PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Luka Sorenson (ranked 3660 p4p, 2450 weight class) and Luan Mesquita (ranked 400 p4p, 278 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Sorenson
vs
Mesquita

187 cm
22
186
3 - 2 - 0

188 cm
23
200
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
The Pharmacy Phuket

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Luka Sorenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Luan Mesquita!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Fedor Mirinova and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice body punch from Sorenson.
Sorenson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sorenson throws a sloppy body shot
and Mesquita connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mesquita keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mesquita takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Mesquita cracks Sorenson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Sorenson throws a good cross that connects.
We've been told by Sorenson's head coaches at The Nest that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
A shot to the liver by Mesquita. Beautiful body shot.
Sorenson lands a slapping body shot.
Sorenson connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Mesquita's hands.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fighters circling - Mesquita throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mesquita changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Mesquita misses with a looping right.
Sorenson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Sorenson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Mesquita.
Sorenson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Mesquita under the eye.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mesquita connects with a nice looking jab.
Mesquita ducks under a wild hook from Sorenson.
Mesquita looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A slow jab from Mesquita misses its intended target.
Mesquita takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Donk. Mesquita catches Sorenson right on the button with a cross.
Mesquita changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Luka Sorenson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sorenson connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Mesquita's hands.
Sorenson throws a body punch but Mesquita moves out of range.
Sorenson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Mesquita misses with a straight left.
Sorenson scores with a nice right hand.
Sorenson takes a swing at Mesquita's ribcage but misses.
Sorenson misses with a body shot.
Sorenson misses with a wild body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mesquita scores with the left hand. Sorenson knows he should have avoided that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita takes a jab right on the kisser.
Mesquita misses with a hook. Sorenson ducked under it nicely.
It appears Sorenson was looking to counter with a kick there.
Sorenson throws a solid leg kick but Mesquita takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Sorenson.
Sorenson is looking to wear down Mesquita with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Sorenson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mesquita looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Sorenson throws a push kick but Mesquita slaps the foot to one side.
Mesquita takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Sorenson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Mesquita scores with a hook.
Sorenson throws a right hand that misses
and Mesquita counters with a nice uppercut.
Luka Sorenson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sorenson throws a body punch but Mesquita moves out of range.
Mesquita stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Sorenson.
A jab from Mesquita does it's job there.
Mesquita throws a lazy right hand but Sorenson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mesquita throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sorenson scores with a jab to the body.
Sorenson loads up on a big right hand but Mesquita slips the punch.
Mesquita works the jab nicely.
Sorenson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sorenson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sorenson with the inside leg kick.
A big left from Mesquita misses.
Mesquita gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Mesquita scores with a takedown into Sorenson's guard.
Sorenson wants to stand and escape but Mesquita is having none of it.
Mesquita trying to control the position from guard on top but Sorenson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sorenson is keeping the position for now.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mesquita trying to control but Sorenson is working from the bottom.
Sorenson is looking to stand up but Mesquita isn't so interested in that idea.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Mesquita trying to control the position from guard on top but Sorenson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sorenson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Mesquita. That did some damage!
Mesquita throws an overhand right that lands on Sorenson's shoulder, as Sorenson tries to avoid the shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Luka Sorenson will probably get the nod.
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.

Mesquita connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Mesquita throws out a powerful jab.
Mesquita with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Sorenson to score with a decent uppercut.
Mesquita looks to land a left hand but Sorenson moved out of range nicely.
An attempted straight right counter from Sorenson misses the target.
Mesquita throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sorenson connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Mesquita momentarily.
Sorenson misses the shot to the body.
Mesquita misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sorenson.
Sorenson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mesquita looks to land a right hand but Sorenson moved out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mesquita bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Sorenson's head.
Mesquita moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Sorenson looks to land a left hand but Mesquita moved out of range nicely.
Sorenson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mesquita jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sorenson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Mesquita counters with a nice uppercut.
Sorenson cracks a nice hook into Mesquita's ribs.
Mesquita takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Mesquita checks a leg kick.
Sorenson throws a body punch but Mesquita moves out of range.
Sorenson looks to throw the jab but Mesquita is out of range.
Mesquita staying out of range there.
Sorenson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mesquita moves away.
Mesquita looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Sorenson misses with a straight right.
Sorenson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Mesquita. Mesquita circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Mesquita fails with the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Sorenson.
Sorenson throws a hook to the side of Mesquita's head but Mesquita sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mesquita fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sorenson manages to avoid it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mesquita keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mesquita slips under a jab.
Mesquita fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Sorenson looks to score with a jab to the body but Mesquita is just out of range.
Jab, jab by Mesquita - just one landing.
Mesquita misses with a left hand
enabling Sorenson to counter with a crisp jab.
Sorenson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mesquita.
Mesquita moves forwards but Sorenson connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Sorenson throws a sloppy body shot
and Mesquita counters with a nice body shot.
Nice jab there from Sorenson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sorenson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Mesquita moves out of range of the body kick.
Mesquita swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Sorenson throws out a powerful jab.
Mesquita moves away from the strike by Sorenson.
A telegraphed right hand from Mesquita misses the target.
Mesquita with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Sorenson to score with a decent uppercut.
Mesquita takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sorenson throws a body shot but no joy.
Mesquita swings for the body but Sorenson moves out of range.
Sorenson scores with a jab. Mesquita acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Sorenson tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Mesquita is able to avoid easily.
Sorenson throws a jab but it's blocked by Mesquita.
Mesquita scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Mesquita shoots in but Sorenson avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sorenson works the jab nicely.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Mesquita waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sorenson.
A lazy left from Mesquita finds it's target.
Mesquita misses with a hook
and Sorenson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Luka Sorenson is winning the standup battle so far.
Sorenson moves out of range of the strikes.
Sorenson is looking to counter punch.
A shot to the body from Sorenson misses
and Mesquita counters with a nice body shot.
Mesquita looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Mesquita slips under a jab.
Mesquita avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mesquita throws a jab when Sorenson was well out of range.
Sorenson scores with a jab to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Luka Sorenson dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Sorenson scores with a jab to the body.
Luka Sorenson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sorenson throws a front kick that sends Mesquita stumbling back into the cage.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Mesquita crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Sorenson - the referee stops the clock and Mesquita gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Sorenson. Mesquita manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Mesquita shoots and misses
and Sorenson counters with a stiff right hand.
Sorenson lands a jab to Mesquita's midsection.
Sorenson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mesquita manages to avoid it.
Mesquita uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sorenson.
Mesquita with a hook.
Sorenson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Mesquita uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sorenson.
Mesquita ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Mesquita slips a straight right by Sorenson.
Mesquita slips a jab from Sorenson.
Sorenson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
And Mesquita tries to counter it with a takedown but Sorenson pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Sorenson misses.
Mesquita lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sorenson at a distance.
Sorenson looks for the body kick but Mesquita saw that one coming.
Mesquita defending well as Sorenson loads up on a big left hand.
Mesquita throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A jab lands there for Sorenson.
Sorenson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mesquita let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Mesquita looks to score with a jab to the body but Sorenson is just out of range.
A swing and a miss from Mesquita.
It looked like Sorenson was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Mesquita.
Sorenson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Mesquita has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Mesquita misses with a looping left.
A jab from Mesquita misses.
Mesquita drops his hands momentarily and Sorenson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Mesquita throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sorenson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mesquita moves away.
Sorenson is looking to score with low kicks.
Sorenson throws a poor cross that misses
and Mesquita counters with a stiff right hand.
Sorenson misses the body punch
and Mesquita counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Mesquita closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Mesquita trying to mount his opponent but Sorenson defends it.
Sorenson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Sorenson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Mesquita wants to work for an arm triangle but Sorenson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Mesquita missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mesquita wants to work for an arm triangle but Sorenson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Mesquita not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sorenson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Mesquita seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Mesquita drops an elbow to the side of Sorenson's head.
Sorenson tries to kick Mesquita off but Mesquita keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Mesquita missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Nice strikes from Mesquita there.
Sorenson looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sorenson makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Mesquita looks to score with a jab to the body but Sorenson is just out of range.
Sorenson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Mesquita under the eye.
Sorenson lands the left hand.
A punch lands to the side of Sorenson 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Sorenson scores with a shot to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Sorenson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mesquita.
Luan Mesquita has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sorenson lands a glancing blow to the side of Mesquita's head.
Mesquita scores with a shot to the body.
Decent striking displayed by Sorenson there.
Sorenson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Sorenson lands with a nice body punch.

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 Luka Sorenson.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sorenson, 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Luka Sorenson!
A relieved looking Luka Sorenson thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.