PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksi Saari (ranked 2361 p4p, 2945 weight class) and Alonnus Parker (ranked 311 p4p, 376 weight class). Saari's entrance music is Oranssi Pazuzu - Lahja . A fine choice. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Saari
vs
Parker

191 cm
19
207
3 - 1 - 1

190 cm
26
210
3 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 3 - 1 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aleksi Saari!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alonnus Parker!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, John Roberts and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Parker throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Saari's waist but Saari gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Parker off to one side.
Saari misses with a double jab.
Saari stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Some wild striking there from Saari.
Saari lands a jab to the head.
Parker's coach down at Kalashnikov ELITE MMA Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Parker's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Saari pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Parker back to the cage. Saari follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Saari throws a nice looking combination but Parker bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Parker shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Saari fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Saari misses with a two punch combination.
Parker shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Saari as he avoids it easily.
As Parker looks to move away, Saari throws a big counter combo but Parker just gets out of the way.
Aleksi Saari has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alonnus Parker.
Saari lands a body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saari lands a nice hook to Parker's body. Parker takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Aleksi Saari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saari lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Saari fails to land with a series of punches.
Saari rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Parker moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Parker shoots in and drives through. Saari sprawls well.
Saari misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Parker fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Saari avoids it really well and circles away.
Saari connects with a jab.
Parker is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Saari.
Saari lands with an uppercut that bounces Parker off the cage and back into range.
Saari throws a right and a left that Parker avoids nicely.
Saari's corner calls for a 1-2. Saari obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Saari throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Saari throws a series of punches but Parker moves out of range.
And Parker tries to counter it with a takedown but Saari pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Saari throws a right hand that Parker ducks under and follows up with a left that Parker also avoids with ease.
Parker tries for a takedown but Saari sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Parker will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Parker takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Saari comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Saari jabs at Parker's body.
Parker has a takedown stuffed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saari lands with a shot to the body.
Saari closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Parker misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Parker slips a jab and a cross from Saari.
Saari displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Parker.
Saari swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Parker showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Saari.
Parker drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Saari defends it well.
Saari swinging wildly here.
Saari misses with a two punch combination.
Parker shoots in for a takedown but Saari shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A left lands for Saari.
Saari fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
We've been told by Saari's head coaches at Beasties that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saari is trying to control the position but Parker postures up.
Parker lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Saari knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Parker on the ground.
Parker wants to control from the top but Saari keeps moving.
Parker is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Parker preventing the sweep.
Parker makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Parker scoring with some ground and pound.
Parker content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Parker landing some decent shots from guard.
Parker distracts Saari with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Saari 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.
Parker cracks Saari with a solid left hand.
Saari has momentary wrist control but Parker slips an elbow through the middle.
Parker passes into half guard.
Ground and pound from Parker.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Saari has hold of Parker's hands but Parker slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Saari is trying to get back to full guard.
Parker has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Parker is nestled in close to Saari, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Saari is looking for a sweep. Parker is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Parker is taking a breather. Saari 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.
Parker lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Saari gets full guard.
Saari has momentary wrist control but Parker slips an elbow through the middle.
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!
Parker works over Saari with some ground and pound from guard.
Saari looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Parker with a nice head shot there.
Parker lands a couple of digs.
Parker preventing the sweep.
Saari looking to control.
Saari has momentary wrist control but Parker slips an elbow through the middle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksi Saari dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Saari lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Saari displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Saari swats away the attempt to clinch by Parker.
Parker moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Parker shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Saari as he jumps to the side.
Saari throws a combination. Parker tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Saari fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Saari keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Parker shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Saari but Saari pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Aleksi Saari has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alonnus Parker.
Parker shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Saari pinned against the cage. Saari gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Aleksi Saari is winning the standup battle so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Parker.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Parker on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Parker shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Saari pinned against the cage. Saari gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Saari lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Saari.
Parker dodges the punch combination from Saari.
Saari throws a nice looking combination but Parker bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Saari keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Saari throws a nice looking combination but Parker bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Saari leaves Parker with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Parker shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Saari pinned against the cage. Saari gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
As Parker looks to move away, Saari throws a big counter combo but Parker just gets out of the way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saari pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Parker back to the cage. Saari follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Saari is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Parker can do to turn this around?
Parker avoids a punch combination nicely.
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 lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Parker is looking to clinch.
Saari fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Saari throws a series of punches but Parker moves out of range.
Parker tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Parker drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Saari scores with a sloppy right hand. Parker should have avoided that one.
Aleksi Saari is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice cross by Saari.
Saari closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Saari looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Saari swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Parker showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Saari.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saari displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Parker.
Saari keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A combination from Saari does no damage.
Saari cracks Parker with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Saari scores with a jab to the body.
Saari tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Parker was well out of range. Poor timing from Saari.
Aleksi Saari is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Saari fails to land with a series of punches.
Saari lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Parker circles away quickly and effectively.
Parker drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Saari lunges at Parker with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Parker's hand.
Parker takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Parker looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Parker fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Saari avoids it really well and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saari moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Saari!
Parker shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Saari pinned against the cage. Saari gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Parker avoids a punch combination nicely.
Parker feints the counter takedown.
Saari throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Saari misses with the combination.
Parker is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Saari stuffs the takedown.
Saari tries to bum rush Parker with a series of wild strikes but Parker uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Parker fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Saari avoids it really well and circles away.
Saari fails to land with a series of punches.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksi Saari dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

A punch combination from Saari misses.
Parker feints the counter takedown.

Parker bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Parker lands a nice forearm strike.
Parker scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Saari to see if he's OK.
Parker trying to control the action but Saari is working from the bottom.
Alonnus Parker has got the better of the ground game so far.
Check out the look on Parker's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Parker cracks Saari with a big elbow.
Saari tries to improve position but can't.
Parker scores with punches from side control.
Parker grinds an elbow into Saari's temple.
Saari is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Saari wants to get back to his feet but Parker drags him back down.
Parker is working Saari over with some ground and pound from side control.
Saari is working to avoid the ground and pound but Parker connects with a decent elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saari tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Parker wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Saari takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Saari takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

Saari is rocked!
You can see the frustration on Saari's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Saari is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Oh Saari is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Saari is looking to regain half guard here but Parker keeps moving and retains side control.
Saari seems to have got his legs back now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Parker is looking to take a break and control but Saari is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Saari is looking for a sweep.
Parker working the body and head with strikes.
Saari tries to improve position but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Parker working the head and body with strikes.
Parker looks up at the clock and then as Saari takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Parker smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Saari takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Saari wants to get back to his feet but Parker drags him back down.
Saari is trying to improve his position.
Parker in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Parker scores with a couple of short elbows.
Saari takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Parker working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Parker working the ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saari is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saari is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Parker in side control here. He's dropped a big elbow there and Saari looks hurt! Oh, he is hurt! Parker turns on the heat and pounds him out for a TKO victory! Good killer instinct there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Alonnus Parker!
During a confident post fight interview, Alonnus Parker thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
In defeat, Aleksi Saari stepped up to the mic, saying 'Niin metsä vastaa, kuin sinne huudetaan.'.