PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Isaac Vernon (ranked 1436 p4p, 2568 weight class) and Sauli Somelainen (ranked 191 p4p, 313 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Vernon
vs
Somelainen

180 cm
26
165
11 - 8 - 1

181 cm
25
160
4 - 3 - 2

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

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 11 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Isaac Vernon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sauli Somelainen!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Colin Fotheringham and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A shot to the liver by Somelainen. Beautiful body shot.
Somelainen with a nice calf kick.
Vernon looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Vernon missing with a left hand there. Somelainen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Vernon shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Somelainen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Vernon misses with a body shot.
Somelainen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Vernon.
The crowd cheers as Somelainen lands an impressive looking overhand right. Vernon doesn't seem phased though.
Somelainen closes the distance and clinches up with Vernon, looking for a takedown. Somelainen pushes Vernon against the cage but Vernon circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Vernon throws a body shot but no joy.
Somelainen defending well as Vernon loads up on a big left hand.
Somelainen works Vernon's body with a nice hook.
Vernon blocks a jab.
Vernon misses with an uppercut.
Somelainen thinks about the counter body kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Vernon.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vernon turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Vernon lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Somelainen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Vernon stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Somelainen shoots and misses
and Vernon counters with a left to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Somelainen lands a slapping body shot.
Vernon with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Somelainen to score with a decent uppercut.
Vernon swings for the body but Somelainen moves out of range.
Vernon misses the jab.
Somelainen throws the kick towards the body but Vernon avoids it.
Isaac Vernon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Somelainen lands a nice shot to the body.
Somelainen bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Vernon's head backwards.
Vernon slips a straight right by Somelainen.
Vernon pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Somelainen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Vernon.
Somelainen connects with the punch.
Somelainen swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Vernon.
Vernon punishes Somelainen's body with a nice straight punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Somelainen avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Somelainen throws a chopping leg kick but Vernon manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Somelainen misses with a straight right.
Vernon comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vernon looks to score with a jab to the body but Somelainen is just out of range.
Vernon throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Vernon avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Vernon ducks under a wild hook from Somelainen.
Vernon misses with a body shot
and Somelainen counters with a stiff right hand.
A nice leg kick from Somelainen, right into the meat of the thigh.
Vernon connects with an inside leg kick.
Vernon throws a jab when Somelainen was well out of range.
Vernon throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Somelainen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Somelainen shoots in and drives through. Vernon sprawls well.
Isaac Vernon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sauli Somelainen.
Vernon tries to work over Somelainen's front leg with a kick but Somelainen checks it.
Somelainen swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Vernon connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Somelainen momentarily.
Vernon bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Vernon feints and then cracks Somelainen's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Somelainen down.
Vernon takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Vernon thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Somelainen fails with a takedown attempt.
Somelainen lands with a right hand.
Somelainen checks a leg kick.
Somelainen looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Somelainen is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Vernon had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Vernon ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Vernon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A telegraphed right hand from Vernon misses the target.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Somelainen lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Vernon has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Vernon and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Somelainen throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Nice body punch from Somelainen.
Somelainen looks to land a combination but Vernon avoids it well.
A looping hook to the body misses from Vernon. Somelainen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Somelainen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Vernon was well out of range. Poor timing from Somelainen.
Vernon misses with a shot to the body
letting Somelainen counter with a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Somelainen sizes up Vernon with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Somelainen loads up on a big right hand but Vernon slips the punch.
Somelainen ducks under a wild hook from Vernon.
Somelainen lands with a right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Somelainen connects with a high kick.
Somelainen throws a lazy head kick
and Vernon counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A lazy body kick from Somelainen
and Vernon counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Vernon lands with an overhand left.
Somelainen slips a jab from Vernon.
Vernon fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Vernon. Somelainen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Somelainen throws a low kick but Vernon avoids it.
A little feinted left hand from Vernon on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Somelainen scores with a crisp jab that stopped Vernon in his tracks.
Vernon gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Somelainen.
Sauli Somelainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vernon throws a hook to the side of Somelainen's head but Somelainen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Somelainen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sauli Somelainen dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Somelainen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vernon.
Vernon looks to land a left hand but Somelainen moved out of range nicely.
Jab by Somelainen.
Somelainen throws a body shot but no joy.
Good exchange - Vernon coming out on top.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Vernon might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Vernon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Somelainen now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Vernon misses with a head kick.
Somelainen throws an off balance right hand
and Somelainen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Somelainen on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Vernon scores with a head kick. Somelainen tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Somelainen connects with a jab.
Sauli Somelainen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Vernon throws a head kick that misses.
Somelainen throws a low kick but Vernon avoids it.
Somelainen looks to score with a jab to the body but Vernon is just out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Somelainen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Vernon as he avoids it easily.
Somelainen misses with a body punch
and Vernon counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Somelainen fails to land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Somelainen misses.
Somelainen takes a swing at Vernon's ribcage but misses.
Somelainen misses with a straight right.
A decent looking cross lands there for Somelainen.
A slow jab from Vernon misses its intended target.
Vernon thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Somelainen if he has to take too many more of those.
Somelainen throws a body punch but Vernon moves out of range.
Vernon jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Somelainen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Somelainen missing with a left hand there. Vernon was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Somelainen moves out of range as Vernon strikes.
Somelainen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Somelainen misses the jab.
Vernon was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Vernon bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Somelainen walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Vernon looks to throw the jab but Somelainen is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Somelainen loads up on a big right hand but Vernon slips the punch.
Vernon keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Vernon swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Somelainen tried to score with a low kick but Vernon checks it.
Somelainen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Somelainen just misses with a punch to the body.
Vernon bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Vernon pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nice uppercut lands for Vernon. That snapped Somelainen's head back.
Vernon moves out of range as Somelainen strikes.
Somelainen throws a good cross that connects.
Vernon fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Somelainen manages to avoid it.
Vernon misses with a combination
and Somelainen counters with a straight right hand.
Somelainen throws a looping overhand right but Vernon ducks down to avoid it.
Vernon throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Somelainen looks to throw the jab but Vernon is out of range.
Somelainen throws an overhand right that lands on Vernon's shoulder, as Vernon tries to avoid the shot.
Somelainen connects with a solid leg kick.
Somelainen throws a push kick but Vernon slaps the foot to one side.
Vernon was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Vernon just misses with a punch to the body.
Vernon defending well as Somelainen loads up on a big left hand.
Vernon loads up on a big right hand but Somelainen slips the punch.
Vernon backing away here, and Somelainen unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Somelainen connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Somelainen throws a head kick but Vernon moves out of range.
Somelainen does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Vernon takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Somelainen misses with a straight left.
Vernon misses with a looping right.
Vernon tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Vernon throws a right and a left that both miss.
Vernon drops his hands momentarily and Somelainen takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Somelainen walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Vernon checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Somelainen throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Vernon counter with a right hand.
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!
Vernon moves out of range of the leg kick from Somelainen.
Vernon appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Vernon tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Vernon throws a body punch but Somelainen moves out of range.
Somelainen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Vernon is looking to counter punch.
Somelainen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Vernon at a distance.
Vernon looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Vernon moves out of range as Somelainen throws a body kick.
Somelainen with a poor takedown
letting Vernon counter with a right hand.
Isaac Vernon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sauli Somelainen.
Somelainen takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Vernon lands with a cross.
Somelainen throws a quick inside leg kick.
Vernon uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Somelainen.
Somelainen has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Vernon.
Vernon swings for the body but Somelainen moves out of range.
Somelainen looks to throw the jab but Vernon is out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Isaac Vernon will probably get the nod.
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!

Somelainen takes a jab right on the kisser.
Vernon slips under a jab.
Vernon pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Vernon looks to throw the jab but Somelainen is out of range.
Vernon ducks under a wild hook from Somelainen.
Vernon throws a low kick but it's checked well by Somelainen.
Somelainen throws a right hand that misses
and Vernon counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Vernon slips a jab from Somelainen.
Somelainen scores with a leg kick.
Vernon thuds his right hand into Somelainen's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Vernon lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vernon throws out a loose jab but Somelainen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Somelainen misses with an uppercut.
Vernon thinks about countering with a head kick.
Vernon rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Somelainen counters with a stiff right hand.
Vernon throws a lazy uppercut
and Somelainen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Somelainen cracks Vernon with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vernon moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Somelainen with a hook.
Vernon takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Somelainen avoids the head kick by Vernon.
Somelainen scores with a nice head shot.
Vernon throws the left hand but Somelainen avoids the punch easily.
Vernon defending well as Somelainen loads up on a big left hand.
Somelainen slips a straight right by Vernon.
Somelainen scores with a leg kick.
Somelainen with a hook.
Somelainen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Vernon was well out of range. Poor timing from Somelainen.
A nice leg kick from Vernon, right into the meat of the thigh.
Somelainen turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Somelainen thuds his right hand into Vernon's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
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!
Somelainen throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

Somelainen shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Vernon's 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Vernon has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Somelainen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Somelainen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Somelainen cracks Vernon with a solid left hand.
Vernon is controlling Somelainen's posture.
Vernon continues to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vernon working for a triangle but Somelainen defends it easily.
Isaac Vernon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Somelainen trying to control but Vernon is working from the bottom.

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 distracts Vernon with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Somelainen wants to control from the top but Vernon keeps moving.
Vernon has Somelainen pulled in close to control his posture.
Somelainen is working Vernon over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Vernon is pulling down on Somelainen's head. It's preventing any offense from Somelainen, at least for the moment.
Vernon looking for a sweep. Not yet Vernon, not yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

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 James Ackerman scores the fight for Sauli Somelainen!
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight for Sauli Somelainen!
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight for Sauli Somelainen!

Sauli Somelainen wins by unanimous decision!
During a confident post fight interview, Sauli Somelainen thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.