PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joonatan Sievinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fjodor Rocky (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sievinen comes to the cage accompanied by Bill Conti - Gonna Fly Now. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Sievinen
vs
Rocky

185 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joonatan Sievinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Fjodor Rocky!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sievinen throws a series of punches but Rocky moves out of range.
Sievinen misses with the combination.
Rocky shoots in looking for a takedown but Sievinen manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rocky's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sievinen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Sievinen moves into the clinch successfully.
Sievinen is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rocky gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Rocky is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rocky has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sievinen avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Joonatan Sievinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fjodor Rocky.
Sievinen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rocky avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Rocky is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sievinen gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Sievinen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sievinen throws a one two combo.

It looks like Fjodor Rocky has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rocky cracks a nice hook into Sievinen's ribs.
Rocky fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rocky fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocky keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Sievinen dives in and grabs Rocky's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rocky pushes down on Sievinen's head and hops out.

Sievinen clinches.
Rocky using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sievinen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Rocky breaks the clinch.
Sievinen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rocky misses with a two punch combination.
Sievinen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sievinen tries for a takedown but Rocky sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sievinen is breathing heavily.
Rocky slips a jab and a cross from Sievinen.
Joonatan Sievinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rocky throws a body kick that misses.
Rocky moves out of range as Sievinen throws a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sievinen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sievinen wants it to stay on the feet.
Rocky avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rocky avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sievinen avoids a kick to the body.
Rocky shoots in looking for a takedown. Sievinen tries to sprawl out of it but Rocky keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sievinen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rocky shoots in but Sievinen avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sievinen fails to land with a series of punches.
Rocky moves in looking to clinch but Sievinen pushes him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sievinen is looking to clinch.
Rocky tries to clinch there but Sievinen circles away.
A combination from Rocky does no damage.
Sievinen throws a left and a right that both miss
and Rocky counters with a left and a right that stings Sievinen.
Sievinen looks to land a combination but Rocky avoids it well.
Rocky throws a low kick but Sievinen avoids it.
Rocky shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sievinen but Sievinen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sievinen tries to bum rush Rocky with a series of wild strikes but Rocky uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sievinen stuffs the takedown.
Sievinen misses with a double jab.
Sievinen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sievinen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sievinen wants it to stay on the feet.
A head kick misses from Sievinen.
Rocky throws a head kick but Sievinen moves out of range.

Sievinen closes the distance and clinches.
Rocky jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sievinen walks away with a smile on his face. Rocky gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Sievinen fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Rocky keeps the fight on the outside.
Rocky fails with a takedown attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sievinen throws a one two combo.

Rocky closes the distance and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joonatan Sievinen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Fjodor Rocky's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Sievinen has managed to clinch.
Sievinen jumps guard but Rocky turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Sievinen looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Rocky manages to break the clinch.
Sievinen is looking to clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rocky is defended easily by Sievinen.
Rocky tries to clinch but Sievinen moves away
and Sievinen counters with a three punch combo that has Rocky backing up. Rocky nods at Sievinen to acknowledge the strikes.
Sievinen lands a slapping body shot.
Sievinen shoots in looking for a takedown but Rocky manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sievinen's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rocky is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sievinen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sievinen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sievinen misses with a low kick.
Rocky ducks under a wild hook from Sievinen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sievinen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rocky's waist but Rocky gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sievinen off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joonatan Sievinen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice sprawl there from Sievinen as Rocky shoots in.
Rocky throws a sloppy head kick and Sievinen moves out of range easily.
Rocky tries for a takedown but Sievinen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Sievinen moves into the clinch.
Sievinen looking to throw knees to the head but Rocky is blocking nicely.
Rocky is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sievinen gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Sievinen effectively controlling the action here.
Rocky effectively controlling the action here.
Rocky throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sievinen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sievinen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sievinen plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Rocky misses the shot to the body.
Rocky closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sievinen circles away.
Rocky displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sievinen.
Sievinen throws a sloppy head kick and Rocky moves out of range easily.
Rocky shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sievinen but Sievinen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rocky tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Sievinen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rocky tries to keep at a distance but Sievinen has taken the fight into the clinch.

Sievinen pulls guard effortlessly.
Rocky advances position into side control!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Sievinen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rocky postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Rocky is staying tight to Sievinen's torso, preventing him from escaping.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rocky has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Rocky scores with a one two! Sievinen had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sievinen shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rocky sprawls well. Rocky wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sievinen gets slowly back to his feet.
Rocky fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joonatan Sievinen dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Fjodor Rocky's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

The fighters circle momentarily. Sievinen darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
A head kick misses from Rocky.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rocky is defended easily by Sievinen.
Sievinen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sievinen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rocky connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Sievinen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rocky shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sievinen pinned against the cage. Sievinen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocky fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sievinen wants to clinch up but Rocky keeps it at a distance.
Sievinen leaves Rocky with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Joonatan Sievinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fjodor Rocky.
A punch combination from Sievinen misses.
Rocky keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Sievinen tries to clinch but Rocky is having none of it.
Rocky tries to clinch up but Sievinen circles away and keeps his distance.
Rocky dodges the punch combination from Sievinen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocky shoots in looking for a takedown. Sievinen tries to sprawl out of it but Rocky keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sievinen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rocky tries to close the distance and clinch but Sievinen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Sievinen clinches up with Rocky and pushes him back against the cage.
Sievinen tries to throw a body punch but Rocky avoids it by throwing Sievinen back against the cage.

Sievinen decides to pull guard.
Sievinen wants to sweep but no luck.
Rocky looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Sievinen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rocky doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rocky manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocky throws a big elbow that misses.

Rocky gets to his feet. Sievinen looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Rocky shoots in but no luck this time.
Rocky defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sievinen.
Sievinen shoots in looking for a takedown. Rocky tries to sprawl out of it but Sievinen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rocky manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Rocky.
Sievinen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rocky sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
No luck for Rocky with that takedown attempt.
Sievinen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sievinen moves in looking to clinch but Rocky pushes him off.
Rocky has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Sievinen finds it's way round the side to connect with Rocky's head.
Rocky fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Fjodor Rocky has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Joonatan Sievinen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rocky throws a wild body kick that Sievinen sees coming a mile off.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Joonatan Sievinen.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sievinen, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joonatan Sievinen!
Joonatan Sievinen decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.