PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Shapovolov Sokoloff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Omari Akhmedov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sokoloff
vs
Akhmedov

183 cm
25
180 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

183 cm
19
182 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Shapovolov Sokoloff!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Omari Akhmedov!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Paul Tew and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sokoloff tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
We've been hearing reports that Sokoloff has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.

Sokoloff looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Akhmedov!
Akhmedov has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Akhmedov is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Sokoloff off and has taken his back!
Sokoloff just trying to survive but Akhmedov is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Akhmedov is hanging on to Sokoloff's back as he tries to escape.
Sokoloff is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Akhmedov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokoloff is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Sokoloff trying to control the hands but Akhmedov breaks the grip.
Akhmedov controlling well, preventing Sokoloff from escaping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sokoloff looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Akhmedov controlling the positon.
You can see the frustration on Sokoloff's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Akhmedov controlling the position well here. Sokoloff rolled but Akhmedov kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Let's hope that Akhmedov 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokoloff is really stuck here.
Sokoloff is working hard here to advance position.
I would not like to be Sokoloff right now.
Akhmedov struggling to keep hold of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akhmedov gets his hands free as Sokoloff looks to control.
Akhmedov keeps control of the position as Sokoloff tries to break free.
Sokoloff trying to get back to his feet but Akhmedov is in full control for now.
Sokoloff turns into Akhmedov and is now in his guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Akhmedov is on top in guard.

Sokoloff is working an open guard so Akhmedov takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
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 Shapovolov Sokoloff 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.

Akhmedov avoids the body shot from Sokoloff.
Sokoloff tries to clinch up but Akhmedov circles away and keeps his distance.
Sokoloff misses with a takedown attempt
and Akhmedov counters with a stiff right hand.
Sokoloff changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Akhmedov tries to avoid it but Sokoloff manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Akhmedov to the ground. Akhmedov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sokoloff shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Akhmedov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shapovolov Sokoloff. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sokoloff shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Akhmedov counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokoloff with a lazy takedown attempt
and Akhmedov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Sokoloff thinking.
Sokoloff doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Akhmedov counters with a one-two to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sokoloff has his takedown stuffed
and Akhmedov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sokoloff misses with a takedown attempt
and Akhmedov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sokoloff doesn't manage to clinch there - Akhmedov circles away.
Sokoloff tries for a takedown but Akhmedov circles away easily
and Akhmedov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sokoloff has his takedown stuffed
and Akhmedov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Sokoloff tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Akhmedov counters with a series of strikes. Sokoloff will be more careful next time no doubt.
Sokoloff misses with a takedown
and Akhmedov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokoloff misses with a lunging right hand
and Akhmedov counters with a left to the body.
Sokoloff has his takedown stuffed
enabling Akhmedov to counter with a crisp jab.
Sokoloff gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Akhmedov counters with a left and a right that stings Sokoloff.
Sokoloff misses with a takedown
and Akhmedov counters with a left to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sokoloff shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Akhmedov counters with a nice body shot.
Sokoloff tries to clinch but Akhmedov is having none of it.
Sokoloff shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Akhmedov counters with a stiff right hand.
Sokoloff with a lazy takedown attempt
and Akhmedov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
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.
Sokoloff misses with a takedown attempt
and Akhmedov counters with a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Omari Akhmedov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Sokoloff with a poor takedown
and Akhmedov counters with a series of strikes. Sokoloff will be more careful next time no doubt.
Shapovolov Sokoloff is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sokoloff fails with the takedown
and Sokoloff takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sokoloff fails with the takedown
and Akhmedov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shapovolov Sokoloff. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sokoloff has his takedown stuffed
and Akhmedov counters with a one-two to the body.
Sokoloff tries to bum rush Akhmedov with a series of wild strikes but Akhmedov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokoloff shoots and misses
and Sokoloff takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sokoloff fails with the takedown
and Sokoloff takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sokoloff gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Akhmedov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Sokoloff misses with a takedown
enabling Akhmedov to counter with a crisp jab.
Sokoloff shoots and misses
and Akhmedov counters with a right hand to the body.
Omari Akhmedov seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Sokoloff tries to clinch there but Akhmedov circles away.
Sokoloff closes the distance but Akhmedov moves to the side
and Akhmedov counters with a series of strikes. Sokoloff will be more careful next time no doubt.
Sokoloff misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Akhmedov to counter with a crisp jab.
Sokoloff shoots and misses
and Akhmedov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Sokoloff shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Akhmedov counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokoloff has his takedown stuffed
and Akhmedov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sokoloff misses with a takedown attempt
and Akhmedov counters with a one-two to the body.
Sokoloff tries to clinch but Akhmedov is having none of it.
Sokoloff tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Akhmedov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sokoloff has his takedown stuffed
and Akhmedov counters with a nice uppercut.
Sokoloff tries for a takedown but Akhmedov circles away easily
and Akhmedov counters with a stiff right hand.
Sokoloff moves to clinch but Akhmedov breaks away
and Akhmedov counters with a left to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sokoloff tries to clinch up
and Akhmedov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Omari Akhmedov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Akhmedov 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 James Glass scores the fight 28:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Omari Akhmedov!
The defeated Shapovolov Sokoloff had this to say: 'I'm sorry to let my fans down, I wish my opponent the best of luck in his next fight. I promise to come back stronger next time.'.