PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Atte Savitaipale (ranked 415 p4p, 57 weight class) and Galen Dall (ranked 69 p4p, 8 weight class). Savitaipale comes to the cage accompanied by Roger Whittaker - Finnish Whistler. Dall has chosen Red - Already Over as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Savitaipale
vs
Dall

177 cm
32
160 lbs
20 - 12 - 0

180 cm
36
157 lbs
27 - 16 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)
Pit Bull Development

Urban Fighter
UnderGround Supplements

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 20 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Atte Savitaipale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 16 - 0, fighting out of New York, Galen Dall!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice leg kick lands there from Dall.
Savitaipale is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Dall feints a counter leg kick.
Savitaipale has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Malmi Aitta in the buildup to the fight.
Dall throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Savitaipale swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Savitaipale throws a lazy uppercut
and Dall counters with an outside leg kick.
Dall lands with a thumping leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Dall.
Savitaipale lands a nice shot that snaps Dall's head back.
Decent striking displayed by Savitaipale there.
Savitaipale throws a right and a left that both miss.
Savitaipale lands a right hook to the body.
Savitaipale throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dall feints a counter leg kick.
Savitaipale scores with a nice right hand.
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!
Some bone on bone action there as Savitaipale checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A counter left hand to the body from Savitaipale misses its target.
Savitaipale misses with an uppercut
and Dall counters with a nice leg kick.
Savitaipale gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Dall.
Savitaipale on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Dall. Dall obviously looking to wear him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savitaipale checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Savitaipale connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Dall momentarily.
Savitaipale blocks a jab.
Dall's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Savitaipale connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Dall scrambles back to his feet.

Savitaipale drives through with a takedown into Dall's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Savitaipale drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Savitaipale jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Savitaipale landing some decent shots from guard.
Dall wants to control the position but Savitaipale says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Dall is looking for a sweep. Savitaipale is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Savitaipale wants to pass to mount but Dall is defending the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Savitaipale is thwarting Dall's attempts to control the position.
Savitaipale winds up and cracks Dall with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dall gets full guard.

Dall is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Savitaipale content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Savitaipale avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Dall looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Dall keeping moving, preventing Savitaipale from controlling successfully.
Savitaipale is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Savitaipale is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Dall manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Savitaipale manages to get himself to full guard.

Dall preventing the sweep.
Savitaipale is trying to control the position but Dall postures up.

Savitaipale escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Dall gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Dall not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savitaipale keeping moving, preventing Dall from controlling successfully.
Savitaipale looking to hit a scissor sweep but Dall is one step ahead there.
Dall advances to half guard.
Savitaipale is trying to maintain the position but Dall is very close to passing his half guard.

Dall is looking for a kimura but Savitaipale is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Dall to get the leverage.
Savitaipale has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Dall is working away from the top position though.

Dall is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Savitaipale is just riding it out for now. Dall eventually gives up the hold.
Dall is trying to control. Savitaipale wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four 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.
Savitaipale wants to improve his position but Dall is controlling well.
Savitaipale controlling the position well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Savitaipale regains full guard. Nicely done.

Dall thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Savitaipale tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Dall wants to control from the top but Savitaipale keeps moving.
Dall passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Savitaipale is not content to let Dall control the position.
Savitaipale struggling a bit here.
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 Atte Savitaipale will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A solid leg kick lands there for Dall.
Savitaipale swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Dall.
Dall misses the jab.
Dall waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Savitaipale.
Savitaipale lands a jab.
Nice uppercut there from Savitaipale.
Atte Savitaipale is winning the standup battle so far.
Savitaipale lands a jab to the head.
Savitaipale throws a right and a left that Dall avoids nicely.
Savitaipale cracks Dall with an open hand slap.
Dall gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Jab by Savitaipale.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A jab from Savitaipale misses.
Dall looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Dall throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Savitaipale sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Savitaipale fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Dall to the ground. Savitaipale is now in Dall's guard.

Dall working for a triangle but Savitaipale defends it easily.

Dall is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Savitaipale defends well.

Dall looking for a guillotine here but Savitaipale defends easily.
Savitaipale lands a couple of elbows.
Savitaipale looking to pass the guard.
Savitaipale slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Dall working a defensive guard but Savitaipale passes into half guard.
Savitaipale prevents Dall from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dall looking for submissions off his back.
Dall is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Savitaipale landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Dall is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Savitaipale pulls his head out easily.
Savitaipale is trying to control the action in half guard but Dall is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Savitaipale slips a nice elbow through Dall's hands, connecting with Dall's forehead.

Dall actively working from the bottom here.
Savitaipale working Dall over with strikes.

Dall has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Savitaipale escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Savitaipale!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Savitaipale working the head and body with strikes.
Savitaipale lands a nice forearm strike.
Dall can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dall is being controlled here.
Dall wants to control but Savitaipale postures up.
Dall manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Savitaipale lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Savitaipale trying to control the action but Dall is working from the bottom.
Savitaipale lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Savitaipale looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Dall looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Savitaipale wants to work for an arm triangle but Dall is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Savitaipale is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dall can do to turn this around?

Savitaipale is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Savitaipale seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Dall does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Atte Savitaipale overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Savitaipale lands a nice short elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Savitaipale there.
Savitaipale looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Dall with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Dall trying to hold on to Savitaipale's head to control him but Savitaipale postures up.

Dall looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Nice strikes from Savitaipale there.
Savitaipale looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Dall with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Savitaipale lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Dall is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Savitaipale pulls his head out easily.
Dall slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Dall has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Savitaipale can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dall is trying to keep Savitaipale in close.
Savitaipale stands up over Dall, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Dall has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Savitaipale is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Dall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Atte Savitaipale dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Savitaipale shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Savitaipale was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Dall manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Savitaipale works his way to full guard. Good work.
Dall wants to control from the top but Savitaipale keeps moving.

Dall thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Dall drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Dall jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Dall trying to control but Savitaipale is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savitaipale 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.
Dall trying to control but Savitaipale is working from the bottom.
Savitaipale keeping full guard, as Dall tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Savitaipale escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Dall gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Savitaipale looking for a sweep. Not yet Savitaipale, not yet.

Savitaipale is looking for a triangle but Dall pushes his legs off easily.
Dall looking to pass the guard.
Savitaipale controls Dall momentarily but Dall frees himself.
Savitaipale lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Savitaipale postures up and lands a big shot to Dall's brow.

Dall escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Savitaipale gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Dall keeping moving, preventing Savitaipale from controlling successfully.
Galen Dall has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dall had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Savitaipale defends it easily.
Savitaipale looking to pass the guard.

Dall looking for a guillotine here but Savitaipale defends easily.
Dall trying to control the position.

Dall escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Savitaipale gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Dall takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Dall is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Savitaipale keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Dall's head.
Dall looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savitaipale stands up over Dall, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Savitaipale distracts Dall with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Savitaipale lands a couple of elbows.
Savitaipale preventing the sweep.

Savitaipale thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Our spies down at at Oblivion Gate inform us that Dall has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Savitaipale passes Dall's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Nice strikes from Savitaipale there.
Savitaipale is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Savitaipale is trying to control. Dall wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Dall trying to control here.
Atte Savitaipale is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Savitaipale uses his free foot to push down on Dall's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Dall.
Dall manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Dall is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Savitaipale scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dall missing with punches from the bottom.

Dall looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Savitaipale looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Dall with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Savitaipale slips a nice elbow through Dall's hands, connecting with Dall's forehead.
Savitaipale scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Dall gets back to full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dall keeping moving, preventing Savitaipale from controlling successfully.
Savitaipale scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Dall looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Savitaipale lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Savitaipale thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Savitaipale trying to control but Dall is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Atte Savitaipale showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Savitaipale has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Atte Savitaipale!
Atte Savitaipale thanked the fans post fight for their support.
Galen Dall was interviewed post fight and said 'This means WAR!'.