PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Umberto Sotto Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricardo Ramirez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Ramirez's choice of entrance music: Macabre - Nightstalker. Umberto Sotto Jr has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sotto Jr
vs
Ramirez

176 cm
26
146 lbs
14 - 9 - 0

165 cm
29
147 lbs
23 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!

Hellbent
Perkele!

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 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Umberto Sotto Jr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ricardo Ramirez!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good shot there by Sotto Jr.

It looks like Ricardo Ramirez has been cut.
Ramirez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sotto Jr manages to avoid it.
Ramirez throws a head kick but Sotto Jr moves out of range.
Sotto Jr tests Ramirez's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sotto Jr lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Sotto Jr lands a front kick.
Sotto Jr avoids the head kick by Ramirez.
Sotto Jr throws a jab but it's blocked by Ramirez.
Sotto Jr just misses with a punch to the body.
Ramirez misses with a right hand
and Sotto Jr counters with a head kick. That will keep Ramirez thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sotto Jr lands a leg kick that knocks Ramirez off balance momentarily.
Sotto Jr throws a predictable looking body shot
and Ramirez counters with a body kick.
Ramirez defending well as Sotto Jr loads up on a big left hand.
Ramirez checks a leg kick.
Ramirez takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Sotto Jr blocks a head kick by Ramirez.
A telegraphed right hand from Ramirez misses the target.
Sotto Jr goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Sotto Jr misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ramirez misses with a wild body shot.
Ramirez has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Ramirez gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Ramirez has managed to clinch.
Sotto Jr lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ramirez backwards.
Ramirez has a couple of punches blocked by Sotto Jr.

Sotto Jr has Ramirez pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Sotto Jr pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Ramirez tumbling to the mat - Sotto Jr dives into Ramirez's guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Sotto Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Ramirez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Ramirez throws his legs up looking for a submission but Sotto Jr uses it to pass to side control.
Sotto Jr trying to control the position but Ramirez is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez is looking for a sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ramirez looks to move to half guard but instead Sotto Jr has passed into mount! Damn!
Ramirez is desperately trying to improve his position but Sotto Jr has a good base and remains in mount.
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!
Ramirez prevents Sotto Jr from taking his back.
Ramirez can't escape the position.
Ramirez sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Ramirez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sotto Jr pulls his head out easily.

Ramirez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sotto Jr works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez is desperately trying to improve his position but Sotto Jr has a good base and remains in mount.
Sotto Jr wants to take Ramirez's back here but Ramirez is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
Sotto Jr trying to control but Ramirez is having none of it.
Ramirez regains half guard.
Sotto Jr wants to take a breather but Ramirez is having none of it.
Ramirez is looking to improve his position.

Ramirez looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ramirez looking for submissions off his back.

Ramirez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sotto Jr pulls his head out easily.

Ramirez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sotto Jr is keen to just control but Ramirez is a slippery customer.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Ramirez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sotto Jr pulls his head out easily.
Ramirez manages to get to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Umberto Sotto Jr dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ricardo Ramirez's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A shot to the liver by Sotto Jr. Beautiful body shot.
Ramirez avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sotto Jr attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Ramirez misses with a head kick.
Sotto Jr lands with a kick to the ribs.
No joy there for Sotto Jr, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sotto Jr fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ramirez has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Sotto Jr tries a low kick but Ramirez avoids it.

Ramirez throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Sotto Jr tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Ramirez is in Sotto Jr's guard.
Sotto Jr keeping full guard, as Ramirez tries to pass.
Sotto Jr preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sotto Jr is pulling down on Ramirez's head. It's preventing any offense from Ramirez, at least for the moment.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ramirez makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sotto Jr working a defensive guard here.
Ramirez working some strikes from top position.
Ramirez is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Ramirez scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Ramirez throws an elbow that misses. Sotto Jr uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ramirez's guard. Nice move by Sotto Jr!
Sotto Jr will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Sotto Jr is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Ramirez has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Sotto Jr is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Ramirez.
Ramirez is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Sotto Jr off and has taken his back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez misses with a punch to the head.
Ramirez is trying to stick to Sotto Jr's back but Sotto Jr is turning into Ramirez. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Ramirez's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Sotto Jr.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ramirez keeping moving, preventing Sotto Jr from controlling successfully.

Ramirez throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Ramirez working for submissions but it's allowed Sotto Jr to get to half guard.

Ramirez actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ramirez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sotto Jr pulls his head out easily.
Sotto Jr is keen to just control but Ramirez is a slippery customer.

Ramirez looking for submissions off his back.
Sotto Jr trying to mount his opponent but Ramirez defends it.

Ramirez looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ramirez looking for submissions off his back.
Ramirez is looking for a sweep. Sotto Jr is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sotto Jr works his way into full mount!
Sotto Jr wants to take his opponent's back but Ramirez doesn't allow it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sotto Jr looking to control but Ramirez is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Sotto Jr controlling from the full mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ricardo Ramirez will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Ricardo Ramirez's cut.
That's time! Sotto Jr's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Sotto Jr ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Sotto Jr is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Ramirez uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sotto Jr.
Sotto Jr bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Ramirez steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sotto Jr.
Sotto Jr swinging wildly here.
Sotto Jr throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Ramirez throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Sotto Jr ducks right into an uppercut from Ramirez.
Ricardo Ramirez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ramirez ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sotto Jr connects with a good right hand that stumbles Ramirez. Ramirez circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Ramirez goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Ramirez.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Ramirez goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Sotto Jr has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Ramirez but great work by Sotto Jr.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ramirez prevents Sotto Jr from improving position.
Sotto Jr happy to just control the position for now.
Sotto Jr is looking to take a break and control but Ramirez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sotto Jr moves into full mount!
Sotto Jr wants to control the pace but Ramirez is squirming around nicely.
Ramirez manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sotto Jr passes to side control.
Ramirez is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Sotto Jr's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Ramirez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sotto Jr is looking to take a break and control but Ramirez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Ramirez actively working from the bottom here.
Sotto Jr tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ramirez knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Sotto Jr trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Ramirez looking for a guillotine here but Sotto Jr defends easily.
Sotto Jr sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Ramirez is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sotto Jr is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sotto Jr passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Sotto Jr controlling the position from side mount.
Ramirez tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Sotto Jr wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Ramirez is still trying to improve position.
Ramirez is not content to let Sotto Jr control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sotto Jr controls the position from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Umberto Sotto Jr.
I think Sotto Jr has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Umberto Sotto Jr!
A victorious Umberto Sotto Jr thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
In defeat, Ricardo Ramirez stepped up to the mic, saying 'Damn.'.