PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mahti Sonni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Art Vandelay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sonni comes to the cage accompanied by Aki & Turo - Mahtisonni - . Vandelay has chosen Lynyrd Skynyrd - Simple Man as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sonni
vs
Vandelay

170 cm
29
151 lbs
20 - 9 - 0

173 cm
27
154 lbs
10 - 5 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hellbent
Hell's Balls Recovery (160)

KAISER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mahti Sonni!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 1, fighting out of New York, Art Vandelay!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Chris Downing and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sonni tries to clinch up.
Sonni throws a hook to the side of Vandelay's head but Vandelay sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Vandelay misses with a low kick as Sonni jumps back.
Vandelay misses with a leg kick
and Sonni counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Vandelay throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A punch combination from Sonni misses.
Vandelay tries to land a leg kick but Sonni saw it coming and moves away.
Some wild striking there from Sonni.
Vandelay showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sonni.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Vandelay.
Vandelay throws a sloppy head kick and Sonni moves out of range easily.
Vandelay connects with a high kick.
Sonni connects with a body shot that sends Vandelay's belly button to the back.

Vandelay rushes Sonni and presses him up against the cage.
Vandelay gets through Sonni's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonni misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Vandelay.
Vandelay misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sonni.
Vandelay using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sonni has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Vandelay.
Sonni pushes Vandelay back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Vandelay lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sonni backwards.
Sonni blocks a body shot from Vandelay.
Sonni lands a body punch.

Vandelay breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vandelay throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Art Vandelay is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sonni avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sonni tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Vandelay is able to avoid easily.
Vandelay lands a front kick.
Vandelay throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vandelay wants to slow Sonni down by chopping away at his legs.
Vandelay thumps Sonni with a low kick.
Sonni tries to close the distance and clinch up but Vandelay swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vandelay buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Vandelay avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Vandelay defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sonni.

Sonni changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Vandelay looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Vandelay is looking for a sweep.
Sonni advances nicely into full mount.
Sonni pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Sonni scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Vandelay?
Sonni throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Vandelay tries to reverse the position but Sonni maintains control.
Sonni thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Vandelay sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonni is looking to take a break and control but Vandelay is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sonni controlling the action here.
Vandelay blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sonni.
Sonni is trying to control the action in half guard but Vandelay is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Vandelay tries to roll over but Sonni keeps him under control.
Sonni looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonni wants to get back to his feet.
Sonni wants to free his trapped foot but Vandelay is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Sonni is trying to control. Vandelay wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sonni tries to pass to full mount but Vandelay defends it.
Vandelay wants to control but Sonni is keeping busy.
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 Mahti Sonni will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Vandelay fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sonni looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Sonni misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vandelay.
A punch combination from Sonni misses.
Sonni checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Sonni stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Vandelay.
A decent looking cross lands there for Vandelay.
Vandelay tries to clinch up.
Sonni just misses with a punch to the body.
Sonni throws a sloppy head kick and Vandelay moves out of range easily.
Vandelay throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Sonni throws a leg kick
and Vandelay counters with a good low kick that Sonni was not able to check.
A thudding body kick lands there by Vandelay!
Vandelay connects with an inside leg kick.
Sonni doesn't manage to clinch there - Vandelay circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonni thuds his right hand into Vandelay's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Vandelay slips a jab and a cross from Sonni.
Sonni fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Vandelay manages to avoid it.
Vandelay scoring well with a low kick there.
Sonni is looking to wear down Vandelay with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Vandelay fakes the leg kick and cracks Sonni in the body.
Sonni tries to land a front kick but Vandelay steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Vandelay uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sonni.
Some bone on bone action there as Sonni checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Vandelay jabs Sonni right on the nose. Sonni blinks but takes it well.

Vandelay fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sonni, pushing him back against the cage.
Vandelay blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Vandelay misses with a knee strike.
Vandelay works on Sonni's body with a couple of short punches.
Sonni struggles to land a body shot inside as Vandelay controls his hands.
Vandelay leaning against his opponent.
Sonni goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonni blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sonni makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vandelay lands with a left to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Vandelay.
Vandelay misses with a punch to the body.
Sonni is trying to break the clinch but Vandelay has him pressed against the cage.

Sonni escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Art Vandelay seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sonni throws the left hand but Vandelay avoids the punch easily.
Sonni throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sonni has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Vandelay.

Vandelay clinches with his opponent.
Sonni throws a punch but it's blocked by Vandelay.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Vandelay.

Vandelay breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sonni thumps Vandelay with a low kick.
Sonni pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sonni is looking to clinch but Vandelay is avoiding it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vandelay with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Vandelay lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Sonni tries to bum rush Vandelay with a series of wild strikes but Vandelay uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Vandelay throws a wild body kick that Sonni sees coming a mile off.
Sonni blocks a low kick nicely.
Sonni walks forward, straight into a front kick from Vandelay.
Sonni misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vandelay.
Sonni fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Vandelay manages to avoid it.
Vandelay stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Sonni takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Vandelay chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Vandelay scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

Vandelay instigates a clinch.
Sonni blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vandelay lands an uppercut.
Sonni softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vandelay looking to throw knees to the head but Sonni is blocking nicely.
Vandelay swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Vandelay lands a hook that snaps the head of Sonni backwards.
Sonni tries to stall but Vandelay uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A shot in the inside from Vandelay.
Sonni is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Vandelay pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Vandelay misses with a knee strike.
Vandelay with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vandelay.
Sonni throws a punch but it's blocked by Vandelay.
Sonni throws a punch but it's blocked by Vandelay.
A frustrated look appears on Sonni's face as he tries to break the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A knee to the head by Vandelay.
Vandelay is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Sonni is keeping busy.
Vandelay misses with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Art Vandelay showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Sonni's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Vandelay lands with a slapping head kick.
Good work by Sonni as he checks the leg kick.
Sonni shoots in but Vandelay avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sonni punishes Vandelay's body with a nice straight punch.
Vandelay moves out of range of the body kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Vandelay.
Good standup being displayed there by Sonni as he connects with a hook.
Vandelay ducks under a wild hook from Sonni.
Vandelay connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Sonni shoots in for a takedown but Vandelay shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sonni pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Vandelay lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sonni's sensitive parts.
Sonni cracks Vandelay with a good jab.
Vandelay throws a low kick, looking for Sonni's leg but Sonni calmly moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vandelay avoids the body shot from Sonni.
Sonni takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
A head kick misses from Vandelay.
Sonni blocks a head kick by Vandelay.
Vandelay tried to score with a low kick but Sonni checks it.
Vandelay connects with a solid leg kick.
Sonni misses the shot to the body.
Sonni is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Vandelay moves out of range of the body kick from Sonni.
Vandelay tries to clinch up.
Vandelay connects with a leg kick. Sonni looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Sonni with a poor takedown
and Vandelay counters with a big head kick but Sonni shrugs it off.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mahti Sonni. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vandelay keeps the fight on the outside.
Vandelay throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vandelay scores with a leg kick.
Sonni throws a body punch but Vandelay moves out of range.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Vandelay, right into the meat.
Vandelay uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Sonni has time to react.
Sonni looks for a takedown but Vandelay sprawls well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sonni on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Sonni throws a good cross that connects.
Sonni shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Vandelay pinned against the cage. Vandelay gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sonni tries to close the distance and clinch but Vandelay swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Vandelay plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Sonni takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vandelay pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Vandelay ducks under a wild hook from Sonni.
Vandelay scores with a leg kick.
Vandelay scores with a spinning back kick!
Vandelay lands with a cross.
Sonni looks to land a left hand but Vandelay moved out of range nicely.
Sonni lands the left hand.
A good leg kick by Vandelay.
Sonni tries to clinch up but Vandelay circles away and keeps his distance.
Vandelay motions for Sonni to come forward. Vandelay throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Vandelay is looking to clinch but Sonni is avoiding it.
Vandelay chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Good work by Sonni as he checks the leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vandelay scores with a jab to the head.

Sonni closes the distance and clinches.
Vandelay scores with a shoulder strike.
Vandelay landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Art Vandelay seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Vandelay swings away with an uppercut that misses.
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!
Vandelay working aggressively here.
Vandelay blocking some punches.
Vandelay tries to work over Sonni's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Vandelay wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vandelay.
Sonni wants to break the clinch but can't.
Vandelay lands an uppercut.
Sonni is trying to maintain a safe position but Vandelay gets an underhook and turns Sonni into the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Sonni swings wildly with an uppercut but Vandelay uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vandelay looking to stall.

And that's the end of the fight!
Art Vandelay comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Vandelay has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Art Vandelay!
During a confident post fight interview, Art Vandelay thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.