PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Marek Koltun (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mats Söderlund (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Koltun
vs
Söderlund

182 cm
38
177 lbs
21 - 12 - 3

185 cm
34
181 lbs
37 - 20 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 12 - 3, fighting out of Helsinki, Marek Koltun!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 37 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mats Söderlund!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Steve Smith and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koltun just misses with a punch to the body.
Koltun takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

It looks like Marek Koltun has been cut.
Söderlund throws a sloppy head kick
and Koltun counters with a lovely straight right hand!

It looks like Mats Söderlund has been cut.
Söderlund lands with a nice body punch.
Koltun takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Koltun throws a hook but Söderlund blocks it.
Koltun throws a body punch but Söderlund moves out of range.
Söderlund uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Koltun.
Söderlund lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Koltun circles away quickly and effectively.
An attempted straight right counter from Koltun misses the target.
A nice inside leg kick there by Söderlund. That's going to slow Koltun down.
Koltun throws a leg kick but Söderlund moved away.
Söderlund lands with a nice body kick.
Söderlund scoring well with a low kick there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Söderlund misses with the body kick
and Koltun counters with a nice low kick that buckles Söderlund's knee momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Söderlund lands with a right hand.
Söderlund dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Söderlund misses with a head kick.
Koltun looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Söderlund swings for the body but Koltun moves out of range.
Koltun was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
A leg kick checked by Koltun.
Koltun is looking to clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Koltun.
Söderlund throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Koltun scoring well with a low kick there.
Söderlund on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Söderlund throws a body punch but Koltun moves out of range.
Söderlund staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Söderlund ducks under a wild hook from Koltun.
Söderlund swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Söderlund takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Koltun keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Söderlund scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Söderlund uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Koltun.
Söderlund tries a low kick but Koltun avoids it.
Koltun half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Koltun keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Söderlund throws a leg kick that is checked

and Koltun counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Söderlund preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Söderlund looking to control.
Koltun won't allow Söderlund to sweep him here.
Söderlund avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Koltun lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koltun throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Söderlund has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Hey Steves Fight Shack. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Söderlund is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Koltun is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Koltun trying to control but Söderlund postures up.

Söderlund is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Söderlund prevents Koltun from improving his position.
Söderlund is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Koltun reverses the position - he's now on top in Söderlund's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Söderlund keeping moving, preventing Koltun from controlling successfully.
Koltun keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Söderlund's head.
Söderlund looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Söderlund being controlled here, momentarily.

Söderlund has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Koltun can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Koltun scoring with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mats Söderlund will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Söderlund thuds his right hand into Koltun's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Söderlund is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Koltun rather than just go for the knockout.
Söderlund misses with a lunging right hand
and Koltun counters with a slapping leg kick.
Söderlund scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Koltun doesn't seem bothered though.
Söderlund throws a series of punches but Koltun moves out of range.
Koltun on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Söderlund looks to land a body kick but Koltun moved away.
Söderlund lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Söderlund scores with a decent looking hook.

Koltun is rocked!
Koltun throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Koltun tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Söderlund swivels and escapes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Söderlund throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Koltun throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Söderlund stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Söderlund walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Koltun checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Koltun paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Söderlund scores with a jab to the jaw.
A looping hook to the body misses from Söderlund. Koltun does a little dance to reset his feet.

Koltun changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Söderlund looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Koltun looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Söderlund is trying to control Koltun's posture but Koltun avoids it.
Söderlund tries to bench press Koltun off him but Koltun keeps the position.
Söderlund gets back to half guard.
Söderlund has his hands clasped together around Koltun's back. He's all about the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koltun scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Koltun is working for a submission of some sort.
Koltun lands strikes from half guard.
Koltun prevents Söderlund from improving his position.
Marek Koltun overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Söderlund moves into full guard.
Söderlund looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koltun stands up over Söderlund, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Söderlund keeping moving, preventing Koltun from controlling successfully.
Söderlund controls Koltun momentarily but Koltun frees himself.
Söderlund is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Söderlund is looking for a kimura here.
Koltun tries to get to full guard but Söderlund has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Söderlund is trying to control the action in half guard but Koltun is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Söderlund trying to pass the guard but Koltun defending well.
Söderlund moves nicely into side control.
Söderlund postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Söderlund looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Koltun is avoiding damage well.

Söderlund thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Koltun is trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mats Söderlund showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Koltun connects with an inside leg kick.
Söderlund misses with a series of wild punches.
Söderlund takes one to the chin there.

Koltun darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Söderlund taking some punishment here, with Koltun in his half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koltun slips a nice elbow through Söderlund's hands, connecting with Söderlund's forehead.

Koltun looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Koltun missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Koltun seems to be looking for submissions.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Koltun lands a nice short elbow.
Koltun sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Söderlund defending well though.
Koltun is looking to take a break and control but Söderlund is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Söderlund is pressing down on Koltun's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Koltun postures up and lands a big shot to Söderlund's brow.
Koltun wants to control from the top but Söderlund keeps moving.
Söderlund wants to control but Koltun passes easily into half guard.
Koltun is thwarting Söderlund's attempts to control the position.
Koltun winds up and cracks Söderlund with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Söderlund wants to improve his position but Koltun is controlling well.
Koltun winds up and cracks Söderlund with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Söderlund taking some punishment here, with Koltun in his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Söderlund wants to improve his position but Koltun is controlling well.
Koltun is nestled in close to Söderlund, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Koltun is trying to control the action in half guard but Söderlund is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Söderlund wants to get back to full guard.
Koltun tries to pass the half guard into mount. Söderlund knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Koltun prevents Söderlund from improving his position.

Koltun is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Söderlund defends it well.
Söderlund is looking to improve his position.

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.
Koltun lands strikes from half guard.
Söderlund works his way to full guard. Good work.
Söderlund keeping moving, preventing Koltun from controlling successfully.
Söderlund controls Koltun momentarily but Koltun frees himself.
Koltun working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Koltun throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Söderlund works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Koltun has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Söderlund lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marek Koltun clearly takes that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Koltun avoids the body shot from Söderlund.
Koltun wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Koltun lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Söderlund misses with a left hand
and Koltun counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Söderlund lands with a cross.
Koltun fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Söderlund avoids it really well and circles away.
Söderlund takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Söderlund throws a low kick, looking for Koltun's leg but Koltun calmly moves out of range.
Söderlund throws a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Söderlund lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Koltun circles away quickly and effectively.
Koltun slips under a jab.
Söderlund looks to land a body kick but Koltun moved away.
Mats Söderlund is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Söderlund throws a shot from downtown. Koltun moves away and avoids it.
Söderlund throws a head kick that half lands.
Koltun checks a leg kick.
Koltun misses with a body punch
and Söderlund counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Koltun closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Söderlund's guard.
Koltun throws a big right hand that misses.
Koltun is in close to Söderlund's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Söderlund is trying to control the position but Koltun postures up.
Koltun trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Söderlund wants to sweep here but Koltun controlling him for the moment.
Koltun wants to control from the top but Söderlund keeps moving.
Koltun is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Koltun lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Koltun passes Söderlund's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Koltun is trying to control. Söderlund wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Söderlund is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Koltun jumps into side control!

Koltun wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Söderlund, who protects the arm well.
Söderlund is trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Koltun tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Koltun wants to lay and pray for a moment but Söderlund keeps working.
Söderlund manages to work his way to half guard, despite Koltun's best efforts.
Koltun throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ground and pound from Koltun.

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.
Söderlund regains full guard. Nicely done.
Koltun postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Söderlund utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Koltun missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Koltun with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Söderlund controls Koltun momentarily but Koltun frees himself.
Koltun working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Söderlund's head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Koltun trying to control the position from guard on top but Söderlund is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Koltun won't allow Söderlund to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marek Koltun had his way with Mats Söderlund in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Söderlund comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Koltun gets a double leg takedown into Söderlund's guard.
Söderlund controls Koltun momentarily but Koltun frees himself.
Söderlund is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Koltun is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Koltun stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Söderlund swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

Söderlund in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Söderlund trying to control but Koltun is working from the bottom.

Koltun throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Söderlund advances position into side control!
Söderlund is looking to take a break and control but Koltun is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two 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.
Koltun striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Söderlund tries to score with some ground and pound. Koltun controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
You can see the frustration on Koltun's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Koltun regains half guard.

Söderlund is looking for a kimura here.
Söderlund is keen to just control but Koltun is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Söderlund wants to work for an arm triangle but Koltun is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Söderlund thows a huge punch but Koltun dodges it nicely.
Koltun is looking for a sweep. Söderlund is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Koltun avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Söderlund.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Söderlund is just content to waste time from the top position. Koltun takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Söderlund chips away with some ground and pound.
Koltun looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Söderlund looking to sit in guard and control but Koltun gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Söderlund has momentary wrist control but Koltun slips an elbow through the middle.
Koltun slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Söderlund looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Koltun trying to control the position from guard on top but Söderlund is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Söderlund keeping full guard, as Koltun tries to pass.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Söderlund lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Koltun is trying to control the position but Söderlund postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mats Söderlund.
I think Söderlund has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 49:47
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 48:48
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 47:48

The fight is ruled a draw!
Marek Koltun retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!