PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dennis Cunningham (ranked 1084 p4p, 2434 weight class) and Tokoni Soaki (ranked 131 p4p, 287 weight class). Soaki is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Le Manu - Shepherds Reign. Tokoni Soaki acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Cunningham
vs
Soaki

193 cm
26
277
10 - 9 - 0

204 cm
31
290
13 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Dennis Cunningham!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 13 - 0, fighting out of London, Tokoni Soaki!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Trevor Gratis and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cunningham stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cunningham wants it to stay on the feet.

Cunningham closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Soaki's guard.
Cunningham working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Soaki's head.
Soaki wants to sweep but no luck.
Cunningham engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cunningham trying to control the position from guard on top but Soaki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cunningham won't allow Soaki to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cunningham wants to control from the top but Soaki keeps moving.
Cunningham looking to sit in guard and control but Soaki gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cunningham working for a triangle but Soaki defends it easily.
Cunningham trying to control the position here.
Soaki trying to control the position from guard on top but Cunningham is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cunningham is trying to hold Soaki in close to prevent damage but Soaki has managed to pass into half guard.

That's two 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.
Soaki looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Soaki looks to land a strike but Cunningham avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Soaki wants to pass the guard but Cunningham is keeping the position.
Soaki trying to move into half guard but instead Cunningham has managed to sweep!

Cunningham is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cunningham preventing the sweep.
Cunningham throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Soaki works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham throws an elbow that misses. Soaki uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Cunningham's guard. Nice move by Soaki!

Cunningham wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Soaki is now in half guard.
Soaki lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Soaki perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Cunningham is defending against the submission attempts here by Soaki.
Cunningham wants to control but Soaki is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soaki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cunningham keeps working.
Cunningham is trying to get back to full guard.
Cunningham trying to control but Soaki postures up.
Soaki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cunningham keeps working.
Soaki with the ground and pound but Cunningham uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Soaki slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Cunningham is not content to let Soaki control the position.
Cunningham is looking for a sweep.
A control attempt from Cunningham but he's now mounted!
Soaki throwing strikes here but Cunningham is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Soaki looking to control but Cunningham is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Cunningham manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Soaki wants to free his trapped foot but Cunningham is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Soaki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cunningham keeps working.
Cunningham wants to improve his position but Soaki is controlling well.
Soaki sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cunningham defending well though.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham is looking to improve his position.
Cunningham has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Soaki is working away from the top position though.

Soaki is working for a kimura but Cunningham is defending it quite comfortably.
Cunningham tries to roll over but Soaki keeps him under control.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Cunningham is trying to maintain the position but Soaki is very close to passing his half guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Soaki scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Cunningham trying to control here.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Soaki in particular looking to stall.
Cunningham is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Soaki's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Soaki's back!
Soaki is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Soaki is covering up but some of the strikes from Cunningham are getting through and doing damage.
Cunningham connects with a big shot to the side of Soaki's head.
Soaki tries to roll but Cunningham sticks to his back.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham trying to control momentarily.

Cunningham is working the back position looking for the choke. Oh, he's slid into an armbar! Beautiful transition and Soaki taps out! Fantastic Jiu Jitsu from Cunningham.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 9:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Dennis Cunningham!
A victorious Dennis Cunningham thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
The defeated Tokoni Soaki had this to say: 'Thank you to my opponent and all the fans, my coaches and sponsors. And to everyone in my division, Teke lava tauolunga mo au? (Do you wanna Dance with me?)'.