PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Akseli Suokuokka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ilya Murometz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Suokuokka's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, The Bags - Cavemen Rejoice. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Suokuokka
vs
Murometz

189 cm
39
255 lbs
20 - 23 - 2

195 cm
37
193 lbs
27 - 23 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 23 - 2, fighting out of Sydney, Akseli Suokuokka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ilya Murometz!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Francis DeMontford and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Suokuokka tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Murometz paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Murometz throws the left hand but Suokuokka avoids the punch easily.
Murometz gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Suokuokka misses with a takedown attempt - Murometz sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Murometz fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Murometz tries to keep at a distance but Suokuokka has taken the fight into the clinch.

Murometz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Murometz fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Suokuokka fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Murometz, pushing him back against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Suokuokka.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Suokuokka.

Suokuokka breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murometz circles away from the clinch attempt
and Murometz counters with a stiff right hand.
Murometz goes for a double leg but Suokuokka avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Suokuokka continues to drive forward.
Akseli Suokuokka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ilya Murometz.
Suokuokka is looking to score with low kicks.

Suokuokka rushes Murometz and presses him up against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Suokuokka creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Suokuokka stalling against the cage.
Suokuokka prevents a body shot from Murometz.
Murometz slowing the pace effectively.
Suokuokka misses with a short punch on the inside.
Murometz lands a body punch in the clinch.
Suokuokka prevents Murometz from breaking the clinch.
Suokuokka jumps guard but Murometz stands there with Suokuokka around his waist. Suokuokka gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murometz is looking to break free of the clinch but Suokuokka has double underhooks.
Murometz is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Suokuokka pushes Murometz back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Murometz is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Murometz misses with a punch on the inside.
Murometz tries to circle away but Suokuokka has him pinned against the cage.
Suokuokka stalling in the clinch.

Suokuokka has hold of one of Murometz's legs. Murometz is fighting the takedown attempt but Suokuokka gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Suokuokka prevents Murometz from getting back to his feet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Suokuokka accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Suokuokka is in close to Murometz's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Murometz controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Suokuokka throws a big elbow that misses.
Murometz is trying to control the position but Suokuokka postures up.
Suokuokka missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Suokuokka is fighting to break Murometz's control of his arms but Murometz is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
We've been hearing that Suokuokka has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Suokuokka trying to stand up but can't free himself from Murometz's guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Suokuokka lands a jab.
Akseli Suokuokka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Suokuokka circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Suokuokka scores with a takedown into Murometz's guard.
Suokuokka keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Murometz's head.
Suokuokka postures up in Murometz's guard and throws a big left but Murometz blocks it.
Suokuokka throws a strike but Murometz rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Murometz being controlled here momentarily.

Suokuokka working for a triangle but Murometz defends it easily.
Murometz must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Murometz trying to control but Suokuokka is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Murometz dips to his left and cracks Suokuokka with an uppercut!
Murometz misses with a takedown attempt - Suokuokka sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Murometz loads up on a big right hand but Suokuokka slips the punch.

Suokuokka closes the distance and clinches.
Murometz's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Still in the clinch, Murometz scores with a nice short uppercut.

Murometz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Suokuokka fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Murometz avoids it really well and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murometz looks to throw the jab but Suokuokka is out of range.
Murometz darts in looking for a takedown but Suokuokka gets double underhooks and turns Murometz into the cage.
Suokuokka swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
The fight stays on the outside here - Suokuokka looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Suokuokka.
Suokuokka moves in looking to clinch but Murometz pushes him off.

Suokuokka takes the fight into the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Murometz.
Good body shot from Suokuokka.
Murometz lands a body punch in the clinch.

Murometz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Murometz defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Suokuokka.
Suokuokka is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Murometz can do to turn this around?
Suokuokka wants to clinch.
Suokuokka stuffs the takedown.
Akseli Suokuokka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ilya Murometz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Suokuokka tries to close the distance and clinch up but Murometz swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The fight stays on the outside here - Suokuokka looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Murometz swats away the attempt to clinch by Suokuokka.
Suokuokka misses with the combination.

Suokuokka clinches.

Suokuokka pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Suokuokka will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Murometz swinging wildly here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Suokuokka closes the distance but Murometz moves to the side
and Murometz cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Murometz circles away from the clinch attempt.
Akseli Suokuokka is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Suokuokka lands a jab-cross combination.
Suokuokka misses with a few strikes there.
Suokuokka tries to clinch but Murometz moves out of range.
Suokuokka doesn't manage to clinch there - Murometz circles away.
Murometz dodges the punch combination from Suokuokka.
Murometz shoots in for a takedown but Suokuokka shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Suokuokka is looking for a counter combo.

Suokuokka closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Suokuokka lands a nice uppercut.
Murometz tries to break free but Suokuokka pushes him back against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Suokuokka.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Suokuokka pushes off an throws an elbow but Murometz leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Murometz stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Murometz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Murometz rushes Suokuokka and presses him up against the cage.
Suokuokka trying to stall but Murometz improves his position.
Akseli Suokuokka has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Murometz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Suokuokka is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Murometz unleashes a big counter combination but Suokuokka bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

Murometz fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Suokuokka to the ground. Murometz is now in Suokuokka's guard.
Murometz postures up and lands a big shot to Suokuokka's brow.
Murometz is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Suokuokka is trying to control the position but Murometz postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Akseli Suokuokka will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Murometz doesn't manage to clinch there - Suokuokka circles away.
Murometz avoids the head kick by Suokuokka.
Suokuokka goes for a double leg but Murometz avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Murometz continues to drive forward.
Murometz unleashes a big counter combination but Suokuokka bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Suokuokka tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Suokuokka loads up on a big right hand but Murometz slips the punch.
Suokuokka wants to clinch up but Murometz keeps it at a distance.
Suokuokka tries to clinch up but Murometz circles away and keeps his distance.
Murometz looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Suokuokka takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Suokuokka looks to land a combination but Murometz avoids it well.
Murometz swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Suokuokka looks to clinch
and Murometz counters with a nice body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Suokuokka tries to clinch there but Murometz circles away.
Suokuokka tries to close the distance and clinch but Murometz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Suokuokka moves in looking to clinch but Murometz pushes him off.
Murometz shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Suokuokka sprawls well. Suokuokka wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Murometz gets slowly back to his feet.
Suokuokka is looking for a counter combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Suokuokka closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Murometz manages to break the clinch.
Murometz tries to clinch up.
No luck for Murometz with that takedown attempt.
Suokuokka tries to clinch but Murometz moves out of range.

Murometz drives through with a takedown into Suokuokka's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Suokuokka pulls Murometz in close to prevent any damage.
Murometz working some strikes from top position.
Ilya Murometz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Suokuokka not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Suokuokka has control of Murometz's left arm, preventing Murometz from doing any damage.
Murometz looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Murometz pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Suokuokka is keeping the position for now.
Akseli Suokuokka is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Suokuokka holds on and takes a little breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murometz won't allow Suokuokka to sweep him here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Suokuokka displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Murometz.
Akseli Suokuokka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ilya Murometz.

Suokuokka darts in and clinches Murometz up against the cage.
Suokuokka blocking some punches.
Murometz stalling in the clinch.
Suokuokka stalling the fight.
Suokuokka keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Murometz's efforts to push away.
Murometz scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murometz is trying to break the clinch but Suokuokka is controlling him.
Murometz lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Murometz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Murometz falls off balance throwing a combination
and Suokuokka counters with a nice uppercut.
Suokuokka wants to clinch up but Murometz keeps it at a distance.
Suokuokka tries to close the distance and clinch up but Murometz swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Suokuokka throws a hook but Murometz blocks it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Suokuokka tries to clinch but Murometz moves away

and Murometz counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Suokuokka manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Murometz keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Suokuokka wants to take the fight to the mat but Murometz manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ilya Murometz.
Well Suokuokka has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 29:29
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 30:28

The fight is ruled a draw!