PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Soldier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Armas Koskenkorva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Soldier
vs
Koskenkorva

186 cm
18
240 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

193 cm
19
264 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid 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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Soldier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Armas Koskenkorva!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Matti Vanhoillinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koskenkorva shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Soldier as he avoids it easily.
Soldier pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Soldier lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Koskenkorva circles away quickly and effectively.
Koskenkorva lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Soldier circles away quickly and effectively.
Koskenkorva throws a left and a right that both miss

and Soldier counters by moving into the clinch.
Koskenkorva tries for a takedown but Soldier manages to get underhooks.
Koskenkorva has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Soldier avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Mike Soldier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Armas Koskenkorva.
Koskenkorva is working for takedown but Soldier is calmly controlling the position for now.
Soldier trying to stall but Koskenkorva improves his position.
Koskenkorva is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Soldier gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Koskenkorva wants a takedown.
Koskenkorva is trying to drag Soldier to the mat but Soldier just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Nice elbow from Soldier.
Koskenkorva takes an elbow to the temple.

Koskenkorva tightens his grip and picks Soldier up, before dumping him to the ground. Soldier manages to land in guard.
Koskenkorva looks gassed!
Soldier throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Soldier 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.

Soldier wriggles free and stands up.
Koskenkorva takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Armas Koskenkorva has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soldier fails in his attempt to clinch.
Soldier throws a series of punches but Koskenkorva moves out of range.

Soldier clinches with his opponent.
Soldier gets underhooks to prevent Koskenkorva's takedown attempt.

Soldier breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Soldier tries to clinch but Koskenkorva is having none of it.
Koskenkorva takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Soldier is looking to clinch.

Soldier drives through and clinches with Koskenkorva against the cage.
Koskenkorva has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Soldier is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Soldier leaning against his opponent.
Soldier could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Soldier's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The fight stays on the outside here - Soldier looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Koskenkorva throws a sloppy head kick
and Soldier cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Soldier fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Soldier clinches up against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Soldier lands an elbow just above Koskenkorva 's eye.
Koskenkorva tries for a takedown. No joy.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Soldier closes the distance and clinches.
Koskenkorva drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Soldier has Koskenkorva pressed against the cage.

Soldier escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Koskenkorva shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Soldier as he jumps to the side.
Soldier lands with a kick to the temple. Koskenkorva shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Soldier moves into the clinch successfully.
Soldier creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Koskenkorva's defenses.
Koskenkorva can't get the takedown.
Koskenkorva takes an elbow to the temple.
Soldier lands an elbow just above Koskenkorva 's eye.
Soldier is stalling here.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soldier lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Koskenkorva backs up against the cage.

Soldier lands a big head kick that sends Koskenkorva tumbling to the mat! Soldier takes a step backwards and waves Koskenkorva back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Mike Soldier is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Soldier wants to clinch.

Soldier drives through and clinches with Koskenkorva against the cage.
Soldier stalls.
Soldier comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Koskenkorva tries to score a body lock takedown but Soldier shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Soldier gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Soldier gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Koskenkorva.
Soldier is pushing Koskenkorva up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Soldier lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soldier lands an elbow inside that Koskenkorva shrugs off.

Soldier's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Soldier misses with a jab, cross combination.
Koskenkorva shoots in and drives through. Soldier sprawls well.

Soldier gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Soldier lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Soldier manages to break the clinch.
Soldier stalks Koskenkorva and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Koskenkorva's face. Koskenkorva staggers backwards, shaken.
Soldier throws a nice head kick!
Soldier tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Koskenkorva circles away from the clinch attempt.
The crowd cheers as Soldier lands an impressive looking overhand right. Koskenkorva doesn't seem phased though.

Soldier gets a clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Soldier lands an elbow that stopped Koskenkorva in his tracks for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Soldier dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Armas Koskenkorva's cut.
That's time! Soldier's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Soldier's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Soldier duly obliges.

Soldier lands a left and a right that send Koskenkorva crashing to the mat, dazed. Soldier thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Koskenkorva is rocked!
Soldier throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Soldier throws a right and a left that Koskenkorva avoids nicely.
Mike Soldier is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Soldier gets a clinch.
Koskenkorva tries for a takedown but Soldier manages to get underhooks.
Soldier lands a damaging elbow.
Soldier lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Koskenkorva is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Soldier pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Soldier escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Koskenkorva avoids a punch combination nicely.

Soldier instigates a clinch.
Koskenkorva takes an elbow to the forehead.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Soldier.
Koskenkorva has Soldier pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Soldier manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Mike Soldier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Armas Koskenkorva.

Soldier breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Soldier tries to clinch there but Koskenkorva circles away.
Koskenkorva is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koskenkorva takes a kick to the side of the head.
Koskenkorva takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Soldier has taken the fight to the clinch.
Soldier lands an elbow inside.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Soldier takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Soldier breaks the clinch.
Soldier lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Soldier is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Koskenkorva can do to turn this around?

Soldier moves into the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Soldier lands an elbow inside that Koskenkorva shrugs off.
Soldier lands a nice elbow.
Soldier lands an elbow inside.
Soldier lands an elbow that stopped Koskenkorva in his tracks for a moment.

Soldier breaks from the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Koskenkorva wants a takedown.
Koskenkorva goes for a takedown in the clinch but Soldier prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soldier creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Koskenkorva's defenses.
Nice elbow from Soldier.
Koskenkorva is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Soldier pulls him back up using the underhooks.
The referee is keeping an eye on Soldier - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Soldier comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Soldier stalls.
Koskenkorva is trying to drag Soldier to the mat but Soldier just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Soldier lands a damaging elbow.
Soldier lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Soldier manages to break the clinch.
Soldier lands with a nice combination. Koskenkorva backs away looking to recover.
Soldier doesn't manage to clinch there - Koskenkorva circles away.
Koskenkorva misses with a double jab
and Soldier counters with a two punch combo.

Soldier has Koskenkorva up against the cage in a clinch.
Koskenkorva is trying to drag Soldier to the mat but Soldier just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Soldier escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Soldier rushes Koskenkorva and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Soldier escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Soldier gets a clinch.
Koskenkorva goes for a takedown attempt but Soldier pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Soldier tries to clinch up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Soldier has taken the fight to the clinch.
Koskenkorva drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Soldier breaks the clinch.
Soldier tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Soldier clinches.
Soldier lands an elbow just above Koskenkorva 's eye.
Soldier lands an elbow just above Koskenkorva 's eye.

Soldier pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Soldier moves into the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Koskenkorva letting Soldier take a breather here.
Koskenkorva is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Soldier gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Koskenkorva letting Soldier take a breather here.
Soldier lands an elbow inside that Koskenkorva shrugs off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Soldier dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Armas Koskenkorva's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Soldier lands a head shot.
Soldier stuffs the takedown attempt from Koskenkorva. Koskenkorva gets slowly back to his feet.
Soldier fails to land with a series of punches.

Soldier closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Soldier taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Koskenkorva can't get the takedown.

Soldier breaks from the clinch.
Koskenkorva misses with the combination.
Soldier misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Koskenkorva blocks a head kick by Soldier.
Soldier misses with a few strikes there.
Mike Soldier is winning the standup battle so far.
Koskenkorva avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Koskenkorva throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Soldier's waist but Soldier gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Koskenkorva off to one side.
Mike Soldier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Armas Koskenkorva.
Koskenkorva takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Soldier fails in his attempt to clinch.
Koskenkorva closes the distance but Soldier moves to the side

and Soldier moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Soldier's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Soldier clinches.

Soldier manages to break the clinch.
Soldier tries to close the distance and clinch but Koskenkorva swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Koskenkorva crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Soldier - the referee stops the clock and Koskenkorva gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Soldier. Koskenkorva manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

Soldier clinches with his opponent.
Soldier lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Soldier lands an elbow that stopped Koskenkorva in his tracks for a moment.
Nice elbow from Soldier.

Soldier breaks from the clinch.

Soldier clinches with his opponent.

Soldier's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Armas Koskenkorva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Soldier throws a head kick but Koskenkorva moves out of range.

Koskenkorva tries to keep at a distance but Soldier has taken the fight into the clinch.
Soldier just leaning against Koskenkorva, taking a breather.
Soldier gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Koskenkorva.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koskenkorva is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Soldier's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Soldier fails with an attempt to clinch.
Koskenkorva misses with a double jab

and Soldier holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Soldier comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Koskenkorva drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Soldier gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Soldier manages to break the clinch.

Soldier rushes Koskenkorva and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Soldier manages to break the clinch.
Soldier is looking to clinch but Koskenkorva is avoiding it.
Soldier is looking to clinch.

Soldier gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soldier gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Koskenkorva.

Soldier breaks from the clinch.
Armas Koskenkorva has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Soldier is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Koskenkorva shoots for a takedown but Soldier saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Soldier has Koskenkorva up against the cage in a clinch.
Soldier gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Soldier lands an elbow inside.
Koskenkorva is trying to drag Soldier to the mat but Soldier just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Soldier comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Soldier lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Soldier pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four 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.
Soldier looks to clinch
and Koskenkorva cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Soldier fails to land with a series of punches.

Soldier clinches up with Koskenkorva and pushes him back against the cage.
Koskenkorva throws a punch but it's blocked by Soldier.

Soldier breaks the clinch.
A combination from Koskenkorva does no damage.

Soldier takes the fight into the clinch.

Soldier's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mike Soldier is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Soldier rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Koskenkorva moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Soldier moves in looking to clinch but Koskenkorva pushes him off.

Soldier fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Koskenkorva, pushing him back against the cage.

Soldier breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Koskenkorva throws a left and a right that both miss
and Soldier counters with a head kick. That will keep Koskenkorva thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

Soldier rushes Koskenkorva and presses him up against the cage.
Soldier lands an elbow just above Koskenkorva 's eye.
Koskenkorva has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Soldier avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Koskenkorva doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Soldier showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Soldier, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:24
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:24
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Soldier!