PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shoei Braz (ranked 988 p4p, 152 weight class) and Lahden Linkki (ranked 4077 p4p, 489 weight class). Linkki has chosen Cypress Hill - Cuban Necktie as his entrance music. Lahden Linkki has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Braz
vs
Linkki

175 cm
40
205 lbs
29 - 21 - 0

188 cm
30
220 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)
Sin City Allstars

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 21 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Shoei Braz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lahden Linkki!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Chad Campbell and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Linkki scores with a decent looking hook.
The fighters circling - Linkki throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Linkki is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Braz.
Braz tries for a takedown but Linkki sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Linkki swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

Braz closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Linkki to the mat! Linkki manages to get full guard.

Braz drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Braz jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Braz slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
You can see the frustration on Linkki's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Braz wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Linkki, who protects the arm well.

Braz is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Linkki knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Braz looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Linkki sneaks back into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Linkki is positioning himself well to prevent Braz advancing to mount.
Linkki is trying to stand.

Braz is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Linkki sees it coming and defends easily.
Linkki is trying to get back to full guard.
Linkki is looking to control Braz's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Linkki avoid being mounted?

Braz is working for a submission of some sort.

Braz wants to work for an arm triangle but Linkki is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Braz is trying to work for a kimura but Linkki is defending well.
Linkki really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Braz. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Braz prevents Linkki from improving his position.
Linkki is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Linkki told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Braz is working for a kimura but Linkki is defending it quite comfortably.

Braz seems to be working for a kimura but Linkki defends the submission attempt.
Linkki regains full guard. Nicely done.
Braz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Braz might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Linkki looking to hit a scissor sweep but Braz is one step ahead there.
Linkki is pulling down on Braz's head to control his posture.
Braz passes Linkki's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Linkki has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Braz is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Braz is looking for a kimura but Linkki is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Braz to get the leverage.
Linkki trying to hold on to Braz's head to control him but Braz postures up.
Linkki is looking to improve his position.

Braz seems to be working for a kimura but Linkki defends the submission attempt.
Linkki looks like he's trying to stand up.

Braz 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.

Braz is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

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.
Linkki moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Linkki lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Linkki has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Braz is proving hard to escape from.
Linkki wants to control from the top but Braz keeps moving.
Braz looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Linkki sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Linkki trying to control the position from guard on top but Braz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Linkki cracks Braz with a good jab.
Braz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Linkki as he jumps to the side.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Linkki! But no joy.
Shoei Braz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Braz moves out of range as Linkki strikes.
Braz throwing a counter right hand but Linkki manages to avoid it.
Linkki leaves Braz with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A big right from Linkki misses.
Linkki slaps away a takedown attempt from Braz, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shoei Braz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Braz takes one on the button.
Linkki misses with a straight left.
Braz is looking to counter punch.
Linkki thows a left - swing and a miss!
Linkki missing with a left hand there. Braz was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Braz fails to land the takedown.
A shot to the liver by Linkki. Beautiful body shot.
Braz takes one to the side of the head.
Nice sprawl there from Linkki as Braz shoots in.
Braz fails to land the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Linkki looks to throw the jab but Braz is out of range.
Linkki connects with the punch.
Linkki is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Linkki changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Braz goes for a double leg but Linkki avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Linkki continues to drive forward.
Braz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Linkki's waist but Linkki gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Braz off to one side.
Linkki fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Linkki swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Linkki throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Braz sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Braz staying out of range there.
Braz misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Braz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Linkki pinned against the cage. Linkki gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Linkki doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Nice straight punches there by Linkki. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Linkki.
Braz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Linkki circles away.
Braz takes one on the button.

It looks like Shoei Braz has been cut.
Braz tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Linkki defends well and Braz ends up having to push Linkki into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Braz takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Braz shoots in looking for a takedown but Linkki manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Braz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Braz slips a jab from Linkki.
Linkki scores with the left hand. Braz knows he should have avoided that one.
Braz tries for a takedown but Linkki sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Braz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Linkki is fending him off so far but Braz persists. Nope, Linkki circles away and we're back to standing.
Linkki scores with a shot to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Linkki moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Linkki connects with a body shot.
Linkki misses the jab.
Linkki fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Linkki misses with a hook.
Linkki swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Linkki misses with a hook. Braz ducked under it nicely.
Linkki connects with the punch.
Braz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Braz displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Linkki throws out the jab.
Linkki lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Braz shoots in but no luck this time.
Braz drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Braz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Linkki is fending him off so far but Braz persists. Nope, Linkki circles away and we're back to standing.
The fighters circling - Linkki throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Braz goes for a double leg but Linkki avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Linkki continues to drive forward.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Linkki misses with a hook.
Braz dives in and grabs Linkki's left leg, looking for a takedown. Linkki pushes down on Braz's head and hops out.
Lahden Linkki is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Decent striking displayed by Linkki there.
The fighters circling - Linkki throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A slow jab from Linkki misses its intended target.
Linkki swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lahden Linkki seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Linkki throws a looping overhand right but Braz ducks down to avoid it.
Linkki has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Braz shoots in for a takedown but Linkki shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Braz.
A cross from Linkki lands.
Braz shoots for a takedown but Linkki saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Braz shoots for a takedown but Linkki saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Braz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Linkki pinned against the cage. Linkki gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Linkki throws an overhand right that lands on Braz's shoulder, as Braz tries to avoid the shot.
Linkki throws a shot to the body.
Linkki tests Braz's chin there with a solid looking shot.
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!
Linkki waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Braz.
Braz takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A big left from Linkki misses.
Linkki might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Braz looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Linkki stuffs the takedown attempt from Braz. Braz gets slowly back to his feet.
Braz slips a jab from Linkki.
Linkki thows a left - swing and a miss!
Linkki misses with a hook.
Nice takedown defense from Linkki. No joy for Braz on that attempt.
Linkki stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Linkki wants it to stay on the feet.
Linkki dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Linkki throws a right hand that Braz ducks under and follows up with a left that Braz also avoids with ease.
Braz dives in and grabs Linkki's left leg, looking for a takedown. Linkki pushes down on Braz's head and hops out.
Linkki scores with a jab to the head.
Linkki throws a jab when Braz was well out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lahden Linkki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Shoei Braz's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Linkki takes a swing at Braz's ribcage but misses.

Braz fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Linkki to the ground. Braz is now in Linkki's guard.

Braz drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Braz jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Linkki is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Linkki looking to hit a scissor sweep but Braz is one step ahead there.
Braz wants to pass the guard but Linkki is keeping the position.

Braz thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Linkki seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Linkki not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Braz preventing the sweep.
Linkki is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Linkki lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Linkki trying to control the position from guard on top but Braz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Braz is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Linkki rolls with it to try and escape but Braz cranks on the arm and Linkki is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:29 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Shoei Braz!
Shoei Braz took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, KnockOut for their support in the buildup to the fight.
The defeated Lahden Linkki had this to say: 'That was fucking awesome! Can I go again?!'.