PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jed Guerrero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joni Saikkonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saikkonen has chosen The Exploited - Fuck the USA as his entrance music. Jed Guerrero has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Guerrero
vs
Saikkonen

177 cm
18
161 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

186 cm
25
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jed Guerrero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joni Saikkonen!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Marco Blurström and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saikkonen throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Saikkonen with a poor takedown
and Guerrero counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Saikkonen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Guerrero swivels and escapes.
Saikkonen circles away from the clinch attempt
and Saikkonen counters with a big head kick but Guerrero shrugs it off.

Guerrero gets in close and instigates a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Guerrero.
Saikkonen jumps guard but Guerrero turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Jed Guerrero has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joni Saikkonen.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Saikkonen is trying to pull guard but Guerrero turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Saikkonen.
Saikkonen jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Guerrero walks away with a smile on his face. Saikkonen gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Joni Saikkonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Saikkonen.
Saikkonen shoots in looking for a takedown but Guerrero manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Saikkonen's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Guerrero looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Guerrero thows a huge punch but Saikkonen dodges it nicely.
Saikkonen is looking to improve his position.

Guerrero is trying to work for a kimura but Saikkonen is defending well.
Guerrero scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Saikkonen wants to get back to his feet.
Saikkonen is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Guerrero not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Guerrero not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Guerrero not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Guerrero not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Guerrero missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Guerrero thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Saikkonen's head.
Saikkonen is not content to let Guerrero control the position.
Saikkonen is looking to improve his position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saikkonen slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Saikkonen looks winded!

Saikkonen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Guerrero doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Guerrero manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Saikkonen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Guerrero defends well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Guerrero trying to control but Saikkonen is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Guerrero throws a big elbow that misses.
Guerrero scoring with punches to the head and body.
Guerrero postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Guerrero is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Guerrero throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Saikkonen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Guerrero trying to control but Saikkonen is working from the bottom.
Guerrero would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Guerrero looking to pass the guard.
Guerrero wants to control from the top but Saikkonen keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Guerrero won't allow Saikkonen to sweep him here.
Guerrero postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Guerrero loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Saikkonen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Guerrero is one step ahead there.

Guerrero has gone for a leg lock! Saikkonen slips out almost immediately though and dives into Guerrero's guard.
Guerrero tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Guerrero is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Saikkonen defends well.
Saikkonen trying to control but Guerrero is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jed Guerrero 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.

Guerrero doesn't manage to clinch there - Saikkonen circles away.

Saikkonen moves into the clinch successfully.
Guerrero looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Saikkonen taking a breather.
Saikkonen has Guerrero pressed against the cage, preventing Guerrero from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Saikkonen is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Guerrero is keeping busy.
Saikkonen is trying to pull guard but Guerrero turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Saikkonen leaning his opponent against the cage.

Saikkonen manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saikkonen closes the distance and pushes Guerrero back into the cage.
Saikkonen dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Saikkonen looking for a takedown.

Saikkonen manages to break the clinch.
Saikkonen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Jed Guerrero has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joni Saikkonen.
Guerrero doesn't manage to clinch there - Saikkonen circles away.
Joni Saikkonen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Guerrero tries to clinch but Saikkonen moves away
and Saikkonen counters with a nice body shot.
Saikkonen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Saikkonen is breathing heavily.
Saikkonen shoots in and drives through. Guerrero sprawls well.
Guerrero is looking to clinch but Saikkonen is avoiding it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saikkonen swats away the attempt to clinch by Guerrero.
Saikkonen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Guerrero is fending him off so far but Saikkonen persists. Nope, Guerrero circles away and we're back to standing.

Guerrero forces Saikkonen back against the cage and clinches.
Guerrero tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Saikkonen avoids it.
Guerrero wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Guerrero trying to control the position but instead, Saikkonen has worked for underhooks and has pushed Guerrero into the cage.
Saikkonen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Saikkonen is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Saikkonen fails to pull guard.
Saikkonen keeps control of Guerrero as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Guerrero has had enough of the clinch but Saikkonen keeps him there for the moment.
Guerrero is trying to break the clinch but Saikkonen has him pressed against the cage.
Saikkonen prevents Guerrero from breaking the clinch.

Saikkonen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Saikkonen swats away the attempt to clinch by Guerrero.

Saikkonen rushes Guerrero and presses him up against the cage.
Saikkonen is looking to take this one to the mat.
Saikkonen keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Guerrero's efforts to push away.
Guerrero working hard to break the clinch.
Guerrero misses with the head strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Guerrero looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Guerrero is trying to force a seperation but Saikkonen has the dominant position.
Saikkonen goes for a takedown attempt but Guerrero pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Guerrero looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Guerrero tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Saikkonen tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Guerrero defends well and Saikkonen ends up having to push Guerrero into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Guerrero wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Saikkonen is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Guerrero to keep the fight standing.
Saikkonen keeps control of Guerrero as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jed Guerrero will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Saikkonen moves into the clinch successfully.
Guerrero tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

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

Saikkonen gets a clinch.

Saikkonen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Saikkonen tries for a takedown but Guerrero circles away easily
and Guerrero counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Saikkonen misses with a looping right.
Saikkonen tries for a takedown but Guerrero sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Saikkonen has his takedown stuffed
and Guerrero counters with a nice body shot.
Jed Guerrero has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joni Saikkonen.
Saikkonen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Guerrero bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Saikkonen taking a bit of punishment here - Guerrero scoring with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saikkonen takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Guerrero trying to control the position but Saikkonen is working away.
Saikkonen tries to escape but Guerrero is in control.
Guerrero is putting a hurting on Saikkonen here, landing some big shots from side control.

Guerrero thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Guerrero lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Guerrero lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Saikkonen down.
Guerrero working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Guerrero working the head with strikes.
Guerrero in side control, throwing shots but Saikkonen defends.

Guerrero looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Guerrero tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Guerrero has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Guerrero works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
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!

Guerrero is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Saikkonen knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Saikkonen pushes Guerrero away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Guerrero gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Guerrero works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Saikkonen tries to buck Guerrero off but Guerrero is having none of it.
Guerrero is chipping away with strikes.
Guerrero working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Guerrero is chipping away with strikes.
Saikkonen tries to buck Guerrero off but Guerrero is having none of it.
Guerrero trying to control the action but Saikkonen is working from the bottom.
Guerrero scores with a couple of short elbows.
Guerrero wants to lay and pray for a moment but Saikkonen keeps working.
Saikkonen is trying to buck Guerrero off.

Guerrero stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Guerrero scores with a shot to the body.
Saikkonen shoots in and drives through. Guerrero sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saikkonen moves out of range of the body kick from Guerrero.
Saikkonen avoids a kick to the body.
Guerrero shoots in looking for a takedown. Saikkonen tries to sprawl out of it but Guerrero keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Saikkonen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Saikkonen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Saikkonen wants it to stay on the feet.
Guerrero tries to clinch up
and Saikkonen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Joni Saikkonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jed Guerrero is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saikkonen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Saikkonen wants it to stay on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jed Guerrero showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Guerrero, 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jed Guerrero!