PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jesse Jalkalukko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rufus Soderberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jalkalukko comes to the cage accompanied by Jordan Sparks ft. Chris Brown - No Air . Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Jalkalukko
vs
Soderberg

190 cm
42
200 lbs
31 - 34 - 1

179 cm
40
186 lbs
27 - 21 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

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 31 - 34 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Jesse Jalkalukko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 21 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rufus Soderberg!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jalkalukko plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Soderberg blocks a head kick by Jalkalukko.
Soderberg looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Soderberg displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Jalkalukko.
Jalkalukko throws a nice head kick!
Soderberg throws a right and a left that both miss.
Soderberg is trying hard to land a takedown here. Jalkalukko sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Jalkalukko feinted with a counter takedown.
Jesse Jalkalukko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Soderberg connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Soderberg just misses with a punch to the body.
Jalkalukko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Soderberg fails to land the takedown.
Jalkalukko tries to score a power double leg takedown but Soderberg sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Jalkalukko somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Soderberg shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Soderberg looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Jalkalukko with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Soderberg throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Soderberg throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Soderberg looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Jalkalukko with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Soderberg thows a huge punch but Jalkalukko dodges it nicely.

Soderberg is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Jalkalukko sees it coming and defends easily.
We've been hearing good reports from Jalkalukko's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Jalkalukko has hold of Soderberg's hands but Soderberg slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Soderberg seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Jalkalukko does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Jalkalukko wants to control but Soderberg is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Jalkalukko is trying to control but Soderberg manages to pass to mount!
Jalkalukko is squirming around, avoiding Soderberg's attempts to control the action.
Soderberg lands a heavy elbow.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jalkalukko slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Jalkalukko is looking to improve his position.

Soderberg is working for a submission of some sort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jalkalukko blocking the ground and pound attempt from Soderberg.
Jalkalukko wants to improve his position but Soderberg is controlling well.
Jalkalukko is staying active underneath Soderberg, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Jalkalukko avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Soderberg.
Jalkalukko trying to control but Soderberg postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Soderberg lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

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.

Soderberg is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Soderberg not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Soderberg working the head and body with strikes.
Soderberg tries to pass the half guard into mount. Jalkalukko knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Jalkalukko is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Jalkalukko is concentrating on defense, preventing Soderberg from advancing position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Jalkalukko makes his way to full guard, as Soderberg worked for a kimura.
Soderberg looking to sit in guard and control but Jalkalukko gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rufus Soderberg dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Jalkalukko will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Jalkalukko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Soderberg missing with a left hand there. Jalkalukko was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Soderberg throws a leg kick but Jalkalukko moved away.
A head kick misses from Jalkalukko.
A head kick misses from Jalkalukko.
Jalkalukko tries a head kick but it misses.
A nice combination there by Jalkalukko.
Jalkalukko tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Soderberg avoids the head kick by Jalkalukko.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jalkalukko looks to land a combination but Soderberg avoids it well.
A head kick misses from Jalkalukko.
Soderberg misses with a body shot.
As Soderberg looks to move away, Jalkalukko throws a big counter combo but Soderberg just gets out of the way.

Jalkalukko shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Soderberg is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Soderberg seems to be looking for submissions.

Soderberg is trying to work for a kimura but Jalkalukko is defending well.
Soderberg is pressing down on Jalkalukko's thigh, looking to free his foot. Jalkalukko is holding on for now.
Jalkalukko avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Soderberg.
Soderberg landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Jalkalukko tries to roll over but Soderberg keeps him under control.

Soderberg seems to be working for a kimura but Jalkalukko defends the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jalkalukko avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Soderberg.

Soderberg is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Jalkalukko doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Soderberg.
Soderberg is controlling the pace.
Rufus Soderberg has got the better of the ground game so far.
Soderberg takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Soderberg misses with a head shot. Jalkalukko uses the momentum to regain guard.
Soderberg is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Jalkalukko has control of Soderberg's left arm, preventing Soderberg from doing any damage.
Jalkalukko looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Soderberg pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jalkalukko is keeping the position for now.
Jalkalukko manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Soderberg manages to get himself to full guard.

Jalkalukko avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Soderberg is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Jalkalukko in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Soderberg wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jesse Jalkalukko dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Soderberg throws a hook to the side of Jalkalukko's head but Jalkalukko sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
As Soderberg looks to move away, Jalkalukko throws a big counter combo but Soderberg just gets out of the way.

Jalkalukko shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Jalkalukko trying to control the position from guard on top but Soderberg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Soderberg working for a triangle but Jalkalukko defends it easily.
Jalkalukko working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Soderberg is pulling down on Jalkalukko's head. It's preventing any offense from Jalkalukko, at least for the moment.
Soderberg wants to sweep here but Jalkalukko controlling him for the moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jalkalukko accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Soderberg is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Soderberg has his foot on Jalkalukko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Jalkalukko works his way back into a safe position though.

Soderberg looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Jalkalukko passes Soderberg's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Soderberg is in trouble now - Jalkalukko has advanced to mount!
Soderberg tries to reverse the position but Jalkalukko maintains control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jalkalukko takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Soderberg keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Jalkalukko can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Soderberg is looking to escape.
Soderberg is trying to escape the mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jalkalukko trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Jalkalukko wants to control the action but instead Soderberg gets a body lock and reverses into Jalkalukko's guard! Nice work!
Soderberg works over Jalkalukko with some ground and pound from guard.
Soderberg trying to control the position from guard on top but Jalkalukko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Soderberg loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Soderberg keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Jalkalukko's head.
Soderberg wants to control from the top but Jalkalukko keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jalkalukko trying to keep a closed guard but Soderberg is proving a slippery customer.
Soderberg seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Soderberg working some strikes from top position.
Soderberg chips away with some ground and pound.
Soderberg postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Soderberg scoring with punches to the head and body.
Soderberg chips away with some ground and pound.

Jalkalukko is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rufus Soderberg.
I think Soderberg has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Rufus Soderberg!
An intense looking Rufus Soderberg took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: '...'.