PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lucas Stongarm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seppo Sepponen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Seppo Sepponen struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 206.9lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Stongarm
vs
Sepponen

186 cm
22
195 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

191 cm
21
213 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lucas Stongarm!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Seppo Sepponen!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stongarm throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sepponen's waist but Sepponen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Stongarm off to one side.
Stongarm looks for a takedown but Sepponen sprawls well.
Sepponen throws a leg kick but Stongarm sees it coming and moves out of range.
Stongarm looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lucas Stongarm. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sepponen changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Stongarm looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Stongarm tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Sepponen wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Stongarm regains half guard.
Sepponen looks gassed!
Stongarm wants to improve his position but Sepponen is controlling well.
Sepponen is nestled in close to Stongarm, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Stongarm is looking for a sweep. Sepponen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Stongarm wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stongarm slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stongarm is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Stongarm escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sepponen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sepponen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sepponen thows a big elbow that misses.
Stongarm manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sepponen can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sepponen avoids a series of strikes thrown by Stongarm.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Stongarm working for a submission but Sepponen is keeping him at bay.
Stongarm avoids the attempt from Sepponen to control.
Stongarm wants to stand but Sepponen is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.
Stongarm can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Sepponen is looking to escape.

Stongarm goes for an armbar but Sepponen turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Sepponen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sepponen stops Stongarm from standing up.
Stongarm keeping moving, preventing Sepponen from controlling successfully.

Stongarm has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sepponen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Stongarm looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Stongarm is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Stongarm keeping moving, preventing Sepponen from controlling successfully.

Stongarm working for a triangle but Sepponen defends it easily.
Stongarm wants to stand but Sepponen is controlling the position.

Sepponen gets to his feet. Stongarm looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Sepponen closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sepponen lands in his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Seppo Sepponen will probably get the nod.
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.

Sepponen scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Stongarm trying to control from the bottom.

Stongarm actively working from the bottom here.
Sepponen misses with a head shot. Stongarm uses the momentum to regain guard.
Stongarm is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Stongarm is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Sepponen has managed to free his arm - good work.
Sepponen blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stongarm.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sepponen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Sepponen has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Stongarm escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Stongarm!

Stongarm has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Sepponen feints and as Stongarm raises his hands in defense, Sepponen changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sepponen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sepponen wants to stand and escape but instead Stongarm has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Seppo Sepponen has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sepponen wants to sweep here but Stongarm controlling him for the moment.
Sepponen striking off his back but it's not causing Stongarm any problems.
Sepponen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sepponen wants to sweep but no luck.

Stongarm drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Stongarm jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Sepponen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Stongarm stuffs the takedown attempt from Sepponen. Sepponen gets slowly back to his feet.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sepponen is trying to trip Stongarm. He has hold of a leg but Stongarm is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Sepponen persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Stongarm is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Stongarm has an active guard here but Sepponen has managed to pass into half guard.
Sepponen controlling the action here.
Stongarm misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stongarm wants to get back to full guard.
Stongarm wants to control but Sepponen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Stongarm wants to get back to his feet.
Sepponen is keen to just control but Stongarm is a slippery customer.
Stongarm moves into full guard.

Sepponen stands and steps away. Stongarm gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Stongarm tries to clinch but Sepponen is having none of it.

Sepponen shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Stongarm's guard.
Sepponen looking to sit in guard and control but Stongarm gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Sepponen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seppo Sepponen 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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Sepponen shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Sepponen showed some decent athleticism there.
Stongarm makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Stongarm.
Stongarm is trying to control the position but Sepponen postures up.

Stongarm looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sepponen stopping the sweep attempt from Stongarm.

Stongarm has his foot on Sepponen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sepponen works his way back into a safe position though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sepponen lands a couple of elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sepponen stands and steps away. Stongarm gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Sepponen forces Stongarm back against the cage and clinches.
The is referee keeping an eye on Sepponen - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Sepponen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stongarm has his takedown stuffed

and Sepponen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Sepponen wants to get back to his feet.
Sepponen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Stongarm moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sepponen looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Stongarm thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Stongarm is working an open guard so Sepponen takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Sepponen drives through and clinches with Stongarm against the cage.
Stongarm wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sepponen has him pressed against the cage.

Sepponen manages to break the clinch.
Stongarm throws a series of punches but Sepponen avoids them all with ease.
Stongarm gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Sepponen holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stongarm has had enough of the clinch but Sepponen keeps him there for the moment.

Sepponen jumps guard and drags Stongarm to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Sepponen wants to sweep here but Stongarm controlling him for the moment.
Stongarm pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sepponen is keeping the position for now.
Sepponen is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Stongarm is controlling him.
Sepponen seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Stongarm postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Sepponen is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Stongarm, into his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sepponen tries to stand but Stongarm is controlling from the bottom.
Stongarm wants to sweep here but Sepponen controlling him for the moment.
Sepponen looking to pass the guard.
Sepponen cracks Stongarm with a solid left hand.
Lucas Stongarm has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Stongarm has his foot on Sepponen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sepponen works his way back into a safe position though.
Sepponen wants to control from the top but Stongarm keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Seppo Sepponen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sepponen has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Seppo Sepponen!