PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rufus Soderberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jesse Jalkalukko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jalkalukko comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Jordan Sparks ft. Chris Brown - No Air kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Soderberg
vs
Jalkalukko

179 cm
39
186 lbs
27 - 20 - 0

190 cm
42
200 lbs
30 - 34 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class 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 27 - 20 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rufus Soderberg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 34 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jesse Jalkalukko!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Soderberg throws a shot from downtown. Jalkalukko moves away and avoids it.
Jalkalukko darts in looking for a takedown but Soderberg gets double underhooks and turns Jalkalukko into the ropes.

Jalkalukko closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Soderberg quickly recovers to half guard.
Jalkalukko trying to control the action but Soderberg is working from the bottom.
Jalkalukko prevents Soderberg from improving his position.
Jalkalukko is thwarting Soderberg's attempts to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Soderberg is looking for a sweep. Jalkalukko is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Jalkalukko looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Soderberg looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Soderberg wants to get back to full guard.
Jalkalukko missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Jalkalukko is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Soderberg still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Soderberg has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Jalkalukko tries to bench press Soderberg off him but Soderberg keeps the position.
Jalkalukko is not content to let Soderberg control the position.
Jalkalukko stuck in half guard on the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg throwing strikes but Jalkalukko manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Soderberg is looking to regain half guard here but Jalkalukko keeps moving and retains side control.

Jalkalukko is trying to get an arm triangle but Soderberg is defending well.
Soderberg is not content to let Jalkalukko control the position.
Soderberg regains half guard.
Soderberg might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Soderberg is trying to control but Jalkalukko manages to pass to mount!
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg is trying desperately to improve position.
Jalkalukko wants to control the pace but Soderberg is squirming around nicely.
Soderberg tries to hold on but Jalkalukko postures up.
Soderberg can't escape the position.
Soderberg is working hard here to advance position.
Jalkalukko trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Jalkalukko is stalling here but it's allowed Soderberg to get half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg is staying active underneath Jalkalukko, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Soderberg is looking to control Jalkalukko's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Soderberg avoid being mounted?
Soderberg won't allow Jalkalukko to pass to mount.
Soderberg trying to hold on to Jalkalukko's head to control him but Jalkalukko postures up.

Soderberg is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Jalkalukko pulls his head out easily.
Soderberg moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Jalkalukko is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Jalkalukko controlling from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jesse Jalkalukko dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Jalkalukko staying out of range there.
Jalkalukko looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Jalkalukko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Soderberg gets a takedown into half guard.
Jalkalukko wants to improve his position but Soderberg is controlling well.
Soderberg landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Soderberg landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jalkalukko is pressing down on Soderberg's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Jalkalukko looking to control.
Soderberg with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Jalkalukko is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soderberg connects with a couple of short punches.
Soderberg missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Soderberg trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Jalkalukko manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Soderberg working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Jalkalukko has passed into half guard!
Soderberg wants to get back to full guard.
Soderberg wants to control but Jalkalukko is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Jalkalukko wants to pass the guard but Soderberg is defending well.
Jalkalukko sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Soderberg defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg is trying to get back to full guard.
Soderberg gets back to full guard.
Jalkalukko throwing strikes but missing.
Jesse Jalkalukko has got the better of the ground game so far.
Soderberg is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Jalkalukko forces his way into half guard.
Jalkalukko wants to control but Soderberg is keeping him busy.

Soderberg actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Soderberg manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Soderberg keeping moving, preventing Jalkalukko from controlling successfully.

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

Soderberg got a little sloppy there for a moment and Jalkalukko has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Soderberg has managed to get both his arms back between Jalkalukko's legs - danger averted.
Soderberg throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Soderberg working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Jalkalukko bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Soderberg's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jalkalukko trying to control but Soderberg is working from the bottom.

Soderberg escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Jalkalukko gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Jalkalukko avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Jalkalukko advances to half guard.
Soderberg trying to hold on to Jalkalukko's head to control him but Jalkalukko postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jalkalukko controlling the action here.

Jalkalukko is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
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 Rufus Soderberg will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Jalkalukko dives in for a single leg takedown but Soderberg sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.
A swing and a miss from Jalkalukko.
Soderberg misses with a takedown attempt - Jalkalukko sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jalkalukko feints a counter leg kick.
Jalkalukko shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Soderberg but Soderberg pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Soderberg takes a swing at Jalkalukko's ribcage but misses.
Jalkalukko throws a counter combo.
Nice defenses there by Jalkalukko.
Jalkalukko staying out of range there.
Soderberg misses with an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jalkalukko misses with a low kick.
Soderberg takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Jalkalukko lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Jalkalukko. Soderberg shrugs it off though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jalkalukko shoots in but no luck this time.
Rufus Soderberg has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jesse Jalkalukko.
Jalkalukko scores with a head kick.
Soderberg avoids the head kick by Jalkalukko.
Soderberg misses with a shot to the body
and Jalkalukko counters with a head kick. That will keep Soderberg thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Jalkalukko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Soderberg jabs Jalkalukko to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Jalkalukko fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Soderberg avoids it really well and circles away.
Nice defenses there by Soderberg.
Soderberg shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Jalkalukko eats them both and turns towards Soderberg to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Jalkalukko slips under a jab from Soderberg.
Jalkalukko is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Jalkalukko swings and misses with a shot to the body
letting Soderberg counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg takes a head kick and keeps coming.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jalkalukko throws a head kick that misses.
Soderberg tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Jalkalukko was well out of range. Poor timing from Soderberg.
Jalkalukko misses the shot to the body.
Jalkalukko doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Soderberg counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Jalkalukko tries to get to full guard but Soderberg has control of the leg.
Jalkalukko keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Jalkalukko wants to control but Soderberg is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Soderberg missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Soderberg trying to mount his opponent but Jalkalukko defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jalkalukko moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Soderberg trying to control but Jalkalukko is working from the bottom.
Soderberg postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Soderberg wants to control from the top but Jalkalukko keeps moving.
Jalkalukko looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Soderberg missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

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.
Soderberg looking to sit in guard and control but Jalkalukko gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Jalkalukko works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Soderberg is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Soderberg keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Jalkalukko trying to control the action but Soderberg is working from the bottom.
Soderberg is pressing down on Jalkalukko's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Soderberg is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Jalkalukko defends well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jalkalukko with a flurry of punches that miss.

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 Rufus Soderberg.
I think Soderberg 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 for Rufus Soderberg!
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight as a draw!
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight as a draw!

The fight ends as a draw!