PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pop Pop (ranked 6125 p4p, 5478 weight class) and Julian Soza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Pop
vs
Soza

150 cm
25
231
0 - 1 - 0

186 cm
20
230
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

KRAKEN Nutrition + Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Pop Pop!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Julian Soza!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Paul Gruel and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Soza tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Pop paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Pop throws a body shot but no joy.

Pop rushes Soza and presses him up against the cage.
Soza is looking to break free of the clinch but Pop has double underhooks.

Pop breaks the clinch.

Pop gets the takedown into side control.

Soza throws Pop to one side and escapes!

Pop throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Soza tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Pop is in Soza's guard.

Soza is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Pop presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Soza is trying to maintain a safe position but Pop gets an underhook and turns Soza into the cage.
Soza drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Pop breaks from the clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Soza.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soza throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Soza fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Pop Pop has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Julian Soza.
Soza looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Pop is fending him off so far but Soza persists. Nope, Pop circles away and we're back to standing.

Pop darts in and clinches Soza up against the cage.
Pop dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Pop pulls guard.
Soza trying to control the position from guard on top but Pop is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Pop working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Soza doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Soza manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Soza trying to control the position from guard on top but Pop is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pop might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pop scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Pop shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Soza is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Pop presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Soza wants to break free but Pop has control.

Pop gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Soza is pressing down on Pop's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Pop is breathing heavily.

Soza working for a triangle but Pop defends it easily.

Soza is looking for a triangle but Pop pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soza wants to stand and escape but Pop is having none of it.
Pop throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Soza pushes Pop off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Pop shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Pop showed some decent athleticism there.
Pop working Soza over with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soza is looking for a sweep. Pop is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Soza wants to get back to his feet.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Pop in particular looking to stall.
Pop stalling away here and it's allowed Soza to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

Soza is looking for a triangle but Pop pushes his legs off easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Soza fails with an attempt to clinch.
Pop fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Soza has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A punch combination from Soza misses.

Pop shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Soza has one foot on Pop's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Soza will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Soza tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Pop lands a nice looking kick to the body. Soza takes a step back to recover.
Soza is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Soza shoots in for a double leg but Pop sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Pop shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Soza is trying to defend but Pop finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Pop slows the pace down in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soza trying to hold on to Pop's head to control him but Pop postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Soza is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Pop's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Pop's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pop trying to control the position but Soza manages to sink in the hooks.
Pop is keeping busy.
Soza avoiding Pop 's attempts to control his hands.
Pop wants to escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pop is trying to get back to his feet but Soza has full control of the position and if anything, Pop has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Pop looking very determined here, making life difficult for Soza.

Pop fending off the submission attempt from Soza.
Pop is trying to get back to his feet but Soza has full control of the position and if anything, Pop has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Pop avoids the strikes from Soza.

Soza looking for the choke from the back.
Pop knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Soza on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soza wants to control but Pop is keeping busy.
Pop is really stuck here.
Soza wants to control but Pop is keeping busy.

Pop defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Pop is keeping busy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Julian Soza showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

Pop slaps away a takedown attempt from Soza, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Soza has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Soza has a takedown stuffed.

Soza shoots in and bounces Pop off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Soza postures up in Pop's guard and throws a big left but Pop blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Soza trying to control but Pop is working from the bottom.
Soza takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Pop escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Soza gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soza cracks Pop with a solid left hand.
Pop trying to keep a closed guard but Soza is proving a slippery customer.

Pop looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Soza passes into half guard.
Pop is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Soza uses his free foot to push down on Pop's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Pop.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soza prevents Pop from getting the reversal.
Soza landing punches.
Soza working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Pop looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Soza gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.

Pop defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Soza's arms.
Soza lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Pop hold on?!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soza lands shots from the back.
Soza avoiding Pop 's attempts to control his hands.

Soza is working on the RNC. He looks like he's got it but Pop won't tap... Oh, he's out! The ref rips Soza off his unconscious opponent!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:47 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Julian Soza!