PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brett Gray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vasiliy Sobolev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gray kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Liquid Tension Experiment - Acid Rain. Sobolev has chosen Ya kuplu tebe dom as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Vasiliy Sobolev is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Gray
vs
Sobolev

193 cm
28
272 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

201 cm
28
265 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Brett Gray!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vasiliy Sobolev!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Aafke Stam and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gray scores with a jab to the jaw.
Sobolev shoots in for a takedown but Gray shows good takedown defense.
Gray ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sobolev moves away.
Gray tries to clinch but Sobolev moves out of range.
Nice body punch from Gray.

Sobolev gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Gray to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Sobolev has his hands on Gray's head, controlling the position.
Sobolev keeping moving, preventing Gray from controlling successfully.
Sobolev wants to stand and escape but Gray is having none of it.
Gray controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Gray throwing strikes but missing.
Gray wants to control from the top but Sobolev keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Brett Gray has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Gray lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sobolev at a distance.
Nice takedown defense from Gray. No joy for Sobolev on that attempt.
Sobolev stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Gray throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gray leaves Sobolev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Brett Gray has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vasiliy Sobolev.
Gray moves out of range of the strikes.
Gray takes a swing at Sobolev's ribcage but misses.
Gray is looking to wear down Sobolev with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Sobolev swinging wildly here.
Sobolev throws a shot from downtown. Gray moves away and avoids it.
Gray lands with a straight right. Sobolev didn't see that one coming.
Sobolev fails with the takedown.
Sobolev swings for the body but Gray moves out of range.
Sobolev misses with a hook.
Gray fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gray shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sobolev sprawls well. Sobolev wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gray gets slowly back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A punch combination from Sobolev misses.
Sobolev throws a series of punches but Gray moves out of range.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Sobolev takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Sobolev avoids the body shot from Gray.
Sobolev shoots in but no luck this time.
Sobolev takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Gray cracks Sobolev with a right hand to the side of the head.
Sobolev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gray as he jumps to the side.
Sobolev looks gassed!
Gray tries to score with a low kick but Sobolev moves his leg out of the way.
Gray takes a swing at Sobolev's ribcage but misses.
Sobolev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gray as he jumps to the side.

Gray closes the distance and clinches.
Sobolev goes for a takedown attempt but Gray pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Gray connects with the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gray throws a body punch but Sobolev moves out of range.
Sobolev swinging wildly here.
Gray misses with a body shot.

Gray bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Gray thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Gray wants to control but Sobolev is keeping him busy.
Gray is really struggling to control Sobolev but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gray is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Sobolev is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Sobolev really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gray. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sobolev trying to remain calm as Gray controls from the top position.

Sobolev throws Gray to one side and escapes!
Sobolev moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

It looks like Brett Gray has been cut.
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!
Sobolev stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sobolev wants it to stay on the feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gray takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Gray takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Gray swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gray swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Brett Gray will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Brett Gray's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gray misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Sobolev counters with a one-two to the body.
Gray keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Sobolev scores with a takedown into Gray's guard.
Gray wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Sobolev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
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!
Sobolev is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Sobolev throwing strikes but missing.

Sobolev stands up over his opponent, looking to dive in with a big punch. Here he comes, superman style! Oh, the punch misses and Gray has got him in a triangle choke for good measure! Oh no! Sobolev manages to get his head free but now Gray has transitioned to an armbar! Sobolev grimaces and is forced to tap! Beautiful Jiu Jitsu from Gray! I'd be surprised if that didn't end up as submission of the night!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:01 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Brett Gray!
Brett Gray retains his heavyweight title!