PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Neo TT (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saku Vilko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saku Vilko has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

TT
vs
Vilko

225 cm
19
297 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

183 cm
26
300 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Neo TT!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Saku Vilko!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Chris Edwards and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Vilko scores with a takedown into TT's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
TT looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Vilko works over TT with some ground and pound from guard.
Vilko wants to stand but TT has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Vilko really doesn't want to stay on the ground with TT. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Vilko seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Vilko has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of TT is proving hard to escape from.

TT had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Vilko defends it easily.
Vilko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vilko has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of TT is proving hard to escape from.
Vilko is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Vilko wants to get up but he can't break TT's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Vilko tries to free his leg and advance position but TT is retaining full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Saku Vilko.

Vilko dives in and scores a takedown into TT's guard.
TT has a closed guard, preventing Vilko from standing up.
TT has momentary wrist control but Vilko slips an elbow through the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vilko wants to stand but TT is controlling his posture from full guard.
Vilko must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Vilko is stalling in the full guard.
Vilko's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Saku Vilko wasn't active enough on the ground.

Vilko closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming TT to the mat! TT manages to get full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vilko working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Vilko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. TT swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Vilko controlling from the top position.
Vilko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. TT is keeping the position for now.
Vilko controls from within his opponent's guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Saku Vilko was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Some bone on bone action there as TT checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
TT tries to close the distance and clinch but Vilko swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Vilko shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Vilko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. TT is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vilko seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Vilko lands a couple of digs.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vilko is looking to work some ground and pound but TT has wrist control.
Vilko would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saku Vilko dominated that 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.

Vilko closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Vilko instigates a clinch.

Vilko breaks the clinch.

Vilko closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. TT did well to prevent Vilko getting side control.
Vilko content to control rather than advance.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Vilko has eaten all the pies!

Vilko is sneakily working for an arm triangle but TT sees it coming and defends easily.
Vilko scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vilko keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vilko wants to work for an arm triangle but TT is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Vilko lands with a punch from half guard.
Vilko wants to stand but TT has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Still in half guard, Vilko seems content to control.
Ground and pound from Vilko.

Vilko is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Vilko trying to control the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vilko has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Vilko seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Vilko throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Vilko is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Nice strikes from Vilko there.
Vilko wants to pass the guard but TT is defending well.

Vilko is working for a kimura but TT is defending it quite comfortably.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vilko is looking to advance position but TT won't allow it.

Vilko escapes and gets back to his feet.
Vilko throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Vilko moves into the clinch.
Vilko slows down the pace here.
Vilko lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt TT or not.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vilko has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics TT uses from the top position.

Vilko had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. TT defends it easily.
Vilko looking for a sweep. Not yet Vilko, not yet.
TT postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vilko throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
TT will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Vilko is adopting a defensive guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Vilko tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saku Vilko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Vilko shoots in but TT avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Vilko drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Vilko controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Vilko wants to get up but he can't break TT's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Vilko not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Saku Vilko was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Vilko shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in TT's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vilko tries to free his leg and advance position but TT is retaining full guard.
TT is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
TT looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Vilko stays in close to TT's body and controls the position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Saku Vilko has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Vilko bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Vilko scoring with punches from side control.
You can see the frustration on TT's face as Vilko controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vilko is chipping away with strikes.
Vilko trying to control the action but TT is working from the bottom.
Vilko is staying tight to TT's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vilko wants to lay and pray for a moment but TT keeps working.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Saku Vilko hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vilko trying to control the action but TT is working from the bottom.
Vilko scores with punches from side control.
Vilko tries to stand but TT is controlling his head.

Vilko tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vilko tries to stand but TT is controlling his head.
Vilko taking a breather here.
Vilko lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear TT down.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Vilko thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Neo TT has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Saku Vilko is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Saku Vilko has got the better of the ground game so far.
Vilko scoring with punches and elbows.

And that's the end of the fight!
Saku Vilko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Vilko has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 William Gold scores the fight 24:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 24:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Saku Vilko!