PBP Commentary

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

Soprano
vs
Donalds

180 cm
22
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

187 cm
22
170 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 1 - 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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ithalo Donalds!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Donalds misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Soprano shoots in for a double leg but Donalds sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Donalds pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Soprano closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Donalds can't do much from the bottom here.
Donalds is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Donalds struggling a bit here.
Soprano landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Donalds tries to buck Soprano off but Soprano is having none of it.
Soprano connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Donalds some visible discomfort.
Donalds dodges the ground and pound from Soprano.
Soprano working away.

Donalds explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

Soprano fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Donalds sprawls well initially but Soprano persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Soprano working the head and body with strikes.
Soprano working over Donalds with some ground and pound. Donalds looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Soprano is breathing heavily.
Donalds has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Soprano is working away from the top position though.
Donalds gets back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donalds wants to sweep here but Soprano controlling him for the moment.
Donalds is trying to keep Soprano in close.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Soprano throwing strikes from guard but Donalds blocks nicely.
Donalds working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Soprano advances to half guard.
Donalds on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Soprano lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Donalds tries to kick Soprano off but Soprano keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Soprano drops an elbow to the side of Donalds's head.
Donalds is trying to stand up here but Soprano is controlling him well.
Soprano landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soprano is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Soprano lands with a punch from half guard.
Donalds has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Soprano is working away from the top position though.
Soprano works his way into full mount!
Soprano landing shots from mount.
The referee warns Donalds that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Soprano in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Donalds wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Donalds is in all sorts of trouble here.
Soprano has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Donalds's face.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Donalds bucks Soprano off and manages to get back to his feet!
Donalds looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soprano shoots in but Donalds avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Donalds pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Soprano shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Donalds 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.
Donalds throws a wild body kick that Soprano sees coming a mile off.

Soprano shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Soprano showed some decent athleticism there.
Donalds landing a few short strikes.
Soprano is thwarting Donalds's attempts to control the position.
Soprano slips a nice elbow through Donalds's hands, connecting with Donalds's forehead.

Donalds actively working from the bottom here.
Donalds on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soprano working the head and body with strikes.
Donalds blocking the ground and pound attempt from Soprano.

Donalds makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Soprano looks for a takedown but Donalds sprawls well.
Soprano fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Donalds gets a clinch.
Soprano misses with a short punch on the inside.
Soprano leaning against his opponent.

Soprano gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Donalds regains guard.
Soprano postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Donalds is pulling down on Soprano's head. It's preventing any offense from Soprano, at least for the moment.
Soprano landing with the ground and pound.
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.

Donalds tries a head kick but it misses.
Donalds throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Soprano looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Donalds avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Soprano.
Ground and pound from Soprano.
Soprano throwing shots but Donalds is blocking nicely.
Soprano working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Donalds blocking the ground and pound attempt from Soprano.
Soprano throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Donalds manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Soprano has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Donalds is pulling down on Soprano's head. It's preventing any offense from Soprano, at least for the moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Soprano accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Soprano accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Soprano missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Donalds is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Soprano lands a couple of elbows.
Soprano in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Donalds throws a push kick but Soprano slaps the foot to one side.
Donalds tries to land a front kick but Soprano steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Soprano closes this distance looking for a takedown but Donalds circles away.

Donalds gets caught flat footed, as Soprano shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Soprano pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Donalds is keeping the position for now.
Soprano is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Donalds pushes Soprano off and scrambles back to his feet.
Donalds throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Soprano looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Soprano sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Donalds defending well though.
Donalds is looking to control Soprano's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Donalds avoid being mounted?
Soprano lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Donalds blocking the ground and pound attempt from Soprano.
Donalds has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Soprano is working away from the top position though.
Soprano lands strikes from half guard.
Donalds wants to control but Soprano is keeping busy.
Nice strikes from Soprano there.
Mario Soprano overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Donalds tries to bum rush Soprano with a series of wild strikes but Soprano uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Soprano gets a takedown into half guard.
Soprano working the head and body with strikes.
Donalds wants to control but Soprano is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Donalds on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Soprano is looking to advance position but Donalds won't allow it.
Donalds is looking to control Soprano's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Donalds avoid being mounted?
Donalds on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Soprano working Donalds over with strikes.
Soprano working over Donalds with some ground and pound. Donalds looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Donalds misses with an attempted mid kick.
Donalds misses with a body kick.
Soprano shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soprano looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Donalds is fending him off so far but Soprano persists. Nope, Donalds circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mario Soprano. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Soprano shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Donalds pinned against the cage. Donalds gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Donalds goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Ithalo Donalds seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Donalds looks to land a body kick but Soprano moved away.
Soprano shoots in but no luck this time.
Donalds thuds his shin into the meat of Soprano's side.
Soprano moves out of range of the body kick from Donalds.

Soprano feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Soprano is in close to Donalds's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Soprano postures up in Donalds's guard and throws a big left but Donalds blocks it.
Donalds is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Donalds wants to stand and escape but Soprano is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Soprano dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Soprano fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Soprano shoots in and drives through. Donalds sprawls well.
Donalds lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Soprano circles away quickly and effectively.
Soprano showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Donalds.
Some wild striking there from Donalds.
Donalds looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Soprano shoots in for a takedown but Donalds shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mario Soprano. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Donalds moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Donalds manages to break the clinch.
Soprano fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A head kick from Donalds lands but Soprano takes it in his stride.
Donalds throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Soprano.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Soprano moves out of range of the body kick from Donalds.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Donalds as Soprano shoots in.
Soprano fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Soprano closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Donalds sneaks back into half guard.
Donalds is trying to stand back up but Soprano is controlling him
Donalds on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Soprano is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Donalds tries to kick Soprano off but Soprano keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Donalds is trying to get back to full guard.
Soprano scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Soprano lands strikes from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Donalds connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Donalds misses with a body kick.
Donalds looks for the body kick but Soprano saw that one coming.
Soprano slips a jab and a cross from Donalds.
Soprano moves out of range of the body kick from Donalds.

Soprano scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Donalds wants to control but Soprano is keeping busy.

Soprano is trying to work for a kimura but Donalds is defending well.
Soprano missing with some ground and pound from the 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 Donalds's temple.
Soprano drops an elbow to the side of Donalds's head.
Soprano throwing shots but Donalds is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Donalds kicks Soprano off and gets back to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Donalds. No joy for Soprano on that attempt.
Soprano shoots for a double leg takedown but Donalds sprawls well. He's pushed Soprano's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Soprano shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Donalds keeping hold of Soprano's head, controlling as best he can.
Donalds tries to get to full guard but Soprano has control of the leg.
Soprano is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Nice strikes from Soprano there.
Donalds is trying to control but can't.
Soprano lands with a punch from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Donalds looking for submissions off his back.
Donalds moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Soprano postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Donalds is pulling down on Soprano's head. It's preventing any offense from Soprano, at least for the moment.
Soprano landing with the ground and pound.
Donalds trying to control the position here.
Donalds throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Ithalo Donalds has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mario Soprano is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Soprano keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Donalds's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Mario Soprano.
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!