PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rashad Sokoudjou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Adam Schmidt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sokoudjou
vs
Schmidt

197 cm
20
269 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

195 cm
21
255 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rashad Sokoudjou!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Adam Schmidt!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Robert Douchet and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Schmidt tries to close the distance and clinch but Sokoudjou swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Sokoudjou scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Sokoudjou working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Schmidt gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Schmidt trying to control from the bottom.
Sokoudjou prevents Schmidt from improving his position.
Schmidt is refusing to be controlled, as Sokoudjou sits in half guard.
Sokoudjou stops Schmidt from getting back to his feet.
Schmidt is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sokoudjou's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sokoudjou's back!
Schmidt doesn't have the hooks in and Sokoudjou manages to turn into his guard.

Schmidt looking for a guillotine here but Sokoudjou defends easily.
Schmidt throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokoudjou pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Schmidt is keeping the position for now.

Sokoudjou thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Schmidt is looking to stand up but Sokoudjou isn't so interested in that idea.

Sokoudjou 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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Schmidt stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Schmidt wants it to stay on the feet.
Sokoudjou shoots in but Schmidt avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sokoudjou lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

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.
Sokoudjou shoots for a takedown but Schmidt saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rashad Sokoudjou. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Schmidt fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sokoudjou tries to score a power double leg takedown but Schmidt sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sokoudjou somewhat.
Schmidt misses with a two punch combination.
Sokoudjou circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sokoudjou swats away the attempt to clinch by Schmidt.
Sokoudjou looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Schmidt is fending him off so far but Sokoudjou persists. Nope, Schmidt circles away and we're back to standing.
Sokoudjou circles away from the clinch attempt.
Schmidt looks to score with a jab to the body but Sokoudjou is just out of range.
Schmidt fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sokoudjou fails to land the takedown.
Schmidt lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sokoudjou circles away quickly and effectively.
Sokoudjou defending well as Schmidt loads up on a big left hand.

Schmidt has closed the distance and engaged Sokoudjou in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schmidt is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Schmidt breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Schmidt throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Schmidt fails with an attempt to clinch.
Adam Schmidt seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Schmidt wants to clinch.
Schmidt throws a right hand that Sokoudjou ducks under and follows up with a left that Sokoudjou also avoids with ease.
No joy there for Schmidt, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Schmidt gets caught flat footed, as Sokoudjou shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Sokoudjou 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.
Schmidt doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Schmidt is trying to keep Sokoudjou in close.

Sokoudjou is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Schmidt is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Schmidt has escaped and now he's on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sokoudjou manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Schmidt manages to get himself to full guard.
Sokoudjou tries to free his leg and advance position but Schmidt is retaining full guard.
Sokoudjou won't allow Schmidt to sweep him here.
Schmidt wants to get back to his feet but Sokoudjou is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Schmidt throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Sokoudjou stopping the sweep attempt from Schmidt.
Sokoudjou prevents Schmidt from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Sokoudjou 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.

Schmidt works over Sokoudjou's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Rashad Sokoudjou has been cut.
Sokoudjou shoots in but no luck this time.
Schmidt tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Schmidt moves in looking to clinch but Sokoudjou pushes him off.

Sokoudjou scores with a takedown into Schmidt's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

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

Sokoudjou drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sokoudjou jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Sokoudjou works over Schmidt with some ground and pound from guard.
Schmidt wants to stand up but Sokoudjou is controlling him.

Schmidt has his feet on Sokoudjou's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schmidt misses with the combination.
Sokoudjou throws a leg kick but Schmidt sees it coming and moves out of range.
Schmidt shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Sokoudjou counters with a slapping leg kick.
Schmidt tries to clinch but Sokoudjou moves away

and Sokoudjou counters with a single leg into guard. Schmidt didn't expect that.
Sokoudjou throws and elbow that misses. Schmidt uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sokoudjou's guard. Nice move by Schmidt!

Sokoudjou looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Schmidt drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Schmidt jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Schmidt wants to stand but Sokoudjou has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Schmidt is breathing heavily.
Sokoudjou lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Schmidt!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schmidt slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Sokoudjou is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Schmidt is really trying hard to get back to his feet.

Sokoudjou is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Schmidt has managed to escape the submission attempt.

Sokoudjou moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Schmidt has worked his arm free - good work by Schmidt!
Schmidt tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sokoudjou avoids the attempt from Schmidt to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schmidt prevents Sokoudjou from taking his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Schmidt tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Schmidt is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Sokoudjou working for a guillotine from mount but Schmidt is in no mood to give up.
Sokoudjou is landing with some decent strikes but Schmidt is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Schmidt can't escape the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sokoudjou lands a big shot there that rocks Schmidt but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Schmidt tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Schmidt is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schmidt is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

Sokoudjou looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Sokoudjou is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Schmidt has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Schmidt!
Schmidt trying to stand up but can't free himself from Sokoudjou's guard.
Schmidt distracts Sokoudjou with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Sokoudjou 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.
Rashad Sokoudjou overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Schmidt drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Schmidt jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Schmidt wants to control from the top but Sokoudjou keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Sokoudjou dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rashad Sokoudjou's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Sokoudjou circles away from the clinch attempt
and Sokoudjou counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Schmidt tries to clinch but Sokoudjou moves out of range.
Schmidt fails with an attempt to clinch.

Sokoudjou drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Schmidt 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.
Schmidt wants to stand up but Sokoudjou is controlling him.
Sokoudjou pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Schmidt is keeping the position for now.
Sokoudjou advances to half guard.

Schmidt manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Schmidt takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Schmidt misses with a wild combination.
Schmidt swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Schmidt gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Sokoudjou to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Sokoudjou won't allow Schmidt to get back to his feet.

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

Schmidt scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Sokoudjou fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Schmidt avoids it really well and circles away.

Sokoudjou shoots in and bounces Schmidt off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schmidt trying to keep a closed guard but Sokoudjou is proving a slippery customer.
Schmidt wants to stand and escape but Sokoudjou is having none of it.

Sokoudjou thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Schmidt is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sokoudjou is controlling him.
Schmidt throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Sokoudjou pushes down on Schmidt's leg and manages to get into half guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schmidt looks like he's trying to stand up.
Schmidt manages to get to full guard.
Schmidt keeping full guard, as Sokoudjou tries to pass.
Sokoudjou makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sokoudjou prevents Schmidt from getting back to his feet.
Sokoudjou wants to pass the guard but Schmidt is keeping the position.

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.
Schmidt is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Sokoudjou drops back, looking for a kneebar! Schmidt looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Schmidt looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Schmidt!
Schmidt trying to control the action but Sokoudjou is working from the bottom.
Schmidt working the head and body with strikes.
Rashad Sokoudjou is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sokoudjou tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Schmidt wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Schmidt passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Sokoudjou!
Sokoudjou tries to reverse the position but Schmidt maintains control.
Adam Schmidt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sokoudjou is bucking up trying to escape but Schmidt cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

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 Rashad Sokoudjou.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sokoudjou, 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:27
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rashad Sokoudjou!