PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Perkovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Waltari Suokuokka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Suokuokka is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Paul Engemann - Scarface (Push It to the Limit). Mikhail Perkovic had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Perkovic
vs
Suokuokka

183 cm
34
200 lbs
17 - 17 - 0

184 cm
43
194 lbs
21 - 22 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

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 17 - 17 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mikhail Perkovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 22 - 0, fighting out of London, Waltari Suokuokka!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Cecil Peabody and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Suokuokka pushes Perkovic up against the cage in a clinch.
Perkovic using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Suokuokka has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Perkovic is looking for a takedown.
Suokuokka misses with the head strike.
I was talking to Perkovic's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Suokuokka scores with a nice hook to the head.
Perkovic keeps control of Suokuokka as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Perkovic is looking for a takedown.
A knee to the head by Perkovic.
Perkovic has Suokuokka pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Suokuokka manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mikhail Perkovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head punch on the inside from Suokuokka fails to land.
Suokuokka lands with a short shot to the head.
Suokuokka lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Suokuokka breaks from the clinch.

Suokuokka closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Perkovic trying to land knees to the body.
Suokuokka lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Perkovic backwards.
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!
Suokuokka wants to take the fight to the mat but Perkovic manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Suokuokka is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Perkovic drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Suokuokka gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Perkovic being controlled against the cage.
Perkovic has Suokuokka pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Suokuokka manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Suokuokka misses with the head strike.
Suokuokka avoiding damage.

Perkovic has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Suokuokka clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Perkovic tightening his grip on Suokuokka, looking for the choke.
Suokuokka wants to escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Suokuokka showing good submission defense here.

Perkovic patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Perkovic missing with punches from the back.

Perkovic is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Suokuokka defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Suokuokka looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Suokuokka defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Perkovic struggling to land strikes to the head as Suokuokka covers up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Suokuokka is having to fend off submission attempts from Perkovic, who is looking to sink in the choke. Perkovic doesn't have the hooks in though and Suokuokka manages to reverse position! He's now on top, in his opponent's guard.
Suokuokka wants to control from the top but Perkovic keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Suokuokka showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Perkovic throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Perkovic is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Perkovic working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Suokuokka.
Suokuokka working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Perkovic's head.
Suokuokka is pushing down on Perkovic's leg trying to pass to half guard. Perkovic is fighting to maintain full guard but Suokuokka has managed to sneak the leg through.
Suokuokka drops an elbow to the side of Perkovic's head.
Suokuokka wants to take a breather but Perkovic is having none of it.
Perkovic tries to roll over but Suokuokka keeps him under control.
Perkovic trying to control from the bottom.
Suokuokka wants to pass to mount but Perkovic is defending the position.
Suokuokka thows a huge punch but Perkovic dodges it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Waltari Suokuokka will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Suokuokka has managed to clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Perkovic has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Suokuokka is trying to keep an underhook but Perkovic manages to get the takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Perkovic wants to work for an arm triangle but Suokuokka is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Suokuokka is pressing down on Perkovic's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Perkovic won't allow Suokuokka to sweep him here.

Perkovic drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Suokuokka manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Perkovic has Suokuokka in his guard.

Perkovic working a defensive guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Suokuokka scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Suokuokka won't allow Perkovic to sweep him here.
Suokuokka sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Perkovic's guard.
Suokuokka working Perkovic over with strikes.
Perkovic is trying to get back to full guard.
Suokuokka wants to lay and pray for a moment but Perkovic keeps working.
Suokuokka prevents Perkovic from improving his position.
Perkovic trying to control but Suokuokka postures up.
Perkovic wants to improve his position but Suokuokka is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Suokuokka sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Perkovic defending well though.
Perkovic trying to hold on to Suokuokka's head to control him but Suokuokka postures up.
Suokuokka seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Perkovic does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Suokuokka scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Perkovic manages to get to full guard.

Suokuokka stands and steps away. Perkovic gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Mikhail Perkovic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Perkovic shoots for a takedown but Suokuokka saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Perkovic feints and as Suokuokka raises his hands in defense, Perkovic changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Perkovic wants to control from the top but Suokuokka keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Suokuokka is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Perkovic with a flurry of punches that miss.

Perkovic has gone for a leg lock! Suokuokka slips out almost immediately though and dives into Perkovic's guard.

Suokuokka scoring with punches to the head and body.
Suokuokka trying to control the position from guard on top but Perkovic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Perkovic working a defensive guard here.
Suokuokka trying to control but Perkovic is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Perkovic manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Suokuokka manages to get himself to full guard.

Perkovic drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Suokuokka dives on top into guard.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Suokuokka wants to pass the guard but Perkovic is keeping the position.
Suokuokka stops Perkovic from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Waltari Suokuokka will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Suokuokka gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Suokuokka lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Perkovic.

Perkovic has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Suokuokka is trying to keep an underhook but Perkovic manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Suokuokka manages to get to full guard.
Suokuokka keeping moving, preventing Perkovic from controlling successfully.

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

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Suokuokka distracts Perkovic with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Perkovic utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Suokuokka stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Perkovic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Suokuokka stopping the sweep attempt from Perkovic.
Suokuokka trying to control but Perkovic is working from the bottom.
Perkovic is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Suokuokka tries to free his leg and advance position but Perkovic is retaining full guard.
Perkovic wants to sweep but no luck.
Suokuokka works over Perkovic with some ground and pound from guard.

That's two 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.
Suokuokka makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Suokuokka preventing the sweep.
Suokuokka trying to control the position from guard on top but Perkovic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Perkovic gets tackled into the cage by Suokuokka. Suokuokka maintains the clinch.
Perkovic looking for a takedown.
Perkovic trying to stall but Suokuokka improves his position.
Waltari Suokuokka is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Perkovic lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Suokuokka tries to stall but Perkovic uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Suokuokka throws a punch but it's blocked by Perkovic.

Suokuokka decides to pull guard.

Perkovic is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Suokuokka is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Suokuokka has escaped and now he's on top!

Suokuokka has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Perkovic has his hands on Suokuokka's head, controlling the position.
Suokuokka stays in close to Perkovic's body and controls the position.
Suokuokka wants to control from the top but Perkovic keeps moving.
Suokuokka is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Suokuokka trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mikhail Perkovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Perkovic looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Perkovic is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Suokuokka controls from within his opponent's guard.
Suokuokka is continuing to stall.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

And that's the end of the fight!
Waltari Suokuokka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Suokuokka 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Waltari Suokuokka!
Mikhail Perkovic spoke after the fight, saying 'I must review my career... Am I going the right way?'.