PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jussi Soikio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stephen Bjorg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Soikio comes into the arena with Beck - Loser blaring out of the sound system. Stephen Bjorg has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Soikio
vs
Bjorg

178 cm
22
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

160 cm
18
134 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jussi Soikio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Stephen Bjorg!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Soikio tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bjorg sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Soikio somewhat.
Soikio shoots in looking for a takedown. Bjorg tries to sprawl out of it but Soikio keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Bjorg manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Bjorg shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Soikio counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Soikio is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Soikio drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Soikio jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Soikio drops back looking for a leg! Bjorg is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Bjorg manages to kick Soikio off! Soikio jumps back into Bjorg's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bjorg pulls Soikio in close to prevent any damage.

Soikio drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Bjorg manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Soikio has Bjorg in his guard.
Soikio is breathing heavily.
Bjorg is working Soikio over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Bjorg trying to control the position from guard on top but Soikio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bjorg showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bjorg accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

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.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bjorg accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Soikio is looking for a triangle but Bjorg pushes his legs off easily.

Soikio working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bjorg doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bjorg manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Bjorg really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Soikio. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Bjorg is looking to stand up but Soikio won't let him.
Soikio 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.
Bjorg trying to control but Soikio is working from the bottom.
Bjorg is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soikio keeping full guard, as Bjorg tries to pass.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bjorg tries for a takedown but Soikio circles away easily

and Soikio counters with a takedown into side control.

Soikio tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Bjorg wants to control but Soikio postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Soikio is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Bjorg is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Soikio really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Soikio swings around for an armbar but Bjorg sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Soikio's guard.
Bjorg won't allow Soikio to sweep him here.
Bjorg looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Soikio manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Soikio looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jussi Soikio dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Soikio gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Bjorg stopping the sweep attempt from Soikio.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Soikio is on top in guard.

Soikio drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Soikio jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Soikio tries to free his leg and advance position but Bjorg is retaining full guard.
Soikio will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bjorg trying to control the position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Soikio drops back, looking for a kneebar! Bjorg looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Bjorg looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Bjorg!
Soikio tries to bench press Bjorg off him but Bjorg keeps the position.
Soikio is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Bjorg off and has taken his back!

Soikio working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Bjorg can't escape the position.

Soikio looking for the RNC.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Soikio tightening his grip on Bjorg, looking for the choke.

Soikio looking for the choke but no joy.

Soikio patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Bjorg tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

Soikio goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Bjorg is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soikio looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Soikio is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Bjorg defends well.
Bjorg slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Soikio manages to get back to half guard.

Soikio actively working from the bottom here.
Soikio moves into full guard.
Soikio bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bjorg's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soikio looking to pass the guard.
Soikio is working hard here to advance position.
Bjorg wants to stand and escape but Soikio is having none of it.

Soikio thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Soikio wants to pass the guard but Bjorg is keeping the position.

Soikio drops back, looking for a kneebar! Bjorg looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Bjorg looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Bjorg!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stephen Bjorg showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Soikio's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Soikio with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bjorg counters with a one-two to the body.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Bjorg.
Bjorg throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Soikio tries to bench press Bjorg off him but Bjorg keeps the position.
Bjorg gets to mount! Soikio was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Soikio is trying to escape the mount.
Bjorg can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Soikio is looking to escape.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Soikio manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soikio tries to roll over but Bjorg keeps him under control.
Soikio gets back to full guard.

Soikio is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Soikio keeping moving, preventing Bjorg from controlling successfully.

Soikio looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soikio lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Bjorg!

Soikio throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Bjorg has his hands clasped together but Soikio breaks the hold and Bjorg is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Soikio!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:29 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Jussi Soikio!