PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Per Spelman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takuma Sakazaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Spelman
vs
Sakazaki

195 cm
22
220 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

195 cm
23
235 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Per Spelman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Takuma Sakazaki!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Arvi Lind and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spelman stuffs the takedown.

Sakazaki closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Spelman struggling a bit here.
Sakazaki working the body and head with strikes.

Sakazaki stands up.

Spelman shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Sakazaki's guard.
Sakazaki working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Spelman.
Spelman loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sakazaki wants to get back to his feet but Spelman is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Spelman wants to get up but he can't break Sakazaki's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakazaki wants to get back to his feet but Spelman is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Spelman trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakazaki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Sakazaki wriggles free and stands up.
Sakazaki has his takedown stuffed

and Spelman counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Spelman is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spelman looking to pass the guard.
Sakazaki wants to stand but Spelman is controlling the position.

Spelman drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Sakazaki manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Spelman has Sakazaki in his guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sakazaki won't allow Spelman to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakazaki lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Sakazaki with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sakazaki is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Sakazaki won't allow Spelman to get back to his feet.
Spelman on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Spelman tries to get out of the position.
Sakazaki postures up.

Sakazaki stands up and waves to Spelman to follow him.
Sakazaki shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Spelman counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Sakazaki's guard now.
Per Spelman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Takuma Sakazaki.

Sakazaki wriggles free and stands up.

Sakazaki closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Sakazaki misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Sakazaki stands up.

Spelman has Sakazaki up against the cage in a clinch.
Knees to the body from Sakazaki.
Spelman is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sakazaki gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Spelman wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sakazaki has him pressed against the cage.
Sakazaki tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Sakazaki breaks from the clinch.
Takuma Sakazaki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Spelman pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Spelman thuds a left hand into Sakazaki's body.
Sakazaki doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Spelman counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
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 Per Spelman will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Spelman moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Sakazaki takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Sakazaki blocks a head kick by Spelman.
Sakazaki swats away the attempt to clinch by Spelman.
Spelman gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Sakazaki counters with a single leg into guard. Spelman didn't expect that.
Sakazaki wants to pass the guard but Spelman is keeping the position.
Spelman trying to control the position.

Sakazaki stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Sakazaki drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Spelman is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spelman tries to buck Sakazaki off but Sakazaki is having none of it.
Spelman strikes from the bottom but Sakazaki takes advantage and advances to full mount!
Sakazaki scoring with strikes but Spelman is staying in there.
Sakazaki scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Spelman?
Sakazaki lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Spelman tries to lock up and control but Sakazaki gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Spelman tries to reverse the position but Sakazaki maintains control.
Spelman is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Spelman knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Sakazaki on the ground.

That's two 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.
Spelman swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Spelman tries to reverse the position but Sakazaki maintains control.
Sakazaki cracks Spelman with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Sakazaki lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Spelman hang on?
Spelman is bucking up trying to escape but Sakazaki cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
A nice elbow there by Sakazaki.
Spelman is in a horrible position here. Sakazaki smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Sakazaki putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Takuma Sakazaki has got the better of the ground game so far.
Spelman sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sakazaki stands up from half guard.
Spelman fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sakazaki with a lazy takedown attempt

and Spelman counters by clinching up.
Sakazaki is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Spelman is defending well for now.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Sakazaki misses with a knee strike.
Sakazaki blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A knee to the head by Sakazaki.

Spelman is trying to trip Sakazaki. He has hold of a leg but Sakazaki is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Spelman persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Spelman trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Sakazaki manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Spelman looking for a sweep. Not yet Spelman, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spelman working a defensive guard here.

Sakazaki decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Spelman, up you get!

Spelman gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Spelman prevents a body shot from Sakazaki.
Spelman is looking to break free of the clinch but Sakazaki has double underhooks.

Sakazaki breaks the clinch.
Spelman misses with a two punch combination.
Sakazaki shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Spelman cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Spelman fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sakazaki, pushing him back against the cage.
Spelman jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sakazaki walks away with a smile on his face. Spelman gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takuma Sakazaki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Spelman's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Spelman with a poor takedown

and Sakazaki counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Spelman's guard now.

Sakazaki gets to his feet. Spelman looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Sakazaki closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Spelman to the mat! Spelman manages to get full guard.
Sakazaki working some strikes from top position.
Spelman wants to sweep here but Sakazaki controlling him for the moment.
Spelman is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Sakazaki gets to his feet - Spelman follows without any prompting.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Spelman.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sakazaki pushes Spelman away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Spelman gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sakazaki throws Spelman to one side and escapes!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Spelman shoots and misses

and Sakazaki counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Spelman!
Sakazaki breaks from Spelman's wrist control and lands an elbow.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Sakazaki cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Spelman is trying desperately to improve position.
Sakazaki looking to finish Spelman with some ground and pound. This is bad for Spelman!
Sakazaki lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Sakazaki is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Spelman can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Sakazaki with good strikes from the mount here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spelman takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Sakazaki scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Spelman?
Sakazaki with shots to the head and body - Spelman looks very uncomfortable down there.
Spelman gets back to half guard.
Sakazaki has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Sakazaki postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Spelman to stand up.
Sakazaki gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Spelman counters with a nice double leg into side control. Sakazaki won't be happy with that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Spelman has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Sakazaki shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Spelman counters by moving into the clinch.
Sakazaki landing knees to the body.
Spelman avoiding damage as Sakazaki throws knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakazaki with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Spelman looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Sakazaki is looking to control Spelman's arms but Spelman gets an underhook and turns him. Now Sakazaki has his back to the cage.
Spelman tries to break the clinch but Sakazaki is controlling the position.
Spelman can't break the clinch.
Spelman working hard to break the clinch.
Spelman is trying to drag Sakazaki to the mat but Sakazaki just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Per Spelman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Spelman avoiding damage as Sakazaki throws knees to the body.
Sakazaki tries to land knees in the clinch but Spelman avoids the damage to the body.
Spelman blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sakazaki missing with knees to the body.
Spelman avoiding damage as Sakazaki throws knees to the body.
Spelman goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sakazaki prevents it.
Spelman is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sakazaki is defending well for now.
Spelman wants a takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sakazaki is struggling to control the position.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Sakazaki stalling against the cage.
Sakazaki misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Spelman.
Spelman tries to pull guard but Sakazaki won't allow it.
Sakazaki has Spelman pressed against the cage, preventing Spelman from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Sakazaki unloads a knee to the mid-section.

Spelman ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Spelman no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Sakazaki gets to his feet - Spelman follows without any prompting.
Sakazaki avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sakazaki doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Spelman counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Spelman.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Sakazaki breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Spelman clinches.
Sakazaki trying to stall but Spelman improves his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Takuma Sakazaki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sakazaki 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takuma Sakazaki!