PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Solomon Burke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ari Vanhala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Burke's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Discoboys - I came for you. Vanhala has chosen Bad Religion - Generator as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Burke
vs
Vanhala

188 cm
25
192 lbs
20 - 3 - 0

180 cm
26
198 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

[WAO]MADE IN GERMANY

Crashforce Nutrition (Authentic 159Q Recovery $79)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Solomon Burke!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ari Vanhala!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Arvi Lind and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Burke tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Vanhala manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Burke throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Burke tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Vanhala paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Burke.
Burke misses with a kick to the body.
Vanhala misses with a shot to the body
and Burke cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Burke wants to clinch up but Vanhala keeps it at a distance.
Vanhala just misses with a punch to the body.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Burke enables Vanhala to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Burke manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Vanhala postures up.
Vanhala trying to control the position from guard on top but Burke is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vanhala chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vanhala missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Burke preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Vanhala stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Burke swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Vanhala working some strikes from top position.
Vanhala stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Burke swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Vanhala wants to control from the top but Burke keeps moving.
Vanhala thows a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Burke is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Vanhala is controlling him.
Vanhala missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Vanhala with a nice head shot there.
Vanhala stays in close to Burke's body and controls the position.
Burke controls Vanhala momentarily but Vanhala frees himself.

Vanhala drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Burke manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Vanhala has Burke in his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vanhala looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Vanhala trying to keep a closed guard but Burke is proving a slippery customer.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ari Vanhala was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Vanhala scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Burke scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Vanhala swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Burke counters with a low kick, right behind Vanhala 's knee.
Vanhala misses with a lunging right hand
and Burke counters with an inside leg kick.
Burke thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Vanhala if he has to take too many more of those.
Vanhala jabs Burke to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Vanhala moves out of range as Burke strikes.
Vanhala throws a right hand that misses
and Burke counters with an inside leg kick.
Burke throws a wild body kick that Vanhala sees coming a mile off.
A punch lands to the side of Burke 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Vanhala misses with a two punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ari Vanhala dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Vanhala falls off balance throwing a combination
and Burke counters with a leg kick.
Vanhala throws a jab when Burke was well out of range.
Burke throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Vanhala.
Burke scores with a head kick.
Burke is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Burke lands a leg kick that knocks Vanhala off balance momentarily.
A shot to the body from Vanhala misses
and Burke counters with an inside leg kick.
Burke connects with a solid leg kick.
Nice shot lands for Vanhala.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burke lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Vanhala lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Burke circles away quickly and effectively.
Vanhala misses with an uppercut
and Burke cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Vanhala misses with a right hand
and Burke counters with a big head kick but Vanhala shrugs it off.
Vanhala swats away the attempt to clinch by Burke.
Vanhala circles away from the clinch attempt
and Vanhala counters with a series of strikes. Burke will be more careful next time no doubt.
A head kick by Burke misses
and Burke takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Burke scores with a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vanhala misses with a lunging right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Vanhala misses with a double jab
and Burke counters with a head kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Burke.
Vanhala misses with a lunging right hand
and Burke counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Vanhala is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
An inside leg kick lands from Burke.
Burke misses with an attempted mid kick.
Vanhala misses with a lunging right hand
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
and Burke counters with a nice body kick.
Burke misses with a leg kick.
Burke doesn't manage to clinch there - Vanhala circles away.
Burke lands a front kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vanhala blocks a head kick by Burke.
Vanhala throws an overhand right that lands on Burke's shoulder, as Burke tries to avoid the shot.
Solomon Burke is winning the standup battle so far.
Burke fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Vanhala.
Burke throws a nice outside leg kick.

Burke closes the distance and clinches.
Vanhala prevents a body shot from Burke.
Burke throws a head punch that misses.
Vanhala will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Burke up against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Burke.
Burke lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Vanhala tries a body shot but Burke blocks it.

Vanhala is trying to trip Burke. He has hold of a leg but Burke is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Vanhala persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Burke wants to get back to his feet but Vanhala is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vanhala is fighting to break Burke's control of his arms but Burke is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Burke not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Burke wants to stand up but Vanhala is controlling him.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Vanhala tries to free his leg and advance position but Burke is retaining full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Burke preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Burke is looking to stand back up but Vanhala counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Burke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Solomon Burke dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Vanhala avoids the head kick by Burke.
Burke gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A slapping leg kick lands for Burke.
Vanhala misses with a body punch
and Burke counters with a nice kick to the body.

Vanhala shoots in and bounces Burke off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Burke wants to get back to his feet but Vanhala is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vanhala preventing the sweep.
Vanhala has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Burke is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Burke keeping moving, preventing Vanhala from controlling successfully.
Burke has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Solomon Burke.
Burke stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Burke wants it to stay on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Burke displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Vanhala.
Burke throws a nice inside leg kick.

Vanhala closes the distance and clinches.
Vanhala is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Burke goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Burke lands a body punch.
Vanhala takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Vanhala can't find room to land a body shot as Burke controls the action.
Vanhala avoiding damage as Burke throws knees to the body.
Burke tries to land a knee to the head but Vanhala blocks with his arms.
A hook to the body from Burke.
Vanhala has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Burke.
Vanhala lands a nice shot to the body.
Burke tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vanhala's elbow.
Vanhala misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burke tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Vanhala is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Solomon Burke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ari Vanhala.
Burke scores with a nice hook to the head.
Burke misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Vanhala drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Burke throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Burke working aggressively here.
Burke lands a hook that snaps the head of Vanhala backwards.
Burke misses with a knee strike.
Burke lands a shoulder strike.
Burke lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Vanhala misses with a punch on the inside.
A right hand to the body from Burke.
Burke using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A short body shot lands from Burke as the two fighters clinch.
Vanhala avoiding damage as Burke throws knees to the body.
Burke lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Vanhala.
Burke lands a body shot in the clinch.
Burke misses with a punch to the body.
Burke is working Vanhala over against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burke trying to land knees to the body.
Burke using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Vanhala has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A short left from Burke.
Burke softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Vanhala struggles to land a body shot inside as Burke controls his hands.
Burke struggles to land a body shot inside as Vanhala controls his hands.
Burke lands a hook to the side of the head.
Vanhala stalling in the clinch but Burke improves position.
Burke throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Vanhala blocks it with crossed arms.
Vanhala blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Burke tries a body shot but Vanhala blocks it.

Vanhala turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Vanhala manages to end up in side control.
Burke struggling a bit here.
Burke is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Vanhala off and has taken his back!
Burke has the hooks in. Vanhala is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Solomon Burke clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Vanhala shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Burke defends it nicely.
Burke looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Burke misses with an attempted mid kick.
Vanhala's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A solid leg kick lands there for Burke.
Vanhala throws a predictable looking body shot
and Burke counters with an inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burke stuffs the takedown attempt from Vanhala. Vanhala gets slowly back to his feet.
Vanhala is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Vanhala throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burke fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Vanhala has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Burke misses with a wild combination.
Vanhala misses with a hook to the body
and Burke counters with a nice uppercut.
Vanhala takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Vanhala misses with a looping right.
Vanhala displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Burke throws out the jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Burke.
Vanhala displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Burke throws out the jab.
Vanhala looks to land a right hand but Burke moved out of range.

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.
Vanhala scores with a crisp jab that stopped Burke in his tracks.
Vanhala has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Burke.
Vanhala throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Burke counters with a slapping leg kick.
Vanhala doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Burke counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Solomon Burke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ari Vanhala.
Burke tries to work over Vanhala's front leg with a kick but Vanhala checks it.
Ari Vanhala seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vanhala misses with a left hand
and Burke counters with an inside leg kick.
Vanhala fails with the takedown
and Burke counters with a solid body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burke throws a head kick that misses.
Vanhala misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Burke.
Burke fails in his attempt to clinch.
Vanhala misses with a right hand
and Burke counters with a good, hard body kick but Vanhala shrugs it off.
Burke turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Burke scores with a leg kick.
Vanhala fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Burke manages to avoid it.
Vanhala shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Burke but Burke pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Burke throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burke throws a leg kick
and Vanhala counters with a nice body shot.
Burke avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Burke stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Burke wants it to stay on the feet.
Good leg kick by Burke there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Burke scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Burke cracks Vanhala with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Solomon Burke is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Vanhala misses the body punch
and Burke counters with a body kick.
Burke throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Burke lands a nice leg kick that just misses Vanhala's sensitive parts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Solomon Burke had his way with Ari Vanhala in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Thud! ouch! good body kick from Burke - that will leave a mark!
Burke is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

Burke instigates a clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Burke lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Burke works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Vanhala wants to stall.
Burke pushes Vanhala back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Nice body punch from Burke.
Burke lands a shoulder strike.
A short body shot lands from Burke as the two fighters clinch.
Burke works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Vanhala blocks a body shot from Burke.
A short left from Burke.
Vanhala struggles to land a body shot inside as Burke controls his hands.
Vanhala is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Burke scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Burke missing with knees to the body.
A short right from Burke on the inside.
A body shot lands from Burke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burke misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Burke tries to throw a body punch but Vanhala avoids it by throwing Burke back against the cage.
Nice body punch from Burke.
Burke lands a nice shot to the body.
Nice body punch from Burke.
Burke lands a body shot.
Burke lands a body punch in the clinch.
Burke tries to land a knee to the head but Vanhala blocks with his arms.
Burke misses with a punch on the inside.
Solomon Burke has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Burke with a knee to the head.
Burke stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Nice body punch from Burke.
Good body shot from Burke.
Vanhala blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Burke lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Vanhala or not.
Burke scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Burke can't find room to land a body shot as Vanhala controls the action.
Burke is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Vanhala can do to turn this around?
Burke lands a shot to the body.
Burke lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Vanhala.
A body shot lands from Burke.
Burke tries to work over Vanhala's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ari Vanhala has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Solomon Burke is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burke lands a nice shot to the body.
Burke digs a right hand underneath Vanhala's ribcage. Vanhala let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Burke tries a body shot but Vanhala blocks it.
Burke lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Vanhala backwards.
Burke is working Vanhala over against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Burke.
Vanhala changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Burke fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Burke tries to clinch but Vanhala is having none of it.
Burke tries to clinch but Vanhala is having none of it.
Burke connects with a leg kick. Vanhala looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
No luck for Vanhala with that takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burke delivers a nice body kick.
Burke is looking to clinch but Vanhala is avoiding it.
Vanhala changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Burke tries to avoid it but Vanhala manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Burke to the ground. Burke escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Solomon Burke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ari Vanhala.
Burke tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Vanhala shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Burke but Burke pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Burke avoids a punch combination nicely.
A nice leg kick lands there from Burke.

That's four 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.
Burke lands with a thumping leg kick.
Burke tries to clinch but Vanhala moves out of range.
Burke keeps Vanhala at a distance using the push kick.
Burke throws a head kick that misses.
Burke cracks the inside of Vanhala's front leg.
Burke misses with a few strikes there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vanhala throws an off balance right hand
and Vanhala takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Vanhala throws a sloppy body shot
and Burke counters with a thumping low kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Solomon Burke showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Burke 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 49:45
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 49:45
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 49:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Solomon Burke!
Solomon Burke retains his middleweight title!