PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sakke Somali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leandro Podogo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Somali's entrance music is Sakke - Oonhan Suomalainen. A fine choice. 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.

Somali
vs
Podogo

183 cm
27
180 lbs
18 - 6 - 1

171 cm
25
180 lbs
14 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

[JMFC] Arashi Fighting Nutrition HOLY SHIT SALE!
Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Sakke Somali!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Leandro Podogo!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Dmitry Maklakov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Podogo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Podogo works Somali's body with a nice hook.
Somali misses with a low kick.
Somali tries to land a leg kick but Podogo saw it coming and moves away.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Somali lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Podogo has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Podogo and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Podogo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Somali.
Podogo fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Somali.
Somali lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Sakke Somali seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Somali throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Somali chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Podogo can pounce on him.
Podogo shoots for a takedown but Somali saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Somali defending well as Podogo loads up on a big left hand.
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!
Somali scores with a nice body kick.

Podogo throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Somali tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Podogo is in Somali's guard.
Podogo trying to control but Somali is working from the bottom.
Somali has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Somali is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Somali is working hard here to advance position.
Somali is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Podogo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Somali with a hook.
A bone on bone clash there as Podogo blocks the leg kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Podogo darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Podogo has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Somali.
Podogo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Somali moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Somali is looking to score with low kicks.
Podogo throws a right and a left that both miss.
Somali misses with a few strikes there.
Podogo tries for a takedown but Somali sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sakke Somali has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leandro Podogo.
Somali avoids the body shot from Podogo.
Good leg kick by Somali there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Somali, right into the meat.
Somali explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Podogo just misses with a punch to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Somali throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Podogo shoots in but Somali avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Podogo takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Podogo is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Somali rather than just go for the knockout.
Podogo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Somali was well out of range. Poor timing from Podogo.
Podogo missing with a left hand there. Somali was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Somali thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Podogo if he has to take too many more of those.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Somali throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Podogo scores with a push kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Somali, right into the meat.
Somali lands a two punch combo.

Podogo looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Podogo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Podogo is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Somali looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Podogo wants to control from the top but Somali keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Somali is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Podogo gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Somali counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Somali throws a series of strikes that have Podogo backpedaling.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Somali.
Nice shot by Somali.
Podogo takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Podogo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Good work by Podogo as he checks the leg kick.
Somali is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Podogo throws a combination that misses
and Somali counters with a good low kick that Podogo was not able to check.
Podogo steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Somali. That one must have hurt.
Podogo swings for the body but Somali moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Sakke Somali will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Podogo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Podogo fails with a takedown attempt.
Somali swings for the body but Podogo moves out of range.
Podogo shoots in for a double leg but Somali sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Podogo misses with a takedown attempt - Somali sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sakke Somali has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leandro Podogo.
Podogo slips a straight right by Somali.
Somali finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Somali throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Podogo walks into a jab.
Podogo misses with a looping left.
Podogo moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Somali lands a nice looking body kick.
Somali is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

Podogo gets a double leg takedown into Somali's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Somali is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Podogo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Somali looking for a sweep. Not yet Somali, not yet.
Somali bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Podogo's guard.

Podogo looking for subs off his back but Somali has passed one foot through into half guard.
Somali seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Podogo is trying to control but can't.
Somali wants to get back to his feet.
Podogo wants to control but Somali is keeping busy.
Somali trying to control from half guard but Podogo is working away.
Sakke Somali overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Somali tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Podogo.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

We're going to have a standup here because Sakke Somali wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Somali tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sakke Somali is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Somali uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Podogo.
Somali misses with a looping right.
Somali is looking to slow Podogo down with leg kicks.
Podogo has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Somali scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Podogo shoots and misses
and Somali counters with a thumping low kick.
A jab from Somali does it's job there.
Somali slaps away a takedown attempt from Podogo, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Podogo 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.
Somali throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Somali throws a low kick but Podogo avoids it.
Somali is looking to chop away at Podogo's legs.
Podogo takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Somali 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.
Podogo paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
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!
Podogo cracks Somali with a right hand to the side of the head.
Podogo misses the shot to the body.
Somali misses with a low kick.
Somali dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Good work by Somali as he checks the leg kick.
Somali digs a good body shot into Podogo's ribs.
Somali swings away with a leg kick that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A nice leg kick lands there from Somali.
Podogo has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Somali.
Podogo closes the distance and clinches up with Somali, looking for a takedown. Podogo pushes Somali against the cage but Somali circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Podogo connects with a high kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sakke Somali dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Podogo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Somali.
Podogo shoots in but no luck this time.
Somali looks to score with a jab to the body but Podogo is just out of range.
Sakke Somali is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Somali scores with a spinning back kick!
Podogo throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Podogo lands with a shot to the body.
Podogo on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Somali throws a right and a left that Podogo avoids nicely.
Somali throws a push kick but Podogo slaps the foot to one side.
Podogo drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Somali uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Podogo.
Podogo takes a swing at Somali's ribcage but misses.
Somali bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Somali throws a low kick but Podogo avoids it.
Somali ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Podogo moves away.
Somali misses with a kick to the body
and Podogo counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Somali scores with a spinning back kick!
A jab lands there for Somali.
Nice uppercut there from Podogo.
Podogo connects with a looping right hand.
Somali throws a leg kick which misses Podogo's front leg but catches the back leg as Podogo tries to avoid it.
A head kick misses from Podogo.
Podogo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Podogo gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Somali lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Podogo has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Podogo and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Somali will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Podogo closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Somali wants to control but Podogo is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Somali wants to improve his position but Podogo is controlling well.
Leandro Podogo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Somali is trying to control but can't.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Somali controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Somali regains full guard. Nicely done.
Somali looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Podogo wants to pass the guard but Somali is keeping the position.
Podogo with a flurry of punches that miss.
Somali is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Somali looking for a sweep. Not yet Somali, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Somali looking to control.
Somali controlling the position.

Sakke Somali has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Somali throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Podogo on the side of the head.
Somali looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Somali checks a leg kick.
Somali uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Podogo.
Podogo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Somali.
A nice inside leg kick there by Somali. That's going to slow Podogo down.
Podogo steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Somali. That one must have hurt.
The crowd cheers as Somali lands an impressive looking overhand right. Podogo doesn't seem phased though.
Somali throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Podogo just misses with a punch to the body.
Podogo shoots in looking for a takedown but Somali manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Podogo's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sakke Somali has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leandro Podogo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Somali with a hook.
Somali scores with a hook.
Sakke Somali is winning the standup battle so far.
Somali scores with a head kick.
Podogo misses with a jab, cross combination.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Podogo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Podogo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Somali throws a front kick that sends Podogo stumbling back into the cage.
Podogo looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Somali jabs Podogo right on the nose. Podogo blinks but takes it well.
Podogo tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Somali throws a nice outside leg kick.
Podogo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Podogo takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Podogo's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Somali keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Somali thuds his shin into the meat of Podogo's side.
That kick from Somali tenderised Podogo's leg. Podogo is trying to keep his angry face on.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sakke Somali showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Somali 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sakke Somali!
Sakke Somali decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.