PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Soto (ranked 600 p4p, 1268 weight class) and Colby Brown (ranked 36 p4p, 73 weight class). Soto comes into the arena with Death con carne by - SEPULTURA blaring out of the sound system. Colby Brown acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Soto
vs
Brown

160 cm
26
138
6 - 0 - 0

150 cm
26
138
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Very quick

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

UnderGround Threads

Highland Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rafael Soto!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Colby Brown!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Daniel Franklin and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Brown clinches with his opponent.
Soto definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Brown fails to pull guard.
Brown looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Brown has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Soto uses from the top position.

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

Soto is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

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

Brown working for a triangle but Soto defends it easily.

Soto drops back looking for a leg! Brown is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Brown manages to kick Soto off! Soto jumps back into Brown's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brown is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Soto drops back looking for a leg! Brown is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Brown manages to kick Soto off! Soto jumps back into Brown's guard.
Soto wants to control from the top but Brown keeps moving.

Brown has his foot on Soto's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Soto works his way back into a safe position though.
Soto tries to free his leg and advance position but Brown is retaining full guard.

Soto is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Brown really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Soto. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Brown is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Soto thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Soto thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Soto looking to pass the guard.

That's two 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.

Soto avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Soto got a little sloppy there for a moment and Brown has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Soto has managed to get both his arms back between Brown's legs - danger averted.
Brown is trying to control the position but Soto postures up.
Soto passes into half guard.
Brown is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Brown trying to control from the bottom.

Soto is trying to work for a kimura but Brown is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Brown is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brown wants to control but Soto is keeping busy.
Soto trying to control from half guard but Brown is working away.
Brown wants to improve his position but Soto is controlling well.
Brown works his way to full guard. Good work.

Brown working for a triangle but Soto defends it easily.
Soto stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Brown swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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

Brown working for a triangle but Soto defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Brown escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Soto gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Soto trying to control but Brown is working from the bottom.
Soto works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Soto is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Brown has managed to free his arm - good work.

Soto is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Brown trying to control but Soto postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Brown works his way to full guard. Good work.

Soto is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Brown is trying to keep Soto in close.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Soto dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Brown darts in and clinches Soto up against the cage.
Brown tries to pull guard but Soto won't allow it.

Brown ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Brown no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Soto works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Soto is looking for a kimura here.
Brown trying to control here.

Soto is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Brown can do anything to dispel that myth.

Brown looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Soto passes into side control, despite Brown's attempt to control the position.

Soto is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Brown knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Soto looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Soto is trying to get an arm triangle but Brown is defending well.

Soto thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Brown is looking to regain half guard here but Soto keeps moving and retains side control.

Soto working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Soto trying to control the action but Brown is working from the bottom.

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.
Brown wants to control but Soto postures up.
Rafael Soto overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Brown manages to get back to half guard.
Soto is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Brown can do to turn this around?
Brown trying to control but Soto postures up.

Soto is trying to work for a kimura but Brown is defending well.
Brown is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

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

Soto is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Brown defends it well.
Brown is controlling Soto's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Brown trying to control but Soto postures up.

Soto is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Soto is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Soto is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Brown is defending against the submission attempts here by Soto.

Brown looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Soto is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Brown actively working from the bottom here.
Soto with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Brown is trying to control but can't.

Brown looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Brown moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Brown is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Soto trying to control the position from guard on top but Brown is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Soto thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Brown looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Soto has picked Brown up and slammed him! Brown can't keep hold of the triangle and Soto manages to pass to side control!
Soto gets to mount! Brown was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Soto forces the positional change into back control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Soto dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Brown instigates a clinch.

Soto pulls guard successfully.
Soto can't keep his opponent in guard - Brown advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Soto looking for submissions off his back.
Soto is not content to let Brown control the position.
Brown thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Soto looking for submissions off his back.
Soto won't allow Brown to pass to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soto is looking to control Brown's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Soto avoid being mounted?
Brown sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Soto defending well though.

Brown is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Soto defends it well.
Soto is refusing to be controlled, as Brown sits in half guard.

Soto looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Soto is looking to improve his position.

Soto is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Brown pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Soto wants to control but Brown is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Brown is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Soto doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Brown.

Soto looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Brown seems to be working for a kimura but Soto defends the submission attempt.
Brown wants to control but Soto is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Soto looking for submissions off his back.
Brown looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Soto looking for submissions off his back.
Soto is looking to improve his position.

Soto looking for submissions off his back.
Brown thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Soto's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Brown wants to free his trapped foot but Soto is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Soto is trying to maintain the position but Brown is very close to passing his half guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Soto tries to keep at a distance but Brown has taken the fight into the clinch.

Brown ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Brown no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Brown has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Soto is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Brown.

Soto is trying to get an arm triangle but Brown is defending well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Soto tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Colby Brown really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Brown closes the distance and clinches.
Soto tries to pull guard but Brown won't allow it.

Brown successfully pulls guard.
Brown is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Brown looking for a guillotine here but Soto defends easily.
Soto trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

Brown looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Brown had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Soto defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soto stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Brown swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Brown can't keep his opponent in guard - Soto advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Soto is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Brown defends it well.
Brown is trying to control but can't.

Brown is defending against the submission attempts here by Soto.
Brown is pressing down on Soto's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Soto is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Brown not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brown is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Brown is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Soto is aware though and is defending well.

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

Soto thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Soto stands and throws Brown's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Brown regains half guard.
Brown wants to control but Soto is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Brown looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soto wants to control but Brown is keeping him busy.

Brown looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Soto is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Brown has managed to free his arm - good work.
Brown tries to roll over but Soto keeps him under control.
Brown wants to control but Soto is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Soto is trying to control the action in half guard but Brown is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Brown is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Soto pulls his head out easily.

Soto looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Soto is pressing down on Brown's thigh, looking to free his foot. Brown is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Brown looking for submissions off his back.

Soto seems to be looking for submissions.

Soto is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Brown sees it coming and defends easily.

Soto is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Brown sees it coming and defends easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Brown looking for submissions off his back.
Brown controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Soto had his way with Colby Brown in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Soto instigates a clinch.

Soto manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Soto working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Brown doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Soto is tightening it up a little... Brown has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Brown reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Brown taps out! Nice BJJ there by Soto!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:35 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Rafael Soto!
Rafael Soto retains his bantamweight title!
Our winner, Rafael Soto, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.