PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Juha Ahokas (ranked 4151 p4p, 4134 weight class) and Leevi Saros (ranked 503 p4p, 501 weight class). Saros has chosen Marko Hietala - Stones as his entrance music. Leevi Saros has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ahokas
vs
Saros

178 cm
26
180
3 - 4 - 0

183 cm
28
184
9 - 10 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

HELLBENT
Fantasy Threads (Laundry 15%)

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Juha Ahokas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 10 - 1, fighting out of New York, Leevi Saros!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ahokas tries a head kick but it misses.
It seemed like Saros was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Ahokas misses with a hook to the body
and Saros counters with a nice uppercut.
Ahokas is looking to clinch.
Saros swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ahokas looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ahokas wants to clinch
and Ahokas takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Decent striking displayed by Ahokas there.
Saros misses with an uppercut. Ahokas saw that one coming.
Ahokas throws a right and a left that both miss.
Saros throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ahokas sees it coming and avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saros ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Saros waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ahokas.
A head kick misses from Ahokas.
Saros takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ahokas throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the body from Ahokas misses
and Saros counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ahokas throws a right hand that Saros ducks under and follows up with a left that Saros also avoids with ease.

Ahokas darts in and clinches Saros up against the cage.
Ahokas wants to get back to striking at distance but Saros won't allow it.
Saros throws a head punch that misses.
Saros misses with a body punch.

Saros has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Ahokas regains guard immediately.
Saros won't allow Ahokas to sweep him here.
Saros tries to free his leg and advance position but Ahokas is retaining full guard.
Saros trying to control the position from guard on top but Ahokas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ahokas can't keep his opponent in guard - Saros advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahokas is looking for a sweep. Saros is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Saros trying to control the action but Ahokas is working from the bottom.
Ahokas is trying is best to control the position here.
Ahokas is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Saros seems to be looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saros tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ahokas knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Ahokas looking for submissions off his back.
Saros keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Saros is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ahokas sees it coming and defends easily.
Ahokas is looking to improve his position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Saros throws an overhand right that lands on Ahokas's shoulder, as Ahokas tries to avoid the shot.
Ahokas throws a right hand that Saros ducks under and follows up with a left that Saros also avoids with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Ahokas misses with a two punch combination.
Ahokas throws a sloppy head kick and Saros moves out of range easily.
Danga de danga de dang - Ahokas scores with a four punch combination!
Saros thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ahokas went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Ahokas clobbers Saros with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Saros throws a jab when Ahokas was well out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ahokas prevents a takedown attempt there.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ahokas creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Saros has Ahokas pressed against the cage, preventing Ahokas from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Saros fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Ahokas manages to break the clinch.
Ahokas throws a head kick but Saros moves out of range.
Saros throws out a counter right but Ahokas avoids it with no problem.
Ahokas throws a shot to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ahokas tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Saros paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Saros lands with a good body shot.
Juha Ahokas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ahokas tries to close the distance and clinch but Saros swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Saros might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Ahokas gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Saros.
Juha Ahokas is winning the standup battle so far.
Ahokas takes one on the button.
Ahokas misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ahokas jabs at Saros's body.
Ahokas moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Ahokas avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ahokas misses with a two punch combination.
Ahokas's jab looks to have found its range, popping Saros under the eye.
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!
Ahokas defending well as Saros loads up on a big left hand.

Ahokas forces Saros back against the cage and clinches.
Ahokas lands with a right to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Ahokas fails to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Saros fails to land.
Still in the clinch, Saros scores with a nice short uppercut.
Saros misses with a punch to the body.
Ahokas can't break the clinch.
Saros blocks a body shot from Ahokas.
Ahokas can't find room to land a body shot as Saros controls the action.
Nice body punch from Ahokas - that landed with a thud.
Saros lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ahokas scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Ahokas working hard to break the clinch.
Ahokas swings wildly with an uppercut but Saros uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saros misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Saros tries a body shot but Ahokas blocks it.
Ahokas wants to break free but Saros has control.

Ahokas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ahokas staying out of range there.
Saros thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ahokas was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahokas scores with a jab to the body.
Ahokas misses with a wild combination.
Ahokas throws a head kick but Saros moves out of range.
A head kick by Ahokas misses
and Saros counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saros avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ahokas misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ahokas avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ahokas throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Saros throws out a counter right but Ahokas avoids it with no problem.

Ahokas forces Saros back against the cage and clinches.
Saros lands a shot to the body.

Ahokas breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ahokas keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Saros.
Ahokas misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahokas throws a poor cross that misses
and Saros counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ahokas throws a lazy head kick
and Saros cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ahokas misses with a right hand

and Saros holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Ahokas breaks the clinch.
Ahokas throws a combination. Saros tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Ahokas lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Ahokas takes a swing at Saros's ribcage but misses.
Ahokas moves forwards but Saros connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ahokas throws a body shot but no joy.
Saros lands a nice shot that snaps Ahokas's head back.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ahokas throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ahokas doesn't manage to clinch there - Saros circles away.
Ahokas rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Saros moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
It seemed like Saros was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Ahokas misses with a double jab.
A little jabbing left from Saros on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ahokas throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ahokas throws a nice looking combination but Saros bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ahokas moves away from the strike by Saros.
Ahokas fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ahokas fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Ahokas feints a jab promting Saros to slip. Ahokas then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Saros slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Ahokas looks to score with a jab to the body but Saros is just out of range.
Ahokas doesn't manage to clinch there - Saros circles away.
Ahokas throws out a loose jab but Saros uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ahokas throws out a loose jab but Saros uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ahokas bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Saros avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A little jabbing left from Saros on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ahokas lunges at Saros with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Saros's hand.
Ahokas tries to clinch but Saros is having none of it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Juha Ahokas 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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Ahokas tries to clinch but Saros is having none of it.
Saros misses with a hook.
Ahokas closes the distance but Saros moves to the side
and Saros counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ahokas is looking to clinch.
Ahokas steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Saros.
Ahokas fails in his attempt to clinch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Saros! But no joy.
Ahokas throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ahokas ducks under a wild hook from Saros.
Ahokas tries a head kick but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ahokas throws a lazy head kick
and Saros counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ahokas thinking.
Ahokas misses with a two punch combination.
Saros waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ahokas.
Ahokas misses with a double jab
and Saros counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ahokas thinking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahokas will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Danga de danga de dang - Ahokas scores with a four punch combination!
Ahokas moves away from the strike by Saros.
Saros throws a jab but it's blocked by Ahokas.
A left lands for Saros.
Ahokas keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Saros.
A big right from Ahokas misses.
A little jabbing left from Saros on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Saros misses with a body shot.
Saros throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ahokas misses with a lunging right hand
and Saros counters with a stiff right hand.
Saros misses with a straight right.
Leevi Saros has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahokas pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Ahokas clinches with his opponent.
Ahokas prevents a body shot from Saros.
Saros keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ahokas's efforts to push away.
Saros misses with a punch to the body.
Saros goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Good body shot from Saros.
Saros goes for a takedown attempt but Ahokas pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ahokas throws a sloppy head kick
and Saros counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Saros misses with a looping left.
Ahokas bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Saros's head backwards.
Ahokas scores with the left hand. Saros knows he should have avoided that one.
Saros scores with a sloppy right hand. Ahokas should have avoided that one.
Ahokas tries to move into range but Saros moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahokas tries to clinch up.
A head kick misses from Ahokas.
Ahokas tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ahokas swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ahokas lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Saros circles away quickly and effectively.
Saros avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Saros looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ahokas keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Ahokas uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Saros.
Ahokas throws a right and a left that Saros avoids nicely.
Ahokas throws a right hand that Saros ducks under and follows up with a left that Saros also avoids with ease.
No joy there for Ahokas, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A little jabbing left from Saros on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Some wild striking there from Ahokas.
Saros showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ahokas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ahokas misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Jab by Ahokas.
Saros misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ahokas.
Ahokas lands with a good body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ahokas moves in looking to clinch but Saros pushes him off.
Good standup being displayed there by Ahokas as he connects with a hook.
Ahokas throws a series of punches but Saros moves out of range.
Ahokas sets himself, and Saros steps forward looking for the clinch! Ahokas avoids it this time.

Ahokas closes the distance and clinches.

Saros is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Ahokas can't fight it off and eventually Saros manages to take the fight to the floor. Ahokas looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Saros pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ahokas is keeping the position for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Juha Ahokas.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ahokas, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juha Ahokas!
Leevi Saros spoke after the fight, saying 'A man can't outlast whatever he's made. Tonight my opponent extended this inevitability beyond the realms of mine. Congratulations. Rise or fall, we get up and keep grinding. And grinding, the constant movement, never ends. I will return.'.