PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Antti Kantola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mika Saarenpaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mika Saarenpaa acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Kantola
vs
Saarenpaa

176 cm
31
182 lbs
12 - 13 - 0

183 cm
22
176 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

{R.W} Four Aces Nutrition

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 12 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antti Kantola!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mika Saarenpaa!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saarenpaa pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Saarenpaa takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kantola tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Saarenpaa was well out of range. Poor timing from Kantola.
Saarenpaa misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kantola misses with a body shot.
Kantola throws a jab when Saarenpaa was well out of range.
Saarenpaa listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Kantola connects with a body shot.
Saarenpaa ducks right into an uppercut from Kantola.
Mika Saarenpaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Saarenpaa lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Kantola has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Kantola and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kantola uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Saarenpaa.
Kantola throws a lazy right hand but Saarenpaa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Saarenpaa throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Saarenpaa defending well as Kantola loads up on a big left hand.
Kantola takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saarenpaa looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Saarenpaa throws a lazy head kick
and Kantola counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kantola checks the leg kick.
Saarenpaa takes one to the chin there.
Kantola checks a leg kick nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kantola throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kantola does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Saarenpaa scores with a head kick. Kantola tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Kantola cracks Saarenpaa with a right hand to the side of the head.
Kantola throws a body punch but Saarenpaa moves out of range.
Saarenpaa tries to work over Kantola's front leg with a kick but Kantola checks it.
Kantola getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Saarenpaa misses with a low kick.
Kantola connects with a body shot that sends Saarenpaa's belly button to the back.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kantola checks a leg kick.
Kantola tries to land a front kick but Saarenpaa steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kantola walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nice shot by Saarenpaa.
Kantola has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Saarenpaa.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Saarenpaa wants to land a leg kick but Kantola is out of range.
Kantola takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Saarenpaa throws a leg kick
and Kantola counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Saarenpaa thows a leg kick but Kantola checks it
and Kantola cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kantola just misses with a punch to the body.
Kantola swings for the body but Saarenpaa moves out of range.
Kantola dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Saarenpaa misses with a low kick.
Saarenpaa connects with a body shot that sends Kantola's belly button to the back.
Saarenpaa tries to work over Kantola's front leg with a kick but Kantola checks it.
Saarenpaa thows a leg kick but Kantola checks it
letting Kantola counter with a right hand.
A thudding body kick lands there by Saarenpaa!
Good exchange - Kantola coming out on top.
Saarenpaa connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Saarenpaa throws a low kick but Kantola moves out of range easily.
Kantola takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

Saarenpaa tries to keep at a distance but Kantola has taken the fight into the clinch.
Saarenpaa has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kantola displaying some good clinch control by pressing Saarenpaa up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kantola gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Saarenpaa is looking to control Kantola's arms but Kantola gets an underhook and turns him. Now Saarenpaa has his back to the cage.
Kantola lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Saarenpaa or not.
Saarenpaa is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kantola goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Saarenpaa can't break the clinch.
Saarenpaa avoids a wild elbow strike from Kantola.
Saarenpaa wants to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Saarenpaa tries to circle away but Kantola has him pinned against the cage.
Kantola avoiding damage.
Kantola throws a head punch that misses.
Saarenpaa looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kantola throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kantola.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kantola.
Kantola slowing the pace effectively.
Saarenpaa trying to stall but Kantola improves his position.
Kantola stalling in the clinch.
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 Antti Kantola will probably get the nod.
That's time! Kantola's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kantola is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Saarenpaa.
Jab by Kantola.
Kantola moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Kantola swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kantola takes a body punch but keeps moving.
An inside leg kick lands from Saarenpaa.
Kantola tries to clinch there but Saarenpaa circles away.
Saarenpaa will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kantola takes a swing at Saarenpaa's ribcage but misses.
Saarenpaa tries a head kick but it misses.
Saarenpaa looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Saarenpaa tries a head kick but it misses.
Kantola throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Kantola tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Saarenpaa connects with a looping right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saarenpaa throws a shot to the body.
Kantola throws an off balance right hand
and Saarenpaa counters with a good low kick that Kantola was not able to check.
A slow jab from Kantola misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kantola looks to land a right hand but Saarenpaa moved out of range.
Kantola is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Saarenpaa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kantola takes a swing at Saarenpaa's ribcage but misses.
Mika Saarenpaa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kantola fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kantola throws a hook but Saarenpaa avoids it easily.
A swing and a miss from Kantola.
Saarenpaa connects with an inside leg kick.
Kantola misses with an attempted mid kick.
That kick from Kantola tenderised Saarenpaa's leg. Saarenpaa is trying to keep his angry face on.
Saarenpaa has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Saarenpaa scores with a kick to the body.
Saarenpaa connects with a high kick.
Saarenpaa chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kantola throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mika Saarenpaa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kantola connects with a body shot.
Saarenpaa misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Saarenpaa.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saarenpaa is looking to slow Kantola down with leg kicks.
Kantola swinging wildly here.

Kantola forces Saarenpaa back against the cage and clinches.
Saarenpaa will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Kantola up against the cage.
Kantola drops down looking for an ankle pick but Saarenpaa pulls his leg out and moves away.
Saarenpaa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kantola throws a body shot but no joy.
Kantola misses with a body shot.
Saarenpaa misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kantola has managed to clinch.
Kantola misses with a hook to the ribs.
Saarenpaa blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kantola lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Saarenpaa is trying to break free.
Kantola misses with some punches.
Kantola lands with a right to the head.
Kantola tries to score a body lock takedown but Saarenpaa shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Saarenpaa is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Kantola tries to throw a body punch but Saarenpaa avoids it by throwing Kantola back against the cage.
Kantola misses with some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kantola pressing his opponent against the cage.
Kantola goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kantola.
Kantola makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kantola.
Kantola stalling in the clinch.
Saarenpaa blocks a body shot from Kantola.
Kantola using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
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 Antti Kantola will probably get the nod.
That's time! Kantola's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kantola blocks a leg kick.
Saarenpaa lands a head kick. Kantola smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Saarenpaa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Saarenpaa ducks under a wild hook from Kantola.
Saarenpaa fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kantola is out of range.
Kantola connects with a single shot there.
Kantola thumps Saarenpaa with a low kick.
Kantola throws a right hand that Saarenpaa ducks under and follows up with a left that Saarenpaa also avoids with ease.
Kantola connects with a leg kick. Saarenpaa looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Saarenpaa with a jab.
Saarenpaa shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Saarenpaa fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Saarenpaa throws a leg kick
and Kantola counters with a straight right hand.
Saarenpaa blocks a head kick by Kantola.
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!
Kantola misses with a body shot.
Kantola has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kantola there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kantola turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kantola misses with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saarenpaa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kantola.
Saarenpaa misses with a low kick.
Kantola tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Saarenpaa paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kantola misses with a looping left.
Kantola checks a leg kick.
Saarenpaa throws a head kick that half lands.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kantola checks a leg kick.
Saarenpaa moves out of range of the body kick.
Saarenpaa throws a head kick but Kantola moves out of range.
Saarenpaa on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Kantola doesn't manage to clinch there - Saarenpaa circles away.
Kantola throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Saarenpaa scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Saarenpaa lands a high kick!
Saarenpaa cracks the inside of Kantola's front leg.
A good leg kick by Kantola.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saarenpaa tries to land a leg kick but Kantola saw it coming and moves away.
Kantola avoids the body shot from Saarenpaa.
Kantola throws a body shot but no joy.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Saarenpaa crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Kantola - the referee stops the clock and Saarenpaa gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Kantola. Saarenpaa manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Saarenpaa throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Jab by Kantola.
Saarenpaa takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kantola scores with a jab.
Saarenpaa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Saarenpaa throws a low kick, looking for Kantola's leg but Kantola calmly moves out of range.
Kantola stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kantola sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kantola lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kantola bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Saarenpaa.
Mika Saarenpaa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Saarenpaa listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Antti Kantola is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa feints and then cracks Kantola's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kantola down.
Saarenpaa attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Saarenpaa tried to score with a low kick but Kantola checks it.
Kantola misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kantola counters with a nice low kick that buckles Saarenpaa's knee momentarily.
Kantola checks the leg kick.
Saarenpaa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Saarenpaa blocks a jab.
Kantola bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Saarenpaa's head backwards.
Kantola fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Saarenpaa looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A jab from Saarenpaa does it's job there.
Nice jab there from Kantola.
Kantola tries for a takedown but Saarenpaa sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Saarenpaa lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Saarenpaa misses the shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kantola pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Saarenpaa back to the cage. Kantola follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kantola goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Kantola closes the distance and pushes Saarenpaa back into the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kantola stalling the fight.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Saarenpaa managing to block the knees to the body from Kantola.
Kantola just leaning against Saarenpaa, taking a breather.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kantola is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Saarenpaa to keep the fight standing.

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 Antti Kantola.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kantola, 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antti Kantola!
After the big win, Antti Kantola made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Perkele! and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.