PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Patrick Plo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Solovyev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Plo comes to the cage accompanied by ISIS - Grinning Mouths. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Vladimir Solovyev was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Plo
vs
Solovyev

173 cm
22
150 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

171 cm
20
157 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

BUY ONE,GET TWO

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Patrick Plo!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Vladimir Solovyev!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Tarja Halkonen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Plo looks to score with a jab to the body but Solovyev is just out of range.
A big left from Plo misses.
Solovyev changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Solovyev misses with a shot to the body
and Plo counters with a left to the body.
Solovyev thows a body shot but no joy.
Solovyev sizes up Plo with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Plo misses with a body shot.
Solovyev with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Solovyev swings for the body but Plo moves out of range.
Solovyev looks to land a combination. Plo sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Solovyev scores with a nice right hand.
Plo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Solovyev tries to avoid it but Plo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Solovyev to the ground. Solovyev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Solovyev is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Plo rather than just go for the knockout.
Solovyev misses with a shot to the body

and Plo counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Solovyev pushes Plo off and gets back to his feet.
Solovyev throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Plo misses with a takedown attempt - Solovyev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Vladimir Solovyev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Solovyev slips under a jab from Plo.
Plo misses the shot to the body.
Solovyev wants to clinch.
Plo scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Plo throws a big shot that misses.
Danga de danga de dang - Solovyev scores with a four punch combination!
Plo lands a right hook to the body.
Plo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Solovyev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Plo looks to throw the jab but Solovyev is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Solovyev avoids the body shot from Plo.

Solovyev darts in and clinches Plo up against the cage.
Plo stalling in the clinch but Solovyev improves position.
Solovyev works on Plo's body with a couple of short punches.

Solovyev breaks from the clinch.
Solovyev throws a looping overhand right but Plo ducks down to avoid it.
Solovyev catches Plo with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Solovyev ducks under a wild hook from Plo.
Solovyev blocks a jab.
Solovyev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Plo moves away.
Plo misses with a shot to the body
and Solovyev cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Plo tries to bum rush Solovyev with a series of wild strikes but Solovyev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Plo throws a predictable looking body shot
and Solovyev counters with a straight right hand.
Plo comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Plo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Solovyev is fending him off so far but Plo persists. Nope, Solovyev circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Patrick Plo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Solovyev swings for the body but Plo moves out of range.
Plo scores with a jab to the jaw.
Plo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Solovyev circles away quickly and effectively.
A looping hook to the body misses from Solovyev. Plo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Plo swings away with a body shot that misses
and Solovyev makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Solovyev swings away with a body shot that misses
letting Plo counter with a right hand.
Solovyev thows a body shot but no joy.
Solovyev throws a good cross that connects.
Solovyev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Plo.
Solovyev misses with a wild body shot.
Nice defenses there by Solovyev.
Plo misses with a takedown
and Solovyev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's four 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.
Solovyev fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Plo scores with a jab to the head.
Plo tries to bum rush Solovyev with a series of wild strikes but Solovyev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Solovyev swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Plo counters with a left to the body.
Solovyev connects with a crisp jab.
Plo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Solovyev.
Solovyev misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Plo counters with a one-two to the body.
Solovyev takes a swing at Plo's ribcage but misses.
Good exchange - Solovyev coming out on top.
Plo throws a jab but it's blocked by Solovyev.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Solovyev stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Plo darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Solovyev works his way to full guard. Good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Solovyev dominated that round.
That's time! Plo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Plo with a poor takedown
and Solovyev counters with a nice body shot.
Solovyev scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Jab from Solovyev.
A looping hook to the body misses from Solovyev. Plo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Solovyev throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Plo stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Plo shoots in for a takedown but Solovyev shows good takedown defense.
Solovyev displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Plo.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Patrick Plo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Plo feints and as Solovyev raises his hands in defense, Plo changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Solovyev is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Plo is controlling him.
Plo works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Plo is looking to take a break and control but Solovyev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Solovyev kicks Plo off and gets back to his feet.
Solovyev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Plo is defended easily by Solovyev.
Solovyev blocks a jab.
Plo throws a jab but it's blocked by Solovyev.
Solovyev throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Plo stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Plo moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Horrible takedown by Plo or perhaps it was just good defense by Solovyev which made him look bad.
Plo keeps the fight on the outside.
Plo swings for the body but Solovyev moves out of range.
Plo misses with a takedown attempt
and Solovyev counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Plo thinking.
Solovyev is looking to clinch but Plo is avoiding it.
Solovyev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Plo.
Plo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Solovyev looks to clinch
and Plo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Plo moves into range and connects with a jab.
Patrick Plo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Plo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Solovyev but Solovyev pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Plo misses with a hook. Solovyev ducked under it nicely.
Solovyev throws a sloppy body shot
and Plo counters with a straight right hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Solovyev. Plo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Solovyev throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Plo.
Solovyev cracks a nice hook into Plo's ribs.
Solovyev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Plo was well out of range. Poor timing from Solovyev.
A big right from Solovyev misses.
Solovyev throws a body punch but Plo moves out of range.
Solovyev throws a body punch but Plo moves out of range.
Plo misses with a body punch
letting Solovyev counter with a right hand.
Plo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

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.
Plo takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Plo slips under a jab.
Solovyev scores with the left hand. Plo knows he should have avoided that one.
Plo works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Solovyev gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Plo to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Solovyev pushes Plo off and gets back to his feet.
No joy there for Plo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Solovyev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Plo takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Solovyev connects with a looping right hand.
Solovyev misses with a body shot
and Plo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Plo misses with a straight left.
Solovyev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Plo fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Solovyev avoids it really well and circles away.
Solovyev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Plo moves out of range as Solovyev strikes.
Plo lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Plo.
Plo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Solovyev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Solovyev takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Plo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Solovyev.
Solovyev lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Plo circles away quickly and effectively.
Plo closes this distance looking for a takedown but Solovyev circles away.
Solovyev looks to score with a jab to the body but Plo is just out of range.
Solovyev tries to close the distance and clinch but Plo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Solovyev takes a swing at Plo's ribcage but misses.

Plo scores with a takedown into Solovyev's guard.
Plo controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Plo wants to pass the guard but Solovyev is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Plo being controlled here momentarily.
Solovyev wants to get back to his feet but Plo is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Solovyev utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Plo prevents Solovyev from getting back to his feet.
Solovyev keeping moving, preventing Plo from controlling successfully.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Plo thows a body shot but no joy.
Solovyev doesn't manage to clinch there - Plo circles away.

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.
Plo throws an overhand right that lands on Solovyev's shoulder, as Solovyev tries to avoid the shot.
Plo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Plo throws the left hand but Solovyev avoids the punch easily.
Plo swats away the attempt to clinch by Solovyev.
Plo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Solovyev is looking to clinch.
Plo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Solovyev moves away.
Solovyev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Plo manages to avoid it.
Nice sprawl there from Solovyev as Plo shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Patrick Plo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Solovyev rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Plo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Vladimir Solovyev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Plo looks for a takedown but Solovyev sprawls well.
Plo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Patrick Plo did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Good exchange - Plo coming out on top.
Plo shoots in and drives through. Solovyev sprawls well.
Plo listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Solovyev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Plo manages to avoid it.
Solovyev swings for the body but Plo moves out of range.
Plo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Plo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Solovyev.
A telegraphed right hand from Plo misses the target.

Plo scores with a takedown into Solovyev's guard.
Solovyev utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Plo trying to control the position from guard on top but Solovyev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Solovyev wriggles free and stands up.
Plo looks to land a combination but Solovyev avoids it well.
Solovyev ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Plo throws a hook but Solovyev avoids it easily.
Plo shoots in and drives through. Solovyev sprawls well.

That's two 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.
Solovyev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Plo.
Plo throws a lazy right hand but Solovyev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Plo tries for a takedown but Solovyev circles away easily

and Solovyev moves into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Patrick Plo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Plo gets control of Solovyev's arms and successfully pulls guard. Plo will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Solovyev tries to stand but Plo is controlling from the bottom.
Plo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Solovyev sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Plo is trying to keep Solovyev in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Plo is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Solovyev is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Plo pulls Solovyev in to control the position.

Plo working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Solovyev has passed into half guard!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Plo wants to control but Solovyev is keeping busy.
Plo wants to get back to full guard.
Plo trying to control but Solovyev postures up.

Solovyev stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Plo takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Vladimir Solovyev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Plo shoots in for a takedown but Solovyev shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Solovyev takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Plo walks into a jab.
Plo is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Plo lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Plo showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Solovyev.
Solovyev jabs at Plo's body.
Solovyev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Plo.
Plo looks to throw the jab but Solovyev is out of range.
Solovyev misses with a body punch

and Plo counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Solovyev!
Plo controlling from the full mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Plo scoring with strikes but Solovyev is staying in there.
Plo looking to control and managing it successfully.
Plo tries to control but Solovyev wriggling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Solovyev is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Solovyev taking shots to the head.
Plo looking to control but Solovyev is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Plo controlling his opponent.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Patrick Plo just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Plo slips under a jab from Solovyev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Solovyev throws a predictable looking body shot

and Plo counters with a nice double leg into side control. Solovyev won't be happy with that.
Solovyev avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Plo.
Sloppy strikes there by Plo.
Patrick Plo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vladimir Solovyev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Plo cracks Solovyev with a big right hand but Solovyev just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Plo trying to control the position but Solovyev is working away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Patrick Plo showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Solovyev has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 46:49
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 46:49
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vladimir Solovyev!
Vladimir Solovyev is the new featherweight champion!