PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mike Durham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luiz Soto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Durham's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Chipmunk ft Chris Brown - Champion. 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.

Durham
vs
Soto

170 cm
25
144 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

173 cm
26
145 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mike Durham!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Luiz Soto!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Soto shoots in looking for a takedown but Durham manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Soto's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Durham misses with a looping right.
Durham looks to land a combination but Soto avoids it well.
Durham lands with a straight right. Soto didn't see that one coming.
Soto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Durham manages to avoid it.
Durham lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Durham swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Durham cracks Soto with an open hand slap.
Soto misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Soto ducks under a wild hook from Durham.

Soto darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Durham is looking for a sweep. Soto is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soto perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Durham is looking to control Soto's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Durham avoid being mounted?
Well, if Soto is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Durham manages to get to full guard.
Durham wants to sweep here but Soto controlling him for the moment.
Durham keeping moving, preventing Soto from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soto preventing the sweep.
Durham can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Soto controls the pace.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Luiz Soto wasn't active enough on the ground.
Soto slips under a jab.

Soto drives through with a takedown into guard.
Soto pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Durham is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Durham wants to sweep here but Soto controlling him for the moment.
Durham is trying to keep Soto in close.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Durham is pulling down on Soto's head. It's preventing any offense from Soto, at least for the moment.
Soto is stalling in the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Soto pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Durham is keeping the position for now.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Soto shoots in for a takedown but Durham shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Mike Durham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luiz Soto.
Durham moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Soto steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Durham.
Durham avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Soto throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Durham misses with a body shot.
Soto gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Durham counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Soto closes the distance and clinches up with Durham, looking for a takedown. Soto pushes Durham against the cage but Durham circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Durham throws a looping overhand right but Soto ducks down to avoid it.
Durham cracks Soto with an open hand slap.

Soto pushes Durham up against the cage in a clinch.
Durham tries to throw a body punch but Soto avoids it by throwing Durham back against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Durham can't find room to land a body shot as Soto controls the action.

Soto has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Durham is trying to keep an underhook but Soto manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Soto lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Soto stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Luiz Soto will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Durham misses the shot to the body.
Soto gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Durham counters with a right hand to the body.
Luiz Soto is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Durham throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Soto doesn't manage to clinch there - Durham circles away.
Durham throws a nice looking combination but Soto bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Durham misses with a two punch combination.
Durham ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Soto tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Soto shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Durham as he jumps to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durham waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Soto.
Durham lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Soto shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Durham as he jumps to the side.
Mike Durham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luiz Soto.
Durham looks to land a right hand but Soto moved out of range.
Soto misses with a two punch combination.
Soto shoots for a double leg takedown but Durham sprawls well. He's pushed Soto's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Soto shoots in looking for a takedown. Durham tries to sprawl out of it but Soto keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Durham manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Durham rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

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

Soto thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Durham is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Durham is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Soto's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Durham is pressing down on Soto's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Durham 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.
Durham is trying to keep Soto in close.
Soto trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Durham wants to sweep but no luck.
Soto tries to free his leg and advance position but Durham is retaining full guard.
Soto's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Durham bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Soto's guard.
Soto looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Durham lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Durham postures up and lands a big shot to Soto's brow.
Durham wants to pass the guard but Soto is keeping the position.
Durham throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Soto works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Durham with a nice head shot there.
Durham postures up in Soto's guard and throws a big left but Soto blocks it.
Durham postures up in Soto's guard and throws a big left but Soto blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soto has Durham pulled in close to control his posture.
Durham stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Soto swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Durham throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Soto works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Soto is trying to keep Durham in close.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Luiz Soto has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Durham stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Durham wants it to stay on the feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice takedown defense from Durham. No joy for Soto on that attempt.
Soto looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Durham is fending him off so far but Soto persists. Nope, Durham circles away and we're back to standing.
Durham looks to score with a jab to the body but Soto is just out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Mike Durham will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Durham throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Mike Durham is winning the standup battle so far.
Soto moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Soto tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Durham swivels and escapes.

Soto clinches.
Durham misses with a hook to the ribs.
Durham stalls.
Durham wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Soto has him pressed against the cage.
Soto has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Durham avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Durham lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Soto backwards.
Durham tries to work over Soto's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Soto drops down looking for an ankle pick but Durham pulls his leg out and moves away.
Mike Durham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luiz Soto.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Soto closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Durham is looking for a sweep.
Durham wants to control but Soto postures up.
Durham is looking to reverse the position.
Durham manages to work his way to half guard, despite Soto's best efforts.
Soto prevents Durham from improving his position.
Soto takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Soto is thwarting Durham's attempts to control the position.
Soto slows the pace down in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Luiz Soto hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Durham takes a swing at Soto's ribcage but misses.
Mike Durham is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A lazy left from Soto finds it's target.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Soto misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Soto shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Durham pinned against the cage. Durham gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soto fails to land the takedown.
Soto takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Durham misses with an uppercut. Soto saw that one coming.
Soto loads up on a big right hand but Durham slips the punch.
Durham throws a lazy uppercut

and Soto counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Soto wants to pass to mount but Durham is defending the position.
Soto sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Durham wants to get back to full guard but Soto has passed into side control.
Durham tries to bench press Soto off him but Soto keeps the position.
Soto wants to lay and pray for a moment but Durham keeps working.
Durham manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Soto works his way to full guard. Good work.
Durham won't allow Soto to sweep him here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Durham is in close to Soto's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Soto is controlling Durham's posture.
Durham won't allow Soto to sweep him here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luiz Soto comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Soto 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luiz Soto!