PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Yka Sonni (ranked 12 p4p, 130 weight class) and Baldur Torsten (ranked 3 p4p, 23 weight class). Torsten has chosen Temple of Odin as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Sonni
vs
Torsten

175 cm
29
205
14 - 4 - 0

189 cm
29
213
17 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

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 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Yka Sonni!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Baldur Torsten!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Skip Squint and Ben Hemmingworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sonni thumps Torsten with a low kick.
A low kick lands for Sonni.
Nice defenses there by Sonni.
Sonni ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Torsten moves away.
Sonni shoots in and drives through. Torsten sprawls well.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Torsten! But no joy.
Torsten throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sonni attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Torsten throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Crunch! Sonni slams his shin into Torsten's torso.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonni scores with a jab to the head.
Sonni connects with a jab.

It looks like Baldur Torsten has been cut.

Sonni scores with a takedown into Torsten's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sonni preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Torsten managing to control the position.
Sonni lands a couple of digs.
Sonni is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Torsten is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Sonni trying to control but Torsten is working from the bottom.

That's two 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.
Sonni won't allow Torsten to sweep him here.
Sonni is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
We've been informed that Torsten has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Sonni lands a body shot.
Torsten rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sonni moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Torsten misses with the body kick
and Sonni counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sonni ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Torsten moves away.
Sonni with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonni will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Baldur Torsten is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sonni misses with a looping left.
Torsten throws out a loose jab but Sonni uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sonni swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sonni lands a nice hook to Torsten's body. Torsten takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Sonni throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Torsten throws a jab but it's blocked by Sonni.
Sonni swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Torsten cracks Sonni with a right hand to the side of the head.
Torsten ducks under a wild hook from Sonni.
Good leg kick by Sonni.
Torsten fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Sonni looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Torsten is fending him off so far but Sonni persists. Nope, Torsten circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Torsten throws a solid leg kick but Sonni takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Torsten.
Sonni looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Torsten lands an overhand right.
A chopping leg kick lands by Sonni.

Sonni shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Torsten wants to stand up but Sonni is controlling him.
Torsten has control of Sonni's left arm, preventing Sonni from doing any damage.
Let's hope that Torsten has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yka Sonni dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Baldur Torsten's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A big left from Torsten misses.
Torsten swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sonni throws a quick counter kick to the body but Torsten avoids it.
Sonni is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Torsten can do to turn this around?
Torsten throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sonni on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Sonni shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Torsten is trying to defend but Sonni finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Torsten keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonni is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Torsten is looking to improve his position.
Torsten is trying to control but Sonni manages to pass to mount!
BOOM! Sonni connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Torsten tries to hold on but Sonni pushes him away.
Sonni controlling the pace for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Torsten reaches up and holds on to Sonni to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Torsten is wriggling around trying to escape.
Sonni looking to control and managing it successfully.
Sonni looking to control but Torsten is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Torsten wants to hold on but Sonni pushes him away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sonni controlling from mount.
Torsten tries to hold on but Sonni pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Torsten gets back to half guard.
Torsten wants to get back to full guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sonni lands a nice short elbow.
Torsten tries to roll over but Sonni keeps him under control.

Sonni wants to work for an arm triangle but Torsten is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Sonni performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Torsten is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonni perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Torsten is trying to maintain the position but Sonni is very close to passing his half guard.
Sonni scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Sonni trying to control from half guard but Torsten is working away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Torsten wants to control but Sonni is keeping busy.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Sonni lands a glancing blow to the side of Torsten's head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yka Sonni dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Baldur Torsten's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sonni missing with a left hand there. Torsten was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Torsten doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Torsten thuds a left hand into Sonni's body.
Torsten misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sonni.
Sonni with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sonni is looking to land body kicks.
A shot to the body from Sonni misses
and Torsten counters with a nice uppercut.
Nice defenses there by Sonni.
Sonni tries to counter with a takedown but Torsten is quick to defend against it.
Torsten ducks under a wild hook from Sonni.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Torsten walks into a stiff left hand from Sonni.
Torsten jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Sonni misses with a straight right.
Torsten looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Torsten misses with a kick to the body.
Sonni shoots in but no luck this time.
Torsten displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sonni throws out the jab.
Torsten throws a leg kick but Sonni moved away.
A telegraphed right hand from Sonni misses the target.
Sonni bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A little feinted left hand from Sonni on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Torsten chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A slow jab from Torsten misses its intended target.
Sonni misses with a hook.
Torsten now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Yka Sonni is winning the standup battle so far.
A low kick from Sonni is predictable there
and Torsten counters with a nice uppercut.
Torsten explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Torsten turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Sonni pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Torsten scores with a nice head shot.

Sonni shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Torsten manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sonni loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Torsten has control of Sonni's left arm, preventing Sonni from doing any damage.
Sonni trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Torsten tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonni stands up over Torsten, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Torsten lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Sonni keeping moving, preventing Torsten from controlling successfully.
Sonni might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Torsten won't allow Sonni to sweep him here.

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

Sonni working for a triangle but Torsten defends it easily.
Torsten controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Yka Sonni overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Torsten trying to control the position from guard on top but Sonni is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sonni looking to hit a scissor sweep but Torsten is one step ahead there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Torsten postures up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Baldur Torsten really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Baldur Torsten's cut.
That's time! Sonni's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sonni slips a jab from Torsten.
Sonni misses with a wild body shot.
Torsten avoids the body shot from Sonni.
Sonni walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Sonni drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Torsten wants to control but Sonni postures up.
Sonni in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonni misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Sonni landing strikes.
Torsten is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Torsten is still trying to improve position.

Sonni is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Torsten has escaped the position, nice work there.
Torsten tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Torsten wants to control but Sonni postures up.
Sonni controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sonni wants to lay and pray for a moment but Torsten keeps working.
Torsten is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Sonni creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Torsten sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Torsten is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Torsten manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Torsten trying to control but Sonni postures up.

Sonni is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Sonni is trying to control the action in half guard but Torsten is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Torsten misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sonni.
A little feinted left hand from Sonni on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Sonni connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Torsten throws a big shot that misses.
Sonni scores with a kick to the midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sonni throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Torsten tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Sonni is in Torsten's guard.
Torsten looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sonni is one step ahead there.
Sonni slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Torsten is trying to keep Sonni in close.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sonni looking to pass the guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yka Sonni had his way with Baldur Torsten in that round.
The cut man is working on Baldur Torsten's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Torsten swings for the body but Sonni moves out of range.
Torsten throws out a loose jab but Sonni uses good head movement to avoid it.
Torsten avoids a kick to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Torsten.
Torsten scores with a push kick.
Torsten throws a low kick but Sonni moves out of range easily.
Sonni throws a body punch but Torsten moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonni sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Torsten is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Sonni tries to advance to mount but can't.
Sonni taking a breather here.
Torsten tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Sonni wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Torsten parries the strikes from Sonni easily there. Sonni is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Torsten to escape.
Torsten wants to control but Sonni postures up.
Torsten tries to buck Sonni off but Sonni is having none of it.

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.
Sonni working away.
Baldur Torsten has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Torsten regains half guard.
Sonni throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Torsten has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sonni is working away from the top position though.
Sonni trying to mount his opponent but Torsten defends it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Torsten checks a leg kick.
Torsten has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Sonni.
Sonni 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.
Torsten buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Sonni looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Torsten throws a big shot that misses.
A slow jab from Torsten misses its intended target.
Sonni scores with a nice head shot.
Sonni scores with a jab to the jaw.
Torsten throws an off balance right hand
and Torsten takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Torsten displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sonni throws out the jab.
Sonni takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
The fighters circling - Torsten throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A low kick lands for Sonni.
Nice straight punches there by Torsten. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Torsten.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Torsten pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Torsten looks to land a right hand but Sonni moved out of range.
Sonni uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Torsten has time to react.
Torsten looks to throw the jab but Sonni is out of range.
Torsten on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Sonni. Sonni obviously looking to wear him down.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sonni uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Torsten.
Sonni half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Torsten gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Sonni preventing the sweep.
Torsten throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Yka Sonni.
I think Sonni has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 49:46
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 49:46
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yka Sonni!
Yka Sonni retains his light heavyweight title!
A very excited looking Yka Sonni made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.