PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Johny Witson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ari Sotaheimo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johny Witson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Witson
vs
Sotaheimo

185 cm
21
201 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

185 cm
25
192 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Knockout power

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Johny Witson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ari Sotaheimo!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Eliza Hachem and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sotaheimo scores with a jab. Witson acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Sotaheimo doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Witson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sotaheimo.
Witson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sotaheimo.
We've been hearing reports that Witson has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Johny Witson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Witson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Witson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sotaheimo motions for Witson to come forward. Sotaheimo throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Witson avoids the head kick by Sotaheimo.
Witson tries to work over Sotaheimo's front leg with a kick but Sotaheimo checks it.
Sotaheimo tries to bum rush Witson with a series of wild strikes but Witson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Witson moves out of range of the strikes.

Sotaheimo clinches up against the cage.
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!
Sotaheimo blocks an elbow strike.
Sotaheimo blocks the elbow strike.
Witson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Witson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Witson successfully pulls guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sotaheimo is stalling in the full guard.
Sotaheimo trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Witson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sotaheimo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sotaheimo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sotaheimo trying to control the position from guard on top but Witson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Witson wants to sweep here but Sotaheimo controlling him for the moment.
Witson trying to control the position.
Sotaheimo trying to control the position from guard on top but Witson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sotaheimo postures up in Witson's guard and throws a big left but Witson blocks it.
Witson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A leg kick checked by Sotaheimo.
Witson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sotaheimo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sotaheimo cracks Witson with a right hand to the side of the head.
Witson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Sotaheimo stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sotaheimo wants it to stay on the feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Witson ducks under a wild hook from Sotaheimo.
Sotaheimo just misses with a punch to the body.
Witson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sotaheimo checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Sotaheimo chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Sotaheimo.
Witson throws a body punch but Sotaheimo moves out of range.
Sotaheimo scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Left hook, right uppercut from Sotaheimo.
Sotaheimo tries a head kick but it misses.
Sotaheimo stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Witson.
Witson avoids the body shot from Sotaheimo.
Witson throws a quick inside leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sotaheimo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Witson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Sotaheimo sprawls well initially but Witson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Sotaheimo is pressing down on Witson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Witson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Witson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sotaheimo swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Witson trying to control but Sotaheimo is working from the bottom.
Witson preventing the sweep.
Witson looking to pass the guard.

Sotaheimo manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Witson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Witson moves away from the strike by Sotaheimo.
Sotaheimo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Witson.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Witson blocks a leg kick.
Sotaheimo tries a head kick but it misses.
Witson on the wrong end of a nice hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ari Sotaheimo dominated that round.
That's time! Witson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Witson misses with a looping left.
Witson digs a good body shot into Sotaheimo's ribs.
Witson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Sotaheimo scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A head kick misses from Witson.
Witson looks to score with a jab to the body but Sotaheimo is just out of range.
Witson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Witson missing with a left hand there. Sotaheimo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Witson misses the shot to the body.
Witson cracks a nice hook into Sotaheimo's ribs.
Witson throws a nice outside leg kick.
Witson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Witson misses with a straight right.
Sotaheimo scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Witson keeps the fight on the outside.

Sotaheimo moves into the clinch.
Witson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Come on Sotaheimo - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Witson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sotaheimo misses with an elbow over the top.
Witson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Sotaheimo has Witson pushed against the cage.
Witson is looking to control Sotaheimo's arms but Sotaheimo gets an underhook and turns him. Now Witson has his back to the cage.
Witson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Sotaheimo misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Witson.
Witson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Sotaheimo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Witson gets off balance looking for a body kick
letting Sotaheimo counter with a right hand.
Ari Sotaheimo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sotaheimo misses with a looping left.
Sotaheimo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sotaheimo is looking to land body kicks.
A looping hook to the body misses from Witson. Sotaheimo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sotaheimo connects with a jab.
Witson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sotaheimo buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Witson lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Witson avoids the head kick by Sotaheimo.
Sotaheimo lands with a good body shot.
Sotaheimo moves out of range as Witson throws a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Witson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Sotaheimo throws a head kick that half lands.
A cross from Sotaheimo lands.
Witson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Witson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sotaheimo circles away quickly and effectively.
Sotaheimo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Sotaheimo, as that shot connected.
Sotaheimo moves out of range of the body kick from Witson.
Ari Sotaheimo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Witson misses with the body kick
and Sotaheimo counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sotaheimo throws an overhand right that lands on Witson's shoulder, as Witson tries to avoid the shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sotaheimo jabs Witson right on the nose. Witson blinks but takes it well.
The fighters circling - Sotaheimo throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Witson moves out of range as Sotaheimo strikes.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Witson.
Witson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Sotaheimo has managed to clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Sotaheimo tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Witson misses with a knee to the head.
Sotaheimo tries to circle away but Witson has him pinned against the cage.
Witson tries a knee to the head but Sotaheimo blocks it.
Sotaheimo stalling in the clinch but Witson improves position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sotaheimo prevents a takedown attempt there.
Witson tries to pull guard but Sotaheimo forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johny Witson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Witson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ari Sotaheimo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Sotaheimo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Witson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Witson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Witson throws a shot from downtown. Sotaheimo moves away and avoids it.
Witson scores with a kick to the body.
Sotaheimo takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Witson lands a slapping body shot.
Witson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sotaheimo.
Sotaheimo stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Witson.
Sotaheimo throws an overhand right that lands on Witson's shoulder, as Witson tries to avoid the shot.

Witson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Witson wants to control from the top but Sotaheimo keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sotaheimo thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Witson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sotaheimo is keeping the position for now.
Witson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sotaheimo wants to sweep here but Witson controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Witson trying to control but Sotaheimo is working from the bottom.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Sotaheimo is trying to keep Witson in close.
Witson passes Sotaheimo's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sotaheimo is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Witson wants to take a breather but Sotaheimo is having none of it.
Sotaheimo wants to improve his position but Witson is controlling well.
Johny Witson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sotaheimo makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sotaheimo.
Witson preventing the sweep.
Sotaheimo wants to stand but Witson is controlling the position.
Witson tries to free his leg and advance position but Sotaheimo is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Witson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Witson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Witson drops back, looking for a kneebar! Sotaheimo looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Sotaheimo looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Sotaheimo!
Witson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Sotaheimo's best efforts.
Witson is pressing down on Sotaheimo's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sotaheimo wants to control from the top but Witson keeps moving.
Sotaheimo would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Sotaheimo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sotaheimo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Witson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sotaheimo wants to stand but Witson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Sotaheimo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Witson looking to control.
Johny Witson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sotaheimo wants to control from the top but Witson keeps moving.
Ari Sotaheimo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Witson misses the jab.
Sotaheimo blocks a leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Both fighters circling a little - Sotaheimo finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Witson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sotaheimo is fending him off so far but Witson persists. Nope, Sotaheimo circles away and we're back to standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A punch lands to the side of Witson 's head but he takes it in his stride.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johny Witson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sotaheimo 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 28:29
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ari Sotaheimo!
A very excited looking Ari Sotaheimo made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.