PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sakari Sjoholm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maks Turon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sjoholm's entrance music is Solistiyhtye Suomi - Ei myö myyvä Villihevosia. A fine choice. Sakari Sjoholm could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Maks Turon's chin.

Sjoholm
vs
Turon

198 cm
24
265 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

200 cm
22
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sakari Sjoholm!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Maks Turon!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Roosa Järviläinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Turon as Sjoholm shoots in.
Sjoholm misses with a straight left.
Sjoholm wants to clinch.
Sjoholm scores with a jab to the body.

Sjoholm shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Sjoholm decides to stand and escape the position.
Turon tries for a takedown but Sjoholm circles away easily
enabling Sjoholm to counter with a crisp jab.
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!

Sjoholm closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Turon did well to prevent Sjoholm getting side control.
Sjoholm working over Turon with some ground and pound. Turon looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Nice strikes from Sjoholm there.
Turon is not content to let Sjoholm control the position.
Sjoholm winds up and cracks Turon with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turon avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sjoholm.
Turon wants to improve his position but Sjoholm is controlling well.
Sjoholm lands with a punch from half guard.
Sjoholm is breathing heavily.
Turon blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sjoholm.
Turon slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Sjoholm throws a big right hand that misses.
Turon preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sjoholm throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Turon works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sjoholm throws and elbow that misses. Turon uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sjoholm's guard. Nice move by Turon!
Turon wants to control from the top but Sjoholm keeps moving.
Turon must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Sjoholm looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sjoholm wants to stand and escape but Turon is having none of it.
Turon preventing the sweep.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sjoholm circles away from the clinch attempt

and Sjoholm counters with a single leg into guard. Turon didn't expect that.
Turon wants to stand but Sjoholm is controlling the position.
Turon is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Turon really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sjoholm. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Turon tries to strike from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turon trying to control the position.
Sjoholm has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Sjoholm loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Turon throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sjoholm postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sjoholm is looking to work some ground and pound but Turon has wrist control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Turon fails with an attempt to clinch.
Turon is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sjoholm sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Turon is looking to clinch but Sjoholm is avoiding it.
Turon fails with a takedown attempt.
Sakari Sjoholm has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maks Turon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Turon tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sjoholm paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Turon fails to land the takedown.
Sjoholm swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Turon.
Turon fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Turon doesn't manage to clinch there - Sjoholm circles away.
Turon shoots in for a takedown but Sjoholm shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice shot lands for Sjoholm.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Turon tries to bum rush Sjoholm with a series of wild strikes but Sjoholm uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Sjoholm looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Turon regains full guard. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sakari Sjoholm dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Sjoholm looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Turon!
Sjoholm postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Turon looks a forlorn figure.
Sjoholm working the ground and pound effectively.
Sakari Sjoholm overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sjoholm is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Turon can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Turon is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Sjoholm throwing strikes here but Turon is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Sjoholm misses with a head shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Turon tries to lock up and control but Sjoholm gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Turon can't escape the position.
Sjoholm lands a nice shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turon wants to hold on but Sjoholm pushes him away.
Turon might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Sjoholm kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Sjoholm misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Sjoholm misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
You get the feeling that Turon really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Sjoholm throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Sjoholm thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Sjoholm lands a heavy elbow.
Turon tries to lock up and control but Sjoholm gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Sjoholm misses with a head shot.

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.
Sjoholm throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Sjoholm thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Sjoholm prevents Turon from getting the reversal.
Turon blocking the ground and pound.
Turon is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sjoholm with shots to the head and body - Turon looks very uncomfortable down there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sjoholm throws some wild stikes that Turon manages to avoid easily.
Turon tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sjoholm sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Turon avoids a series of strikes thrown by Sjoholm.
Sjoholm lands a big shot there that rocks Turon but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Sjoholm pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sjoholm unloads with some shots from mount but Turon bucks and avoids them well.
Turon tries to reverse the position but Sjoholm maintains control.
Sjoholm punching from mount but Turon doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Turon holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Sjoholm tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Turon tries to hold on but Sjoholm pushes him away.
Sjoholm misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Turon is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Turon sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Sjoholm lands with a punch from half guard.
Sjoholm throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sjoholm is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Sjoholm thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Turon's head.
Sjoholm is keen to just control but Turon is a slippery customer.
Turon blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sjoholm.
Sjoholm tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Turon wants to get back to full guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sjoholm takes a kick to the side of the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Turon with a lazy takedown attempt

and Sjoholm counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Turon's guard now.
Sjoholm is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Sjoholm in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sakari Sjoholm dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Turon changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sjoholm tries to avoid it but Turon manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sjoholm to the ground. Sjoholm escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Sjoholm shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Sjoholm cracks Turon with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Sjoholm lands a nice shot to the head.
Poor strikes thrown by Sjoholm there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Sjoholm looking to ground and pound but Turon is blocking nicely.
Poor strikes thrown by Sjoholm there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Sjoholm looking to ground and pound but Turon is blocking nicely.
Turon avoids a series of strikes thrown by Sjoholm.
Sjoholm thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Sjoholm throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turon is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Turon is trying desperately to improve position.
Sjoholm scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Sjoholm throws some wild stikes that Turon manages to avoid easily.
Turon regains half guard.
Turon blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sjoholm.
Sjoholm thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Turon trying to hold on to Sjoholm's head to control him but Sjoholm postures up.
Sjoholm throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Sjoholm postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Turon to stand up.
Sjoholm fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Turon avoids it really well and circles away.
Sakari Sjoholm seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck for Turon with that takedown attempt.
Sakari Sjoholm is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Turon shoots for a takedown but Sjoholm saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sakari Sjoholm has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maks Turon.
Turon takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Turon stalks Sjoholm and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Sjoholm's face. Sjoholm staggers backwards, shaken.
Nice cross by Sjoholm.
Sjoholm takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Turon tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Sjoholm counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Turon!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sjoholm with the ground and pound from mount.
Turon in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Sjoholm cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Sjoholm punishing his opponent with strikes.
Sjoholm connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Sjoholm is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Turon is trying to escape the mount.
The referee warns Turon that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Sjoholm putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Sjoholm punching from mount but Turon doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Turon wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Sjoholm.
Sjoholm is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Turon can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Sjoholm lands a big shot there that rocks Turon but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Poor strikes thrown by Sjoholm there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Sjoholm misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Sjoholm punishing his opponent with strikes.
Sjoholm throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Poor strikes thrown by Sjoholm there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Turon blocking the ground and pound.
Sjoholm raining down shots from the mount!
Sjoholm pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sakari Sjoholm showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Sjoholm 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sakari Sjoholm!