PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sauli Somelainen (ranked 1516 p4p, 1698 weight class) and Louis Princip (ranked 203 p4p, 227 weight class). Princip is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Lord of This World by Black Sabbath. 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.

Somelainen
vs
Princip

181 cm
30
166
11 - 10 - 2

183 cm
42
165
30 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

HELLBENT

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
© Trap House

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sauli Somelainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Louis Princip!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Daniel Cesar and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Somelainen throws a head kick that Princip semi-blocks.
Princip is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Somelainen.

Somelainen shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Princip manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Princip wants to stand up but Somelainen is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Somelainen not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Somelainen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Princip is keeping the position for now.
Somelainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Princip is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Somelainen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Somelainen scoring with punches to the head and body.
Somelainen distracts Princip with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Princip throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Somelainen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Somelainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Princip is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Somelainen tries to free his leg and advance position but Princip is retaining full guard.
Princip is trying to keep Somelainen in close.
Somelainen preventing the sweep.
Somelainen 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.
Princip is still trying to improve position.
Somelainen trying to control but Princip is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Somelainen cracks Princip with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Somelainen scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Princip is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Somelainen has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Princip is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Somelainen's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Somelainen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Somelainen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Somelainen lands strikes from half guard.
Somelainen is just content to waste time from the top position. Princip takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Princip 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.
Somelainen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Princip wants to sweep here but Somelainen controlling him for the moment.
Somelainen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Princip is trying to control the position but Somelainen postures up.
Somelainen stands and throws Princip's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Somelainen is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Princip is trying to escape and Somelainen transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Princip is forced to tap! Nice work there by Somelainen! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Sauli Somelainen!
During a confident post fight interview, Sauli Somelainen thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
Louis Princip was interviewed post fight and said 'Oh no, I lost! I'm not gonna get cut am I?'.