PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Timo Soini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shaniqua Gorbdinkle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gorbdinkle has chosen The Way I Feel as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Soini
vs
Gorbdinkle

180 cm
23
178 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

170 cm
24
175 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Very strong

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Timo Soini!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Shaniqua Gorbdinkle!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Ben Zyskovitsi and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gorbdinkle misses with a wild combination.
Gorbdinkle lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Soini circles away quickly and effectively.
Gorbdinkle takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Jab, jab by Gorbdinkle - just one landing.

Soini darts in and clinches Gorbdinkle up against the cage.
Soini looks to throw an elbow but misses.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Soini lands an elbow inside.
Gorbdinkle tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Soini smiles and moves away.
Gorbdinkle throws a head kick that misses.
Gorbdinkle with a jab.

Gorbdinkle fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Soini, pushing him back against the cage.
Gorbdinkle takes an elbow to the temple.
Gorbdinkle is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Soini pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Gorbdinkle changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Soini fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Timo Soini has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shaniqua Gorbdinkle.
Gorbdinkle misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gorbdinkle looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Shaniqua Gorbdinkle seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Soini throws a low kick but Gorbdinkle moves out of range easily.
Soini blocks a head kick by Gorbdinkle.
Gorbdinkle lands with a kick to the temple. Soini shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Gorbdinkle throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick by Gorbdinkle misses
and Soini counters with a head kick.

Gorbdinkle gets a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Soini.
Gorbdinkle leaning his opponent against the cage.
Soini misses with an elbow strike.
Soini lands a damaging elbow.
Soini looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Gorbdinkle goes for a takedown in the clinch but Soini prevents it.
Soini takes a shot to the head.
Gorbdinkle connects with a knee to the head.

Gorbdinkle drags the fight down to the ground.
Soini stopping the sweep attempt from Gorbdinkle.
Gorbdinkle is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Soini sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soini advances position into side control!
Gorbdinkle tries to buck Soini off but Soini is having none of it.
Soini trying to control the action but Gorbdinkle is working from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Gorbdinkle's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Gorbdinkle tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Soini wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soini trying to control the action but Gorbdinkle is working from the bottom.
Gorbdinkle is looking for a sweep.
Gorbdinkle is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Gorbdinkle tries to roll over but Soini keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
The fighters are battling for position here. Gorbdinkle manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Soini stands and throws Gorbdinkle's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Gorbdinkle is looking for a sweep.
Gorbdinkle gets back to half guard.
Gorbdinkle is looking to improve his position.
Gorbdinkle is staying active underneath Soini, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Timo Soini will probably get the nod.
That's time! Soini's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gorbdinkle lands with a nice combination. Soini backs away looking to recover.
Gorbdinkle throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Soini's head.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Gorbdinkle.
Gorbdinkle misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Soini throws a head kick but Gorbdinkle moves out of range.
Gorbdinkle fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Soini manages to avoid it.
Gorbdinkle misses with a few strikes there.
Soini throws a good cross that connects.
Gorbdinkle pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gorbdinkle tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gorbdinkle throws a wild body kick that Soini sees coming a mile off.
Gorbdinkle throws a head kick but Soini moves out of range.
Gorbdinkle throws a sloppy head kick and Soini moves out of range easily.
Gorbdinkle looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Soini is fending him off so far but Gorbdinkle persists. Nope, Soini circles away and we're back to standing.
Gorbdinkle scores with a head kick.

Soini gets tackled into the cage by Gorbdinkle. Gorbdinkle maintains the clinch.
Soini lands an elbow inside that Gorbdinkle shrugs off.
Gorbdinkle tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Soini gets underhooks to prevent Gorbdinkle's takedown attempt.
Timo Soini has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shaniqua Gorbdinkle.
Soini gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gorbdinkle.
Gorbdinkle tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Soini.
Soini looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gorbdinkle dodges an elbow strike from Soini.
Soini has Gorbdinkle pressed against the cage, preventing Gorbdinkle from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Gorbdinkle is working for takedown but Soini is calmly controlling the position for now.
Soini creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Gorbdinkle blocks an elbow strike.
Soini misses with an elbow over the top.
Soini lands a nice knee to the body.
Gorbdinkle is breathing heavily.
Gorbdinkle tries to score a body lock takedown but Soini shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Soini is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gorbdinkle is defending well for now.
Gorbdinkle is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Soini pulls him back up using the underhooks.
With the fighters up against the cage, Soini throws an elbow but misses.
Soini lands an elbow inside that Gorbdinkle shrugs off.
Soini creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gorbdinkle's defenses.
Gorbdinkle has Soini pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Soini manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Soini lands an elbow that stopped Gorbdinkle in his tracks for a moment.
Gorbdinkle blocks an elbow strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Soini.
Knees to the body from Soini.
Soini manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Soini lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Soini lands a damaging elbow.
Gorbdinkle is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Soini putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Gorbdinkle in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Soini tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Soini throws an elbow but misses.
Gorbdinkle avoids the elbow strike from Soini, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soini lands an elbow that stopped Gorbdinkle in his tracks for a moment.
Soini throws an elbow that misses.
Soini throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Gorbdinkle drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Soini gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Soini comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
With the fighters up against the cage, Soini throws an elbow but misses.
Soini comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Gorbdinkle changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Soini fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Soini throws a front kick aimed at Gorbdinkle's knee but Gorbdinkle avoids it well.
Soini throws a nice head kick!
A head kick misses from Gorbdinkle.
Gorbdinkle takes a swing at Soini's ribcage but misses.

Soini gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Soini comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Soini stops a takedown attempt from Gorbdinkle.
Soini landing some nice looking knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gorbdinkle takes a knee to the side of the body.
Gorbdinkle working hard to break the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Soini lands an elbow inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gorbdinkle is working for takedown but Soini is calmly controlling the position for now.
Soini lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Gorbdinkle looking for a takedown.
Nice elbow from Soini.
Soini creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gorbdinkle's defenses.
Soini misses with an elbow over the top.
Gorbdinkle changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Soini fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Soini throws a head kick that misses.
Gorbdinkle throws out a loose jab but Soini uses good head movement to avoid it.
Soini lands a leg kick that knocks Gorbdinkle off balance momentarily.
Soini chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Soini pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Gorbdinkle has closed the distance and engaged Soini in a clinch.
Soini lands an elbow inside that Gorbdinkle shrugs off.
Gorbdinkle dodges an elbow strike from Soini.
Gorbdinkle wants to break free but Soini has control.
Soini looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Gorbdinkle tries to pull guard but Soini won't allow it.
Soini throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Soini trying to land knees to the body.
Gorbdinkle tries to pull guard but Soini holds him up against the cage and eventually Gorbdinkle drops back down to his feet.
Gorbdinkle tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soini putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Gorbdinkle in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Nice elbow from Soini.
Soini slows down the pace here.
Timo Soini has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Gorbdinkle jumps guard but Soini stands there with Gorbdinkle around his waist. Gorbdinkle gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Soini.
Soini misses with an elbow strike.
Soini unloads a knee to the mid-section. Gorbdinkle lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Gorbdinkle fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Soini lands an elbow just above Gorbdinkle 's eye.
Soini throws an elbow but it misses.
Gorbdinkle tries for a takedown but Soini manages to get underhooks.
Soini lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Soini lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Soini throws an elbow that misses.
Soini lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Gorbdinkle is trying to drag Soini to the mat but Soini just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Soini tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gorbdinkle tries to pull guard but Soini holds him up against the cage and eventually Gorbdinkle drops back down to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Soini lands a good knee to the midsection. Gorbdinkle won't want to take too many of those.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timo Soini dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Soini lands a nice leg kick that just misses Gorbdinkle's sensitive parts.
Soini blocks a head kick by Gorbdinkle.
Gorbdinkle steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Soini.
Soini throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Gorbdinkle throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Soini scores with a head kick. Gorbdinkle tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Gorbdinkle throws a head kick but Soini moves out of range.
Gorbdinkle throws a lazy head kick
and Soini finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Gorbdinkle throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Soini scoring well with a low kick there.
Gorbdinkle throws a head kick that misses.
Gorbdinkle misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Soini gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Gorbdinkle dodges an elbow strike from Soini.
Gorbdinkle can't get the takedown.
Soini lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like Shaniqua Gorbdinkle has been cut.
Gorbdinkle takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Soini lands an elbow inside.
Gorbdinkle takes an elbow to the forehead.
Soini tries to land a knee to the head but Gorbdinkle blocks with his arms.

Gorbdinkle jumps guard and drags Soini to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Soini works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gorbdinkle has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Soini is working away from the top position though.
Soini content to control rather than advance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gorbdinkle gets back to full 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.
Gorbdinkle doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Gorbdinkle looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Gorbdinkle is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Soini postures up.
Soini stays in close to Gorbdinkle's body and controls the position.
Gorbdinkle wants to sweep but no luck.
Shaniqua Gorbdinkle has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gorbdinkle trying to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Shaniqua Gorbdinkle.
Jab, jab by Soini - just one landing.
Gorbdinkle throws a head kick that misses
and Soini counters with a body kick.
Gorbdinkle throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Soini throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Gorbdinkle throws the kick towards the body but Soini avoids it.
Soini takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Soini walks into a jab.
Gorbdinkle throws a head kick but Soini moves out of range.
Timo Soini is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gorbdinkle ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Soini misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gorbdinkle throws a sloppy head kick and Soini moves out of range easily.
Gorbdinkle throws a head kick but Soini moves out of range.
Soini connects with a leg kick. Gorbdinkle looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Gorbdinkle tries for a takedown but Soini sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Shaniqua Gorbdinkle is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A head kick by Gorbdinkle misses
and Soini counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soini lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A good leg kick by Soini.
Gorbdinkle sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Soini throws a head kick but Gorbdinkle moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Soini looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Soini misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Soini moves into the clinch successfully.
Soini lands a damaging elbow.
Gorbdinkle fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Timo Soini has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shaniqua Gorbdinkle.
Soini throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Gorbdinkle is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Soini pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Gorbdinkle avoids the elbow strike from Soini, against the cage.
Gorbdinkle misses with a knee strike.
Gorbdinkle blocks an elbow strike from Soini.
Soini pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Gorbdinkle takes an elbow to the forehead.
Gorbdinkle takes a knee to the side of the body.
Soini pushes off an throws an elbow but Gorbdinkle leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Knees to the body from Soini.
Soini misses with an elbow strike.
Soini looking to stall.
Soini lands a damaging elbow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Timo Soini showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Soini has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Timo Soini!