PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yermolai Sokoloff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jesse Jalkalukko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jalkalukko has chosen Jordan Sparks ft. Chris Brown - No Air as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sokoloff
vs
Jalkalukko

189 cm
24
202 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

190 cm
31
200 lbs
18 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Tab laundry WEEK

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Yermolai Sokoloff!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jesse Jalkalukko!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Wagner Zegers and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jalkalukko misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Jalkalukko has a takedown stuffed.
Good leg kick by Jalkalukko there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Jalkalukko shoots and misses
and Sokoloff counters with a solid body kick.
Yermolai Sokoloff has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jesse Jalkalukko.
Sokoloff throws a looping overhand right but Jalkalukko ducks down to avoid it.
That kick from Sokoloff tenderised Jalkalukko's leg. Jalkalukko is trying to keep his angry face on.
Jalkalukko throws a head kick but Sokoloff moves out of range.
Sokoloff throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Sokoloff throws a sloppy head kick

so Jalkalukko counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Sokoloff pulls Jalkalukko in close to his closed guard and prevents Jalkalukko from doing any damage or advancing position.

Sokoloff had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Jalkalukko defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jalkalukko passes Sokoloff's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Jalkalukko is looking to advance position but Sokoloff won't allow it.

Jalkalukko is trying to work for a kimura but Sokoloff is defending well.
Sokoloff trying to control but Jalkalukko postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jalkalukko is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sokoloff is just riding it out for now. Jalkalukko eventually gives up the hold.
Sokoloff is looking to control Jalkalukko's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sokoloff avoid being mounted?

Jalkalukko seems to be looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokoloff avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Jalkalukko.
Jalkalukko missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Jalkalukko passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Sokoloff!
Jalkalukko takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Jalkalukko looking to control but Sokoloff is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Jalkalukko thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Jalkalukko goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Sokoloff has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Jalkalukko but great work by Sokoloff.
Sokoloff is chipping away with strikes.
Jalkalukko is trying to control Sokoloff's posture but Sokoloff avoids it.
Sokoloff throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A lull in the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jesse Jalkalukko will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Good leg kick by Jalkalukko there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Sokoloff throws a series of punches but Jalkalukko avoids them all with ease.
Sokoloff tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
No luck for Jalkalukko with that takedown attempt.
Jalkalukko fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Jalkalukko moves out of range as Sokoloff throws a body kick.
Jalkalukko has a takedown stuffed.
Yermolai Sokoloff has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jesse Jalkalukko.
Sokoloff cracks the inside of Jalkalukko's front leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokoloff throws a lazy head kick

and Jalkalukko counters with a takedown into side control.
Sokoloff managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Jalkalukko.
Jalkalukko misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Sokoloff tries to improve position but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jalkalukko wants to control but Sokoloff is keeping him busy.

Jalkalukko is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sokoloff is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Sokoloff is looking to regain half guard here but Jalkalukko keeps moving and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Sokoloff is not content to let Jalkalukko control the position.

Jalkalukko wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Sokoloff, who protects the arm well.
Sokoloff tries to bench press Jalkalukko off him but Jalkalukko keeps the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jalkalukko moves into full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jalkalukko looking to ground and pound but Sokoloff is blocking nicely.
Sokoloff really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Jalkalukko throws some wild stikes that Sokoloff manages to avoid easily.
Jesse Jalkalukko has got the better of the ground game so far.
Jalkalukko looking to finish with strikes here!
Jalkalukko has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Jalkalukko controlling from the full mount.

Jalkalukko is working for a guillotine from mount but Sokoloff frees his head quite easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jalkalukko goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Sokoloff is on top in guard.

Jalkalukko has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Sokoloff is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Jalkalukko.
Sokoloff is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Jalkalukko's shoulder. That is not cool.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jesse Jalkalukko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Sokoloff throws a leg kick
and Jalkalukko finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Jalkalukko shoots in but Sokoloff avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A big right from Sokoloff misses.
Jalkalukko fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sokoloff.
Sokoloff thows a body kick. Jalkalukko tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Sokoloff feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Jalkalukkos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Sokoloff pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sokoloff throws a jab but it's blocked by Jalkalukko.
Jalkalukko fails to land the takedown.
Jalkalukko throws a leg kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokoloff digs a good body shot into Jalkalukko's ribs.
Sokoloff scoring well with a low kick there.
Sokoloff misses with a leg kick

and Jalkalukko counters with a single leg into guard. Sokoloff didn't expect that.
Jalkalukko postures up.
Jalkalukko throws a big elbow that misses.
Sokoloff controls Jalkalukko momentarily but Jalkalukko frees himself.
Jalkalukko working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sokoloff keeping moving, preventing Jalkalukko from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jalkalukko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sokoloff swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sokoloff pulls Jalkalukko in close to his closed guard and prevents Jalkalukko from doing any damage or advancing position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Jalkalukko fails with the takedown.
Yermolai Sokoloff has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jesse Jalkalukko.
Sokoloff swings away with a body shot that misses
and Jalkalukko counters with a thumping low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokoloff slaps away a takedown attempt from Jalkalukko, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Jalkalukko slips under a jab.
Jalkalukko has his takedown stuffed
and Sokoloff counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Jalkalukko is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Jalkalukko throws an overhand right that lands on Sokoloff's shoulder, as Sokoloff tries to avoid the shot.
Sokoloff avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sokoloff throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Jalkalukko has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Sokoloff finds it's way round the side to connect with Jalkalukko's head.

Jalkalukko is rocked!
Sokoloff lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Jalkalukko is still on wobbly legs! Can Sokoloff finish him?
Sokoloff lands a big right hook! Jalkalukko looks hurt but is still standing! Sokoloff lands a left jab and another right hook! This time Jalkalukko falls down and Sokoloff dives in with a huge hammer fist! Jalkalukko's eyes roll back! The referee calls for the bell and Sokoloff runs up the cage to celebrate with his fans!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Yermolai Sokoloff!