PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Strodov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Soares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Soares's choice of entrance music: Highway To Hell. Thiago Soares has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Strodov
vs
Soares

187 cm
21
224 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

195 cm
19
213 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Strodov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Thiago Soares!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Konstantin Menshow and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Strodov takes the fight into the clinch.
Soares has had enough of the clinch but Strodov keeps him there for the moment.

Soares breaks the clinch.
Strodov wants to clinch.
Ivan Strodov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice jab there from Soares.

Strodov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Strodov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Strodov has gone for a leg lock! Soares slips out almost immediately though and dives into Strodov's guard.

Strodov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Soares trying to stand up but can't free himself from Strodov's guard.
Strodov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Soares manages to get himself to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strodov stops Soares from standing up.

Strodov has gone for a leg lock! Soares slips out almost immediately though and dives into Strodov's guard.

Strodov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Strodov manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Strodov goes for an armbar but Soares turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Soares.
Soares must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Strodov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Soares is looking to stand up but Strodov won't let him.
Soares preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Strodov throws his legs up looking for a submission but Soares uses it to pass to side control.
Strodov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Soares's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Strodov moves into full guard.
Strodov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Strodov looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Soares has picked Strodov up and slammed him! Strodov can't keep hold of the triangle and Soares manages to pass to side control!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Soares tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Strodov manages to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Strodov dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Soares works Strodov's body with a nice hook.
Soares leaves Strodov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Soares jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Strodov fails to land the takedown.
Ivan Strodov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Strodov shoots in for a double leg but Soares sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Strodov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Strodov takes a jab right on the kisser.
Soares lands with a nice combination. Strodov backs away looking to recover.
Strodov misses with a takedown attempt - Soares sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Strodov shoots in for a double leg but Soares sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Strodov fails with the takedown
and Soares counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strodov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Thiago Soares is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Strodov shoots in for a takedown but Soares shows good takedown defense.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Strodov is defended easily by Soares.
Nice cross by Soares.
Soares connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Strodov shoots in looking for a takedown but Soares manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Strodov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Strodov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Soares displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Strodov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strodov needs to keep his hands up - Soares had a free shot at his head there.

Strodov is rocked!
Soares circles away before darting back in with a big straight right hand. It connects beautifully and sends Strodov tumbling to the canvas! He's out cold! Soares wins by KO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:18 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Thiago Soares! Thiago Soares retains his light heavyweight title!