PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sakari Ostermalm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sonny Liston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ostermalm comes to the cage accompanied by Speedy ja Saku - Hän mies. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Ostermalm
vs
Liston

199 cm
21
225 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

199 cm
20
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sakari Ostermalm!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sonny Liston!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ostermalm shoots for a takedown but Liston saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Ostermalm darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ostermalm wants to work for an arm triangle but Liston is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Liston really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ostermalm. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Ostermalm is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Liston is refusing to be controlled, as Ostermalm sits in half guard.
Ostermalm wants to pass to mount but Liston is defending the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ostermalm missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Ostermalm is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Ostermalm tries to pass the half guard into mount. Liston knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Ostermalm is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ostermalm avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ostermalm is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
No joy there for Liston, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ostermalm shoots in for a double leg but Liston sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
No joy there for Liston, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Ostermalm looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Ostermalm pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Liston is keeping the position for now.
Ostermalm wants to control from the top but Liston keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ostermalm looking to pass the guard.
Ostermalm prevents Liston from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Liston not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Ostermalm pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Liston is keeping the position for now.
Liston is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Ostermalm clinches.

Ostermalm ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Ostermalm no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Ostermalm is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Liston stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ostermalm swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ostermalm tries a head kick but it misses.
Ostermalm throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ostermalm blocks the body kick.

Ostermalm changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Liston looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Ostermalm tries to move to mount but Liston blocks the move with his legs.
Liston is trying to buck Ostermalm off.

Ostermalm wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Liston, who protects the arm well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ostermalm tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Liston is trying to control Ostermalm's posture but Ostermalm avoids it.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Ostermalm here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

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.
Ostermalm is looking to take a break and control but Liston is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ostermalm works to advance to full mount. Liston defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.

Ostermalm jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Liston manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Ostermalm tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liston tries to bench press Ostermalm off him but Ostermalm keeps the position.

Ostermalm is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Liston knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Ostermalm working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

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.
Liston taking a bit of punishment here - Ostermalm scoring with strikes.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Ostermalm working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sakari Ostermalm dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Liston misses with a wild combination.
Ostermalm gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Ostermalm avoids a kick to the body.
Liston misses with a body kick.
Liston swats away the attempt to clinch by Ostermalm.

Ostermalm moves into the clinch successfully.

Ostermalm pulls guard successfully.

Ostermalm is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Liston rolls with it to try and escape but Ostermalm cranks on the arm and Liston is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:01 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Sakari Ostermalm!