PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Robin Verhoeven (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arne Saarrinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Arne Saarrinen is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Verhoeven
vs
Saarrinen

195 cm
25
240 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

193 cm
23
239 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Hates pizza

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 Amsterdam, Robin Verhoeven!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arne Saarrinen!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Sam Margolis and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saarrinen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Saarrinen fails to land the takedown.
Saarrinen defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Verhoeven.
Saarrinen tests Verhoeven's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Verhoeven stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Verhoeven wants it to stay on the feet.
Saarrinen fails with a takedown attempt.
Robin Verhoeven has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arne Saarrinen.
Saarrinen wants to clinch.
Saarrinen defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Verhoeven.
Saarrinen tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Verhoeven counters with a stiff right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Verhoeven drives through with a takedown into Saarrinen's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Verhoeven slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Verhoeven seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Saarrinen for as long as he can get away with.
Verhoeven throws a big right hand that misses.
Saarrinen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Verhoeven controls from within his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

We're going to have a standup here because Robin Verhoeven wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Verhoeven rushes Saarrinen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saarrinen trying to land knees to the body.

Verhoeven manages to break the clinch.
Saarrinen tries to clinch but Verhoeven moves out of range.
Verhoeven connects with a nice looking jab.
Verhoeven doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Saarrinen counters with a one-two to the body.
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!

Verhoeven closes the distance and pushes Saarrinen back into the cage.
Saarrinen swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Verhoeven pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Verhoeven moves into the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Verhoeven.
Saarrinen tries to score a body lock takedown but Verhoeven shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verhoeven lands a knee to the body.
Saarrinen looks winded!
Saarrinen is looking to break free of the clinch but Verhoeven has double underhooks.
Saarrinen is trying to pull guard but Verhoeven has him pressed against the cage.
Saarrinen blocks an elbow strike from Verhoeven.
Verhoeven working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Verhoeven breaks from the clinch.
Saarrinen moves in looking to clinch but Verhoeven pushes him off.
Verhoeven lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Verhoeven tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Saarrinen swivels and escapes.

Verhoeven has taken the fight to the clinch.

Verhoeven pulls Saarrinen into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Verhoeven pulls Saarrinen in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Verhoeven is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Saarrinen has his hands clasped together but Verhoeven extends and breaks Saarrinen's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Verhoeven.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:22 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Robin Verhoeven!