PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Artturi Soturi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roger Shanks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Artturi Soturi has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Soturi
vs
Shanks

180 cm
18
184 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

179 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

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 Sydney, Artturi Soturi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Roger Shanks!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shanks throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Soturi's waist but Soturi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Shanks off to one side.

Soturi feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Soturi thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Shanks not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Soturi trying to control the position from guard on top but Shanks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Soturi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Shanks is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Soturi tries to free his leg and advance position but Shanks is retaining full guard.
Shanks tries to strike from the bottom.
Shanks bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Soturi's guard.
Soturi is trying to control the position but Shanks postures up.

Soturi has his foot on Shanks's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Shanks works his way back into a safe position though.

Soturi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Soturi is breathing heavily.

Soturi looking for a guillotine here but Shanks defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Soturi goes for a risky armbar from back mount and it's not paid off. Shanks escapes and is now in half guard on top.
Shanks is controlling the pace.
Soturi wants to improve his position but Shanks is controlling well.
Soturi has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Shanks is working away from the top position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Shanks is looking to take a break and control but Soturi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Soturi preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Soturi makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Soturi.
Soturi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shanks is one step ahead there.
Shanks postures up.

Shanks avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Shanks won't allow Soturi to sweep him here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shanks working some strikes from top position.
Soturi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Soturi patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Shanks tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Shanks tries to hold on but Soturi pushes him away.

Shanks defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Soturi.
Shanks wants to hold on but Soturi pushes him away.
Shanks has given up his back here. Will Soturi look for the submission or keep pounding away?
Soturi tries to keep control of the position but Shanks is staying busy.

Soturi tightening his grip on Shanks, looking for the choke.
Shanks prevents Soturi from getting a body triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Soturi is working for the choke. It looks like he might have got it... has he...? Yes! Shanks is tapping out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:22 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Artturi Soturi!