PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between David Choke (ranked 135 p4p, 133 weight class) and Yka Sonni (ranked 22 p4p, 20 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Choke
vs
Sonni

192 cm
24
215
11 - 4 - 1

175 cm
29
205
12 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Mile High

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 1, fighting out of London, David Choke!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Yka Sonni!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Colin Fotheringham and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Choke throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sonni's waist but Sonni gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Choke off to one side.
Sonni misses with a left hand

and Choke counters with a nice double leg into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Sonni trying to control the position.
Choke tries to free his leg and advance position but Sonni is retaining full guard.
Choke postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Choke wants to pass the guard but Sonni is keeping the position.
Choke 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.

Choke has gone for a leg lock! Sonni slips out almost immediately though and dives into Choke's guard.

Sonni must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonni wants to control from the top but Choke keeps moving.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonni pushing down on Choke's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Sonni prevents Choke from improving his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Choke is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sonni pulls his head out easily.
Choke is looking to get back to full guard here but Sonni has managed to pass to side control instead.
Sonni working the head with strikes.
Choke manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Choke is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Sonni has managed to free his arm - good work.
Sonni tries to roll over but Choke keeps him under control.
Choke is thwarting Sonni's attempts to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Choke prevents Sonni from improving his position.
Sonni trying to control from the bottom.
Sonni is looking for a sweep. Choke is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Choke is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Choke missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Sonni preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

Choke is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Sonni has managed to free his arm - good work.
Choke sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sonni defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Choke throwing shots but Sonni is blocking nicely.

Choke seems to be working for a kimura but Sonni defends the submission attempt.
Choke looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Sonni has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Choke is working away from the top position though.

Choke wants to work for an arm triangle but Sonni is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Sonni controlling the position for now.

Choke is working for a kimura but Sonni is defending it quite comfortably.
Sonni is trying to get back to full guard.

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

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

Sonni is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Choke pulls his head out easily.

Choke is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Choke is working for a submission of some sort.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sonni trying to hold on to Choke's head to control him but Choke postures up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

David Choke dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sonni throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Choke tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Sonni manages to circle out of the way.
Sonni tests Choke's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Choke shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sonni as he avoids it easily.
Sonni finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Sonni throws a leg kick which misses Choke's front leg but catches the back leg as Choke tries to avoid it.
Choke shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sonni as he avoids it easily.
Sonni connects with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonni dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Choke. That did some damage!
Sonni with a nice calf kick.
A jab from Sonni misses.
Choke half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
A jab from Sonni misses.
Choke changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Choke wants to clinch up but Sonni keeps it at a distance.
Sonni throws a counter combo.
Nice defenses there by Choke.
Sonni buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Sonni throws out a leg kick but Choke moves out of range and Sonni only half commits.
Horrible takedown attempt by Choke or perhaps it was just good defense by Sonni, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for David Choke. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sonni looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Sonni misses with a lunging right hand

and Choke counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Sonni!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonni is looking to reverse the position.
You can see the frustration on Sonni's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Choke tries for a kimura but Sonni is defending well.

Choke goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Sonni has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Choke but great work by Sonni.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Sonni is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Choke is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Sonni remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Choke is not content to let Sonni control the position.
Choke is trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Choke looks to move to half guard but instead Sonni has passed into mount! Damn!
Sonni lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sonni trying to control but Choke is having none of it.
Choke working to try and regain half guard.
A nice elbow there by Sonni.
Sonni controlling from mount.
Choke is working to get back to half guard.

Sonni looking to secure an arm triangle but Choke defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonni looking to control and managing it successfully.
Sonni has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Choke manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Sonni wants to lay and pray for a moment but Choke keeps working.

Choke looking for submissions off his back.

Sonni moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Choke.
Choke tries to improve position but can't.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yka Sonni showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Choke ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Choke looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Choke tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sonni stuffs the takedown.
Sonni lands a nice looking kick to the body. Choke takes a step back to recover.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Choke.
Choke takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Choke with a lazy takedown attempt
and Sonni counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for David Choke. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sonni looks to score with a jab to the body but Choke is just out of range.
Choke half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonni throws a leg kick which misses Choke's front leg but catches the back leg as Choke tries to avoid it.
Sonni jabbing away but nothing is landing.
As Sonni tries to get set, Choke tries to push him back and clinch up but Sonni manages to avoid the attempt.
Sonni wants to land a leg kick but Choke is out of range.

Choke shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Choke throws a big elbow that misses.
Choke throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sonni works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Choke's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Choke advances position into side control!
Sonni tries to buck Choke off but Choke is having none of it.
Sonni can't do much from the bottom here.
Sonni manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Choke prevents Sonni from improving his position.
Choke sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sonni defending well though.

Sonni actively working from the bottom here.

Choke is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Sonni is trying to get back to full guard.
Choke is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Choke is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Choke throwing strikes but missing.
Choke lands a couple of digs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonni working a defensive guard here.
Choke won't allow Sonni to sweep him here.
Choke pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sonni is keeping the position for now.
Choke is looking to work some ground and pound but Sonni has wrist control.
Choke will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Choke accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Choke throws a big elbow that misses.
Sonni not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sonni looking to hit a scissor sweep but Choke is one step ahead there.
Sonni is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonni uses his free foot to push down on Choke's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Choke.
Choke looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Sonni biding his time, looking for the opening.
Sonni is looking to control Choke but Choke is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Choke tries to roll but Sonni sticks to his back.
Choke is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Choke wants to escape the position.
Choke tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Sonni trying to control but Choke is having none of it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yka Sonni really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Choke checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Sonni's coach down at St Petersburg MMA Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Sonni's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Sonni attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Choke appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Sonni attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Choke defending well as Sonni loads up on a big left hand.
Choke with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Sonni to counter with a crisp jab.
Sonni throws out a loose jab but Choke uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sonni throws a leg kick

and Choke decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Sonni's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonni is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Choke pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sonni is keeping the position for now.

Sonni has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Choke can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonni utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Sonni has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Choke can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Choke throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sonni avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sonni tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Choke postures up.
Choke distracts Sonni with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Choke in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Choke avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Choke slips nicely into half guard.
Sonni trying to control from the bottom.
Sonni is trying to stand.
Choke thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sonni's head.
Choke wants to pass the guard but Sonni is defending well.

Sonni looking for submissions off his back.
Sonni is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Choke scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Choke is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sonni is just riding it out for now. Choke eventually gives up the hold.
Choke working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Sonni's thigh. Sonni counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Sonni is trying to control the position but Choke postures up.

Sonni looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Choke stopping the sweep attempt from Sonni.
Sonni working a defensive guard here.
Sonni tries to land a sweep but no joy.

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.
Choke scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Sonni preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Choke accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Choke looking to pass the guard.
Choke advances to half guard.

Sonni makes his way to full guard, as Choke worked for a kimura.
Sonni manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Choke manages to get himself to full guard.

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sonni slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Choke manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

David Choke had his way with Yka Sonni in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Choke avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Choke feinted with a counter takedown.
Sonni throws out a loose jab but Choke uses good head movement to avoid it.
Choke tries to counter with a takedown but Sonni is quick to defend against it.
Sonni pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Choke changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Sonni throws out a loose jab but Choke uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sonni misses with a wild body shot.
Yka Sonni seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Choke shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sonni sprawls well. Sonni wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Choke gets slowly back to his feet.
Sonni feints a counter leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonni is looking to slow Choke down with leg kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sonni.
Sonni misses with an uppercut. Choke saw that one coming.
Sonni swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Choke drops down looking for a counter takedown but Sonni sprawls and moves away.
Yka Sonni is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Choke with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Sonni to score with a decent uppercut.
Choke is looking to clinch.
Good leg kick by Sonni.
Choke moves out of range of the leg kick from Sonni.
Choke appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Choke shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Sonni napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Sonni tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Choke wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Choke is trying to ground and pound but Sonni uses the momentary lack of control by Choke to regain half guard.
Sonni trying to control from the bottom.

Choke is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Sonni doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Choke.
Choke thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Choke is trying to work for a kimura but Sonni is defending well.
David Choke overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sonni controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Sonni regains full guard. Nicely done.
Choke in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Choke is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Sonni is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Sonni has escaped and now he's on top!

Sonni tries to free his leg and advance position but Choke is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Choke working for submissions but it's allowed Sonni to get to half guard.

Sonni 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.
Sonni is pressing down on Choke's thigh, looking to free his foot. Choke is holding on for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sonni prevents Choke from improving his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yka Sonni comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sonni 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 William Gold scores the fight 47:48
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 47:48
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yka Sonni! Yka Sonni retains his light heavyweight title!
Our winner, Yka Sonni, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.