PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brad Sjoblum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Keijo Kouhia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sjoblum kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Viikate - Viina & Terva & Hauta. Brad Sjoblum has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Sjoblum
vs
Kouhia

195 cm
19
250 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

190 cm
20
230 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Brad Sjoblum!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Keijo Kouhia!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Arvi Lind and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kouhia shoots in but no luck this time.
Kouhia fails to land the takedown.
Kouhia misses with a takedown attempt - Sjoblum sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Brad Sjoblum has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keijo Kouhia.
Sjoblum tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sjoblum lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

It looks like Keijo Kouhia has been cut.
A punch combination from Sjoblum misses.
Kouhia shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sjoblum but Sjoblum pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sjoblum lands a head kick. Kouhia smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Sjoblum lands a high kick!
Kouhia avoids the head kick by Sjoblum.
Kouhia avoids the head kick by Sjoblum.
Sjoblum misses with a two punch combination.
Sjoblum tries to bum rush Kouhia with a series of wild strikes but Kouhia uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Sjoblum clinches up with Kouhia and pushes him back against the cage.
Sjoblum misses with a knee strike.
Kouhia stalling in the clinch but Sjoblum improves position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sjoblum tries a knee to the head but Kouhia blocks it.
Sjoblum tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kouhia is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sjoblum pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kouhia tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sjoblum smiles and moves away.
Sjoblum tries a head kick but it misses.
Sjoblum misses with a series of wild punches.
Sjoblum with a lazy takedown attempt

so Kouhia counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Sjoblum is breathing heavily.

Kouhia thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Kouhia drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kouhia jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Sjoblum working for a triangle but Kouhia defends it easily.
Kouhia must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kouhia drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kouhia jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Sjoblum had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Kouhia is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Sjoblum Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Kouhia's back instead.
Sjoblum avoiding Kouhia 's attempts to control his hands.

Kouhia is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Sjoblum gets his way!

Sjoblum is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Kouhia is defending well though. Sjoblum let's go of the attempt for now.
Sjoblum gets his hands free as Kouhia looks to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sjoblum working for a choke but Kouhia is defending well.
Sjoblum doesn't have the hooks in and Kouhia manages to turn into his guard.
Kouhia lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Kouhia avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kouhia trying to control but Sjoblum is working from the bottom.
Kouhia stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sjoblum swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kouhia working some strikes from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Sjoblum tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kouhia pushes down on Sjoblum's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kouhia tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sjoblum knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Sjoblum wants to improve his position but Kouhia is controlling well.

Kouhia is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Kouhia is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sjoblum is just riding it out for now. Kouhia eventually gives up the hold.

Kouhia seems to be looking for submissions.
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 Brad Sjoblum will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Keijo Kouhia's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sjoblum lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Kouhia backs up against the cage.
Sjoblum fails to land with a series of punches.
A head kick misses from Sjoblum.
Kouhia slips a jab and a cross from Sjoblum.

Kouhia closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Sjoblum to the mat! Sjoblum manages to get full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sjoblum keeping moving, preventing Kouhia from controlling successfully.

Sjoblum is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Kouhia drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kouhia jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Kouhia works over Sjoblum with some ground and pound from guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kouhia sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Sjoblum's guard.
Kouhia is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Sjoblum!
Kouhia won't let Sjoblum get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

Kouhia with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Kouhia trying to control but Sjoblum is having none of it.
Sjoblum regains half guard.

Kouhia is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sjoblum sees it coming and defends easily.
Sjoblum pushes Kouhia off looking to stand but Kouhia dives back in and keeps control.

Kouhia is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kouhia seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sjoblum does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sjoblum gets full guard.

Sjoblum is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Sjoblum is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Kouhia has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Kouhia rolls, trying to escape but Sjoblum keeps control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kouhia showing good submission defense here.
Sjoblum doesn't have the hooks in and Kouhia manages to turn into his guard.
Kouhia wants to control from the top but Sjoblum keeps moving.
Sjoblum not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kouhia wants to control from the top but Sjoblum keeps moving.
Sjoblum is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Sjoblum is looking for a kimura here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sjoblum wants to control but Kouhia is keeping him busy.

Kouhia manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Some wild striking there from Sjoblum.
Sjoblum throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kouhia tries for a takedown but Sjoblum sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kouhia fails with a takedown attempt.
Sjoblum throws a lazy head kick

so Kouhia counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
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!
Kouhia trying to control the position from guard on top but Sjoblum is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kouhia drops back looking for a leg! Sjoblum is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sjoblum manages to kick Kouhia off! Kouhia jumps back into Sjoblum's guard.

Sjoblum looking for a guillotine here but Kouhia defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keijo Kouhia showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Keijo Kouhia's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kouhia avoids the head kick by Sjoblum.
Sjoblum tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kouhia swivels and escapes.
Sjoblum throws a head kick but Kouhia moves out of range.
Kouhia fails with the takedown.
A combination from Sjoblum does no damage.
A head kick misses from Sjoblum.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kouhia throws a head kick but Sjoblum moves out of range.
Sjoblum throws a nice looking combination but Kouhia bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kouhia shoots in for a takedown but Sjoblum shows good takedown defense.
Sjoblum misses with a two punch combination.
Sjoblum stuffs the takedown.
Brad Sjoblum has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keijo Kouhia.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Sjoblum misses.
Sjoblum looks to land a combination. Kouhia sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Sjoblum tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kouhia paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sjoblum throws a lazy head kick

and Kouhia counters with a takedown into side control.

Kouhia working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Kouhia wants to control but Sjoblum is keeping him busy.

Kouhia thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Sjoblum manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sjoblum is trying to get back to full guard.
Kouhia is pressing down on Sjoblum's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sjoblum is holding on for now.

Kouhia is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sjoblum sees it coming and defends easily.

Sjoblum actively working from the bottom here.

Kouhia is trying to work for a kimura but Sjoblum is defending well.

Kouhia seems to be working for a kimura but Sjoblum defends the submission attempt.
Sjoblum makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sjoblum.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kouhia pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sjoblum is keeping the position for now.

Sjoblum has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Kouhia doesn't defend quickly enough and Sjoblum has managed to lock this one up! Can Kouhia escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Sjoblum on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:28 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Brad Sjoblum!