard but Avery is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Avery is defending against the submission attempts here by Savolainen.
Savolainen takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Savolainen is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Avery is just riding it out for now. Savolainen eventually gives up the hold.
Avery tries to get to full guard but Savolainen has control of the leg.
Savolainen is looking to take a break and control but Avery is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Avery is trying to control but can't.
Savolainen wants to pass to mount but Avery is defending the position.
Savolainen is keen to just control but Avery is a slippery customer.
Savolainen looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Savolainen tries to pass the half guard into mount. Avery knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Avery has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Savolainen is working away from the top position though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A shot to the liver by Avery. Beautiful body shot.
Savolainen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Savolainen bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Avery's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Avery swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Avery shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Savolainen as he avoids it easily.
Savolainen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Avery enables Savolainen to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Avery manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Avery controls Savolainen momentarily but Savolainen frees himself.
Savolainen's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Avery looking to hit a scissor sweep but Savolainen is one step ahead there.
Savolainen wants to control from the top but Avery keeps moving.
Avery keeping full guard, as Savolainen tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Avery keeping moving, preventing Savolainen from controlling successfully.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Avery is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Avery missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Savolainen wants to control but Avery is keeping busy.
Savolainen slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Avery wants to control from the top but Savolainen keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jaakko Savolainen dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jaakko Savolainen's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Savolainen wants to clinch up but Avery keeps it at a distance.
Sean Avery seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Avery scoring well with a low kick there.
Savolainen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Avery.
Savolainen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Avery paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Avery doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
A telegraphed right hand from Avery misses the target.
Savolainen closes the distance and clinches up with Avery, looking for a takedown. Savolainen pushes Avery against the cage but Avery circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Avery. Savolainen does a little dance to reset his feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Savolainen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Savolainen shoots in looking for a takedown. Avery tries to sprawl out of it but Savolainen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Avery manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savolainen lands with a cross.
Avery throws a hook but Savolainen avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Avery ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Savolainen moves away.
Avery misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Savolainen.
Savolainen tries to close the distance and clinch but Avery swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Avery clinches up with Savolainen and pushes him back against the cage.
Avery misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Avery goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Savolainen is working for takedown but Avery is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jaakko Savolainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Avery lands a nice uppercut.
Savolainen lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Avery backwards.
A bit of stalling here from Savolainen.
Avery fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Savolainen lands an uppercut.
Avery lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Savolainen backwards.
Avery lands a hook to the side of the head.
Savolainen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Avery lands with a right to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Avery throws a head punch that misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Avery lands a nice uppercut.
Savolainen manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Savolainen is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Savolainen wants to take the fight to the mat but Avery manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Avery lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Savolainen backwards.
Savolainen blocks a body shot from Avery.
Savolainen trying to stall but Avery improves his position.
Avery has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Savolainen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Avery avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Avery.
Savolainen blocks a body shot from Avery.
Savolainen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Avery stops a takedown attempt from Savolainen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Savolainen works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Jaakko Savolainen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Avery keeping moving, preventing Savolainen from controlling successfully.
Avery is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Savolainen wants to control from the top but Avery keeps moving.
Savolainen stands and throws Avery's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Avery is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Savolainen swings around for an armbar but Avery sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Savolainen's guard.
Avery sitting in guard here, content to control.
Avery stands up over Savolainen, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Avery throws an elbow that misses. Savolainen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Avery's guard. Nice move by Savolainen!

Avery has his hands on Savolainen's head, controlling the position.
Savolainen works over Avery with some ground and pound from guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sean Avery comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Avery has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Fray scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sean Avery!
A relieved looking Sean Avery thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.