PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ossi Jokinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hjalmar Soderberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jokinen kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Prodigy - Omen. Hjalmar Soderberg has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Jokinen
vs
Soderberg

190 cm
38
215 lbs
44 - 11 - 1

189 cm
28
225 lbs
14 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

TWGC Champion
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)
Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 44 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Ossi Jokinen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hjalmar Soderberg!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Roosa Järviläinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Soderberg misses with a takedown attempt - Jokinen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jokinen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Soderberg fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Soderberg on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Jokinen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Jokinen swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Jokinen connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Jokinen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Jokinen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Jokinen bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Soderberg's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Soderberg defending well as Jokinen loads up on a big left hand.
Jokinen misses with a hook

and Soderberg counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Jokinen pulls Soderberg in close to his closed guard and prevents Soderberg from doing any damage or advancing position.
Jokinen manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Soderberg manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jokinen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jokinen looking to pass the guard.
Soderberg is trying to control the position but Jokinen postures up.
Jokinen won't allow Soderberg to sweep him here.
Soderberg is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Soderberg wants to hit a switch here but Jokinen passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Soderberg there!
Jokinen takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Jokinen can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Soderberg is looking to escape.
Soderberg is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Jokinen controlling his opponent.
Soderberg is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Jokinen controlling the pace for now.
Soderberg regains half guard.
Soderberg is trying to maintain the position but Jokinen is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ossi Jokinen wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Jokinen throws a leg kick

and Soderberg counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Soderberg is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Jokinen defends it well.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Soderberg is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Jokinen still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Jokinen has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Jokinen controlling the position.
Jokinen's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Soderberg tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Soderberg throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Soderberg dives in and grabs Jokinen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Jokinen pushes down on Soderberg's head and hops out.
Soderberg lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Jokinen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Jokinen misses the shot to the body.
Soderberg shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jokinen misses with a low kick.
Soderberg fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Jokinen misses the body punch

and Soderberg counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Soderberg content to stall in guard here.
Soderberg stops Jokinen from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soderberg trying to control the position from guard on top but Jokinen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Soderberg with a flurry of punches that miss.
Jokinen wants to sweep but no luck.
Jokinen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Soderberg.
Jokinen lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Soderberg!
Hjalmar Soderberg has got the better of the ground game so far.
Soderberg tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Jokinen content just to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Jokinen avoids the attempt from Soderberg to control.
Soderberg is in all sorts of trouble here.
Jokinen sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen avoids the attempt from Soderberg to control.
Jokinen controlling the position easily from mount.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ossi Jokinen wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Jokinen throws a poor cross that misses

and Soderberg counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Soderberg seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Jokinen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Soderberg wants to work for an arm triangle but Jokinen is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Soderberg lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Soderberg is just content to waste time from the top position. Jokinen takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Jokinen keeping full guard, as Soderberg tries to pass.
Soderberg trying to control but Jokinen is working from the bottom.
Soderberg in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Soderberg won't allow Jokinen to get back to his feet.
Soderberg in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Soderberg trying to control but Jokinen is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hjalmar Soderberg 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.

Jokinen throws a leg kick that is checked

and Soderberg counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Soderberg postures up in Jokinen's guard and throws a big left but Jokinen blocks it.
Soderberg wants to pass the guard but Jokinen is keeping the position.
Soderberg postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Soderberg controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Soderberg preventing the sweep.
Soderberg trying to control but Jokinen is working from the bottom.
Soderberg tries to free his leg and advance position but Jokinen is retaining full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Soderberg postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Jokinen wriggles free and stands up.
Good work by Soderberg as he checks the leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jokinen misses with an uppercut

and Soderberg counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Soderberg working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Jokinen trying to control the position.
Jokinen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Soderberg loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Soderberg trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Jokinen wants to sweep but no luck.
Soderberg throwing strikes from guard but Jokinen blocks nicely.
Soderberg distracts Jokinen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Soderberg lands a couple of digs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Jokinen holds on and takes a little breather.
Soderberg throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Soderberg accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Jokinen keeping full guard, as Soderberg tries to pass.
Soderberg has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Soderberg in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Jokinen being controlled here, momentarily.
Jokinen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Soderberg throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Jokinen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg preventing the sweep.
Soderberg wants to control from the top but Jokinen keeps moving.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A telegraphed right hand from Jokinen misses the target.
Soderberg checks a leg kick nicely.
Soderberg cracks Jokinen with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Jokinen throws a leg kick

and Soderberg counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Soderberg postures up and lands a big shot to Jokinen's brow.
Soderberg pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jokinen is keeping the position for now.
Soderberg seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Soderberg with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen controlling Soderberg's posture.
Jokinen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Soderberg.
Soderberg working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Soderberg trying to control but Jokinen is working from the bottom.
Soderberg landing with the ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Jokinen is on top in guard.
Soderberg is trying to keep Jokinen in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hjalmar Soderberg really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Jokinen lands with an overhand left.
Jokinen doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Soderberg blocks a low kick nicely.
A bone on bone clash there as Soderberg blocks the leg kick.
Jokinen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Soderberg punishes Jokinen's body with a nice straight punch.
Ossi Jokinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jokinen misses with a body shot.
Jokinen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jokinen misses with a looping right.
Jokinen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Soderberg manages to avoid it.
A swing and a miss from Jokinen.
Jokinen jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jokinen throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Soderberg connects with an inside leg kick.
Ossi Jokinen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Soderberg misses with a looping right.
Jokinen scoring well with a low kick there.
Soderberg moves out of range as Jokinen strikes.
Jokinen throws a looping overhand right but Soderberg ducks down to avoid it.
Soderberg on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Jokinen. Jokinen obviously looking to wear him down.
Jokinen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Soderberg manages to avoid it.
Jokinen throws a leg kick

and Soderberg counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Soderberg throws a big right hand that misses.
Soderberg in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Soderberg looking to sit in guard and control but Jokinen gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Soderberg manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg dominating with strikes here.
Soderberg with shots to the head and body - Jokinen looks very uncomfortable down there.
Jokinen avoids a series of strikes thrown by Soderberg.
Soderberg throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Soderberg tries to control but Jokinen wriggling away.
Jokinen is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Soderberg punching from mount but Jokinen doing a good job of avoiding damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Jokinen is looking to get to half guard.
Soderberg lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Jokinen tries to lock up and control but Soderberg gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Soderberg with shots to the head and body - Jokinen looks very uncomfortable down there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Soderberg thowing shots but they're missing.

Soderberg has hold of an arm here, looking to extend it. He's committed to the armbar attempt here! Will he get it?! Yes! Jokinen is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Hjalmar Soderberg!
Hjalmar Soderberg is the new light heavyweight champion!
An intense looking Hjalmar Soderberg took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: 'It's been an honor fighting such a legend and veteran in the game, Ossi. But time to pass the torch. Back in 2010, you stole the title twice from my team mate Felix Tilthammer and he's been bitter ever since.. so this beating tonight, it was for him!'.