PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matt Sponz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Volmar Wikstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sponz
vs
Wikstrom

213 cm
22
280 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

191 cm
22
265 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Matt Sponz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Volmar Wikstrom!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wikstrom shoots for a takedown but Sponz saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Wikstrom looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sponz is fending him off so far but Wikstrom persists. Nope, Sponz circles away and we're back to standing.
No luck for Wikstrom with that takedown attempt.
Matt Sponz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Volmar Wikstrom.

Sponz has Wikstrom up against the cage in a clinch.

Sponz turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Sponz manages to end up in side control.
Sponz remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Wikstrom is trying to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Wikstrom can do anything to dispel that myth.
A lull in the action here.
Wikstrom parries the strikes from Sponz easily there. Sponz is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Wikstrom to escape.
Sponz will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two 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.
Sponz controls the position from side control.

Sponz decides to stand up, so the ref orders Wikstrom to his feet.
Wikstrom shoots for a double leg takedown but Sponz sprawls well. He's pushed Wikstrom's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Wikstrom shoots in but Sponz avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Sponz closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sponz lands in his opponent's guard.
Sponz wants to pass the guard but Wikstrom is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wikstrom is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.
Sponz tries to free his leg and advance position but Wikstrom is retaining full guard.
Sponz stays in close to Wikstrom's body and controls the position.
Wikstrom wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Sponz manages to pass to side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wikstrom avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sponz.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sponz throws an overhand right that lands on Wikstrom's shoulder, as Wikstrom tries to avoid the shot.
Wikstrom fails with the takedown
and Sponz counters with a series of strikes. Wikstrom will be more careful next time no doubt.
Wikstrom swinging wilding here.
Some wild striking there from Sponz.
Wikstrom misses with a series of wild punches.
Wikstrom swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Wikstrom 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.
Sponz wants to stand up but Wikstrom is controlling him.
Sponz looking for a sweep. Not yet Sponz, not yet.

Sponz kicks Wikstrom off and gets to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wikstrom throws and low kick but Sponz moves out of range easily.
Wikstrom with a poor takedown
and Sponz counters with a series of strikes. Wikstrom will be more careful next time no doubt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Wikstrom 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 Sponz has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Sponz and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Wikstrom misses with a takedown

and Sponz moves into the clinch.
Matt Sponz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Volmar Wikstrom.

Sponz jumps into guard, dragging Wikstrom to the mat.
Sponz is trying to keep Wikstrom in close.
Sponz looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wikstrom is one step ahead there.
Sponz looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wikstrom wants to stand and escape but instead Sponz has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sponz tries to stand but Wikstrom is controlling from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wikstrom keeping moving, preventing Sponz from controlling successfully.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Wikstrom closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Wikstrom lands in his opponent's guard.
Wikstrom wanted to stand there but Sponz had control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sponz is trying to control the position but Wikstrom postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Sponz dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

A combination from Wikstrom does no damage.
Some wild striking there from Sponz.

Sponz has managed to clinch.
Wikstrom wants a takedown.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Wikstrom.

Sponz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Wikstrom closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Sponz to the mat! Sponz manages to get full guard.
Sponz is trying to keep Wikstrom in close.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sponz is really struggling to control Wikstrom but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wikstrom wanted to stand there but Sponz had control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sponz controls Wikstrom momentarily but Wikstrom frees himself.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Wikstrom closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Sponz to the mat! Sponz manages to get full guard.
Sponz is striking but Wikstrom is not phased and passes to half guard.
Wikstrom tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Wikstrom prevents Sponz from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wikstrom wants to stand up but Sponz is controlling the position.
Sponz wants to control but Wikstrom passes into side.
Sponz can't do much from the bottom here.

That's four 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.
Wikstrom tries to stand but Sponz is controlling his head.

Wikstrom has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sponz tries to clinch up.
Wikstrom throws a series of punches but Sponz avoids them all with ease.
Volmar Wikstrom has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wikstrom fails to land with a series of punches.

Sponz closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Volmar Wikstrom comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sponz 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Sponz!