PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Andrei Sakovich (ranked 4065 p4p, 0 weight class) and George Thompson (ranked 25080 p4p, 0 weight class). George Thompson is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Sakovich
vs
Thompson

180 cm
25
174 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
170 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Andrei Sakovich!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, George Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Bart Greer and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thompson fails with the takedown
and Sakovich counters with a stiff right hand.

Thompson moves into the clinch.
Sakovich tries to land knees in the clinch but Thompson avoids the damage to the body.
Thompson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sakovich prevents it.
Thompson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Sakovich after a bit of a struggle.
Andrei Sakovich has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George Thompson.
Thompson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sakovich fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sakovich pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Thompson back to the cage. Sakovich follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sakovich looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Sakovich has managed to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sakovich breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Thompson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Sakovich defends well and Thompson ends up having to push Sakovich into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Sakovich gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sakovich gets underhooks to prevent Thompson's takedown attempt.
Sakovich managing to block the knees to the body from Thompson.

Sakovich breaks the clinch.

Sakovich pushes Thompson up against the cage in a clinch.
Sakovich with a knee to the head.

It looks like George Thompson has been cut.

Thompson breaks the clinch.
Sakovich throws a head kick that misses.
Andrei Sakovich is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Sakovich gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Thompson taking a breather.
Thompson is trying to pull guard but Sakovich turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Sakovich to keep the fight standing.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Sakovich.

Sakovich breaks the clinch.
Good work by Sakovich as he checks the leg kick.
Sakovich scores with a shot to the body.
Thompson looks winded!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Sakovich has Thompson up against the cage in a clinch.
Sakovich stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Sakovich escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Sakovich takes the fight into the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but Sakovich blocks it.
Sakovich unloads a knee to the mid-section. Thompson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Sakovich landing knees to the head.

Sakovich pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Sakovich fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Thompson, pushing him back against the cage.
Sakovich slows down the pace here.
Sakovich lands with a right to the head.

Sakovich breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Sakovich instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sakovich slows down the pace here.

Sakovich manages to break the clinch.
Sakovich stuns Thompson with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Sakovich moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Sakovich. Thompson shrugs it off though.

Sakovich has Thompson up against the cage in a clinch.
Sakovich is struggling to control the position.
Sakovich tries to land a knee to the head but Thompson blocks with his arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrei Sakovich dominated that round.
The cut man is working on George Thompson's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Sakovich clinches.
Thompson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Sakovich to keep the fight standing.

Sakovich pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Sakovich drives through and clinches with Thompson against the cage.
Sakovich lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Sakovich lands a nice knee to the body.
Sakovich stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Thompson is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Sakovich holding his opponent close, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakovich gets underhooks to prevent Thompson's takedown attempt.
Thompson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sakovich pulls his leg out and moves away.
Andrei Sakovich has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George Thompson.
Thompson is breathing heavily.
Sakovich throws a front kick that sends Thompson stumbling back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Sakovich forces Thompson back against the cage and clinches.
Sakovich throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Thompson blocks it with crossed arms.
Sakovich is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Thompson can do to turn this around?
Sakovich trying to land knees to the body.

Sakovich breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Sakovich drops Thompson with a beautiful combination! Thompson stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Sakovich is looking for the KO!
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!
Sakovich lands with a jab that stuns his opponent. Thompson is looking to close the distance but Sakovich sees it coming and throws a beautiful knee! Thompson crumbles to the mat and that's all she wrote! Let's hope Thompson is OK because that was naaaaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:41 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Knee). Andrei Sakovich!