PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sepi Koli (ranked 5079 p4p, 5443 weight class) and Puna Soriano (ranked 458 p4p, 478 weight class). Soriano has chosen Highwayman- The Highwaymen as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Koli
vs
Soriano

188 cm
20
190
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
21
190
0 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Furnace Performance 🔥
Silverguard Outfitters 🛡

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sepi Koli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Puna Soriano!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Ivan Kurochkin and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Soriano throws a jab when Koli was well out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Koli misses the target.
Soriano scores with a hook.
Soriano misses with a looping left.
Soriano lunges at Koli with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Koli's hand.
Koli looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Soriano misses with an uppercut. Koli saw that one coming.
Soriano misses with a wild body shot.
Koli misses with a body shot.
Koli scores with a body shot.
Soriano shoots in for a takedown but Koli shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Koli with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Soriano to score with a decent uppercut.
The crowd cheers as Koli lands an impressive looking overhand right. Soriano doesn't seem phased though.
Soriano tries to clinch but Koli is having none of it.
Koli uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Soriano.
Soriano goes for a double leg but Koli avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Koli continues to drive forward.
It appears Koli was looking to counter with a kick there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Koli will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Soriano! But no joy.
Koli throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koli tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Soriano was well out of range. Poor timing from Koli.
Koli fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Soriano looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Koli tries a low kick but Soriano avoids it.
Koli throws a leg kick but Soriano sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Koli blocks a jab.
Soriano has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Soriano there as he acknowledges the shot.
Soriano attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Koli throws a hook but Soriano blocks it.

Soriano shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Koli napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Koli wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Koli knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Soriano on the ground.
Koli dodges the ground and pound from Soriano.

Soriano tries for a kimura but Koli is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Soriano misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

Soriano is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Koli has escaped the position, nice work there.
Soriano works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Soriano throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

Soriano has hold of Koli's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Koli seems comfortable defending it but Soriano has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Koli is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Koli is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Soriano couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Puna Soriano!
A relieved looking Puna Soriano thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.