PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Seppo Sulkijalihas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Clayman Ironchin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sulkijalihas comes into the arena with SMC Hoodrats blaring out of the sound system. Ironchin has chosen Glamorous as his entrance music. This should be a great matchup!

Sulkijalihas
vs
Ironchin

170 cm
24
160 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

180 cm
24
161 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Seppo Sulkijalihas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Clayman Ironchin!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ironchin doesn't manage to clinch there - Sulkijalihas circles away.
Sulkijalihas throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Ironchin has closed the distance and engaged Sulkijalihas in a clinch.

Ironchin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sulkijalihas moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Sulkijalihas throws a sloppy head kick and Ironchin moves out of range easily.
Sulkijalihas blocks a head kick by Ironchin.
Ironchin throws a head kick but Sulkijalihas moves out of range.
Sulkijalihas throws a head kick that misses

and Ironchin counters by clinching up.

Ironchin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sulkijalihas throws an overhand right that lands on Ironchin's shoulder, as Ironchin tries to avoid the shot.
A head kick misses from Sulkijalihas.
Sulkijalihas misses with a head kick.
Sulkijalihas fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Sulkijalihas jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Sulkijalihas throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Ironchin counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ironchin prevents Sulkijalihas from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sulkijalihas wants to sweep here but Ironchin controlling him for the moment.

Sulkijalihas uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Ironchin gets a clinch.

Ironchin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Seppo Sulkijalihas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Sulkijalihas closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ironchin to the mat! Ironchin manages to get full guard.

Sulkijalihas drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Ironchin manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Sulkijalihas has Ironchin in his guard.
Ironchin trying to control the position from guard on top but Sulkijalihas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ironchin advances position into side control!
Sulkijalihas tries to escape but Ironchin is in control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sulkijalihas looks to move to half guard but instead Ironchin has passed into mount! Damn!

Ironchin looking for a guillotine from mount but Sulkijalihas is having none of it.
Sulkijalihas is working to get back to half guard.
Sulkijalihas trying desperately to get to his feet.
Sulkijalihas is trying desperately to improve position.
Sulkijalihas is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Ironchin tries to control but Sulkijalihas wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ironchin is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Ironchin is looking to clinch but Sulkijalihas is avoiding it.
Sulkijalihas tries to clinch but Ironchin moves away

and Ironchin counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Ironchin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sulkijalihas is keeping the position for now.

Ironchin is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Ironchin looks gassed!

Sulkijalihas is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ironchin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sulkijalihas is keeping the position for now.
Sulkijalihas 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 four minutes gone in the round.

Sulkijalihas wriggles free and stands up.
Sulkijalihas throws a head kick that misses

and Ironchin counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ironchin.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Sulkijalihas takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Sulkijalihas tries to circle away but Ironchin has him pinned against the cage.

Ironchin pulls guard.
Ironchin has a closed guard, preventing Sulkijalihas from standing up.
Ironchin keeping full guard, as Sulkijalihas tries to pass.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ironchin looking for a guillotine here but Sulkijalihas defends easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sulkijalihas would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A head kick misses from Sulkijalihas.
Ironchin tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sulkijalihas swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Sulkijalihas shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Ironchin napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Ironchin throws Sulkijalihas to one side and escapes!
Ironchin tries to clinch up but Sulkijalihas circles away and keeps his distance.
Sulkijalihas throws a sloppy head kick

and Ironchin counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Sulkijalihas's guard now.
Ironchin stops Sulkijalihas from standing up.
Ironchin postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Sulkijalihas has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Ironchin has passed into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sulkijalihas tries to buck Ironchin off but Ironchin is having none of it.

Ironchin thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
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!
Sulkijalihas manages to work his way to half guard, despite Ironchin's best efforts.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ironchin looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Sulkijalihas won't allow Ironchin to pass to mount.
Sulkijalihas wants to get back to his feet.
Sulkijalihas moves into full guard.
Ironchin tries to stand but Sulkijalihas is controlling from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Sulkijalihas is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Sulkijalihas shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ironchin manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Ironchin is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Ironchin working for submissions but it's allowed Sulkijalihas to get to half guard.

Sulkijalihas is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ironchin sees it coming and defends easily.
Ironchin moves into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sulkijalihas throws and elbow that misses. Ironchin uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sulkijalihas's guard. Nice move by Ironchin!
Sulkijalihas wants to stand and escape but Ironchin is having none of it.
Clayman Ironchin has got the better of the ground game so far.

Sulkijalihas has his foot on Ironchin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ironchin works his way back into a safe position though.
Ironchin wants to control from the top but Sulkijalihas keeps moving.
Ironchin advances to half guard.
Sulkijalihas wants to get back to his feet.

Ironchin stands up out of the half guard.
Seppo Sulkijalihas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sulkijalihas throws a sloppy head kick

and Ironchin counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Ironchin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sulkijalihas looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ironchin pushing down on Sulkijalihas's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Sulkijalihas tries to kick Ironchin off but Ironchin keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Sulkijalihas is trying to get back to full guard.
Ironchin prevents Sulkijalihas from standing back up.
Sulkijalihas is looking to get back to is feet but Ironchin passes into side control.
Sulkijalihas is being controlled here.

Ironchin wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Sulkijalihas, who protects the arm well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sulkijalihas pushes Ironchin away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Ironchin gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Clayman Ironchin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Sulkijalihas looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Ironchin keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sulkijalihas's efforts to push away.

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

Ironchin shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Sulkijalihas's guard.
Ironchin controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Ironchin sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Sulkijalihas's guard.
Sulkijalihas is trying to stand back up but Ironchin is controlling him

Sulkijalihas kicks off Ironchin and gets to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ironchin dives in and grabs Sulkijalihas's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sulkijalihas pushes down on Ironchin's head and hops out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sulkijalihas misses with a double jab
and Ironchin makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Ironchin tries a head kick but it misses.
Sulkijalihas throws a head kick that misses
and Ironchin counters with a head kick.

Ironchin gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Sulkijalihas stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Sulkijalihas misses with a kick to the body.
Sulkijalihas misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sulkijalihas throws a sloppy head kick and Ironchin moves out of range easily.

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

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

Sulkijalihas drives through and clinches with Ironchin against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ironchin wants a takedown.
Sulkijalihas working hard to break the clinch.
Ironchin is trying to drag Sulkijalihas to the mat but Sulkijalihas just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Seppo Sulkijalihas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Clayman Ironchin.
Sulkijalihas wants to break free but Ironchin has control.
Ironchin wants a takedown.

Sulkijalihas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sulkijalihas tries a head kick but it misses.
Sulkijalihas looks to score with a jab to the body but Ironchin is just out of range.
Sulkijalihas throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Ironchin.
Ironchin fails with the takedown.
Sulkijalihas shoots in and drives through. Ironchin sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sulkijalihas avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ironchin tries to clinch up but Sulkijalihas circles away and keeps his distance.
Sulkijalihas throws a head kick but Ironchin moves out of range.
Ironchin is looking to clinch but Sulkijalihas is avoiding it.
Sulkijalihas avoids the head kick by Ironchin.
No joy there for Sulkijalihas, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ironchin tries to clinch but Sulkijalihas is having none of it.
Sulkijalihas lands with a slapping head kick.
Sulkijalihas throws a looping overhand right but Ironchin ducks down to avoid it.
Ironchin with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Sulkijalihas to counter with a crisp jab.

Sulkijalihas shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Ironchin is trying to defend but Sulkijalihas finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Sulkijalihas decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sulkijalihas throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sulkijalihas throws a sloppy head kick

and Ironchin counters with a takedown into side control.
Seppo Sulkijalihas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sulkijalihas is not content to let Ironchin control the position.
Sulkijalihas is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Ironchin's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Sulkijalihas looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ironchin prevents Sulkijalihas from standing back up.
Clayman Ironchin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sulkijalihas punching from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Seppo Sulkijalihas.
I think Ironchin has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Clayman Ironchin!