PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mika Saarenpaa (ranked 678 p4p, 90 weight class) and Ulrik Meyer (ranked 1786 p4p, 210 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Saarenpaa
vs
Meyer

183 cm
40
170 lbs
43 - 20 - 2

185 cm
34
180 lbs
26 - 13 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

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 43 - 20 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mika Saarenpaa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 13 - 2, fighting out of New York, Ulrik Meyer!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Steve Smith and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saarenpaa moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Meyer misses with a jab to the body
and Saarenpaa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Saarenpaa walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Saarenpaa displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Meyer throws out the jab.
Meyer throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Meyer bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Saarenpaa's head backwards.
Ulrik Meyer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saarenpaa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Meyer.
A thudding body kick lands there by Saarenpaa!
The fighters circling - Meyer throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Saarenpaa is looking to counter punch.
Saarenpaa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Meyer sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A countering left hand to the body from Meyer misses.
Saarenpaa misses with a body shot.

Saarenpaa closes the distance and pushes Meyer back into the cage.
Saarenpaa doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Saarenpaa gets through Meyer's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saarenpaa is trying to stall.
A head punch on the inside from Saarenpaa fails to land.
Meyer lands with a left to the head.

Meyer's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Saarenpaa sizes up Meyer with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Saarenpaa throws a jab when Meyer was well out of range.
Jab, jab by Meyer - just one landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Saarenpaa lands an impressive looking overhand right. Meyer doesn't seem phased though.
Saarenpaa slips a jab from Meyer.
Meyer cracks a nice hook into Saarenpaa's ribs.
Meyer misses with a lunging right hand
and Saarenpaa counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Saarenpaa checks the leg kick.
Meyer takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Meyer with a hook.
A looping hook to the body misses from Saarenpaa. Meyer does a little dance to reset his feet.
Saarenpaa throws a head kick but Meyer moves out of range.
It seemed like Meyer was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Saarenpaa blocks the body kick.
Jab by Meyer.

Saarenpaa forces Meyer back against the cage and clinches.
A head punch on the inside from Saarenpaa fails to land.
A short uppercut from Saarenpaa.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Saarenpaa scores with a shot to the side of Meyer's head.
Meyer blocks an uppercut.
Saarenpaa working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Saarenpaa takes a shot to the head.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Meyer uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Saarenpaa.
Meyer takes a swing at Saarenpaa's ribcage but misses.
Saarenpaa swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Saarenpaa lands a nice looking body shot.
Meyer misses with a looping right.
Saarenpaa ducks under a wild hook from Meyer.
Saarenpaa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Saarenpaa lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Meyer throws an off balance right hand
and Saarenpaa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Meyer misses the shot to the body.
Saarenpaa slips under a jab from Meyer.
Saarenpaa lands a jab-cross combination.
Saarenpaa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Meyer misses with a looping left.
Meyer misses with a few strikes there.
Saarenpaa avoids the head kick by Meyer.
Saarenpaa throws out a loose jab but Meyer uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saarenpaa takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Saarenpaa clinches with his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa working aggressively here.
Meyer struggles to land a body shot inside as Saarenpaa controls his hands.

Meyer breaks the clinch.
Saarenpaa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Meyer tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Saarenpaa waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Meyer.
Saarenpaa looks for the body kick but Meyer saw that one coming.
Some wild striking there from Meyer.
Saarenpaa blocks a head kick by Meyer.
A head kick from Meyer lands but Saarenpaa takes it in his stride.
A cross from Saarenpaa lands.
A nice inside leg kick there by Saarenpaa. That's going to slow Meyer down.
Meyer takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Saarenpaa throws a body punch but Meyer moves out of range.
Saarenpaa tries to clinch but Meyer moves out of range.
Meyer will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Meyer. That did some damage!
Meyer slips a jab and a cross from Saarenpaa.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Saarenpaa thumps Meyer with a low kick.
Meyer uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Saarenpaa.
Some wild striking there from Meyer.
Meyer rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Saarenpaa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Meyer throws a big shot that misses.
Saarenpaa scores with a body shot.
Saarenpaa lands a right hook to the body.
Saarenpaa throws a shot from downtown. Meyer moves away and avoids it.
Saarenpaa lands with a straight right. Meyer didn't see that one coming.
Meyer cracks Saarenpaa with an open hand slap.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Saarenpaa keeps Meyer at a distance using the push kick.
A head kick misses from Saarenpaa.
Despite the aggression on Meyer's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Meyer thows a leg kick but Saarenpaa checks it
and Saarenpaa counters with a stiff right hand.
Meyer bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mika Saarenpaa dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A big left from Meyer misses.
Meyer connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Saarenpaa momentarily.
Meyer missing with a left hand there. Saarenpaa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Meyer missing with a left hand there. Saarenpaa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Meyer rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Saarenpaa to counter with a crisp jab.
Saarenpaa cracks Meyer with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Meyer misses with a straight right.
Saarenpaa swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Meyer blocks a head kick by Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Meyer misses with an uppercut

and Saarenpaa moves into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Meyer.
Meyer throws a punch but it's blocked by Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa lands a hook to the side of the head.
Meyer tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saarenpaa's elbow.

Meyer breaks from the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Meyer misses with a hook.
Saarenpaa throws a big counter combination but Meyer scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Meyer throws a hook but Saarenpaa avoids it easily.
Meyer throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Meyer ducks under a wild hook from Saarenpaa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saarenpaa scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Nice shot lands for Meyer.
Meyer throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Meyer misses with a hook
and Saarenpaa counters with a left to the body.
Saarenpaa slips a jab from Meyer.
Decent striking displayed by Saarenpaa there.
Saarenpaa ducks under a wild hook from Meyer.
The fighters circling - Saarenpaa throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Saarenpaa has Meyer up against the cage in a clinch.
Saarenpaa prevents a body shot from Meyer.
Meyer's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Meyer breaks from the clinch.
Saarenpaa waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Meyer.
Saarenpaa moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
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!
Saarenpaa misses the shot to the body.
Saarenpaa looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Meyer tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Saarenpaa is able to avoid easily.
Saarenpaa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Meyer can do to turn this around?
Saarenpaa ducks under a wild hook from Meyer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Saarenpaa.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Meyer misses with an uppercut
and Saarenpaa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Saarenpaa staying out of range there.
Meyer takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Meyer takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Saarenpaa ducks right into an uppercut from Meyer.
Saarenpaa slips under a jab.
A counter left hand to the body from Saarenpaa misses its target.
Meyer throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Saarenpaa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Meyer throws a hook but Saarenpaa avoids it easily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Saarenpaa darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Saarenpaa misses with a head kick.
Saarenpaa uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Meyer.
Meyer throws a shot from downtown. Saarenpaa moves away and avoids it.
Nice cross by Saarenpaa.
Meyer throws an overhand right that lands on Saarenpaa's shoulder, as Saarenpaa tries to avoid the shot.
Good leg kick by Saarenpaa there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Meyer looks to land a right hand but Saarenpaa moved out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Meyer looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Saarenpaa tries to clinch up
and Meyer cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Meyer moves away from the strike by Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa connects with a crisp jab.
Saarenpaa throws a jab when Meyer was well out of range.
Meyer throws the left hand but Saarenpaa avoids the punch easily.
Saarenpaa lands a lovely overhand right.
Meyer moves out of range as Saarenpaa strikes.
Meyer throws out a counter right but Saarenpaa avoids it with no problem.
Meyer pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Meyer moves out of range of the body kick from Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Meyer.
Saarenpaa throws a big counter combination but Meyer scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
A slow jab from Meyer misses its intended target.
Meyer throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Saarenpaa.
Meyer thows a leg kick but Saarenpaa checks it
and Saarenpaa counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Saarenpaa changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Meyer 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 ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Meyer moves away.
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!
Good shot there by Saarenpaa.
Nice defenses there by Meyer.
Meyer lands a nice shot that snaps Saarenpaa's head back.
Meyer throws a right and a left that Saarenpaa avoids nicely.
Meyer turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Saarenpaa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Meyer was well out of range. Poor timing from Saarenpaa.
Meyer feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Saarenpaas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Saarenpaa keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Mika Saarenpaa is winning the standup battle so far.
Meyer pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Saarenpaa feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Meyer attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Saarenpaa scores with a leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A swing and a miss from Meyer.
Meyer uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Saarenpaa has time to react.
Saarenpaa staying out of range there.
Meyer's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Meyer throws a big shot that misses.
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 Mika Saarenpaa will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Saarenpaa connects with a body shot.
Meyer fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Saarenpaa on the side of the head.
Meyer ducks right into an uppercut from Saarenpaa.
Meyer misses the jab.
A cross from Saarenpaa lands.
Saarenpaa feints and then cracks Meyer's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Meyer down.
Meyer keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
A solid leg kick lands there for Meyer.
Meyer gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Meyer connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Saarenpaa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Meyer was well out of range. Poor timing from Saarenpaa.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Meyer connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Saarenpaa's hands.
A looping hook to the body misses from Saarenpaa. Meyer does a little dance to reset his feet.
Saarenpaa lands with an uppercut that bounces Meyer off the cage and back into range.
Saarenpaa on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Meyer circles away from the clinch attempt.
Saarenpaa checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meyer misses with the combination.
Meyer throws a right hand that Saarenpaa ducks under and follows up with a left that Saarenpaa also avoids with ease.
Nice defenses there by Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa thows a left - swing and a miss!
Meyer swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Meyer chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Saarenpaa can pounce on him.
Meyer has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A looping hook to the body misses from Saarenpaa. Meyer does a little dance to reset his feet.
A little jabbing left from Meyer on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Meyer throws a jab when Saarenpaa was well out of range.
Saarenpaa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Meyer throws an overhand right that lands on Saarenpaa's shoulder, as Saarenpaa tries to avoid the shot.
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 Meyer has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Meyer and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Meyer looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Meyer throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Meyer misses the shot to the body.
Meyer throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Saarenpaa swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Saarenpaa lands a jab to the nose.
Saarenpaa slips a straight right by Meyer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saarenpaa jabs Meyer to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Saarenpaa keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Meyer.
Saarenpaa tries to clinch there but Meyer circles away.
Meyer misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Saarenpaa lands with a right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Meyer throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A jab from Saarenpaa does it's job there.
Meyer avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Saarenpaa fails in his attempt to clinch.
Meyer lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Meyer connects with a single shot there.
A big left from Meyer misses.
Meyer throws a jab when Saarenpaa was well out of range.
Meyer lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Saarenpaa takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Meyer on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Saarenpaa connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Mika Saarenpaa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Meyer misses.
Saarenpaa moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Meyer connects with a nice looking jab.
Meyer with a hook.
Saarenpaa lunges at Meyer with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Meyer's hand.
Saarenpaa uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Meyer.
Meyer walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Saarenpaa checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

Meyer tries to keep at a distance but Saarenpaa has taken the fight into the clinch.
Meyer misses with some punches.
Saarenpaa swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Saarenpaa is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Meyer tries to circle away but Saarenpaa has him pinned against the cage.
Meyer misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ulrik Meyer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Meyer on the inside.
Meyer tries to circle away but Saarenpaa has him pinned against the cage.

Meyer pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Meyer throws a jab but it's blocked by Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Meyer misses with the combination.
Saarenpaa swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Meyer misses with a straight right.
An attempted straight right counter from Saarenpaa misses the target.
Meyer throws a lazy uppercut
and Saarenpaa counters with a good, hard body kick but Meyer shrugs it off.
Meyer throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Saarenpaa to counter with a crisp jab.
Meyer moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
The crowd cheers as Saarenpaa lands an impressive looking overhand right. Meyer doesn't seem phased though.
Meyer throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Saarenpaa counters with a straight right hand.
Meyer takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Saarenpaa darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Nice body kick there by Saarenpaa.
Saarenpaa wants to clinch but Meyer slips to the side
and Meyer counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Meyer throws a low kick but Saarenpaa avoids it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ulrik Meyer.
I think Saarenpaa has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Mika Saarenpaa!
Mika Saarenpaa decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
Ulrik Meyer spoke after the fight, saying 'Boss couldn't see how I could beat this kid, he was right. I tried though.'.