PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tommy Shelby (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Atte Savitaipale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Savitaipale has chosen Roger Whittaker - Finnish Whistler as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Shelby
vs
Savitaipale

176 cm
19
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

177 cm
20
160 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

Good wrestler
Brawler
Good gas tank

PED Nutrition

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Tommy Shelby!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Atte Savitaipale!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Ryoma Takatsuka and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shelby digs a good body shot into Savitaipale's ribs.
Savitaipale lands with a hook. Shelby tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A lazy left from Shelby finds it's target.
Savitaipale takes a jab right on the kisser.
Shelby misses with an uppercut

and Savitaipale counters with a shoot takedown. Shelby fights it but they end up in guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Savitaipale working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Savitaipale looking to pass the guard.
Savitaipale postures up and lands a big shot to Shelby's brow.
Savitaipale throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Shelby works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Savitaipale postures up in Shelby's guard and throws a big left but Shelby blocks it.
Shelby knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Savitaipale on the ground.
Savitaipale is looking to work some ground and pound but Shelby has wrist control.
Savitaipale sitting in guard here, content to control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Savitaipale won't allow Shelby to get back to his feet.
Savitaipale's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Savitaipale has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Savitaipale postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shelby avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Savitaipale scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Savitaipale is looking to work some ground and pound but Shelby has wrist control.
Savitaipale pushes down on Shelby's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Savitaipale lands with a punch from half guard.
Shelby is breathing heavily.
Savitaipale working over Shelby with some ground and pound. Shelby looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Savitaipale missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Savitaipale scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Savitaipale is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Shelby avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Savitaipale.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savitaipale controlling the pace.
Shelby is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Irish Collar & Elbow Academy that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Savitaipale is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Savitaipale is taking a breather. Shelby says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Savitaipale sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Shelby defending well though.

Savitaipale is working for a submission of some sort.
Savitaipale seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savitaipale takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Savitaipale working Shelby over with strikes.

Shelby is rocked!
Savitaipale slips a nice elbow through Shelby's hands, connecting with Shelby's forehead.
Oh Shelby is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Savitaipale seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Savitaipale is sitting in half guard. He's postured up and lands a nice elbow. Oh, Shelby is hurt! He's hurt bad - Savitaipale fires away with more strikes and the referee jumps in to save Shelby from any more punishment! Congratulations to Savitaipale! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:47 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Atte Savitaipale!
A relieved looking Atte Savitaipale thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.