PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mario Soprano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Heimo Hats (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mario Soprano has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Soprano
vs
Hats

180 cm
22
170 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

201 cm
22
165 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mario Soprano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Heimo Hats!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Soprano fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Hats sprawls well initially but Soprano persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Soprano not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Soprano connects with a nice short shot to Hats's temple.
Soprano takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Soprano is looking for a kimura but Hats is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Soprano to get the leverage.

Hats pushes Soprano off and gets back to his feet.
Soprano shoots in and drives through. Hats sprawls well.
Hats is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Hats darts in and clinches Soprano up against the cage.

Soprano breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Soprano shoots in for a double leg but Hats sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hats is looking to slow Soprano down with leg kicks.
A head kick misses from Hats.
Good work by Soprano as he checks the leg kick.
Soprano shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hats as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mario Soprano. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Soprano closes the distance and clinches up with Hats, looking for a takedown. Soprano pushes Hats against the cage but Hats circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Heimo Hats seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hats doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Soprano counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Soprano is breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Soprano prevents Hats from standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soprano working over Hats with some ground and pound. Hats looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Hats wants to control but Soprano is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Soprano stops Hats from getting back to his feet.
Hats keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Soprano landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Hats wants to improve his position but Soprano is controlling well.
Hats manages to get to full guard.
Hats working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Soprano.

Soprano avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Soprano looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Soprano stands up over Hats, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Soprano working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hats's head.
Soprano lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Soprano connects with a couple of short punches.

Soprano postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Hats is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Soprano, into his guard.

Soprano is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Soprano keeping moving, preventing Hats from controlling successfully.

Soprano has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hats can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hats trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hats trying to control the position from guard on top but Soprano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Soprano throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.
Soprano with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Hats can't handle though.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Soprano is on top in guard.
Soprano lands a couple of digs.
Soprano landing with the ground and pound.
Soprano working some strikes from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Soprano scoring with punches to the head and body.
Hats wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Soprano is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Soprano connects with a couple of short punches.
Soprano chips away with some ground and pound.
Soprano working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hats's head.
Soprano has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Soprano throws a big right hand that misses.
Hats has momentary wrist control but Soprano slips an elbow through the middle.
Soprano keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hats's head.
Hats has momentary wrist control but Soprano slips an elbow through the middle.
Hats trying to keep a closed guard but Soprano is proving a slippery customer.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Soprano drops back looking for a leg! Hats is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hats manages to kick Soprano off! Soprano jumps back into Hats's guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Soprano shoots and misses
and Hats counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Soprano dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Soprano with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hats counters with a left and a right that stings Soprano.

Hats has Soprano up against the cage in a clinch.
Soprano looking for a takedown.
Hats prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mario Soprano. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Hats pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hats walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Soprano checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Hats tries to clinch but Soprano is having none of it.
Hats tries to clinch there but Soprano circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Soprano gets a takedown into half guard.
Soprano is nestled in close to Hats, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Soprano lands strikes from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soprano not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Hats tries to roll over but Soprano keeps him under control.

Soprano wants to work for an arm triangle but Hats is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Soprano not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Hats is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Soprano's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Soprano's back!
Hats connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Soprano to escape the position.
Soprano turns into Hats and is now in his guard.

Hats scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Hats clinches with his opponent.
Hats tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hats wants to break free but Soprano has control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soprano wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hats fails to pull guard.
Soprano working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Soprano gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Hats on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Soprano prevents Hats from improving his position.
Soprano seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Soprano takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Soprano looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Hats wants to get back to full guard.
Hats is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Soprano working the head and body with strikes.
Hats is looking to escape.
Mario Soprano overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Soprano scores a takedown into full mount!
Hats takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Soprano dominating with strikes here.
Hats regains half guard.
Hats gets full guard.
Hats manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Soprano tries to reverse the position but Hats maintains control.
Hats punishing his opponent with strikes.
Hats can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Soprano is looking to escape.
Soprano throwing hammer fists to the chest of Hats. What's that going to do exactly?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hats trying to control but Soprano is having none of it.
Hats thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Soprano flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Hats trying to control but Soprano is having none of it.
Hats prevents Soprano from getting the reversal.
Soprano throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Soprano swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Soprano flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Soprano tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Soprano dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Soprano fails with the takedown
and Hats counters with a one-two to the body.
Hats tries for a takedown but Soprano circles away easily

and Soprano decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Hats's guard.
Hats trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Soprano stands up over Hats, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hats looking for a sweep. Not yet Hats, not yet.
Soprano chips away with some ground and pound.
Soprano with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hats not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Soprano lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Soprano scoring with some ground and pound.
Soprano wants to pass the guard but Hats is keeping the position.

Soprano drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Soprano jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hats wants to sweep but no luck.
Soprano postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Soprano accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Soprano looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Nice strikes from Soprano there.
Soprano not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Soprano lands with a punch from half guard.
Hats is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Soprano's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Soprano's back!
Hats is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Soprano. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
A lull in the action here.
Hats doesn't have the hooks in and Soprano manages to turn into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hats working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Soprano.
Soprano might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Soprano connects with a couple of short punches.
Soprano with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Soprano is working Hats over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Soprano working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Soprano is looking to work some ground and pound but Hats has wrist control.
Soprano is working Hats over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Soprano postures up and lands a big shot to Hats's brow.
Hats looking to hit a scissor sweep but Soprano is one step ahead there.
Hats bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Soprano's guard.
Soprano trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hats wants to get up but he can't break Soprano's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Hats won't allow Soprano to sweep him here.
Hats trying to control the position from guard on top but Soprano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Soprano tries to strike from the bottom.

Soprano has his foot on Hats's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hats works his way back into a safe position though.
Soprano looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Soprano lands a couple of shots from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Soprano takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Soprano shoots in for a double leg but Hats sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Soprano has his takedown stuffed
and Hats counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mario Soprano. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Soprano shoots and misses
and Hats counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Soprano with a poor takedown

and Hats holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Hats has had enough of the clinch but Soprano keeps him there for the moment.
Soprano is trying to break the clinch but Hats has him pressed against the cage.
Hats has had enough of the clinch but Soprano keeps him there for the moment.
Soprano looking for a takedown.
Soprano is working for takedown but Hats is calmly controlling the position for now.
Soprano stops a takedown attempt from Hats.
Soprano wants a takedown.
Soprano tries to land a knee to the head but Hats blocks with his arms.
Heimo Hats has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Hats pulls guard effortlessly.
Soprano distracts Hats with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Soprano landing with the ground and pound.

Soprano drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Hats manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Soprano has Hats in his guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mario Soprano showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Soprano, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mario Soprano!