PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Yka Sonni (ranked 26 p4p, 126 weight class) and Adils Hallbjornsson (ranked 7 p4p, 19 weight class). Hallbjornsson has chosen Herr Mannelig as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sonni
vs
Hallbjornsson

175 cm
30
205
16 - 5 - 0

190 cm
26
210
17 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

SynCity Fightwear
Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Yka Sonni!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Adils Hallbjornsson!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Colin Fotheringham and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hallbjornsson throws a leg kick that is checked
and Sonni counters with a nice uppercut.
A decent looking cross lands there for Sonni.
Hallbjornsson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sonni.
Sonni buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Sonni wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Hallbjornsson attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Sonni throwing a counter right hand but Hallbjornsson manages to avoid it.
Hallbjornsson throws a front kick aimed at Sonni's knee but Sonni avoids it well.
Sonni seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Hallbjornsson lands with a good body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hallbjornsson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sonni.
Hallbjornsson takes a swing at Sonni's ribcage but misses.
Hallbjornsson throws a lazy uppercut

so Sonni counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonni sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Sonni with a nice head shot there.
Hallbjornsson trying to control the position here.
Sonni preventing the sweep.
Sonni with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sonni throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sonni controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Sonni being controlled here momentarily.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Sonni misses with a jab to the body
and Hallbjornsson counters with a nice body shot.
Sonni avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hallbjornsson throws a big shot that misses.
Hallbjornsson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sonni moves away.
Sonni lands a jab to the nose.
Hallbjornsson swings widly with a right hand
and Sonni counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sonni tests Hallbjornsson's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonni throws an off balance right hand
and Hallbjornsson counters with an inside leg kick.
Sonni looks to throw a body kick
and Hallbjornsson makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
A punch lands to the side of Sonni 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Hallbjornsson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hallbjornsson misses with a straight right.
Hallbjornsson moves out of range of the body kick.
Hallbjornsson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Yka Sonni seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hallbjornsson checks a leg kick nicely.
Sonni feints and then cracks Hallbjornsson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hallbjornsson down.

Sonni clinches with his opponent.
Sonni fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hallbjornsson tries a body shot but Sonni blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonni swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hallbjornsson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hallbjornsson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hallbjornsson blocking some punches.
Hallbjornsson lands a right hand.
A right hook to the body lands for Sonni.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sonni takes a shot to the head.
Hallbjornsson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A left hand lands to the body for Sonni.
A head punch on the inside from Sonni fails to land.
Hallbjornsson works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Hallbjornsson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Hallbjornsson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hallbjornsson prevents a body shot from Sonni.
Hallbjornsson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sonni tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Sonni throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hallbjornssons head.
Hallbjornsson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A short left from Sonni.
Hallbjornsson misses with a hook from the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yka Sonni dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Some bone on bone action there as Hallbjornsson checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Sonni scores with a hook.
Sonni shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hallbjornsson as he jumps to the side.
Hallbjornsson throws a counter combo.
Hallbjornsson swings for the body but Sonni moves out of range.
Sonni connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Sonni uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hallbjornsson.
And Sonni counters with a quick kick to the body but Hallbjornsson blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hallbjornsson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Hallbjornsson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Hallbjornsson looks to land a right hand but Sonni moved out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hallbjornsson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sonni swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sonni scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sonni takes a shot right to the bread basket.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hallbjornsson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hallbjornsson prevents a body shot from Sonni.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hallbjornsson.
Sonni is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hallbjornsson can do to turn this around?
Hallbjornsson tries a body shot but Sonni blocks it.
A head punch on the inside from Sonni fails to land.
Sonni tries to work over Hallbjornsson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A nice left hand lands by Hallbjornsson.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sonni.
Hallbjornsson can't find room to land a body shot as Sonni controls the action.
Hallbjornsson throws a head punch that misses.
Hallbjornsson working aggressively here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hallbjornsson blocking some punches.
Sonni lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hallbjornsson or not.
A short body shot lands from Sonni as the two fighters clinch.
Sonni has a couple of punches blocked by Hallbjornsson.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sonni lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Hallbjornsson blocking some punches.
Hallbjornsson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sonni.
Yka Sonni has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Sonni blocks an uppercut.
Sonni lands a shoulder strike.
Sonni prevents a body shot from Hallbjornsson.
Sonni fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hallbjornsson blocks a body shot from Sonni.
Sonni blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sonni throws a head punch that misses.
Sonni misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hallbjornsson throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hallbjornsson.
Hallbjornsson misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Hallbjornsson.
A head punch on the inside from Sonni fails to land.
Hallbjornsson has a couple of punches blocked by Sonni.
Sonni misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hallbjornsson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sonni struggles to land a body shot inside as Hallbjornsson controls his hands.
Hallbjornsson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sonni throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Sonni fails to land.
Sonni blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hallbjornsson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Good body shot from Sonni.
Hallbjornsson misses with some punches.
Sonni misses with the head strike.
Hallbjornsson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sonni blocks an uppercut.
Sonni scores with a hook to the body.
Hallbjornsson is breathing heavily.
Sonni goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hallbjornsson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sonni misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hallbjornsson can't find room to land a body shot as Sonni controls the action.
Hallbjornsson misses with some punches.
Sonni doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sonni lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Sonni misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hallbjornsson lands a right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sonni stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Hallbjornsson blocks an uppercut.
Sonni lands an uppercut.
Hallbjornsson lands a body punch.
Sonni has a couple of punches blocked by Hallbjornsson.
Hallbjornsson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sonni backwards.
Hallbjornsson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sonni backwards.
Hallbjornsson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Sonni tries a body shot but Hallbjornsson blocks it.
Sonni lands a shoulder strike.
Hallbjornsson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sonni's elbow.
Hallbjornsson misses with a punch on the inside.
Sonni digs a right hand into Hallbjornsson's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hallbjornsson's gas tank.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yka Sonni dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sonni throws a nice inside leg kick.
Sonni misses with a body shot.
Hallbjornsson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Sonni lands with a cross.
Sonni gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Hallbjornsson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hallbjornsson cracks Sonni with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Sonni stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Sonni throws a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonni on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Sonni scores with a decent looking hook.
Hallbjornsson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sonni.
Sonni backing away here, and Hallbjornsson unleashes a leg kick that just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Sonni as he connects with a hook.
Sonni comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Good exchange - Sonni coming out on top.
A nice leg kick from Sonni, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sonni throws a jab but it's blocked by Hallbjornsson.
Sonni throws a leg kick but Hallbjornsson moved away.
Hallbjornsson appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Hallbjornsson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Sonni looks for the body kick but Hallbjornsson saw that one coming.
Hallbjornsson misses with a low kick.
Sonni looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonni misses with a left hand
and Hallbjornsson counters with a low kick, right behind Sonni 's knee.
Sonni with a poor takedown
and Hallbjornsson counters with a stiff right hand.
The fighters circling - Hallbjornsson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hallbjornsson lands with a good body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sonni 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.
Sonni throws a leg kick
and Hallbjornsson counters with a right hand to the body.
Sonni moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Hallbjornsson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Sonni doesn't manage to clinch there - Hallbjornsson circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hallbjornsson defending well as Sonni loads up on a big left hand.
Sonni fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Hallbjornsson 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.
Nice straight punches there by Hallbjornsson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hallbjornsson.
Good standup being displayed there by Sonni as he connects with a hook.
A nice leg kick from Sonni, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sonni misses the jab.

Sonni closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Sonni controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hallbjornsson trying to hold on to Sonni's head to control him but Sonni postures up.
Sonni is taking a breather. Hallbjornsson says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sonni takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Sonni is looking to take a break and control but Hallbjornsson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sonni is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Hallbjornsson is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yka Sonni clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Sonni throws a sloppy body shot
and Hallbjornsson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sonni on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hallbjornsson. Hallbjornsson obviously looking to wear him down.
Hallbjornsson misses with a wild body shot.
Sonni moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sonni with a nice calf kick.
Sonni tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hallbjornsson was well out of range. Poor timing from Sonni.
Sonni uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hallbjornsson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hallbjornsson throws a low kick but Sonni avoids it.
Sonni throws the left hand but Hallbjornsson avoids the punch easily.
Hallbjornsson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Hallbjornsson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sonni.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Sonni. That's going to slow Hallbjornsson down.
The fighters circle momentarily. Sonni darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Sonni connects with a single shot there.
A nice leg kick from Sonni, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hallbjornsson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hallbjornsson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sonni was well out of range. Poor timing from Hallbjornsson.
Adils Hallbjornsson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Good leg kick by Sonni.
Sonni takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Hallbjornsson throws a head kick but Sonni moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Hallbjornsson is predictable there
and Sonni counters with a low kick, right behind Hallbjornsson 's knee.
Hallbjornsson 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.
Sonni shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hallbjornsson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sonni shoots in for a double leg but Hallbjornsson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hallbjornsson let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Hallbjornsson misses with a wild combination.
Sonni is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Sonni moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonni misses with an uppercut.
Sonni goes for a double leg but Hallbjornsson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hallbjornsson continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yka Sonni. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sonni throws a head punch that misses.
Hallbjornsson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Sonni throws a punch but it's blocked by Hallbjornsson.
Hallbjornsson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hallbjornsson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Sonni scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hallbjornsson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sonni's elbow.
Hallbjornsson tries to work over Sonni's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sonni's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Sonni has a couple of punches blocked by Hallbjornsson.
Hallbjornsson scores with a shoulder strike.
Hallbjornsson throws a head punch that misses.
Hallbjornsson can't find room to land a body shot as Sonni controls the action.
Sonni tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonni lands a shoulder strike.
Sonni prevents a body shot from Hallbjornsson.
Sonni misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hallbjornsson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Sonni fails to land.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sonni blocks a body shot from Hallbjornsson.
Sonni stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Hallbjornsson is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Hallbjornsson blocking some punches.
Sonni blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hallbjornsson.
Sonni makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Hallbjornsson.
Hallbjornsson has a couple of punches blocked by Sonni.
Hallbjornsson swings wildly with an uppercut but Sonni uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sonni lands with a light punch inside.
Sonni swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sonni blocks a punch to the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Yka Sonni will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Hallbjornsson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hallbjornsson misses with an uppercut
and Sonni cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sonni takes a swing at Hallbjornsson's ribcage but misses.
Hallbjornsson looks to score with a jab to the body but Sonni is just out of range.

Hallbjornsson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sonni accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hallbjornsson wants to sweep here but Sonni controlling him for the moment.
Sonni postures up in Hallbjornsson's guard and throws a big left but Hallbjornsson blocks it.
Yka Sonni overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hallbjornsson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sonni might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sonni trying to control but Hallbjornsson is working from the bottom.
Sonni looking to sit in guard and control but Hallbjornsson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Sonni trying to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hallbjornsson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sonni is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sonni goes for a double leg but Hallbjornsson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hallbjornsson continues to drive forward.
It seemed like Hallbjornsson was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hallbjornsson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sonni.
Hallbjornsson blocking some punches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hallbjornsson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Sonni has a couple of punches blocked by Hallbjornsson.
A nice right hand lands inside from Sonni.
Hallbjornsson lands a left hand.
Hallbjornsson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hallbjornsson lands with a right to the head.
Hallbjornsson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sonni can't find room to land a body shot as Hallbjornsson controls the action.
Sonni tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hallbjornsson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sonni working aggressively here.
Sonni tries a body shot but Hallbjornsson blocks it.
Sonni can't find room to land a body shot as Hallbjornsson controls the action.
Hallbjornsson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hallbjornsson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hallbjornsson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hallbjornsson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hallbjornsson tries a body shot but Sonni blocks it.
Sonni lands a left hand.
Hallbjornsson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sonni doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hallbjornsson throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sonni.
Hallbjornsson cracks Sonni with a nice body shot.
Sonni doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hallbjornsson.
Hallbjornsson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sonni backwards.
Hallbjornsson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Sonni misses with a punch on the inside.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hallbjornsson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hallbjornsson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sonni blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Adils Hallbjornsson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sonni has a couple of punches blocked by Hallbjornsson.
Sonni blocks a punch to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Adils Hallbjornsson.
Well Sonni 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 49:46
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 49:46
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yka Sonni!
A very excited looking Yka Sonni made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.