PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Albert Hall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Niko Sirkiä (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hall comes to the cage accompanied by Mama Said Knock You Out. Sirkiä has chosen Thergothon - Elemental as his entrance music. Albert Hall has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Hall
vs
Sirkiä

198 cm
35
240 lbs
21 - 21 - 1

178 cm
27
228 lbs
20 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
World class boxer
Granite chin

Steel Penn's All 160

Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 21 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Albert Hall!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Niko Sirkiä!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hall wants to clinch but Sirkiä slips to the side

and Sirkiä counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Hall's guard now.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Sirkiä won't allow Hall to get back to his feet.
Hall keeping moving, preventing Sirkiä from controlling successfully.
Sirkiä won't allow Hall to get back to his feet.
Sirkiä is working Hall over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Hall is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Sirkiä has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sirkiä trying to control but Hall is working from the bottom.
Sirkiä showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sirkiä won't allow Hall to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sirkiä postures up in Hall's guard and throws a big left but Hall blocks it.
Hall tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hall wants to stand but Sirkiä is controlling the position.
Hall is trying to control the position but Sirkiä postures up.
Sirkiä sitting in guard here, content to control.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Hall wants to clinch but Sirkiä slips to the side
letting Sirkiä counter with a right hand.

It looks like Albert Hall has been cut.
Hall looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Hall gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sirkiä misses with a hook from the clinch.

Sirkiä has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Hall clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hall trying to control the hands but Sirkiä breaks the grip.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sirkiä cracks Hall with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Hall from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.
Sirkiä not allowing Hall to control his hands.
Sirkiä tries to get the hooks in deep but Hall pushed the leg off.
The referee is taking a good look at Hall as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Sirkiä!
Hall looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hall is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Sirkiä gets his way!

Sirkiä is working the back position looking for the choke. Oh, he's slid into an armbar! Beautiful transition and Hall taps out! Fantastic Jiu Jitsu from Sirkiä.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:24 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Niko Sirkiä! Niko Sirkiä retains his heavyweight title!
Niko Sirkiä seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.