PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Oliver Klosov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eugeni Sokolov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Oliver Klosov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Klosov
vs
Sokolov

194 cm
18
250 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

200 cm
18
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Oliver Klosov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Eugeni Sokolov!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Sergei Dronov and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Klosov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sokolov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Klosov tries to clinch but Sokolov is having none of it.
Klosov tries to clinch but Sokolov is having none of it.
Klosov fails in his attempt to clinch.
A head kick misses from Klosov.
Klosov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sokolov paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Sokolov drives through and clinches with Klosov against the cage.
Klosov is struggling to control the position.
Sokolov is trying to force a seperation but Klosov has the dominant position.
Klosov tries to break free but Sokolov pushes him back against the cage.
Klosov can't break the clinch.

Klosov is fighting off a takedown attempt but Sokolov is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Klosov to the mat. Klosov regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Klosov is looking to stand up but Sokolov isn't so interested in that idea.
Sokolov's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Sokolov gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Klosov wants to clinch up but Sokolov keeps it at a distance.

Sokolov moves into range and clinches up with Klosov.
Klosov stalling against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Klosov wants to stall.
Sokolov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Klosov has him pressed against the cage.
Sokolov tries to break free but Klosov pushes him back against the cage.
Klosov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sokolov backwards.
With the fighters up against the cage, Klosov throws an elbow but misses.
Sokolov tries to break the clinch but Klosov is controlling the position.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Klosov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sokolov.
Sokolov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Sokolov tries to score a body lock takedown but Klosov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Klosov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sokolov misses with a low kick.

Sokolov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sokolov scores with a shot to the side of Klosov's head.
Sokolov is trying to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov prevents Klosov from breaking the clinch.
Sokolov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Klosov wants to get back to striking at distance but Sokolov won't allow it.
Klosov keeps control of Sokolov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Klosov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Sokolov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Klosov walks away with a smile on his face. Sokolov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Klosov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Sokolov has closed the distance and engaged Klosov in a clinch.
Klosov cracks Sokolov with a nice body shot.
Klosov has Sokolov pressed against the cage, preventing Sokolov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Klosov lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Klosov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Klosov has Sokolov pressed against the cage, preventing Sokolov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Klosov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Oliver Klosov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Klosov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Sokolov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Klosov's half guard.
Sokolov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Klosov is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov is trying to control the action in half guard but Klosov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Sokolov trying to control the pace.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Sokolov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sokolov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Eugeni Sokolov was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Klosov fails to land with a series of punches.
Sokolov throws a right hand that Klosov ducks under and follows up with a left that Klosov also avoids with ease.

That's four 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.

Sokolov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Sokolov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Let's hope that Sokolov has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Sokolov is looking to stall here but Klosov recovers full guard.

Sokolov stands up and waves to Klosov to follow him.
Sokolov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Klosov's waist but Klosov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sokolov off to one side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A left and a right from Sokolov both land. Nice combination.
Sokolov misses with a series of wild punches.
Sokolov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sokolov misses with a low kick as Klosov jumps back.
Klosov loads up on a big right hand but Sokolov slips the punch.
Sokolov tried to score with a low kick but Klosov checks it.
Sokolov throws a right hand that Klosov ducks under and follows up with a left that Klosov also avoids with ease.
Sokolov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Klosov stuffs the takedown.
Klosov tries to clinch but Sokolov moves away
enabling Sokolov to counter with a crisp jab.
Sokolov throws a one two combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Klosov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sokolov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Klosov swivels and escapes.
Klosov darts in trying to clinch

and Sokolov counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Sokolov stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokolov tries to land a leg kick but Klosov saw it coming and moves away.

Sokolov clinches up against the cage.
Klosov tries a body shot but Sokolov blocks it.
Sokolov tries to break the clinch but Klosov is controlling the position.
Sokolov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Klosov has him pressed against the cage.
Klosov is looking to control Sokolov's arms but Sokolov gets an underhook and turns him. Now Klosov has his back to the cage.
Sokolov is looking to break free of the clinch but Klosov has double underhooks.
Sokolov is trying to break the clinch but Klosov is controlling him.
Klosov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Sokolov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Klosov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Oliver Klosov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eugeni Sokolov.
Sokolov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Sokolov tries for a takedown. No joy.
A frustrated look appears on Sokolov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Klosov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sokolov has him pressed against the cage.
Sokolov wants to break free but Klosov has control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Klosov has had enough of the clinch but Sokolov keeps him there for the moment.
Sokolov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Sokolov presses Klosov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Sokolov has had enough of the clinch but Klosov keeps him there for the moment.
Sokolov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Klosov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sokolov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Klosov has him pressed against the cage.
Sokolov is trying to break the clinch but Klosov has him pressed against the cage.
Sokolov is trying to break the clinch but Klosov has him pressed against the cage.
Sokolov jumps guard but Klosov stands there with Sokolov around his waist. Sokolov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Klosov prevents the takedown attempt.
Sokolov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Klosov struggles to land a body shot inside as Sokolov controls his hands.
Sokolov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Klosov smiles and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Klosov is out of range and Sokolov settles back down.
Klosov throws a predictable looking body shot
and Sokolov counters with a left and a right that stings Klosov.
Klosov checks a low kick from Sokolov.
Klosov clinches but Sokolov breaks the clinch
and Sokolov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sokolov throws a combination. Klosov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Sokolov drives through and clinches with Klosov against the cage.
Sokolov blocks an uppercut.
Klosov can't break the clinch.
Sokolov tries to pull guard but Klosov won't allow it.
Klosov is trying to break free.
Klosov is trying to stall.
Sokolov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Klosov working hard to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Sokolov lands with a short shot to the head.
Klosov has Sokolov pressed against the cage, preventing Sokolov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A frustrated look appears on Klosov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Sokolov is working for takedown but Klosov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Nice body punch from Sokolov - that landed with a thud.
Sokolov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Klosov has had enough of the clinch but Sokolov keeps him there for the moment.
Klosov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sokolov has him pressed against the cage.
Sokolov looking for a takedown.
Sokolov is trying to break the clinch but Klosov has him pressed against the cage.
Klosov prevents Sokolov from breaking the clinch.
Sokolov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Klosov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A short right from Sokolov.
Sokolov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Klosov has him pressed against the cage.
Sokolov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Sokolov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eugeni Sokolov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Sokolov throws a series of strikes that have Klosov backpedaling.
Sokolov misses with a series of wild punches.
Sokolov attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Sokolov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sokolov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Klosov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Sokolov has Klosov up against the cage in a clinch.

Klosov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sokolov keeps the fight on the outside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Klosov throws a leg kick that misses.
Klosov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sokolov closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Eugeni Sokolov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Klosov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sokolov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sokolov misses with a low kick as Klosov jumps back.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sokolov thuds his right hand into Klosov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokolov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sokolov lands a two punch combo.
Klosov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sokolov.
Klosov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Sokolov tests Klosov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Klosov tries to clinch
and Sokolov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Sokolov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sokolov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Klosov circles away.
Sokolov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sokolov wants it to stay on the feet.

Sokolov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Klosov, pushing him back against the cage.
Sokolov has had enough of the clinch but Klosov keeps him there for the moment.
Klosov gets underhooks to prevent Sokolov's takedown attempt.
Oliver Klosov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eugeni Sokolov.
A frustrated look appears on Sokolov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Klosov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Sokolov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Klosov prevents Sokolov from breaking the clinch.
Klosov cracks Sokolov with a nice body shot.
Sokolov is trying to force a seperation but Klosov has the dominant position.
Klosov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sokolov jumps guard but Klosov stands there with Sokolov around his waist. Sokolov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sokolov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Klosov has Sokolov pressed against the cage, preventing Sokolov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Sokolov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sokolov is trying to break the clinch but Klosov is controlling him.
Sokolov tries to circle away but Klosov has him pinned against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Sokolov.
Klosov looking to slow down the pace here.
Sokolov is trying to force a seperation but Klosov has the dominant position.

Sokolov pulls guard successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Klosov wants to get up but he can't break Sokolov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Sokolov is pulling down on Klosov's head. It's preventing any offense from Klosov, at least for the moment.

Sokolov scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Sokolov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Klosov wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Sokolov manages to pass to side control.
Sokolov stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Sokolov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Klosov defending well though.
Sokolov winds up and cracks Klosov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Sokolov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sokolov lands strikes from half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eugeni Sokolov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sokolov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eugeni Sokolov!