PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Soto (ranked 473 p4p, 1707 weight class) and Davey Hilton Jr (ranked 26 p4p, 98 weight class). Soto comes to the cage accompanied by Death con carne by - SEPULTURA. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Soto
vs
Hilton Jr

160 cm
26
138
7 - 0 - 0

150 cm
25
130
3 - 0 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Highland Clothing
UnderGround Threads

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 7 - 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 3 - 0 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Davey Hilton Jr!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Michael Johnstone and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

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

Soto pulls guard successfully.
Hilton Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Soto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

Soto looking for a guillotine here but Hilton Jr defends easily.
Hilton Jr is looking to stand up but Soto won't let him.
Hilton Jr throws a big right hand that misses.

Soto is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Soto definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hilton Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Soto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Soto is on top in guard.

Hilton Jr working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Soto doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Soto manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hilton Jr wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Soto is now in half guard.

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

Hilton Jr actively working from the bottom here.

Hilton Jr looking for submissions off his back.

Soto seems to be looking for submissions.
Hilton Jr has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Soto is working away from the top position though.
Hilton Jr slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soto tries to free his leg and advance position but Hilton Jr is retaining full guard.
Soto trying to control the position from guard on top but Hilton Jr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Soto looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Soto pushes down on Hilton Jr's leg and manages to get into half guard.

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

Soto seems to be working for a kimura but Hilton Jr defends the submission attempt.
Hilton Jr trying to control but Soto postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hilton Jr is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Soto is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Hilton Jr trying to control but Soto postures up.
Hilton Jr tries to get to full guard but Soto has control of the leg.

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

Soto is trying to work for a kimura but Hilton Jr is defending well.

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.

Hilton Jr actively working from the bottom here.

Soto is working for a submission of some sort.
Hilton Jr has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Soto is working away from the top position though.

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

Soto is working for a submission of some sort.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hilton Jr is trying to maintain the position but Soto is very close to passing his half guard.
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!

Soto rushes Hilton Jr and presses him up against the cage.
Hilton Jr trying to land knees to the body.

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

Soto escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hilton Jr gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Soto not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hilton Jr trying to control but Soto is working from the bottom.
Hilton Jr 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.
Hilton Jr working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Soto is looking for a triangle but Hilton Jr pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hilton Jr trying to control the position but Soto is working away.
Soto manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Hilton Jr moves into full guard.

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 trying to control the position from guard on top but Hilton Jr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hilton Jr seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Soto drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Hilton Jr dives on top into guard.

Hilton Jr avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Soto working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hilton Jr doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hilton Jr manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Soto keeping moving, preventing Hilton Jr from controlling successfully.

Soto has an active guard here but Hilton Jr has managed to pass into half guard.
Soto trying to control from the bottom.
Hilton Jr trying to control from half guard but Soto is working away.

Soto looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

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

Soto looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Soto actively working from the bottom here.
Soto is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hilton Jr can do to turn this around?

Soto actively working from the bottom here.

Soto actively working from the bottom here.
Hilton Jr 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.
Soto is staying active underneath Hilton Jr, who seems content to just control the action from this 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.
Soto trying to control from the bottom.

Soto actively working from the bottom here.

Soto actively working from the bottom here.
Hilton Jr thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Soto's head.
Hilton Jr passes to full mount!
Soto is looking to improve his position but Hilton Jr isn't that keen on the idea.
Hilton Jr lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hilton Jr with the ground and pound from mount.
Soto really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Soto wants to control but Hilton Jr is having none of it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Davey Hilton Jr will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Soto instigates a clinch.

Soto drags the fight down to the ground.

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

Soto looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hilton Jr trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Soto escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hilton Jr gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hilton Jr got a little sloppy there for a moment and Soto has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hilton Jr has managed to get both his arms back between Soto's legs - danger averted.
Hilton Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Soto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Hilton Jr avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Soto keeping moving, preventing Hilton Jr from controlling successfully.

Soto has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Hilton Jr 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 Soto.
Soto regains half guard.
Hilton Jr seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Soto tries to roll over but Hilton Jr keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Soto looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Soto actively working from the bottom here.

Soto looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Soto is defending against the submission attempts here by Hilton Jr.
Hilton Jr passes to full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Hilton Jr connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Hilton Jr tries to control but Soto wriggling away.
Hilton Jr avoids the attempt from Soto to control.
Hilton Jr trying to control but Soto is having none of it.
Hilton Jr controlling from mount.
Soto is wriggling around trying to escape.
Hilton Jr throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Soto really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hilton Jr lands a big shot there that rocks Soto but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Soto is wriggling around trying to escape.
Soto tries to lock up and control but Hilton Jr gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Soto tries to reverse the position but Hilton Jr maintains control.
Soto is working hard here to advance position.
Soto has given up his back.
Soto is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Rafael Soto overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Hilton Jr is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
I really don't envy Soto right now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hilton Jr trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Davey Hilton Jr really dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Soto drives through and clinches with Hilton Jr against the cage.
Hilton Jr missing with knees to the body.
Soto managing to block the knees to the body from Hilton Jr.

Soto jumps into guard, dragging Hilton Jr to the mat.
Hilton Jr trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Soto isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Hilton Jr stacks Soto on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Hilton Jr!

Hilton Jr thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Soto tries to get back to half guard but can't.
We've been informed that Hilton Jr has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Hilton Jr misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soto tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hilton Jr is looking to take a break and control but Soto is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Soto parries the strikes from Hilton Jr easily there. Hilton Jr is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Soto to escape.
Soto is trying to improve his position.
Hilton Jr looking to control but instead Soto has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Soto moves into full guard.

Soto escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hilton Jr gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hilton Jr advances to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Soto is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hilton Jr pulls his head out easily.
Hilton Jr trying to control from half guard but Soto is working away.
Soto is looking for a sweep. Hilton Jr is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hilton Jr wants to free his trapped foot but Soto is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Soto is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hilton Jr pulls his head out easily.
Hilton Jr prevents Soto from improving his position.

Hilton Jr 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Soto actively working from the bottom here.
Hilton Jr works his way into side control.
Hilton Jr landing strikes.

Hilton Jr wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Soto, who protects the arm well.
Soto wants to control but Hilton Jr postures up.

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.
Soto is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on Soto's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Hilton Jr is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Soto is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Soto is looking to reverse the position.
Hilton Jr trying to control the position but Soto is working away.
Hilton Jr is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Soto is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Hilton Jr off and has taken his back!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Davey Hilton Jr will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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 gets in close and instigates a clinch.

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

Soto is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hilton Jr looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Hilton Jr trying to control but Soto is working from the bottom.

Soto throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hilton Jr pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Soto is keeping the position for now.
Hilton Jr loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hilton Jr looking to pass the guard.

Soto working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hilton Jr 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... Hilton Jr has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Hilton Jr reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Hilton Jr taps out! Nice BJJ there by Soto!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:45 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Rafael Soto!
Rafael Soto retains his bantamweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Rafael Soto thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.