PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Roger Soriano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Folke Stark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Roger Soriano has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Roger Soriano seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Soriano
vs
Stark

225 cm
18
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 1

185 cm
18
300 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Roger Soriano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Folke Stark!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Soriano gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Jeez, both these guys look absolutely knackered already, that's not a good sign!
Stark throwing strikes from guard but Soriano blocks nicely.
Stark sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Soriano's guard.
Soriano is trying to get back to full guard.
Soriano is working hard here to advance position.
Stark is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Stark lands strikes from half guard.
Stark throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Stark working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soriano wants to control but Stark is keeping busy.
Soriano blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stark.
Stark is looking to take a break and control but Soriano is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Stark thows a huge punch but Soriano dodges it nicely.
Soriano wants to get back to full guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Stark in particular looking to stall.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Stark closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Stark is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Stark slips a nice elbow through Soriano's hands, connecting with Soriano's forehead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soriano manages to get to full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stark accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Soriano wants to stand and escape but Stark is having none of it.
Soriano avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Soriano will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Stark with a flurry of punches that miss.
Stark connects with a couple of short punches.
Soriano lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Stark!
Stark is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stark somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!

Stark looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Soriano is looking for a triangle but Stark pushes his legs off easily.
Stark won't allow Soriano to sweep him here.
Soriano is pulling down on Stark's head to control his posture.
Stark throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Stark postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soriano is really struggling to control Stark but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Stark sitting in guard here, content to control.

Soriano is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stark defends well.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Stark shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Stark showed some decent athleticism there.
Soriano is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Stark's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Stark's back!
Stark looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Soriano throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

No joy there for Soriano, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stark shoots in and drives through. Soriano sprawls well.
Stark shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Soriano moves into the clinch.

Stark pulls guard.
Stark is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Soriano is controlling him.
Soriano trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Soriano gets to his feet - Stark follows without any prompting.
Stark dives in and grabs Soriano's left leg, looking for a takedown. Soriano pushes down on Stark's head and hops out.
Roger Soriano has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Folke Stark.

Stark shoots in and bounces Soriano off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Stark postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Stark must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stark trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stark throwing strikes from guard but Soriano blocks nicely.
Stark slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Stark trying to control but Soriano is working from the bottom.
Stark postures up in Soriano's guard and throws a big left but Soriano blocks it.
Stark trying to control but Soriano is working from the bottom.

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

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Stark shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Stark showed some decent athleticism there.
Stark is pressing down on Soriano's thigh, looking to free his foot. Soriano is holding on for now.
Soriano gets full guard.

Soriano is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Stark is aware though and is defending well.
Stark thows a big elbow that misses.
Stark throwing strikes from guard but Soriano blocks nicely.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stark accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soriano preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Jab from Soriano.
Soriano stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Soriano wants it to stay on the feet.
Danga de danga de dang - Soriano scores with a four punch combination!

Stark shoots in and bounces Soriano off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Soriano looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Stark is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Stark cracks Soriano with a solid left hand.
Stark scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stark with a flurry of punches that miss.
Stark tries to free his leg and advance position but Soriano is retaining full guard.
Stark throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Soriano looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Stark trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Soriano throws a series of punches but Stark avoids them all with ease.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Stark.
Sloppy strikes there by Stark.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Folke Stark showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Stark shoots in but Soriano avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Stark keeps the fight on the outside.
Stark shoots in for a takedown but Soriano shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Stark is trying hard to land a takedown here. Soriano sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Roger Soriano has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Folke Stark.

Soriano has taken the fight to the clinch.
A body shot lands from Stark.
Stark lands with a light punch inside.

Soriano breaks the clinch.
Soriano tries to clinch but Stark moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Stark shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Soriano makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Soriano.
Folke Stark has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stark is in close to Soriano's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Soriano had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Stark is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Soriano Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Stark's back instead.
Soriano wants to control the position but Stark frees himself and scrambles - Soriano manages to regain control in side control.
Stark wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
An elbow from Soriano crashes against the mat.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Soriano tries to bum rush Stark with a series of wild strikes but Stark uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Soriano scores with a nice right hand.
Stark shoots in and drives through. Soriano sprawls well.
Stark looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Stark shoots in for a takedown but Soriano shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Stark shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Stark changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Soriano looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soriano is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Stark asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Stark trying to control the position but Soriano is working away.
Stark cracks Soriano with a big elbow.
Soriano is trying to get back to half guard.
Stark trying to control the action but Soriano is working from the bottom.
Stark creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Soriano sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Stark is working Soriano over with some ground and pound from side control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Soriano looks to land a combination. Stark sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Stark fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Soriano avoids it really well and circles away.
Soriano keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Stark closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Stark closes the distance and clinches up with Soriano, looking for a takedown. Stark pushes Soriano against the cage but Soriano circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Stark shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Soriano defends it nicely.
Roger Soriano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Folke Stark is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Good standup being displayed there by Soriano as he connects with a hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Folke Stark.
I've got Stark winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Folke Stark!