PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Frank Castle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rashad Sokoudjou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Castle's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Holy Wars...The Punishment Due. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Castle
vs
Sokoudjou

193 cm
22
271 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

197 cm
21
287 lbs
7 - 1 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Next Level Nutrition (158q for $50!!!!)
PWNAGE $19.50 Clothing NY - Over 150 Designs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Frank Castle!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Rashad Sokoudjou!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, William Peck and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Castle throws a lazy right hand but Sokoudjou sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sokoudjou throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sokoudjou.
Castle throws a jab when Sokoudjou was well out of range.
Castle misses with a looping left.
Sokoudjou tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Castle paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sokoudjou. Castle does a little dance to reset his feet.
Castle looks to throw the jab but Sokoudjou is out of range.
Sokoudjou looks for a takedown but Castle sprawls well.
Sokoudjou fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Castle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Castle keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sokoudjou wants to clinch.
Sokoudjou looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Frank Castle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rashad Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou throws an overhand right that lands on Castle's shoulder, as Castle tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokoudjou fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Castle avoids it really well and circles away.
A head kick misses from Castle.
Sokoudjou defending well as Castle loads up on a big left hand.
Sokoudjou connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Frank Castle is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sokoudjou lands a nice shot to the body.
Castle throws a sloppy head kick and Sokoudjou moves out of range easily.
A good leg kick by Sokoudjou.
Castle uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou takes one on the button.

It looks like Rashad Sokoudjou has been cut.
Sokoudjou missing with a left hand there. Castle was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rashad Sokoudjou seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice shot lands for Castle.
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!
Castle wants to clinch but Sokoudjou slips to the side

and Sokoudjou counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sokoudjou misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sokoudjou controlling the action here for a moment.
Sokoudjou working aggressively here.

Sokoudjou manages to pull guard.
Sokoudjou lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Castle!
Castle is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sokoudjou throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Castle tries to reverse the position but Sokoudjou maintains control.
Sokoudjou has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokoudjou tries to control but Castle wriggling away.
Castle holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Sokoudjou tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Sokoudjou in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Castle keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Castle wants to hold on but Sokoudjou pushes him away.
Sokoudjou trying to control but he's not successful this time.

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.
Sokoudjou lands a big shot there that rocks Castle but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

It looks like Frank Castle has been cut.
Sokoudjou postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Castle looks a forlorn figure.
Castle is looking to improve his position but Sokoudjou isn't that keen on the idea.
Sokoudjou is in the full mount, landing strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sokoudjou landing strikes from the mount and Castle is in trouble!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sokoudjou looking to finish with strikes here!
Castle is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Sokoudjou dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sokoudjou has Castle up against the cage in a clinch.
Castle tries a body shot but Sokoudjou blocks it.
Sokoudjou throws a head punch that misses.
Sokoudjou can't find room to land a body shot as Castle controls the action.
Sokoudjou is trying to break the clinch but Castle is controlling him.
Sokoudjou fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Castle is leaning against Sokoudjou and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Castle works on Sokoudjou's body with a couple of short punches.
Castle controlling the action here for a moment.
Sokoudjou misses with a punch on the inside.
Sokoudjou tries to throw a body punch but Castle avoids it by throwing Sokoudjou back against the cage.
Sokoudjou tries to throw a body punch but Castle avoids it by throwing Sokoudjou back against the cage.
Sokoudjou works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Sokoudjou misses with a hook to the ribs.
Castle manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Castle has a couple of punches blocked by Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou is breathing heavily.
Castle lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sokoudjou tries to pull guard but Castle won't allow it.
Castle throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Castle scores with a nice hook to the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Castle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokoudjou has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Castle works on Sokoudjou's body with a couple of short punches.
Castle throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Castle lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Sokoudjou backwards.
Castle trying to control the position but instead, Sokoudjou has worked for underhooks and has pushed Castle into the cage.
Castle lands with a light punch inside.
Castle lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Castle throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A short right from Castle on the inside.
Castle taking a breather.
Castle gets through Sokoudjou's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Castle is looking to control Sokoudjou's arms but Sokoudjou gets an underhook and turns him. Now Castle has his back to the cage.
Castle lands a body punch in the clinch.
Castle is looking to control Sokoudjou's arms but Sokoudjou gets an underhook and turns him. Now Castle has his back to the cage.
A right hand to the body from Castle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Castle lands a nice shot to the body.

Castle breaks the clinch.
Castle misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castle ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Castle misses the shot to the body.
Castle tries to clinch there but Sokoudjou circles away.
Castle misses with a body shot
and Sokoudjou makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Castle scores with a jab to the body.
Castle lands a jab.
Sokoudjou is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Castle rather than just go for the knockout.
A looping hook to the body misses from Castle. Sokoudjou does a little dance to reset his feet.
Castle tries to clinch but Sokoudjou is having none of it.
Castle lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Castle throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Castle takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sokoudjou steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Castle.
Sokoudjou misses the body punch
and Castle counters with a three punch combo that has Sokoudjou backing up. Sokoudjou nods at Castle to acknowledge the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castle swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sokoudjou scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Castle doesn't seem bothered though.
Castle on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Sokoudjou tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Castle was well out of range. Poor timing from Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou slips under a jab from Castle.
Castle takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Castle scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Sokoudjou shoots in and drives through. Castle sprawls well.
Frank Castle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rashad Sokoudjou.
Castle misses with the combination.

Castle clinches with his opponent.
Castle will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Sokoudjou up against the cage.
Castle scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sokoudjou tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A right handed body shot lands from Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Castle stalling.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Sokoudjou tries to work over Castle's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Castle.
Castle stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Castle lands a body shot in the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sokoudjou as Castle tries to tie him up.
Sokoudjou goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Castle digs a right hand into Sokoudjou's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Sokoudjou's gas tank.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Castle.
Castle blocks a body shot from Sokoudjou.
Castle working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Castle lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sokoudjou backwards.
A body shot lands from Castle.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Castle takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
A short left from Castle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Castle dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Castle's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sokoudjou ducks under a wild hook from Castle.
Sokoudjou fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Castle slips under a jab from Sokoudjou.
Castle connects with a body shot.
Castle misses with a shot to the body
and Sokoudjou counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A nice combination there by Castle.
Sokoudjou uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Castle.
Sokoudjou moves away from the strike by Castle.
Castle misses with an attempted mid kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Castle. Sokoudjou does a little dance to reset his feet.
Frank Castle is winning the standup battle so far.
Castle throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou looks to throw the jab but Castle is out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sokoudjou shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Castle as he jumps to the side.
Sokoudjou misses with a shot to the body
and Castle counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokoudjou avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sokoudjou keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Castle misses the body punch

and Sokoudjou counters with a single leg into guard. Castle didn't expect that.
Sokoudjou throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Castle works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Castle is on top in guard.

Sokoudjou is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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.
Castle has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Sokoudjou wants to hit a switch here but Castle passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Sokoudjou there!

Castle is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Sokoudjou walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Castle misses with a body punch

and Sokoudjou counters with a shoot takedown. Castle fights it but they end up in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Castle holds on and takes a little breather.
Sokoudjou postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sokoudjou won't allow Castle to sweep him here.
Sokoudjou trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sokoudjou thows a big elbow that misses.
Sokoudjou trying to control the position from guard on top but Castle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Castle utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

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.
Sokoudjou tries to free his leg and advance position but Castle is retaining full guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sokoudjou lands a jab to the head.
Castle uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Castle is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Castle defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sokoudjou.
Frank Castle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rashad Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou swats away the attempt to clinch by Castle.
Castle misses with a body shot.
Sokoudjou loads up on a big right hand but Castle slips the punch.
Castle tries to bum rush Sokoudjou with a series of wild strikes but Sokoudjou uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Castle clearly takes that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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.

Sokoudjou misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Castle.
Sokoudjou fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Castle throws a wild body kick that Sokoudjou sees coming a mile off.
Sokoudjou punishes Castle's body with a nice straight punch.
Sokoudjou is looking to clinch.

Castle closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Sokoudjou holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Castle tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sokoudjou's elbow.
Frank Castle has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Sokoudjou throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A hook to the body from Castle.

Sokoudjou escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Castle gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Sokoudjou to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Sokoudjou trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Castle manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Sokoudjou is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castle stopping the sweep attempt from Sokoudjou.
Castle advances to half guard.
Sokoudjou wants to get back to full guard.
Castle keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's two 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.
Sokoudjou tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Castle is thwarting Sokoudjou's attempts to control the position.
Sokoudjou is looking to improve his position.
Rashad Sokoudjou has got the better of the ground game so far.
Castle with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A swing and a miss from Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Castle manages to avoid it.

Sokoudjou looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Sokoudjou pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Castle is keeping the position for now.
Castle is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four 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.
Sokoudjou wants to control from the top but Castle keeps moving.
Sokoudjou postures up in Castle's guard and throws a big left but Castle blocks it.
Castle keeping moving, preventing Sokoudjou from controlling successfully.
Castle trying to keep a closed guard but Sokoudjou is proving a slippery customer.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sokoudjouis looking to pass into half guard but Castle pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Castle is in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Sokoudjou dominated that fourth round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Sokoudjou shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Castle misses with a body kick.
Castle fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Sokoudjou on the side of the head.
Sokoudjou swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Castle counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Castle swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Castle misses with a hook. Sokoudjou ducked under it nicely.
Sokoudjou jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Sokoudjou darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Castle wants to improve his position but Sokoudjou is controlling well.
Castle wants to control but Sokoudjou is keeping busy.
Sokoudjou is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castle is controlling Sokoudjou's trapped leg to prevent Sokoudjou from advancing to side control.
Castle works his way to full guard. Good work.
Sokoudjou pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Castle is keeping the position for now.
Sokoudjou throws and elbow that misses. Castle uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sokoudjou's guard. Nice move by Castle!
Sokoudjou wants to sweep but no luck.

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.
Sokoudjou is trying to keep Castle in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sokoudjou looking for a guillotine here but Castle defends easily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sokoudjou takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Castle moves into the clinch successfully.
Castle lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Sokoudjou or not.
Castle effectively controlling the action here.
Castle lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sokoudjou backwards.
Castle stalling in the clinch.
Castle lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Good body shot from Castle.
Castle working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Castle lands a left hand.
Castle's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
A nice right hand lands inside from Castle.
Sokoudjou tries a body shot but Castle blocks it.
A head punch on the inside from Sokoudjou fails to land.
Castle lands a body punch in the clinch.
Sokoudjou looking to slow down the pace here.
A body shot lands from Castle.
Castle works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Castle lands a body shot in the clinch.
Castle trying to land knees to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sokoudjou as Castle tries to tie him up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A hook to the body from Castle.

Castle manages to break the clinch.
Castle throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sokoudjou throws a body punch but Castle moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frank Castle showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Castle has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 48:47
Judge William Peck scores the fight 48:46
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank Castle!
Frank Castle retains his heavyweight title!