PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Simon Gustafsson (ranked 8 p4p, 27 weight class) and Yka Sonni (ranked 2 p4p, 5 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gustafsson
vs
Sonni

200 cm
35
213
30 - 18 - 0

175 cm
30
205
17 - 5 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
New Standard

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 18 - 0, fighting out of London, Simon Gustafsson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Yka Sonni!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sonni throws a body kick that misses.
Gustafsson looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Gustafsson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Sonni counters with a stiff right hand.

It looks like Simon Gustafsson has been cut.
Sonni misses with a body shot.
Gustafsson changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Sonni thumps Gustafsson with a low kick.
Sonni with a jab.
Yka Sonni seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sonni is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gustafsson.
Gustafsson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sonni avoids it really well and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gustafsson moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustafsson avoids a kick to the body.
Sonni wants to land a leg kick but Gustafsson is out of range.

Sonni forces Gustafsson back against the cage and clinches.
Sonni tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Gustafsson tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simon Gustafsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gustafsson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gustafsson tries to score a body lock takedown but Sonni shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sonni misses with a punch to the body.
Sonni misses with the head strike.

Gustafsson has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Sonni is trying to keep an underhook but Gustafsson manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Gustafsson trying to work for an americana but Sonni has managed to regain full guard.
Sonni controls Gustafsson momentarily but Gustafsson frees himself.
Gustafsson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Gustafsson postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Sonni is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Gustafsson, into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonni postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Gustafsson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sonni gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sonni working some strikes from top position.
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!
Sonni working some strikes from top position.

Gustafsson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sonni is aware though and is defending well.
Gustafsson keeping moving, preventing Sonni from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonni is in close to Gustafsson's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Sonni is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Sonni lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Gustafsson has an active guard here but Sonni has managed to pass into half guard.
Sonni trying to control the action but Gustafsson is working from the bottom.
Sonni not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Gustafsson wants to get back to full guard.
Gustafsson moves into full guard.

Gustafsson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sonni postures up and lands a big shot to Gustafsson's brow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gustafsson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sonni is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Gustafsson looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Sonni has picked Gustafsson up and slammed him! Gustafsson can't keep hold of the triangle and Sonni manages to pass to side control!
Gustafsson is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Sonni's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Gustafsson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Gustafsson looking for a kimura from the bottom but Sonni passes into side control!
Sonni wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gustafsson keeps working.
Gustafsson is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yka Sonni dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Simon Gustafsson's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Gustafsson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Sonni counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sonni takes a swing at Gustafsson's ribcage but misses.
Sonni looks to land a left hand but Gustafsson moved out of range nicely.
Sonni throws a chopping leg kick but Gustafsson manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Sonni has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sonni pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sonni scores with a hook to the body. Gustafsson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Sonni has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Sonni shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Gustafsson tries to counter with a takedown but Sonni is quick to defend against it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gustafsson slips under a jab from Sonni.
Gustafsson moves out of range as Sonni throws a body kick.
Sonni throws a predictable looking body shot

and Gustafsson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Sonni won't be happy with that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustafsson throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Gustafsson creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Sonni sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Gustafsson in side control, throwing shots but Sonni defends.

Gustafsson looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Gustafsson is trying to get an arm triangle but Sonni is defending well.
Sonni struggling a bit here.

Gustafsson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Gustafsson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Sonni, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gustafsson goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Sonni has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Gustafsson but great work by Sonni.
Gustafsson gets back to half guard.
Gustafsson is looking to improve his position.

Gustafsson looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Sonni pushes past his half guard into mount!
Gustafsson is trying to escape the mount.
Sonni trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Sonni landing strikes, looking to finish!
Sonni prevents Gustafsson from getting the reversal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonni landing strikes, looking to finish!
Gustafsson gets back to half guard.
Gustafsson is looking for a sweep. Sonni is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Gustafsson looking for submissions off his back.
Gustafsson is trying to get back to full guard.
Sonni working the head and body with strikes.
Sonni working over Gustafsson with some ground and pound. Gustafsson looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Sonni throwing shots but Gustafsson is blocking nicely.
Gustafsson is looking to get back to full guard here but Sonni has managed to pass to side control instead.
Sonni in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Sonni working the head and body with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Sonni wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gustafsson is working hard here to advance position.
Sonni is chipping away with strikes.
Sonni grinds an elbow into Gustafsson's temple.
Gustafsson is looking for a sweep.
Gustafsson gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Sonni is nestled in close to Gustafsson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Gustafsson tries to get to full guard but Sonni has control of the leg.
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!
Sonni uses his free foot to push down on Gustafsson's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Gustafsson.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yka Sonni showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Simon Gustafsson's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sonni throws a nice inside leg kick.
Sonni is looking to chop away at Gustafsson's legs.
Sonni just misses with a punch to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sonni.
Nice takedown defense from Sonni. No joy for Gustafsson on that attempt.
Sonni misses with an uppercut. Gustafsson saw that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gustafsson closes the distance and clinches up with Sonni, looking for a takedown. Gustafsson pushes Sonni against the cage but Sonni circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Gustafsson fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simon Gustafsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonni lands a right hook to the body.
Gustafsson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sonni pinned against the cage. Sonni gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A nice leg kick from Sonni, right into the meat of the thigh.

Sonni gets a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonni tries to throw a body punch but Gustafsson avoids it by throwing Sonni back against the cage.
Sonni prevents the takedown attempt.
Gustafsson tries to score a body lock takedown but Sonni shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sonni lands a nice uppercut.
Gustafsson jumps guard but Sonni turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Gustafsson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sonni is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sonni prevents the takedown attempt.
Gustafsson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sonni pulls his leg out and moves away.

Sonni clinches up against the cage.
Sonni tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gustafsson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sonni avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Sonni prevents the takedown attempt.
Sonni lands a right hand.
Sonni lands a shoulder strike.
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!
Sonni gets underhooks to prevent Gustafsson's takedown attempt.
Sonni stalling in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sonni avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Gustafsson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A head punch on the inside from Sonni fails to land.
A head punch on the inside from Sonni fails to land.
Gustafsson is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Sonni is defending well.
Gustafsson wants a takedown but no success here.
Sonni tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Yka Sonni seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Sonni throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gustafssons head.
A nice left hand lands by Sonni.
Sonni digs a right hand into Gustafsson's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Gustafsson's gas tank.
Sonni stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Come on Sonni - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Sonni misses with a punch on the inside.
Sonni pushes Gustafsson back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Sonni throws a head punch that misses.
Gustafsson is trying to drag Sonni to the mat but Sonni just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Sonni makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson takes a shot to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sonni.
This has been an exciting period of action!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sonni.
Gustafsson blocks an uppercut.
Sonni throws a punch but it's blocked by Gustafsson.
Sonni lands a hook that snaps the head of Gustafsson backwards.
Sonni misses with some punches.
Sonni working aggressively here.

Gustafsson is trying to trip Sonni. He has hold of a leg but Sonni is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Gustafsson persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Gustafsson wants to pass the guard but Sonni is keeping the position.
Sonni managing to control the position.
Sonni trying to keep a closed guard but Gustafsson is proving a slippery customer.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yka Sonni really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Simon Gustafsson's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sonni just misses with a punch to the body.
Sonni lands an overhand right.
Sonni misses with a leg kick

and Gustafsson counters with a shoot takedown. Sonni fights it but they end up in guard.
Sonni trying to keep a closed guard but Gustafsson is proving a slippery customer.
Gustafsson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Gustafsson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Sonni dives on top into guard.

Gustafsson throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Yka Sonni has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gustafsson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gustafsson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustafsson keeping moving, preventing Sonni from controlling successfully.

Gustafsson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sonni doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sonni manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sonni sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Gustafsson 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Gustafsson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Gustafsson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Sonni passes into half guard.

Gustafsson actively working from the bottom here.

Sonni seems to be looking for submissions.
Sonni lands with a punch from half guard.
Sonni blocks the strikes from Gustafsson.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Sonni wants to pass the guard but Gustafsson is defending well.
Gustafsson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gustafsson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson wants to hit a sweep here but Sonni passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Gustafsson there!
Gustafsson is trying desperately to improve position.
Sonni raining down hammerfists from mount.
Sonni landing shots from mount.
Gustafsson can't escape the position.
Sonni looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

Gustafsson is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonni looking to finish Gustafsson with some ground and pound. This is bad for Gustafsson!
Oh Gustafsson is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Sonni looking to control but Gustafsson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Sonni connects with a bit shot that sees Gustafsson covering up! More strikes from Sonni and the referee jumps in to stop the fight! Sonni is our winner by TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:24 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Yka Sonni!
Yka Sonni is the new light heavyweight champion!
A victorious Yka Sonni thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.