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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ispa Mferi (ranked 682 p4p, 404 weight class) and Sergei Sokolov (ranked 96 p4p, 59 weight class). 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.
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| 181 cm
26
176
12 - 7 - 0 |
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180 cm
30
181
13 - 6 - 0 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
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Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
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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 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ispa Mferi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sergei Sokolov!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Patrick Alders and Radbod Blank.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mferi takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Sokolov scores with a nice strike.
Mferi throws a jab but it's blocked by Sokolov.
Sokolov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Mferi misses the jab.
Mferi misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mferi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Mferi there as he acknowledges the shot.
Sokolov misses with an uppercut. Mferi saw that one coming.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Sokolov has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Sokolov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mferi throws out the jab.
Sokolov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mferi.
Sokolov scores with a takedown into Mferi's guard.
Sokolov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mferi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sokolov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sokolov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sokolov trying to control the position from guard on top but Mferi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sokolov tries to free his leg and advance position but Mferi is retaining full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokolov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Sokolov trying to control the position from guard on top but Mferi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sokolov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mferi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mferi keeping full guard, as Sokolov tries to pass.
Sokolov throws a big right hand that misses.
Sokolov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Sokolov trying to control the position from guard on top but Mferi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mferi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov trying to control but Mferi is working from the bottom.
Sokolov throwing strikes from guard but Mferi blocks nicely.
Sokolov looking to pass the guard.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
The fighters circling - Sokolov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mferi fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Sokolov slips a straight right by Mferi.
Mferi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sokolov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Mferi throws a head kick but Sokolov moves out of range.
Sokolov dodges the punch combination from Mferi.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov staying out of range there.
A big left from Mferi misses.
Sokolov misses with a hook. Mferi ducked under it nicely.
A jab from Sokolov finds it's way through Mferi's defenses.
Mferi lands a leg kick that knocks Sokolov off balance momentarily.
Mferi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mferi throws a hook to the side of Sokolov's head but Sokolov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mferi swinging wildly here.
Mferi looks to throw the jab but Sokolov is out of range.
Sokolov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mferi.
Mferi throws a head kick that half lands.
Mferi misses with a lunging right hand
and Mferi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mferi's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Sokolov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Mferi scrambles back to his feet.
Sokolov lands with a nice body punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mferi misses the jab.
Sokolov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Sokolov moves out of range as Mferi strikes.
Mferi lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Mferi.
Mferi gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Sokolov advances position into side control!
Sokolov just content to control the position.
Sokolov working the ground and pound.
The ground and pound from Sokolov seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Sokolov landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Mferi wants to control but Sokolov postures up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Sergei Sokolov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mferi. Sokolov does a little dance to reset his feet.
A little jabbing left from Sokolov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Mferi connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sokolov. Sokolov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Nice uppercut lands for Sokolov. That snapped Mferi's head back.
Sokolov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mferi throws a front kick aimed at Sokolov's knee but Sokolov avoids it well.
Mferi throws an overhand right that lands on Sokolov's shoulder, as Sokolov tries to avoid the shot.
A jab from Mferi misses.
Sokolov misses with a wild body shot.
Sokolov with a nice cross.
A jab from Mferi misses.
Sokolov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Ispa Mferi is winning the standup battle so far.
Mferi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mferi misses with a looping right.
A low kick from Mferi misses
and Sokolov counters with a straight right hand.
Mferi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sokolov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sokolov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mferi misses with an uppercut.
Mferi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sokolov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mferi avoids the body shot from Sokolov.
Mferi tries to move into range but Sokolov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokolov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Mferi takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Mferi tries to move into range but Sokolov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Sokolov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sokolov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mferi throws out the jab.
Sokolov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Sokolov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sokolov trying to control from half guard but Mferi is working away.
Sokolov throwing shots but Mferi is blocking nicely.
Sergei Sokolov has got the better of the ground game so far.
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. Sokolov connects with a nice short shot to Mferi's temple.
Mferi is trying to control but can't.
Sokolov throwing shots but Mferi is blocking nicely.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mferi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sokolov working over Mferi with some ground and pound. Mferi looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ground and pound from Sokolov.
Sokolov is working for an americana but Mferi has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Sokolov was thinking about the submission.
Sokolov stands and throws Mferi's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Sokolov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Mferi tries to bench press Sokolov off him but Sokolov keeps the position.
Sokolov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Sokolov tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Mferi wants to control but Sokolov postures up.
Sokolov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sokolov sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Mferi is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
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.
Mferi is trying to get back to half guard.
Sokolov misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Sokolov throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Sokolov landing strikes.
Sokolov connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Mferi some visible discomfort.
Sokolov goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Mferi rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Sokolov's guard! Nice work there by Mferi!
Sokolov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mferi defends it easily.
Sokolov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Sergei Sokolov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!
Sokolov misses the shot to the body.
Mferi is looking to land body kicks.
Sokolov thuds his right hand into Mferi's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Mferi slips under a jab.
Mferi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sokolov blocks a head kick by Mferi.
Mferi misses with the combination.
Sokolov misses with a wild body shot.
Mferi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mferi misses with a looping left.
No joy there for Mferi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sokolov punishes Mferi's body with a nice straight punch.
Sokolov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Mferi throws a hook but Sokolov avoids it easily.
Mferi misses with an uppercut.
Sokolov blocks a jab.
Sokolov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mferi throws the left hand but Sokolov avoids the punch easily.
Sokolov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Mferi looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Sokolov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Sokolov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Mferi is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sokolov wants to control but Mferi is keeping him busy.
Sokolov tries to advance position but instead Mferi slips a leg back in to half guard.
Ispa Mferi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mferi trying to control from the bottom.
Sokolov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Mferi defending well though.
Sokolov stalling away here and it's allowed Mferi to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Mferi wants to stand up but Sokolov is controlling him.
Sokolov distracts Mferi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Sokolov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Sergei Sokolov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sokolov is stalling in the full guard.
Sokolov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sokolov controlling from the top position.
Mferi wants to sweep here but Sokolov controlling him for the moment.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sokolov controlling from the top position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Sokolov throws a big right hand that misses.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Sokolov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Mferi takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Sokolov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mferi keeps working.
Mferi tries to buck Sokolov off but Sokolov is having none of it.
And that's the end of the fight!
Sergei Sokolov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sokolov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 27:30
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 27:30
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sergei Sokolov!
During a confident post fight interview, Sergei Sokolov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
49% |
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