PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Arvo Markkina (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergio DeSousa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). DeSousa comes into a darkened arena with his song building. The Roof is on Fire kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Markkina
vs
DeSousa

185 cm
22
210 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
210 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arvo Markkina!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sergio DeSousa!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Markkina misses.
Markkina looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
DeSousa shoots for a double leg takedown but Markkina sprawls well. He's pushed DeSousa's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from DeSousa.
DeSousa blocks a head kick by Markkina.
A head kick misses from Markkina.
Markkina throws a quick head kick that skims the top of DeSousa's head.
Markkina misses with a body kick.
Markkina stuffs the takedown.
Arvo Markkina has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergio DeSousa.

DeSousa shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
DeSousa throwing shots but Markkina is blocking nicely.
DeSousa thows a huge punch but Markkina dodges it nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Markkina trying to hold on to DeSousa's head to control him but DeSousa postures up.
DeSousa throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Markkina is looking to improve his position.
Markkina is looking to control DeSousa's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Markkina avoid being mounted?
DeSousa sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Markkina defending well though.
DeSousa slips a nice elbow through Markkina's hands, connecting with Markkina's forehead.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A punch combination from DeSousa misses.
Markkina tries to close the distance and clinch up but DeSousa swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeSousa will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Markkina looks to land a body kick but DeSousa moved away.
Markkina stuffs the takedown.
Markkina explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Arvo Markkina seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Markkina closes the distance and clinches.

Markkina tightens his grip and picks DeSousa up, before dumping him to the ground. DeSousa manages to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
DeSousa wants to sweep but no luck.
Markkina stays in close to DeSousa's body and controls the position.

Markkina thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

DeSousa looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Markkina trying to control but DeSousa is working from the bottom.
DeSousa throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Markkina stopping the sweep attempt from DeSousa.

DeSousa is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
DeSousa punching from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
DeSousa throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markkina preventing the sweep.
Markkina has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
DeSousa throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Markkina stands and throws DeSousa's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
DeSousa is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Markkina off and has taken his back!
Markkina rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Markkina wants to control but DeSousa is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Markkina is pressing down on DeSousa's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
DeSousa wants to pass the guard but Markkina is keeping the position.

Markkina has his foot on DeSousa's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. DeSousa works his way back into a safe position though.
DeSousa slips nicely into half guard.
DeSousa is looking to advance position but Markkina won't allow it.
DeSousa has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
DeSousa landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
DeSousa is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
DeSousa with good strikes from the mount here!
DeSousa dominating with strikes here.

Markkina is rocked!
DeSousa with good strikes from the mount here!
Oh Markkina is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
BOOM! DeSousa connects with a massive shot to the dome!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markkina taking shots to the head.
DeSousa with good strikes from the mount here!
DeSousa cracks Markkina with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

Markkina is flailing around, obviously not happy about being mounted. DeSousa locks hold of one of his arms and spins for an armbar. He's got it! Markkina is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Sergio DeSousa!