PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Roman Empire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sumali Prasoetram (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Empire kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Protectors of the Earth. Prasoetram has chosen The Way I Feel as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Empire
vs
Prasoetram

188 cm
28
181 lbs
10 - 8 - 0

188 cm
23
200 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
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 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Roman Empire!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Sumali Prasoetram!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Empire instigates a clinch.
Empire is trying to push Prasoetram away but Prasoetram has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Empire avoids a wild elbow strike from Prasoetram.
Empire looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Empire avoids the elbow strike from Prasoetram, against the cage.
Empire avoids a wild elbow strike from Prasoetram.

Empire escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Empire lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Prasoetram goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Prasoetram closes the distance but Empire moves to the side

and Empire holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Prasoetram throws an elbow but it misses.
Nice elbow from Prasoetram.
Empire on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Empire avoids a wild elbow strike from Prasoetram.
Prasoetram throws an elbow but it misses.
Prasoetram jumps guard but Empire stands there with Prasoetram around his waist. Prasoetram gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Empire tries for a takedown but Prasoetram manages to get underhooks.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Prasoetram obliges.

Empire breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Empire lands with a good body shot.
Empire blocks a head kick by Prasoetram.
Empire throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A head kick misses from Prasoetram.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Prasoetram looks to clinch

and Empire counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Prasoetram's guard now.
Prasoetram is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Prasoetram keeping full guard, as Empire tries to pass.
Empire is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Empire sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Prasoetram's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Empire seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Prasoetram on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Empire scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Prasoetram tries to kick Empire off but Empire keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Prasoetram keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Prasoetram is trying to stand back up but Empire is controlling him
Prasoetram looks gassed!
Empire working over Prasoetram with some ground and pound. Prasoetram looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Empire thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Prasoetram's head.
Empire is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Empire seems to be working for a kimura but Prasoetram defends the submission attempt.
Empire missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Empire not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Empire prevents Prasoetram from standing back up.

Empire seems to be looking for submissions.

Empire wants to work for an arm triangle but Prasoetram is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Prasoetram wants to get back to his feet.
Empire 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.
Prasoetram is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Empire lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Prasoetram blocking the ground and pound attempt from Empire.
Prasoetram is trying to stand back up but Empire is controlling him
Empire winds up and cracks Prasoetram with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Empire moves into full mount! Prasoetram won't be happy about that!
Empire landing strikes from the mount.
Prasoetram keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Empire landing punches.
Prasoetram is bucking up trying to escape but Empire cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Empire lands with some strikes.
Prasoetram squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
A nice elbow there by Empire.
Empire dominating with strikes here.

Empire is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Prasoetram has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Empire lands a big shot there that rocks Prasoetram but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
A nice elbow there by Empire.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Empire landing shots from mount.
Empire punishing his opponent with strikes.
Prasoetram's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Empire has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Prasoetram's face.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Empire cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Empire working the ground and pound effectively.
Prasoetram in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Prasoetram wants to try and get back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Empire breaks from Prasoetram's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Empire won't let Prasoetram get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
BOOM! Empire connects with a massive shot to the dome!
A nice elbow there by Empire.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Empire cracks Prasoetram with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Prasoetram wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
BOOM! Empire connects with a massive shot to the dome!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Prasoetram throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Empire.
Prasoetram tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Empire counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Prasoetram thinking.

Empire drives through and clinches with Prasoetram against the cage.
Empire has had enough of the clinch but Prasoetram keeps him there for the moment.
Empire avoids a wild elbow strike from Prasoetram.
Prasoetram tries to pull guard but Empire won't allow it.
Empire wants a takedown but no success here.
Empire blocks the elbow strike.
Prasoetram pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Prasoetram lands with a right to the head.
Prasoetram lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Empire wants to break free but Prasoetram has control.
Empire blocks an elbow strike from Prasoetram.
Prasoetram looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Empire pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Prasoetram is breathing heavily.
Prasoetram falls off balance throwing a combination

and Empire counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Empire prevents Prasoetram from standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Empire takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Empire drops an elbow to the side of Prasoetram's head.
Prasoetram is trying to stand back up but Empire is controlling him

Empire is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Prasoetram defends it well.
Prasoetram is trying to stand back up but Empire is controlling him

Empire is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Prasoetram has managed to free his arm - good work.
Empire lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Empire wants to work for an arm triangle but Prasoetram is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Empire throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Empire stops Prasoetram from getting back to his feet.
Empire looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Prasoetram is trying to stand back up but Empire is controlling him

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Empire is trying to work for a kimura but Prasoetram is defending well.
Ground and pound from Empire.

Prasoetram kicks off Empire and gets to his feet.
Prasoetram tries to clinch but fails miserably
letting Empire counter with a right hand.

Empire instigates a clinch.
Empire looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Prasoetram pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Empire can't break the clinch.
Prasoetram looking to slow down the pace here.

Empire breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Prasoetram looks to clinch
and Empire counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Prasoetram looks to clinch

and Empire moves into the clinch.

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

Empire closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Empire changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Prasoetram fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Prasoetram tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Empire connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Empire wants to clinch.
Prasoetram tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Empire counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Prasoetram tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Empire counters with a series of strikes. Prasoetram will be more careful next time no doubt.
Empire avoids the head kick by Prasoetram.

Prasoetram clinches up with Empire and pushes him back against the cage.
Empire is trying to break the clinch but Prasoetram has him pressed against the cage.
Prasoetram misses with an elbow strike.
Empire letting Prasoetram take a breather here.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Prasoetram.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Prasoetram just misses with a elbow thrown towards Empire's brow.
Empire blocks an elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Empire gets control of Prasoetram's arms and successfully pulls guard. Empire will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Empire wants to stand and escape but Prasoetram is having none of it.
Empire working a defensive guard here.

Prasoetram stands up from Empire's guard - Prasoetram perhaps looking for a knockout.
Prasoetram moves to clinch but Empire breaks away
enabling Empire to counter with a crisp jab.
Prasoetram wants to clinch but Empire slips to the side
and Empire counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Prasoetram tries to clinch up
and Empire counters with a stiff right hand.
Empire lands a head shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Empire swings for the body but Prasoetram moves out of range.
Prasoetram moves to clinch but Empire breaks away
and Empire counters with a left and a right that stings Prasoetram.
Prasoetram takes a jab right on the kisser.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Prasoetram clinches.
Empire blocks the elbow strike.
Empire avoids the elbow strike from Prasoetram, against the cage.
Prasoetram creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Prasoetram throws an elbow but misses.
Prasoetram misses with an elbow strike.
Prasoetram misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Empire.
Prasoetram throws an elbow that misses.
Prasoetram stops a takedown attempt from Empire.
Empire is trying to push Prasoetram away but Prasoetram has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Empire breaks from the clinch.
Prasoetram closes the distance but Empire moves to the side

and Empire counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Prasoetram throws an elbow that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Prasoetram goes for a takedown attempt but Empire pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Prasoetram has his takedown stuffed
and Empire counters with a left and a right that stings Prasoetram.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Empire moves into the clinch.
Prasoetram throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Empire has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Prasoetram regains guard immediately.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Empire drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Empire jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Empire lands a couple of digs.
Roman Empire overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Prasoetram wants to stand up but Empire is controlling him.
Empire tries to free his leg and advance position but Prasoetram is retaining full guard.

Prasoetram wriggles free and stands up.

Empire clinches with his opponent.

Empire has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Prasoetram is trying to keep an underhook but Empire manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Prasoetram is trying to stand.
Empire working the head and body with strikes.
Prasoetram tries to kick Empire off but Empire keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Empire scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Empire is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Prasoetram gets full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Prasoetram wriggles free and stands up.
Prasoetram tries to clinch up

and Empire counters by moving into the clinch.
Prasoetram misses with an elbow over the top.

Empire breaks from the clinch.
Prasoetram tries to clinch

and Empire counters by clinching up.
Prasoetram creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Prasoetram lands a nice elbow.

Empire wants the takedown. Prasoetram is fighting it off but Empire persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Prasoetram's guard against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Empire thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Empire throws a big right hand that misses.

Prasoetram has his feet on Empire's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Prasoetram wants to clinch but Empire slips to the side

and Empire counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Prasoetram!
Empire with good strikes from the mount here!
You get the feeling that Prasoetram really doesn't like being in this position too much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Prasoetram somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
Prasoetram throws a head kick but Empire moves out of range.

Prasoetram moves into range and clinches up with Empire.
Prasoetram creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Prasoetram doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Empire wants to break the clinch but can't.
Empire dodges an elbow strike from Prasoetram.
Empire has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Prasoetram avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Prasoetram controlling the action here for a moment.
Nice elbow from Prasoetram.
Prasoetram misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Empire.
Prasoetram throws an elbow but it misses.
Empire can't break the clinch.

Empire has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Prasoetram clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Prasoetram covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Sumali Prasoetram has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Empire working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Empire is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Prasoetram up.
Prasoetram wants to get back to his feet.
Prasoetram covers up after that shot from Empire.

Empire is persistently looking for the submission but Prasoetram is defending it well.
Prasoetram is trying to get back to his feet but Empire has full control of the position and if anything, Prasoetram has just worked his way into a worse spot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Empire has the hooks in. Prasoetram is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Roman Empire is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Prasoetram manages to reverse the position and now he's in Empire's guard. Nice work there by Prasoetram.

Empire is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roman Empire showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Empire has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roman Empire!