PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vazren Rigogo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vasiliy Sobolev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rigogo comes into the arena with Parapapapa blaring out of the sound system. Sobolev is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Ya kuplu tebe dom. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rigogo
vs
Sobolev

193 cm
31
287 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

201 cm
31
265 lbs
13 - 14 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

- - - - - All Nutrients 160 - - - - -

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 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vazren Rigogo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vasiliy Sobolev!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Albert Achterberg and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rigogo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sobolev.
Sobolev fails with a takedown attempt.

Rigogo looking to score a takedown here. Sobolev is defending well but Rigogo drives through and ends up in Sobolev's guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Sobolev is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rigogo stays in close to Sobolev's body and controls the position.
Sobolev is looking to stand up but Rigogo isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobolev keeping moving, preventing Rigogo from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Vazren Rigogo just wasn't active enough.
Rigogo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nice uppercut lands for Rigogo. That snapped Sobolev's head back.

It looks like Vasiliy Sobolev has been cut.
Sobolev uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rigogo.
Sobolev throws an overhand right that lands on Rigogo's shoulder, as Rigogo tries to avoid the shot.
Rigogo tests Sobolev's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Rigogo closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Sobolev's guard.
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!
Rigogo trying to control the position from guard on top but Sobolev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Sobolev manages to escape and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rigogo swivels and escapes.
Rigogo dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sobolev. That did some damage!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sobolev.
Vazren Rigogo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vasiliy Sobolev.

Rigogo looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Rigogo trying to control but Sobolev is working from the bottom.
Sobolev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rigogo.
Rigogo not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Rigogo wants to control from the top but Sobolev keeps moving.
Sobolev wants to stand up but Rigogo is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Rigogo slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Vazren Rigogo.
Rigogo is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sobolev.
Sobolev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rigogo.
Rigogo misses with a looping left.
Sobolev misses with a takedown attempt

and Rigogo decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Sobolev's guard.
Rigogo trying to control but Sobolev is working from the bottom.
Rigogo is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rigogo wants to control from the top but Sobolev keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Vazren Rigogo wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Rigogo with a body punch. A glancing blow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rigogo takes a swing at Sobolev's ribcage but misses.
Rigogo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rigogo slips under a jab.

Rigogo scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Rigogo controlling the pace.
Rigogo is keen to just control but Sobolev is a slippery customer.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Rigogo in particular looking to stall.
Rigogo wants to pass to mount but Sobolev is defending the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vazren Rigogo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Vasiliy Sobolev's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Sobolev slips a straight right by Rigogo.
Nice shot by Sobolev.

It looks like Vazren Rigogo has been cut.
Rigogo misses with a two punch combination.
Rigogo throws a head kick but Sobolev moves out of range.
Sobolev blocks a head kick by Rigogo.
Rigogo lands a head kick. Sobolev smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Rigogo slaps away a takedown attempt from Sobolev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rigogo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sobolev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rigogo pinned against the cage. Rigogo gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sobolev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rigogo as he avoids it easily.
Vazren Rigogo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vasiliy Sobolev.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sobolev has his takedown stuffed
and Rigogo makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rigogo moves forwards but Sobolev connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Rigogo fails with the takedown

and Sobolev counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Sobolev postures up in Rigogo's guard and throws a big left but Rigogo blocks it.
Sobolev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sobolev lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rigogo trying to control the position.
Sobolev is looking to work some ground and pound but Rigogo has wrist control.
Sobolev throws an elbow that misses. Rigogo uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sobolev's guard. Nice move by Rigogo!
Rigogo stops Sobolev from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev being controlled here, momentarily.
Rigogo trying to control the position from guard on top but Sobolev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rigogo passes Sobolev's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Sobolev is trying to stand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rigogo controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev is trying to stand up here but Rigogo is controlling him well.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Rigogo in particular looking to stall.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Vazren Rigogo wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Rigogo bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Sobolev is breathing heavily.
Sobolev takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Rigogo feints and as Sobolev raises his hands in defense, Rigogo changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sobolev keeping moving, preventing Rigogo from controlling successfully.
Rigogo throwing strikes but missing.
Rigogo slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Rigogo looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rigogo trying to control the position from guard on top but Sobolev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rigogo is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Vazren Rigogo has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Rigogo fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Sobolev to the ground. Rigogo is now in Sobolev's guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sobolev is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rigogo is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vazren Rigogo dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Sobolev dives in and grabs Rigogo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rigogo pushes down on Sobolev's head and hops out.

Sobolev scores with a takedown into Rigogo's guard.
Sobolev throws a big right hand that misses.
Sobolev throws a strike but Rigogo rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Rigogo seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Sobolev keeping moving, preventing Rigogo from controlling successfully.
Rigogo content to stall in guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobolev keeping full guard, as Rigogo tries to pass.
Rigogo trying to control the position from guard on top but Sobolev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Vazren Rigogo wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Rigogo throws a big shot that misses.
Nice takedown defense from Rigogo. No joy for Sobolev on that attempt.
Rigogo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sobolev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rigogo as he jumps to the side.
Vazren Rigogo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vasiliy Sobolev.
Sobolev doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Vazren Rigogo is winning the standup battle so far.
Sobolev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev shoots in for a double leg but Rigogo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rigogo scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Vazren Rigogo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rigogo throws a head kick that misses.
Rigogo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sobolev can do to turn this around?
Sobolev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rigogo.
Rigogo looks to land a combination but Sobolev avoids it well.
Rigogo works the jab nicely.
Rigogo misses with a straight left.
Sobolev dives in and grabs Rigogo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rigogo pushes down on Sobolev's head and hops out.
Rigogo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
No luck for Sobolev with that takedown attempt.
Rigogo scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Rigogo throws a sloppy head kick and Sobolev moves out of range easily.
Rigogo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Rigogo.
Sobolev tries for a takedown but Rigogo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sobolev moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That has opened up Vasiliy Sobolev's cut even more.
Rigogo closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Rigogo looks to score with a jab to the body but Sobolev is just out of range.
Sobolev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rigogo as he avoids it easily.
Sobolev fails to land with a series of punches.
Sobolev has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Rigogo.
Vazren Rigogo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A slow jab from Rigogo misses its intended target.
Sobolev takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Rigogo tries a head kick but it misses.
Sobolev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rigogo as he jumps to the side.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rigogo keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Rigogo lands a leg kick that knocks Sobolev off balance momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rigogo throws a right and a left that both miss.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rigogo.

Rigogo closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Sobolev did well to prevent Rigogo getting side control.
Rigogo controlling the action here.
Rigogo works his way into side control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rigogo prevents Sobolev from escaping the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vazren Rigogo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rigogo has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 30:27
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vazren Rigogo!
Vazren Rigogo really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Russian Top Team Nutrition logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.