PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Cole Driscoll (ranked 3229 p4p, 3821 weight class) and Sauli Somelainen (ranked 356 p4p, 412 weight class). Driscoll comes to the cage accompanied by Can’t be touched . I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Sauli Somelainen was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Driscoll
vs
Somelainen

176 cm
23
151
4 - 3 - 0

181 cm
24
160
2 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

FF Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Cole Driscoll!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sauli Somelainen!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Paul Tew and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Driscoll throws out a loose jab but Somelainen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Somelainen is looking for the big counter here.
Driscoll misses with a wild body shot.

Somelainen throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Driscoll was covering up waiting for the punch and Somelainen finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Driscoll is trying to control the position but Somelainen postures up.
Somelainen controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Driscoll has control of Somelainen's left arm, preventing Somelainen from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Driscoll is trying to control the position but Somelainen postures up.
Somelainen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Driscoll is keeping the position for now.
Driscoll has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Somelainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Driscoll is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Somelainen throws a big right hand that misses.
Somelainen wants to pass the guard but Driscoll is keeping the position.
Somelainen controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Somelainen throwing strikes but missing.
Driscoll being controlled here, momentarily.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A jab from Somelainen does it's job there.
Nice shot by Somelainen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Driscoll throws a hook to the side of Somelainen's head but Somelainen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Somelainen blocks a jab.
Somelainen throws an overhand right that lands on Driscoll's shoulder, as Driscoll tries to avoid the shot.
Nice cross by Somelainen.
Somelainen turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Somelainen tries a head kick but it misses.
Driscoll misses with a straight left.
Somelainen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Cole Driscoll is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Driscoll darts in trying to clinch
and Somelainen counters with a straight right hand.
Driscoll wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Driscoll will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Somelainen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Somelainen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Somelainen misses with a body kick.
The fighters circling - Driscoll throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Somelainen looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Somelainen is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Driscoll's half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Somelainen is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Somelainen trying to control the action but Driscoll is working from the bottom.
Somelainen trying to pass the guard but Driscoll defending well.
Somelainen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Driscoll's head.
Somelainen looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Driscoll with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Somelainen seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

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.
Somelainen trying to pass the guard but Driscoll defending well.
Driscoll is looking to improve his position.
Driscoll avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Somelainen.
Somelainen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Somelainen slows the pace down in half guard.
Somelainen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Still in half guard, Somelainen seems content to control.
Somelainen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Somelainen is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sauli Somelainen dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Somelainen blocks a jab.
Somelainen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Somelainen moves out of range of the strikes.
Sauli Somelainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Driscoll misses with an uppercut
and Somelainen counters with a low kick, right behind Driscoll 's knee.

Driscoll gets caught napping as Somelainen dives in and scores a takedown. Driscoll manages to retain guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Somelainen slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Somelainen wants to control from the top but Driscoll keeps moving.
Somelainen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Somelainen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Somelainen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Driscoll working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Somelainen.
Somelainen trying to control but Driscoll is working from the bottom.
Somelainen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Somelainen landing with the ground and pound.
Somelainen wants to pass the guard but Driscoll is keeping the position.
Driscoll avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Somelainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Driscoll is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Somelainen controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Somelainen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Somelainen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Somelainen throwing strikes from guard but Driscoll blocks nicely.

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.
Somelainen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Driscoll preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Driscoll keeping moving, preventing Somelainen from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Somelainen lets loose with a powerful body kick. Driscoll will feel that in the morning.
Driscoll uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Somelainen.

Somelainen shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Driscoll napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Somelainen scoring with punches from side control.
Somelainen working the head and body with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Somelainen throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Somelainen in side control, throwing shots but Driscoll defends.
Somelainen creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Somelainen lands an elbow.
Somelainen cracks Driscoll with an elbow. That is naaassty.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Somelainen controlling the position from side mount.
Somelainen throwing strikes but Driscoll manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Somelainen is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Driscoll's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Somelainen moves into full guard.
Somelainen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Driscoll postures up.
Driscoll won't allow Somelainen to sweep him here.
Driscoll trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Somelainen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Driscoll is one step ahead there.
Somelainen is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Driscoll got a little sloppy there for a moment and Somelainen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Driscoll has managed to get both his arms back between Somelainen's legs - danger averted.
Somelainen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Driscoll trying to control the position from guard on top but Somelainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Somelainen is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Somelainen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Driscoll is aware though and is defending well.

Somelainen has his foot on Driscoll's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Driscoll works his way back into a safe position though.
Somelainen 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.

Somelainen has his foot on Driscoll's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Driscoll works his way back into a safe position though.
Driscoll tries to free his leg and advance position but Somelainen is retaining full guard.
Driscoll's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Driscoll has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Somelainen 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.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Somelainen working for a triangle but Driscoll defends it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sauli Somelainen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Somelainen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Somelainen blocks a jab.
Driscoll moves away from the strike by Somelainen.
A jab from Driscoll misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Driscoll misses the target.
Somelainen lands with a good body shot.
Somelainen lands a nice looking body shot.
Driscoll throws a hook but Somelainen blocks it.
Driscoll is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Somelainen jabs at Driscoll's body.
Driscoll missing with a left hand there. Somelainen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Driscoll misses with a looping right.
Driscoll misses with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A swing and a miss from Somelainen.
Driscoll rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Somelainen counters with a nice double leg into side control. Driscoll won't be happy with that.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
An elbow from Somelainen crashes against the mat.
Somelainen tries to score with some ground and pound. Driscoll controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Somelainen connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Driscoll some visible discomfort.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Somelainen goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Driscoll rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Somelainen's guard! Nice work there by Driscoll!
Driscoll wants to pass the guard but Somelainen is keeping the position.
Somelainen keeping moving, preventing Driscoll from controlling successfully.
Driscoll trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Somelainen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Driscoll defends well.

Somelainen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Driscoll defends it easily.
Driscoll wants to control from the top but Somelainen keeps moving.

Somelainen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Driscoll is aware though and is defending well.
Driscoll won't allow Somelainen to sweep him here.
Driscoll trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Driscoll seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Driscoll trying to control the position from guard on top but Somelainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Driscoll won't allow Somelainen to sweep him here.
Somelainen keeping moving, preventing Driscoll from controlling successfully.
Somelainen is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Somelainen is stalling here. Driscoll is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Somelainen seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Driscoll has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Somelainen looks to move to half guard but instead Driscoll has passed into mount! Damn!
Somelainen regains half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Driscoll is trying to control. Somelainen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Somelainen wants to improve his position but Driscoll is controlling well.
Driscoll controlling the action here.
Driscoll trying to mount his opponent but Somelainen defends it.
Driscoll perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Driscoll prevents Somelainen from improving his position.
Somelainen is still trying to improve position.

Somelainen actively working from the bottom here.

Somelainen looking for submissions off his back.
Somelainen works his way to full guard. Good work.
Cole Driscoll has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Driscoll sitting in guard here, content to control.
Driscoll loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Somelainen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Driscoll wants to pass the guard but Somelainen is keeping the position.
Driscoll's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Driscoll throws a big elbow that misses.
Driscoll loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Driscoll throws a big right hand that misses.
Driscoll postures up.
Driscoll throwing strikes but missing.
Driscoll throws a big elbow that misses.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Driscoll has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Somelainen.
Driscoll is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sauli Somelainen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Somelainen has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight for Sauli Somelainen!
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight for Sauli Somelainen!
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight for Sauli Somelainen!

Sauli Somelainen wins by unanimous decision!
An out of breath Sauli Somelainen thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.