PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Iikka Runnisto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Peter Solberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Runnisto kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Alta Pois - Sie sua näkköös!. Solberg comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Bad Moon Rising kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Runnisto
vs
Solberg

182 cm
22
192 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

182 cm
22
215 lbs
12 - 2 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Shinobi

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Iikka Runnisto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 1, fighting out of New York, Peter Solberg!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Runnisto scores with a crisp jab that stopped Solberg in his tracks.
Runnisto throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Runnisto misses with a body shot.
Solberg takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Runnisto throws a right hand that misses
letting Solberg counter with a right hand.
Runnisto scores with a jab to the head.
Runnisto scores with a sloppy right hand. Solberg should have avoided that one.
Runnisto misses the shot to the body.
Solberg staying out of range there.
Solberg is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Runnisto with a body shot.
Runnisto throws an off balance right hand

and Solberg counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Runnisto!

Runnisto sneaks out the side door and pushes Solberg away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Runnisto takes a swing at Solberg's ribcage but misses.
Runnisto misses with an uppercut.
Solberg takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runnisto throws a jab but it's blocked by Solberg.
Iikka Runnisto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Solberg displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Runnisto throws out the jab.
Runnisto scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Solberg shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Solberg showed some decent athleticism there.
Solberg stops Runnisto from getting back to his feet.
Solberg with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Runnisto is trying to maintain the position but Solberg is very close to passing his half guard.

Solberg is looking for a kimura here.
Solberg trying to advance position but Runnisto counters by regaining guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto seems keen to control Solberg's posture.
Solberg slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Solberg looking to pass the guard.
Runnisto managing to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Solberg ducks under a wild hook from Runnisto.
Solberg ducks under a wild hook from Runnisto.
Runnisto misses with an uppercut
and Solberg counters with a nice uppercut.
A big right from Runnisto misses.
Nice sprawl there from Runnisto as Solberg shoots in.
Runnisto swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Solberg uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Runnisto.
Runnisto jabs at Solberg's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Runnisto misses the target.
Donk. Runnisto catches Solberg right on the button with a cross.
Solberg shoots in but Runnisto avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Runnisto misses with an uppercut. Solberg saw that one coming.
Runnisto lands with a nice body punch.
Runnisto misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Solberg.
Solberg changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Runnisto is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Solberg.
Solberg uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Runnisto.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Solberg slips under a jab from Runnisto.
Runnisto pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Solberg tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Runnisto throws a one two combo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iikka Runnisto dominated that round.
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.

Solberg uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Runnisto.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Runnisto here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Runnisto throws a lazy right hand but Solberg sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Runnisto is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Solberg can do to turn this around?
Solberg displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Runnisto throws out the jab.
Solberg with the counter takedown but Runnisto avoids it easily.
Runnisto throws a big shot that misses.
Runnisto throws a lazy uppercut
and Solberg counters with a stiff right hand.
Nice defenses there by Solberg.
Runnisto connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Solberg's hands.
A big right from Runnisto misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Runnisto misses with a body shot

so Solberg counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Solberg stands and throws Runnisto's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Runnisto has one of Solberg's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.

Solberg thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Solberg swings around for an armbar but Runnisto sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Solberg's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Solberg tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Runnisto trying to control the position from guard on top but Solberg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Runnisto stands up from Solberg's guard - Runnisto perhaps looking for a knockout.
Runnisto scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto misses with a straight right.
Runnisto is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Solberg takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Runnisto misses with a looping left.

Solberg scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Solberg wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Runnisto, who protects the arm well.
Runnisto tries to bench press Solberg off him but Solberg keeps the position.
Runnisto can't do much from the bottom here.

Solberg is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Runnisto knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Runnisto can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto prevents Solberg from improving position.
Solberg trying to control the action but Runnisto is working from the bottom.
Solberg tries to advance position but instead Runnisto slips a leg back in to half guard.
Solberg trying to control from half guard but Runnisto is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Runnisto wants to get back to full guard.
Runnisto trying to control but Solberg postures up.
Solberg wants to pass to mount but Runnisto is defending the position.

Solberg is looking for a kimura but Runnisto is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Solberg to get the leverage.
Runnisto is not content to let Solberg control the position.
Solberg passes the guard and advances to mount!
Runnisto wants to control but Solberg is having none of it.
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 Iikka Runnisto will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Runnisto works the jab nicely.
Peter Solberg is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Runnisto misses with an uppercut.
Good shot there by Runnisto.
Solberg on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Runnisto displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Solberg.
Iikka Runnisto is winning the standup battle so far.
Runnisto swings for the body but Solberg moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Runnisto pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Solberg throws a counter combo.
Runnisto misses with an uppercut
and Solberg counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A big right from Runnisto misses.
Runnisto jabs Solberg to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runnisto scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Runnisto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Runnisto lands a nice shot to the body.
Runnisto is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Runnisto is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Runnisto dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Runnisto scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Solberg doesn't seem bothered though.
Solberg moves out of range of the body kick.
Solberg keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Solberg on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Solberg slips a straight right by Runnisto.
Iikka Runnisto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Solberg looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto falls off balance throwing a combination
and Solberg counters with a lovely straight right hand!
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!
Solberg steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Runnisto.
Solberg swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Runnisto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A little jabbing left from Solberg on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Solberg keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Solberg shoots in but no luck this time.
Iikka Runnisto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Peter Solberg.

Solberg looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Runnisto is adopting a defensive guard.
Solberg trying to control the position from guard on top but Runnisto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto controls Solberg momentarily but Solberg frees himself.
Solberg wants to control from the top but Runnisto keeps moving.
Solberg stopping the sweep attempt from Runnisto.
Runnisto pulls Solberg in close to prevent any damage.
Solberg trying to control but Runnisto is working from the bottom.
Solberg passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Runnisto is holding on to half guard well.
Runnisto gets back to full guard.
Runnisto tries to land a sweep but no joy.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Runnisto holds on and takes a little breather.
Runnisto looking to control.
Solberg looking to pass the guard.
Runnisto pulls Solberg in to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Runnisto lands a jab to Solberg's midsection.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iikka Runnisto clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Solberg throws an off balance right hand
and Runnisto counters with a nice uppercut.
Runnisto connects with a looping right hand.
Solberg displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Runnisto throws out the jab.
Runnisto misses with an uppercut. Solberg saw that one coming.
Solberg throws out a counter right but Runnisto avoids it with no problem.
Solberg ducks under a wild hook from Runnisto.
Solberg throws a shot to the body.
Solberg has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Runnisto misses with a right hand
and Solberg counters with a nice uppercut.
Runnisto swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Runnisto with a jab.
Runnisto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Solberg throws a right and a left that Runnisto avoids nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runnisto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Solberg manages to avoid it.
Runnisto swings away with a body shot that misses
and Solberg counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Runnisto looks to throw the jab but Solberg is out of range.
Solberg drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Runnisto defends it well.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Runnisto.
Solberg misses with a takedown attempt - Runnisto sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Runnisto misses with a hook.
Solberg slips a straight right by Runnisto.
Solberg slips under a jab from Runnisto.
Runnisto throws an overhand right that lands on Solberg's shoulder, as Solberg tries to avoid the shot.
Runnisto throws a jab when Solberg was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Solberg.

Runnisto throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Runnisto misses the jab.
Solberg tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Solberg tries for a takedown but Runnisto circles away easily
and Runnisto counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Runnisto is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Runnisto throws a predictable looking body shot
and Solberg counters with a left and a right that stings Runnisto.
Solberg needs to keep his hands up - Runnisto had a free shot at his head there.
Solberg moves out of range as Runnisto strikes.
Solberg lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Runnisto throws out a loose jab but Solberg uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto throws a lazy head kick
and Solberg counters with a three punch combo that has Runnisto backing up. Runnisto nods at Solberg to acknowledge the strikes.
Runnisto swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Runnisto misses the body punch
and Solberg counters with a two punch combo.
Runnisto dodges the punch combination from Solberg.
Runnisto displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Solberg throws out the jab.
Nice shot lands for Runnisto.
Solberg misses the body punch
and Runnisto makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Runnisto tries a head kick but it misses.
Runnisto changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Solberg closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Runnisto struggling a bit here.
Runnisto tries to bench press Solberg off him but Solberg keeps the position.
Runnisto is trying to control Solberg's posture but Solberg avoids it.
Solberg has control of an arm but Runnisto manages to advance to Solberg's back!
Runnisto doesn't have the hooks in and Solberg manages to turn into his guard.

Runnisto uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Runnisto moves out of range as Solberg strikes.
Runnisto connects with a crisp jab.
Solberg uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Runnisto.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iikka Runnisto had his way with Peter Solberg in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Runnisto looks to throw the jab but Solberg is out of range.
Solberg throws a series of punches but Runnisto avoids them all with ease.
Runnisto tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Solberg was well out of range. Poor timing from Runnisto.
Runnisto throws the left hand but Solberg avoids the punch easily.
Runnisto lands with a good body shot.
Runnisto misses with a two punch combination.
Runnisto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Solberg manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Runnisto throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Runnisto throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice defenses there by Solberg.
A looping hook to the body misses from Runnisto. Solberg does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Solberg throws a right hand that Runnisto ducks under and follows up with a left that Runnisto also avoids with ease.
A little feinted left hand from Runnisto on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Runnisto misses with a series of wild punches.
Solberg ducks right into an uppercut from Runnisto.
Solberg shoots in for a takedown but Runnisto shows good takedown defense.
Solberg takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Runnisto misses with a left hand
and Solberg counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Runnisto scores with a nice head shot.
Runnisto misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Solberg counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Solberg slips a jab and a cross from Runnisto.
A little jabbing left from Solberg on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

Solberg looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Runnisto!

Runnisto bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Runnisto uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Solberg has time to react.
Solberg takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Runnisto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Solberg manages to avoid it.
Solberg drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Runnisto defends it well.
Solberg uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Runnisto.
Runnisto looks to score with a jab to the body but Solberg is just out of range.
Runnisto lands a jab to Solberg's midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto misses with a left hand
and Solberg cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Iikka Runnisto is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Solberg avoids the body shot from Runnisto.
Runnisto jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Solberg shoots in but Runnisto avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Runnisto throws the kick towards the body but Solberg avoids it.
Runnisto misses the jab.
Runnisto with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Runnisto waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Solberg.
Solberg uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Runnisto.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Runnisto.
Runnisto throws a push kick but Solberg slaps the foot to one side.
Solberg tries for a takedown but Runnisto sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Iikka Runnisto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Peter Solberg.
Runnisto lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Runnisto lands a nice hook to Solberg's body. Solberg takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Solberg has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Runnisto misses with an uppercut
and Solberg counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Runnisto scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Solberg doesn't seem bothered though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Solberg shoots for a double leg takedown but Runnisto sprawls well. He's pushed Solberg's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Runnisto on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A jab from Runnisto misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Iikka Runnisto showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Runnisto, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 50:46
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 50:45
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Iikka Runnisto!
Post fight, Iikka Runnisto stared into the camera and said 'Now would be time to send me contract mr.boss man! Thanks fans and to Pete.. Nice try'.