PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Atte Savitaipale (ranked 134 p4p, 20 weight class) and Kagekatsu Uesugi (ranked 83 p4p, 12 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Savitaipale might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Roger Whittaker - Finnish Whistler. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Savitaipale
vs
Uesugi

177 cm
34
160 lbs
23 - 14 - 0

182 cm
31
166 lbs
22 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

HELLBENT
Pit Bull Development

HELLBENT
KOMBAT KLOTHING

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 23 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Atte Savitaipale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kagekatsu Uesugi!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Uesugi throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Savitaipale stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A big left from Uesugi misses.
We've been hearing reports that Savitaipale has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Savitaipale lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A slow jab from Uesugi misses its intended target.
Uesugi slips a straight right by Savitaipale.
Savitaipale tries to clinch but Uesugi is having none of it.
Uesugi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Savitaipale manages to avoid it.
Savitaipale takes a swing at Uesugi's ribcage but misses.
Uesugi now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Uesugi throws a body shot but no joy.
Savitaipale misses with an uppercut.
Atte Savitaipale seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Uesugi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Uesugi throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Savitaipale has managed to clinch.
Savitaipale prevents Uesugi from breaking the clinch.
Savitaipale misses with some punches.
Savitaipale throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Uesugis head.

Savitaipale escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Uesugi scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Savitaipale throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Uesugi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Savitaipale misses with a shot to the body
and Uesugi counters with a stiff right hand.
Savitaipale takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Uesugi is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Savitaipale rather than just go for the knockout.
Savitaipale throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Savitaipale looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Uesugi!
Uesugi struggling a bit here.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Savitaipale throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Uesugi is trying to improve his position.
Savitaipale throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Savitaipale working the ground and pound but Uesugi is defending the strikes.
Savitaipale working away.
Savitaipale looks up at the clock and then as Uesugi takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Savitaipale smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Savitaipale working away.
Uesugi on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Savitaipale works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Uesugi manages to work his way to half guard, despite Savitaipale's best efforts.
Savitaipale drops an elbow to the side of Uesugi's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Uesugi trying to control here.
Uesugi tries to kick Savitaipale off but Savitaipale keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Savitaipale is trying to work for a kimura but Uesugi is defending well.
Savitaipale throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Uesugi pushes Savitaipale off but Savitaipale dives into side control.
Savitaipale sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Uesugi is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Savitaipale throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Uesugi told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Uesugi keeping his opponent close.
Savitaipale is chipping away with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Uesugi tries to bench press Savitaipale off him but Savitaipale keeps the position.
Savitaipale fails to land a wild elbow strike.
You can see the frustration on Uesugi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Savitaipale is working Uesugi over with some ground and pound from side control.
Savitaipale working the ground and pound from side control.
Savitaipale lands some shots froms side control.
Uesugi is trying to control Savitaipale's posture but Savitaipale avoids it.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Uesugi taking a bit of punishment here - Savitaipale scoring with strikes.
Savitaipale lands some shots froms side control.
Savitaipale is chipping away with strikes.
Uesugi tries to buck Savitaipale off but Savitaipale is having none of it.
Savitaipale lands a nice forearm strike.
Uesugi wants to control but Savitaipale postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savitaipale trying to control the action but Uesugi is working from the bottom.
Uesugi is looking for a sweep.
Savitaipale wants to control but Uesugi is keeping him busy.
Uesugi regains half guard.
Uesugi is concentrating on defense, preventing Savitaipale from advancing position.
Savitaipale prevents Uesugi from improving his position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Uesugi has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Savitaipale is working away from the top position though.
Uesugi wants to improve his position but Savitaipale is controlling well.
Savitaipale is nestled in close to Uesugi, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Savitaipale thows a huge punch but Uesugi dodges it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Uesugi looks to land a left hand but Savitaipale moved out of range nicely.
Uesugi misses with a body shot.

Savitaipale bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Uesugi throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Uesugi slips a jab from Savitaipale.
Savitaipale throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Uesugi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Uesugi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Savitaipale.
Uesugi throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Savitaipale stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Uesugi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Savitaipale was well out of range. Poor timing from Uesugi.
Savitaipale throwing a counter right hand but Uesugi manages to avoid it.
Uesugi just misses with a punch to the body.
Uesugi throws a body shot but no joy.
Savitaipale drops down looking for a counter takedown but Uesugi sprawls and moves away.
Savitaipale is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Uesugi can do to turn this around?
Uesugi takes one to the side of the head.
Savitaipale takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A big left from Savitaipale misses.
Uesugi just misses with a punch to the body.
Savitaipale sizes up Uesugi with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Uesugi shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Savitaipale eats them both and turns towards Uesugi to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Savitaipale fails in his attempt to clinch.
Uesugi doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Uesugi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice shot lands for Savitaipale.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Uesugi.
Savitaipale throws an overhand right that lands on Uesugi's shoulder, as Uesugi tries to avoid the shot.
Savitaipale is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Uesugi just misses with a punch to the body.
Uesugi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Savitaipale was well out of range. Poor timing from Uesugi.
Kagekatsu Uesugi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Uesugi thuds a left hand into Savitaipale's body.
Savitaipale jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Savitaipale scores with a hook.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Savitaipale, as that shot connected.
Uesugi connects with a jab.
Kagekatsu Uesugi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A looping hook to the body misses from Savitaipale. Uesugi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Uesugi appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Uesugi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Savitaipale moves away.
Savitaipale half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Uesugi loads up on a big right hand but Savitaipale slips the punch.
A little feinted left hand from Savitaipale on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Uesugi looks to land a right hand but Savitaipale moved out of range.
Savitaipale fails with an attempt to clinch.
Savitaipale takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Uesugi misses with a hook. Savitaipale ducked under it nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Uesugi. Savitaipale does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Uesugi misses with a body shot.
Uesugi slips under a jab from Savitaipale.
Uesugi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Savitaipale.
Savitaipale is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Uesugi.
Uesugi looks to land a combination but Savitaipale avoids it well.
Savitaipale throws a left and a right that both miss
and Uesugi counters with a two punch combo.
Savitaipale throws a big shot that misses.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Savitaipale.
Savitaipale looks to throw the jab but Uesugi is out of range.
Savitaipale tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Uesugi was well out of range. Poor timing from Savitaipale.
Savitaipale tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Uesugi was well out of range. Poor timing from Savitaipale.
Savitaipale ducks under a wild hook from Uesugi.
Savitaipale half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Uesugi looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Uesugi misses with a body shot.
Uesugi looks to throw the jab but Savitaipale is out of range.
A big right from Uesugi misses.

Savitaipale rushes Uesugi and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Uesugi takes a shot to the head.
Savitaipale is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Uesugi gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Savitaipale.

Uesugi breaks from the clinch.

Savitaipale drives through and clinches with Uesugi against the ropes.

Uesugi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Uesugi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nice body punch from Savitaipale.
Nice shot lands for Savitaipale.
Savitaipale throws a lazy right hand but Uesugi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Savitaipale throws a lazy right hand but Uesugi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Savitaipale fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Uesugi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Savitaipale moves away.
Uesugi fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Uesugi just misses with a punch to the body.
Savitaipale steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Uesugi.
Uesugi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Savitaipale.
Uesugi lands a nice shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Uesugi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Savitaipale.
Savitaipale misses the jab.
Uesugi on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Uesugi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Savitaipale was well out of range. Poor timing from Uesugi.
Savitaipale gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Uesugi.
Uesugi misses with a double jab.
Savitaipale misses with a double jab.
Uesugi bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Savitaipale's head backwards.
Uesugi takes a swing at Savitaipale's ribcage but misses.
Savitaipale uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Uesugi.
Savitaipale dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Savitaipale scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
You can see the frustration on Uesugi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Savitaipale is chipping away with strikes.
You can see the frustration on Uesugi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Savitaipale grinds an elbow into Uesugi's temple.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kagekatsu Uesugi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A looping hook to the body misses from Uesugi. Savitaipale does a little dance to reset his feet.
Savitaipale appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Nice shot by Savitaipale.
A telegraphed right hand from Uesugi misses the target.
Uesugi takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Uesugi connects with a body shot.
Savitaipale misses with an uppercut.
Savitaipale is looking to clinch but Uesugi is avoiding it.
Savitaipale moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Savitaipale keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Savitaipale walks into a left hand.
Uesugi catches Savitaipale with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Savitaipale just misses with a punch to the body.
Savitaipale fails with the takedown
and Uesugi counters with a three punch combo that has Savitaipale backing up. Savitaipale nods at Uesugi to acknowledge the strikes.
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!
Uesugi throws a body punch but Savitaipale moves out of range.
Savitaipale was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Uesugi scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Savitaipale doesn't seem bothered though.
Uesugi just misses with a punch to the body.
Uesugi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Savitaipale moves away.
Savitaipale needs to keep his hands up - Uesugi had a free shot at his head there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Uesugi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Savitaipale ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Uesugi moves away.
Savitaipale misses with an uppercut. Uesugi saw that one coming.
Savitaipale just misses with a punch to the body.
Uesugi lands a nice looking body shot.
A jab from Savitaipale misses.
Uesugi takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Savitaipale scores with a nice head shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Savitaipale misses the target.
Savitaipale fails to land with a series of punches.
Nice uppercut there from Uesugi.
A looping hook to the body misses from Savitaipale. Uesugi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Savitaipale ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Uesugi misses the shot to the body.
Uesugi missing with a left hand there. Savitaipale was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Savitaipale swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Savitaipale tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Uesugi was well out of range. Poor timing from Savitaipale.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Uesugi throws a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Savitaipale misses the target.
Uesugi misses with a straight left.
Uesugi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Savitaipale.
Savitaipale misses with a straight left.
Uesugi is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Savitaipale with a body shot.
Savitaipale uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Uesugi.
Savitaipale looks to land a left hand but Uesugi moved out of range nicely.
Good shot there by Savitaipale.
Uesugi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Uesugi swings for the body but Savitaipale moves out of range.
Savitaipale seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Savitaipale keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Savitaipale takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A telegraphed right hand from Savitaipale misses the target.
Uesugi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Uesugi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Uesugi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Uesugi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Savitaipale.
Savitaipale throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Uesugi swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Savitaipale counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Uesugi thinking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savitaipale looks to score with a jab to the body but Uesugi is just out of range.
Uesugi slips a jab from Savitaipale.
A looping hook to the body misses from Uesugi. Savitaipale does a little dance to reset his feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Uesugi. Savitaipale does a little dance to reset his feet.
Savitaipale avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Savitaipale tries to counter with a takedown but Uesugi is quick to defend against it.
Uesugi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Savitaipale manages to avoid it.
Savitaipale feinted with a counter takedown.
Savitaipale tries to clinch but Uesugi is having none of it.
Savitaipale doesn't manage to clinch there - Uesugi circles away.
Savitaipale changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Uesugi tries to avoid it but Savitaipale manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Uesugi to the ground. Uesugi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Uesugi appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Savitaipale. Uesugi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Savitaipale throws a looping overhand right but Uesugi ducks down to avoid it.
Uesugi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Savitaipale was well out of range. Poor timing from Uesugi.
Savitaipale connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Savitaipale. Uesugi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Uesugi on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Uesugi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Savitaipale.
Uesugi misses with a straight left.
Savitaipale uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Uesugi.
Savitaipale tries to counter with a takedown but Uesugi is quick to defend against it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Uesugi swings for the body but Savitaipale moves out of range.
Uesugi misses with a looping right.
Uesugi on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Savitaipale shoots in looking for a takedown. Uesugi tries to sprawl out of it but Savitaipale keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Uesugi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Atte Savitaipale. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Savitaipale doesn't manage to clinch there - Uesugi circles away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Savitaipale scores with a jab. Uesugi acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Uesugi throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Savitaipale stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
No joy there for Uesugi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Savitaipale throws a body shot but no joy.
Uesugi lands a body shot.
Uesugi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Savitaipale darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Savitaipale swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Uesugi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Savitaipale moves away.
Uesugi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Savitaipale.

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 Atte Savitaipale.
I think Savitaipale 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Kagekatsu Uesugi!
After the big win, Kagekatsu Uesugi made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors KOMBAT KLOTHING and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.
Atte Savitaipale spoke after the fight, saying 'Better man won..Respect to him!Gonna choke him back stage..'.