PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Belizariusz Bizantyjski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ari Sotaheimo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bizantyjski comes to the cage accompanied by Disturbed- Liberate. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Ari Sotaheimo was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Bizantyjski
vs
Sotaheimo

187 cm
28
192 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

185 cm
26
192 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Belizariusz Bizantyjski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ari Sotaheimo!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Eliza Hachem and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sotaheimo clinches.
Bizantyjski takes a knee right on the jaw!
Sotaheimo stops a takedown attempt from Bizantyjski.
Sotaheimo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Sotaheimo lands a nice knee to the body.
Bizantyjski looking for a takedown.
Bizantyjski blocks an elbow strike from Sotaheimo.
Bizantyjski takes a knee to the side of the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Sotaheimo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sotaheimo lands with a slapping head kick.
Sotaheimo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sotaheimo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sotaheimo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sotaheimo throws a poor cross that misses

and Bizantyjski counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Sotaheimo!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sotaheimo is trying to buck Bizantyjski off.
Sotaheimo is looking to reverse the position.
Bizantyjski wants to control but Sotaheimo is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sotaheimo tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Bizantyjski wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Sotaheimo is trying to control Bizantyjski's posture but Bizantyjski avoids it.
Sotaheimo is trying to improve his position.
Bizantyjski just content to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sotaheimo is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Bizantyjski has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Sotaheimo instigates a clinch.
Bizantyjski takes a knee to the side of the body.
Sotaheimo tries a knee to the head but Bizantyjski blocks it.
Sotaheimo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bizantyjski avoiding damage as Sotaheimo throws knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sotaheimo breaks the clinch.
Bizantyjski steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sotaheimo.
Sotaheimo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bizantyjski moves away.
Sotaheimo throws a sloppy head kick and Bizantyjski moves out of range easily.
Bizantyjski swats away the attempt to clinch by Sotaheimo.
Sotaheimo tries to score with a low kick but Bizantyjski moves his leg out of the way.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sotaheimo throws the left hand but Bizantyjski avoids the punch easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ari Sotaheimo dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Bizantyjski circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sotaheimo tries to clinch up.

Sotaheimo has closed the distance and engaged Bizantyjski in a clinch.
Sotaheimo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Sotaheimo misses with a knee to the head.
Sotaheimo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bizantyjski blocks it with crossed arms.
Bizantyjski takes a knee to the side of the body.
Sotaheimo connects with a knee to the head.
Sotaheimo missing with knees to the body.
Sotaheimo looking to throw knees to the head but Bizantyjski is blocking nicely.
Bizantyjski is working for takedown but Sotaheimo is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sotaheimo with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Sotaheimo misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bizantyjski.
Bizantyjski drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sotaheimo gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sotaheimo missing with knees to the body.
Bizantyjski wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Belizariusz Bizantyjski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bizantyjski drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sotaheimo gets the underhooks and prevents it.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sotaheimo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Sotaheimo misses with a knee strike.
Sotaheimo working Bizantyjski over with knees to the body.
Bizantyjski is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sotaheimo pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Sotaheimo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Bizantyjski is defending well for now.
Bizantyjski drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sotaheimo pulls his leg out and moves away.
Bizantyjski drops his hands momentarily and Sotaheimo takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Belizariusz Bizantyjski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sotaheimo rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Bizantyjski counters with a single leg into guard. Sotaheimo didn't expect that.
Sotaheimo trying to control the position here.
Sotaheimo is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Sotaheimo wants to control the position but Bizantyjski says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sotaheimo tries to kick Bizantyjski off but Bizantyjski keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Bizantyjski trying to control the pace.
Bizantyjski wants to take a breather but Sotaheimo is having none of it.

Bizantyjski is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sotaheimo is just riding it out for now. Bizantyjski eventually gives up the hold.
Sotaheimo trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Bizantyjski manages to pass to mount!
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.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sotaheimo throws a lazy uppercut

and Bizantyjski counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Sotaheimo's guard now.
Sotaheimo keeping moving, preventing Bizantyjski from controlling successfully.
Bizantyjski trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Sotaheimo has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Bizantyjski has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Sotaheimo working Bizantyjski over with knees to the body.
Bizantyjski tries for a takedown but Sotaheimo manages to get underhooks.
Sotaheimo with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sotaheimo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sotaheimo throws a looping overhand right but Bizantyjski ducks down to avoid it.
Sotaheimo goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Sotaheimo lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Sotaheimo moves in looking to clinch but Bizantyjski pushes him off.
Bizantyjski uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sotaheimo.
Sotaheimo misses with a straight left.
Ari Sotaheimo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sotaheimo chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sotaheimo misses with a looping right.
A head kick misses from Sotaheimo.
Sotaheimo lands with a kick to the ribs.
Bizantyjski takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
This has been an exciting period of action!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Sotaheimo tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bizantyjski avoids it.
Sotaheimo using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bizantyjski has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sotaheimo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Sotaheimo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sotaheimo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bizantyjski blocks it with crossed arms.
Sotaheimo tries to land knees in the clinch but Bizantyjski avoids the damage to the body.
Sotaheimo landing knees to the body.
Sotaheimo tries to break free but Bizantyjski pushes him back against the cage.
Sotaheimo tries to land knees in the clinch but Bizantyjski avoids the damage to the body.

Bizantyjski turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Bizantyjski manages to end up in side control.
Sotaheimo is trying to improve his position.
Sotaheimo sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bizantyjski content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Bizantyjski is trying to control. Sotaheimo wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ari Sotaheimo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sotaheimo tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Bizantyjski has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Bizantyjski avoids the attempt from Sotaheimo to control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ari Sotaheimo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Sotaheimo winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 27:30
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ari Sotaheimo!
A victorious Ari Sotaheimo thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.