PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Akseli Suokuokka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Les Norton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Suokuokka comes into the arena with The Bags - Cavemen Rejoice blaring out of the sound system. Norton has chosen Land downunder - Men at work as his entrance music. Les Norton has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Suokuokka
vs
Norton

189 cm
27
255 lbs
11 - 10 - 0

192 cm
29
275 lbs
17 - 9 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 11 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Akseli Suokuokka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Les Norton!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Winston Howard and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Norton looks to land a left hand but Suokuokka moved out of range nicely.
Norton checks a low kick from Suokuokka.
Some wild striking there from Norton.
Norton lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Suokuokka backs up against the cage.

Suokuokka has Norton up against the cage in a clinch.
Norton is trying to push Suokuokka away but Suokuokka has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Suokuokka can't find room to land a body shot as Norton controls the action.
Norton is looking to break free of the clinch but Suokuokka has double underhooks.
Suokuokka stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Suokuokka tries for a takedown but Norton manages to get underhooks.
A short right from Suokuokka.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Suokuokka tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Norton just stands there and leans against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Norton's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Suokuokka has picked Norton up - he's going for a ride! Suokuokka dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Suokuokka is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Norton has managed to free his arm - good work.
Norton keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Suokuokka wants to pass the guard but Norton is defending well.
Suokuokka drops an elbow to the side of Norton's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Suokuokka missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Norton is looking to improve his position.

Suokuokka is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Norton doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Suokuokka.

Suokuokka wants to work for an arm triangle but Norton is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Norton keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Suokuokka throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norton is staying active underneath Suokuokka, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Suokuokka is looking for a kimura but Norton is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Suokuokka to get the leverage.

Suokuokka is looking for a kimura but Norton is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Suokuokka to get the leverage.
The fighters are battling for position here. Norton manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Suokuokka trying to control but Norton is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Suokuokka accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Norton keeping moving, preventing Suokuokka from controlling successfully.
Suokuokka throws an elbow that misses. Norton uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Suokuokka's guard. Nice move by Norton!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Norton throwing strikes from guard but Suokuokka blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Norton postures up in Suokuokka's guard and throws a big left but Suokuokka blocks it.
Norton throwing strikes but missing.
Norton postures up.
Norton trying to control but Suokuokka is working from the bottom.

Suokuokka is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Norton defends well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Norton accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akseli Suokuokka dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Decent striking displayed by Norton there.
Suokuokka swinging wildly here.
Suokuokka is trying hard to land a takedown here. Norton sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Norton falls off balance throwing a combination

and Suokuokka counters by moving into the clinch.
Suokuokka is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Suokuokka is trying to pull guard but Norton turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akseli Suokuokka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Suokuokka tries for a takedown. No joy.
Norton wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Suokuokka jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Norton walks away with a smile on his face. Suokuokka gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Norton's corner calls for a 1-2. Norton obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Suokuokka ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Norton throws a left that rocks Suokuokka and follows with a right that sends him tumbling to the canvas! Norton dives into side control, looking to finish! Can Suokuokka regain composure!

Suokuokka is rocked!
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!
Suokuokka tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Norton wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Oh Suokuokka is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Norton wants to control but Suokuokka is keeping him busy.
Suokuokka seems to have got his legs back now.
Norton in side control, throwing shots but Suokuokka defends.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Suokuokka is trying to improve his position.
Suokuokka manages to get back to half guard.
Norton thows a huge punch but Suokuokka dodges it nicely.
Ground and pound from Norton.
Norton sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Suokuokka defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Norton throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Norton prevents Suokuokka from improving his position.
Norton not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Norton prevents Suokuokka from improving his position.
Norton with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Suokuokka blocking the ground and pound attempt from Norton.

Norton is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Norton is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Suokuokka sees it coming and defends easily.
Norton not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Suokuokka is staying active underneath Norton, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Suokuokka manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Norton is looking to work some ground and pound but Suokuokka has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Suokuokka striking off his back but it's not causing Norton any problems.
Akseli Suokuokka overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Norton throws a strike but Suokuokka rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Norton preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Suokuokka trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Suokuokka in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Suokuokka is fighting to break Norton's control of his arms but Norton is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Suokuokka accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Suokuokka postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Suokuokka is looking to work some ground and pound but Norton has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Les Norton showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Norton misses with a body shot.
Norton just misses with a punch to the body.
Norton misses the jab.
Les Norton seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Suokuokka tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Norton manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Norton lands a jab to the nose.
Suokuokka closes the distance looking to clinch
and Norton counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Suokuokka takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Suokuokka throws a body punch but Norton moves out of range.
No joy there for Norton, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Akseli Suokuokka is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Norton misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Suokuokka.
Norton misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Norton gets tackled into the cage by Suokuokka. Suokuokka maintains the clinch.
Suokuokka tries a body shot but Norton blocks it.
Suokuokka tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Norton smiles and moves away.
Suokuokka throws a hook to the side of Norton's head but Norton sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Suokuokka darts in and clinches Norton up against the cage.
Norton prevents the takedown attempt.
Suokuokka tries to pull guard but Norton forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akseli Suokuokka. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Norton breaks from the clinch.
Norton lands a right hook to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Good shot there by Norton.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Norton lands a jab-cross combination.
Norton lands a jab.
Norton Throws a clean left jab. Norton Twirls his body and connects with a Spinning Back Fist that connects flush with Suokuokka's chin! Suokuokka crumbles to the ground and Norton follows up with some unanswered strikes. It's all over!! Nice standup skills displayed by Norton!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:17 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Les Norton!