PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Antti Sokka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Veli Rokka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sokka comes to the cage accompanied by Black Sun Aeon - Core of Winter. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sokka
vs
Rokka

185 cm
25
188 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

186 cm
23
200 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Perkele!
Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antti Sokka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Veli Rokka!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Arvi Lind and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rokka on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Sokka. Sokka obviously looking to wear him down.
Sokka closes the distance and clinches up with Rokka, looking for a takedown. Sokka pushes Rokka against the cage but Rokka circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A head kick misses from Rokka.
Rokka throws a chopping leg kick but Sokka manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

Rokka pushes Sokka up against the cage in a clinch.
Sokka struggles to land a body shot inside as Rokka controls his hands.
Sokka tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Sokka tries to pull guard but Rokka holds him up against the cage and eventually Sokka drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antti Sokka. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sokka breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rokka lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Sokka lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sokka pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sokka misses with a head kick.

Sokka darts in and clinches Rokka up against the cage.
Sokka tries to pull guard but Rokka won't allow it.
Rokka takes a shot to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sokka tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rokka just stands there and leans against the cage.
Sokka avoiding damage as Rokka throws knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokka tries to break the clinch but Rokka is controlling the position.
Rokka lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Sokka tries to pull guard but Rokka holds him up against the cage and eventually Sokka drops back down to his feet.
Sokka has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Sokka dodges an elbow strike from Rokka.
A short left from Rokka.
Sokka jumps guard but Rokka stands there with Sokka around his waist. Sokka gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sokka lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Sokka fails to pull guard.
Sokka tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rokka just stands there and leans against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Rokka.
Stalling in the clinch from Rokka.
Rokka pushes off an throws an elbow but Sokka leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Rokka breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sokka tries to close the distance and clinch but Rokka swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sokka bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sokka throws a head kick that misses.
A swing and a miss from Rokka.
Rokka has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Sokka.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Sokka moves into the clinch successfully.
Sokka can't break the clinch.
Sokka tries to pull guard but Rokka won't allow it.
Sokka has Rokka pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rokka manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Sokka jumps guard but Rokka stands there with Sokka around his waist. Sokka gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sokka will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Rokka up against the cage.
Rokka lands with a short shot to the head.
Rokka stalling the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rokka throws an elbow but misses.
Sokka blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rokka pushes off an throws an elbow but Sokka leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Sokka ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Sokka no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Sokka looking for a sweep. Not yet Sokka, not yet.
Sokka is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sokka is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Sokka wants to pass to mount but Rokka is defending the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Sokka is working for a kimura but Rokka is defending it quite comfortably.
Sokka stops Rokka from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sokka working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Rokka's thigh. Rokka counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Sokka trying to control but Rokka is working from the bottom.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Rokka is adopting a defensive guard.
Rokka wants to sweep but no luck.
Sokka throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rokka working a defensive guard here.
Rokka looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sokka is one step ahead there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sokka thows a big elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antti Sokka dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sokka tries to land a leg kick but Rokka saw it coming and moves away.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sokka.
Rokka with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

Sokka shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Sokka showed some decent athleticism there.
Rokka is trying is best to control the position here.
Rokka trying to control but Sokka postures up.
Sokka not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Sokka is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rokka is just riding it out for now. Sokka eventually gives up the hold.
Sokka keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Sokka is trying to control. Rokka wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rokka trying to hold on to Sokka's head to control him but Sokka postures up.
Rokka blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sokka.
Rokka is trying to maintain the position but Sokka is very close to passing his half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Rokka is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sokka wants to control but Rokka is keeping him busy.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Rokka pivots, looking for a leg kick but Sokka is out of range and Rokka settles back down.
Rokka bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Sokka's head.
Rokka scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Sokka throws a head kick but Rokka moves out of range.
Sokka avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rokka throws a shot from downtown. Sokka moves away and avoids it.
Sokka checks a low kick from Rokka.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sokka takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A chopping leg kick lands by Sokka.
Sokka moves out of range as Rokka strikes.
Sokka defending well as Rokka loads up on a big left hand.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rokka looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Veli Rokka is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rokka throws out a leg kick but Sokka moves out of range and Rokka only half commits.
Sokka throws a sloppy head kick and Rokka moves out of range easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rokka thumps Sokka with a low kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Rokka misses the target.
Sokka uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rokka.
Sokka lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Rokka throws a hook but Sokka blocks it.
Sokka misses with a low kick.
Sokka looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rokka is fending him off so far but Sokka persists. Nope, Rokka circles away and we're back to standing.
Sokka fails to land the takedown.
Sokka shoots in looking for a takedown but Rokka manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sokka's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antti Sokka. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokka throws a sloppy head kick and Rokka moves out of range easily.
Sokka shoots in looking for a takedown but Rokka manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sokka's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Both fighters circling a little - Rokka finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sokka looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sokka moves out of range as Rokka strikes.
Rokka connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Rokka lands a body shot.
Rokka scoring well with a low kick there.
Rokka avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rokka is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Sokka fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sokka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Veli Rokka seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rokka lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Rokka fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Sokka on the side of the head.
Sokka tries a head kick but it misses.
Rokka lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rokka lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Veli Rokka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sokka showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rokka.
A jab from Rokka misses.
Sokka throws a low kick but Rokka avoids it.

Sokka has Rokka up against the cage in a clinch.
Sokka tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rokka just stands there and leans against the cage.
Sokka fails to pull guard.
Sokka tries to pull guard but Rokka won't allow it.
Sokka is working for takedown but Rokka is calmly controlling the position for now.
The referee calls for Rokka to work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rokka taking a breather.
Sokka tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Sokka tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rokka just stands there and leans against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Veli Rokka showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rokka throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Rokka throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Rokka throws a hook but Sokka avoids it easily.
Sokka throws a head kick that misses.
Rokka tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rokka takes a swing at Sokka's ribcage but misses.
Sokka throws a leg kick but Rokka sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Sokka throws a hook but Rokka blocks it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sokka.
Sokka 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.
Sokka takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Rokka scores with the left hand. Sokka knows he should have avoided that one.
Sokka misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Sokka closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rokka struggling a bit here.
Rokka parries the strikes from Sokka easily there. Sokka is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Rokka to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rokka tries to bench press Sokka off him but Sokka keeps the position.
Sokka has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Sokka tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
The ground and pound from Sokka seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Rokka sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Sokka keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Rokka has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sokka is working away from the top position though.
Sokka uses his free foot to push down on Rokka's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Rokka.
Sokka thowing shots but they're missing.
Rokka sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rokka moves into full guard.
Sokka trying to control the position from guard on top but Rokka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sokka pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rokka is keeping the position for now.
Rokka working a defensive guard here.
Sokka sitting in guard, not really doing much.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rokka looking to control.
Rokka has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sokka checks a low kick from Rokka.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sokka feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Rokka is trying to keep Sokka in close.
Sokka keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rokka's head.
Sokka is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Sokka tries to free his leg and advance position but Rokka is retaining full guard.
Rokka is adopting a defensive guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rokka 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.
Sokka thows a big elbow that misses.
Sokka stands and throws Rokka's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sokka working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Sokka working the head with strikes.

Sokka is trying to get an arm triangle but Rokka is defending well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Sokka tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Sokka has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Rokka really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sokka. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sokka working the ground and pound from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Antti Sokka showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sokka 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antti Sokka!