PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Iron Jake (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sakari Sjoholm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sjoholm has chosen Solistiyhtye Suomi - Ei myö myyvä Villihevosia as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Jake
vs
Sjoholm

189 cm
22
235 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

198 cm
24
265 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Iron Jake!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sakari Sjoholm!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sjoholm tries to clinch there but Jake circles away.
Jake misses with the combination.
Sjoholm fails with a takedown attempt.
A punch combination from Jake misses.
Jake will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sakari Sjoholm seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Sjoholm gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sjoholm tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Jake just stands there and leans against the cage.
Sjoholm working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Sjoholm breaks the clinch.
Jake misses with a low kick.
Sjoholm is looking to clinch but Jake is avoiding it.
Jake throws a right hand that Sjoholm ducks under and follows up with a left that Sjoholm also avoids with ease.
Jake swinging wildly here.
Jake tries to clinch there but Sjoholm circles away.
Jake misses with a takedown attempt - Sjoholm sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sjoholm fails to land the takedown.
Iron Jake has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sakari Sjoholm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jake steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sjoholm.
Jake throws a series of punches but Sjoholm moves out of range.

Sjoholm feints and as Jake raises his hands in defense, Sjoholm changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Jake is adopting a defensive guard.
Sjoholm is looking to work some ground and pound but Jake has wrist control.
Sjoholm throws a big right hand that misses.
Sjoholm lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Jake lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Sjoholm!
Sjoholm throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jake throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Jake working for a submission but Sjoholm is keeping him at bay.
Sjoholm is looking to improve his position but Jake isn't that keen on the idea.
Sjoholm looks gassed!
Jake looking to ground and pound but Sjoholm is blocking nicely.
Jake trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Jake thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Sjoholm flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sjoholm is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Sjoholm is bucking up trying to escape but Jake cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Jake trying to control but Sjoholm is having none of it.
Jake throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sjoholm can do anything to dispel that myth.
Jake throws some wild stikes that Sjoholm manages to avoid easily.
Jake throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Sjoholm really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Jake. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Jake throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Jake trying to control but Sjoholm is having none of it.
Jake controlling his opponent.
Jake throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Jake takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jake wants to control the pace but Sjoholm is squirming around nicely.
Jake throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sakari Sjoholm dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Jake throws a sloppy head kick and Sjoholm moves out of range easily.
Jake misses with an attempted mid kick.
Jake will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Jake throws a right and a left that Sjoholm avoids nicely.
Jake attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

Sjoholm shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Sjoholm lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Jake wants to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sjoholm thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Jake's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sjoholm throws a strike but Jake avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

Jake pushes Sjoholm off and scrambles back to his feet.
Sjoholm has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Jake finds it's way round the side to connect with Sjoholm's head.

It looks like Sakari Sjoholm has been cut.
Sjoholm is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Jake.
Jake does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Jake is looking to chop away at Sjoholm's legs.
Iron Jake is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jake pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sjoholm blocks a low kick nicely.
Jake rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sjoholm moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nice shot by Jake.
Jake looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Jake throws a series of strikes that have Sjoholm backpedaling.
Jake lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Sjoholm moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jake tries to break free but Sjoholm pushes him back against the cage.
Sjoholm just leaning against Jake, taking a breather.

Sjoholm manages to break the clinch.
Jake throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Jake tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sjoholm swivels and escapes.

Sjoholm moves into range and clinches up with Jake.

Sjoholm manages to break the clinch.
Jake lands with a nice combination. Sjoholm backs away looking to recover.
Sjoholm throws a big shot that misses.
A leg kick checked by Sjoholm.

Sjoholm clinches up with Jake and pushes him back against the cage.

Sjoholm jumps guard.
Jake won't allow Sjoholm to sweep him here.
Jake passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sjoholm missing with punches from the bottom.
Jake prevents Sjoholm from improving his position.

Jake stands up from half guard.

Sjoholm drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sjoholm's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sjoholm must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sjoholm is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Sjoholm working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sjoholm landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sjoholm throws a strike but Jake rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Sjoholm trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sjoholm striking off his back but it's not causing Jake any problems.
Jake in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Jake is looking to work some ground and pound but Sjoholm has wrist control.
Jake working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Jake scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Sjoholm gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Jake looks to land a body kick but Sjoholm moved away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Sakari Sjoholm will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Sakari Sjoholm's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sjoholm shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Jake as he avoids it easily.
Sjoholm closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Jake throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Sjoholm wants to clinch.
Jake throws a solid leg kick but Sjoholm takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Jake.
Jake throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sjoholm.
Jake shoots in and drives through. Sjoholm sprawls well.

Sjoholm fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Jake, pushing him back against the cage.
Jake is trying to break the clinch but Sjoholm has him pressed against the cage.

Sjoholm turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Sjoholm manages to end up in side control.
Sjoholm working the strikes but Jake uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Sjoholm stops Jake from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sjoholm thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Jake to regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sjoholm is looking to work some ground and pound but Jake has wrist control.
Sjoholm throws and elbow that misses. Jake uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sjoholm's guard. Nice move by Jake!
Jake with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sjoholm trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Sjoholm is striking from the bottom but Jake uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
Sjoholm throws a strike from the bottom but Jake passes into side control!
Jake throws an elbow but Sjoholm slips to the side and avoids it well.
Jake throws an elbow but Sjoholm slips to the side and avoids it well.
Sjoholm is trying to strike from the bottom but Jake has passed into full mount.

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.

Jake working for a submission but Sjoholm is keeping him at bay.
Jake looking to finish with strikes here!

Jake goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Sjoholm is on top in guard.
Sjoholm loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Jake is controlling Sjoholm's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sjoholm throws a strike but Jake rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Jake wants to control from the top but Sjoholm keeps moving.
Sjoholm preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sjoholm trying to strike off his back.
Jake passes Sjoholm's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Jake is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Jake unloads with some shots from mount but Sjoholm bucks and avoids them well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Jake throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Jake lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Jake blocks Sjoholm's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Sjoholm wants to control but Jake is having none of it.
Jake blocks Sjoholm's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sjoholm is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Sjoholm is trying to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Iron Jake did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Sakari Sjoholm's cut.
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.

Jake thuds a left hand into Sjoholm's body.
Jake is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sjoholm sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sjoholm shoots in looking for a takedown. Jake tries to sprawl out of it but Sjoholm keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Jake manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Jake shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sjoholm as he jumps to the side.
Jake pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jake misses with the combination.
Sjoholm closes the distance and clinches up with Jake, looking for a takedown. Sjoholm pushes Jake against the cage but Jake circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jake swinging wildly here.
Jake tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sjoholm swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Iron Jake. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sjoholm gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sjoholm goes for a takedown attempt but Jake pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jake throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Sjoholm gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sjoholm tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Jake smiles and moves away.
Jake lands a lovely overhand right.
Sjoholm is looking to clinch.
Jake walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sjoholm checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Jake displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
A punch lands to the side of Sjoholm 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Jake tries to keep at a distance but Sjoholm has taken the fight into the clinch.
Sjoholm tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sjoholm has Jake pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Jake manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jake.
Jake blocks the elbow strike.
Jake wants to break free but Sjoholm has control.
Jake tries to break free but Sjoholm pushes him back against the cage.
Jake tries to break the clinch but Sjoholm is controlling the position.
Sjoholm keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Jake's efforts to push away.
Jake wants to break the clinch but can't.

Sjoholm pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Danga de danga de dang - Jake scores with a four punch combination!
Jake stalks Sjoholm and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Sjoholm's face. Sjoholm staggers backwards, shaken.
Jake lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sjoholm circles away quickly and effectively.
Sjoholm shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Jake pinned against the cage. Jake gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Jake tries to bum rush Sjoholm with a series of wild strikes but Sjoholm uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jake uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sjoholm.
Sjoholm throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Jake counters with a lovely shot to the body.
No joy there for Jake, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jake stuffs the takedown attempt from Sjoholm. Sjoholm gets slowly back to his feet.
Sjoholm has his takedown stuffed
and Jake counters with a two punch combo.
Horrible takedown by Jake or perhaps it was just good defense by Sjoholm which made him look bad.
Sjoholm stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sjoholm wants it to stay on the feet.
Jake misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sjoholm circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jake keeps the fight on the outside.
Jake ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

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.
Jake scores with a decent looking hook.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jake.

Sjoholm drives through and clinches with Jake against the cage.
Jake tries for a takedown but Sjoholm manages to get underhooks.
Sjoholm goes for a takedown in the clinch but Jake prevents it.
A frustrated look appears on Jake's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Sjoholm keeps control of Jake as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Sjoholm has Jake pressed against the cage, preventing Jake from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Sjoholm is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Jake gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Sjoholm drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sjoholm is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Jake gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iron Jake had his way with Sakari Sjoholm in that round.
The cut man is working on Sakari Sjoholm's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Some wild striking there from Jake.
Jake stalks Sjoholm and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Sjoholm's face. Sjoholm staggers backwards, shaken.
Jake missing with a left hand there. Sjoholm was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Sjoholm has Jake up against the cage in a clinch.
Sjoholm fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Jake gets underhooks to prevent Sjoholm's takedown attempt.
Sjoholm tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Iron Jake has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sakari Sjoholm.
Jake is working for takedown but Sjoholm is calmly controlling the position for now.
Jake drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sjoholm tries for a takedown but Jake manages to get underhooks.

Sjoholm pulls guard effortlessly.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jake stands up and waves to Sjoholm to follow him.
Jake with a lazy takedown attempt
and Jake takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sjoholm fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sjoholm has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Sjoholm waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Jake.
Jake misses with a few strikes there.
Jake throws a sloppy head kick and Sjoholm moves out of range easily.
Jake swinging wildly here.
Sjoholm is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Jake.
Jake dives in and grabs Sjoholm's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sjoholm pushes down on Jake's head and hops out.
Jake throws a series of punches but Sjoholm moves out of range.
Sjoholm throws a series of strikes that have Jake backpedaling.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sjoholm looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jake slips under a jab.
Sjoholm shoots in looking for a takedown. Jake tries to sprawl out of it but Sjoholm keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Jake manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sjoholm tries to clinch up.
Jake looks to land a combination but Sjoholm avoids it well.
Jake scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Sjoholm has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Sjoholm shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Jake defends it nicely.
A punch combination from Jake misses.
A combination from Jake does no damage.
Sjoholm has a takedown stuffed.
Sjoholm shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Jake as he avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jake shoots in but Sjoholm avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Iron Jake is winning the standup battle so far.
Jake pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sjoholm closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jake circles away.
Jake defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sjoholm.
Jake misses with an attempted mid kick.
Some wild striking there from Sjoholm.
Jake lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Sjoholm avoids a punch combination nicely.

Sjoholm clinches.

Sjoholm manages to pull guard.
Jake stays in close to Sjoholm's body and controls the position.
Sjoholm thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sjoholm working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Jake.
Jake postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Sjoholm is working an open guard so Jake takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Sjoholm shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Jake as he avoids it easily.
Jake misses with a two punch combination.
Jake jabs at Sjoholm's body.
Jake throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Jake misses with a leg kick.
Jake throws a nice looking combination but Sjoholm bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Jake digs a good body shot into Sjoholm's ribs.
Jake connects with a crisp jab.

Sjoholm has closed the distance and engaged Jake in a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Iron Jake showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Jake has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight for Iron Jake!
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight for Iron Jake!
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight for Iron Jake!

Iron Jake wins by unanimous decision!
Iron Jake retains his heavyweight title!