PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Samppa Linna (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jimmy James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James has chosen NWO Wolfpack as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Linna
vs
James

190 cm
35
242 lbs
23 - 12 - 0

195 cm
42
275 lbs
28 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

My$tic Clothing ~ (`10%Laundry`)

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 23 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Samppa Linna!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jimmy James!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Steve Smith and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James misses the jab.
Linna throws a quick counter head kick but James was just out of range.
Linna tries to bum rush James with a series of wild strikes but James uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A big left from James misses.
Linna takes one to the side of the head.
James misses with a straight right.
An attempted straight right counter from Linna misses the target.
James looks to throw the jab but Linna is out of range.
A lazy left from Linna finds it's target.
A slow jab from James misses its intended target.
Linna scores with a one two! James had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

It looks like Jimmy James has been cut.
Linna cracks James with a right hand to the side of the head.
Linna connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed James momentarily.
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!
Linna tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but James swivels and escapes.
James drops his hands momentarily and Linna takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Linna shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches James napping and manages to drive through into side control!

James is rocked!
You can see the frustration on James's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Linna trying to control the position but James is working away.
James is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Linna wants to control but James is keeping him busy.
Linna is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt James will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

Linna tries for a kimura but James is defending well.
James is not content to let Linna control the position.
James is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Linna prevents James from improving his position.
James trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Linna wants to lay and pray for a moment but James keeps working.
James is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Linna is trying to control the action in half guard but James is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Linna not doing much here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Linna trying to control from half guard but James is working away.
James won't allow Linna to pass to mount.
James is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Linna wants to pass to mount but James is defending the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Linna prevents James from improving his position.
Linna controlling the action here.
James is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

James looking for submissions off his back.
Well, if Linna is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
James on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Linna is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by James.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James throws a jab when Linna was well out of range.
Linna swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Linna gets a double leg takedown into James's guard.
Linna controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Linna looking to pass the guard.
Linna is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Linna stopping the sweep attempt from James.
James is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Linna sitting in guard here, content to control.
Linna is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Bruize Brothaz that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
James manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Linna manages to get himself to full guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samppa Linna dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jimmy James's cut.
That's time! Linna's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

James throws a series of punches but Linna moves out of range.
Linna clobbers James with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
James fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Linna manages to avoid it.

Linna shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. James is trying to defend but Linna finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Linna trying to control from half guard but James is working away.
Linna perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
James is looking to improve his position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Linna connects with a nice short shot to James's temple.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James is trying to get back to full guard.
Linna is pressing down on James's thigh, looking to free his foot. James is holding on for now.
James missing with punches from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Linna slips a nice elbow through James's hands, connecting with James's forehead.
James throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
James is trying to get back to full guard.
Linna is trying to control the action in half guard but James is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
James gets full guard.
Linna sitting in guard here, content to control.
James manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Linna manages to get himself to full guard.

James makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Linna avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Linna tries to land a sweep but no joy.
James postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James postures up.
James throwing strikes from guard but Linna blocks nicely.
Linna is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Linna prevents James from improving his position.
James regains full guard. Nicely done.
James wants to sweep here but Linna controlling him for the moment.
Linna content to stall in guard here.

James looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Linna wants to pass the guard but James is keeping the position.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Linna here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James wants to sweep but no luck.
James lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Linna is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Linna working a defensive guard here.
Linna being controlled here, momentarily.
James postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Linna keeping full guard, as James tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Linna utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
James throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Linna works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
James is looking to work some ground and pound but Linna has wrist control.
James scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
James won't allow Linna to sweep him here.
James throwing strikes from guard but Linna blocks nicely.
James loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Linna is controlling James's posture.
James wants to control from the top but Linna keeps moving.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
James distracts Linna with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jimmy James will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Jimmy James's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

A nice leg kick lands there from Linna.

James gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

James looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now James is on top in guard.

James is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Linna working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from James.
James throwing strikes from guard but Linna blocks nicely.
James works over Linna with some ground and pound from guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James throws a big right hand that misses.
James trying to control but Linna is working from the bottom.
Linna tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Linna trying to control the position.
Samppa Linna overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
James content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Linna not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Linna working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from James.
Linna avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Linna keeping moving, preventing James from controlling successfully.
James stopping the sweep attempt from Linna.
James throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Linna works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Linna not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
James throws a poor cross that misses
and Linna counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James throws a series of punches but Linna moves out of range.
Linna lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
James moves forwards but Linna connects with a nice, crisp jab.
James throws a sloppy head kick and Linna moves out of range easily.
Linna throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent James stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
James darts in looking for a takedown but Linna gets double underhooks and turns James into the cage.
Samppa Linna is winning the standup battle so far.
Linna lands a jab.
Linna is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that James can do to turn this around?
Linna lands with a nice body punch.
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!
Linna tries to clinch up.
Linna walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
James throws out a powerful jab.
Linna takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Linna fails in his attempt to clinch.
Linna throws a good cross that connects.
James throws a head kick that misses
and Linna counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
James misses with a two punch combination.
James takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Linna jabs James to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Linna clinches up against the cage.
James blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Linna presses James against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
James tries for a takedown. No joy.
Linna lands a nice uppercut.
Linna lands a left hand that snaps the head of James backwards.
Linna scores with a shoulder strike.
Linna lands a body punch.
A short left from Linna.
Linna scores with a shoulder strike.
Linna lands a right hand.
Linna misses with some punches.
James wants to get back to striking at distance but Linna won't allow it.
A body shot lands from Linna.

Linna has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics James uses from the top position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Linna tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Linna has James pulled in close to control his posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Linna has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
James throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as James accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
James throws a series of punches but Linna avoids them all with ease.

And that's the end of the fight!
Samppa Linna showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Linna has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Samppa Linna!
Samppa Linna was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.