PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between George Sotiropoulos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Schneider (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sotiropoulos comes into the arena with The Humbling River blaring out of the sound system. Max Schneider acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Sotiropoulos
vs
Schneider

175 cm
24
162 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

172 cm
22
152 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
KO power

Good wrestler
Good elbows
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, George Sotiropoulos!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Max Schneider!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Mauricio Rocha and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sotiropoulos throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Schneider to counter with a crisp jab.
Schneider fails with the takedown.
Schneider connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Sotiropoulos takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sotiropoulos thuds his right hand into Schneider's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Sotiropoulos throws the left hand but Schneider avoids the punch easily.

Schneider scores with a takedown into Sotiropoulos's guard.
Schneider wants to control from the top but Sotiropoulos keeps moving.
Sotiropoulos looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schneider is pushing down on Sotiropoulos's leg trying to pass to half guard. Sotiropoulos is fighting to maintain full guard but Schneider has managed to sneak the leg through.
Schneider stalling.
Sotiropoulos is refusing to be controlled, as Schneider sits in half guard.
Schneider not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Schneider missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Sotiropoulos avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Schneider.
Schneider is trying to control the action in half guard but Sotiropoulos is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Schneider seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Sotiropoulos blocking the ground and pound attempt from Schneider.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schneider is controlling the pace.
Schneider is pressing down on Sotiropoulos's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sotiropoulos is holding on for now.
Schneider is thwarting Sotiropoulos's attempts to control the position.
Schneider throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sotiropoulos blocking the ground and pound attempt from Schneider.
Sotiropoulos is trying to control but can't.
Sotiropoulos tries to get to full guard but Schneider has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sotiropoulos on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Schneider scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Schneider wants to pass the guard but Sotiropoulos is defending well.
Sotiropoulos wants to get back to full guard.
Schneider not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Sotiropoulos wants to get back to full guard.
Schneider throwing shots but Sotiropoulos is blocking nicely.
Schneider works his foot free and advances to mount.
Schneider looking to ground and pound but Sotiropoulos is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sotiropoulos is trying desperately to improve position.
Schneider unloading with bombs!

It looks like George Sotiropoulos has been cut.
Schneider is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Schneider takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Schneider scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Sotiropoulos is bucking up trying to escape but Schneider cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Schneider cracks Sotiropoulos with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

George Sotiropoulos's cut is getting worse.
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!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Schneider scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Schneider looking to control and managing it successfully.
Sotiropoulos is trying to escape the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Schneider dominated that round.
The cut man is working on George Sotiropoulos's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A low kick from Schneider misses
and Sotiropoulos counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Schneider tries to work over Sotiropoulos's front leg with a kick but Sotiropoulos checks it.
Schneider wants to slow Sotiropoulos down by chopping away at his legs.
Schneider shoots for a takedown but Sotiropoulos saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sotiropoulos throws a low kick but Schneider avoids it.
Schneider misses with a lunging right hand
and Sotiropoulos counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A low kick from Schneider misses
and Sotiropoulos counters with a two punch combo.
Sotiropoulos throws a right hand that misses
and Sotiropoulos takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Schneider shoots in for a takedown but Sotiropoulos shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Schneider throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Sotiropoulos counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sotiropoulos throws a leg kick
and Schneider counters with a low kick, right behind Sotiropoulos 's knee.
Sotiropoulos throws a poor cross that misses
and Schneider counters with a one-two to the body.
Schneider throws a leg kick
and Sotiropoulos counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Schneider thinking.
George Sotiropoulos is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sotiropoulos throws a leg kick
and Schneider counters with an inside leg kick.
Sotiropoulos misses the shot to the body.
Sotiropoulos swings widly with a right hand
and Schneider counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Schneider tries to clinch up
and Sotiropoulos counters with a slapping leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sotiropoulos falls off balance throwing a combination

and Schneider counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
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!
Schneider missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Schneider is looking to take a break and control but Sotiropoulos is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sotiropoulos trying to control but Schneider postures up.
Schneider wants to free his trapped foot but Sotiropoulos is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Schneider looks to land a strike but Sotiropoulos avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Schneider accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schneider trying to control the position from guard on top but Sotiropoulos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Schneider is working Sotiropoulos over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Schneider is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Schneider avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Schneider lands a couple of elbows.
Schneider trying to control the position from guard on top but Sotiropoulos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Schneider stopping the sweep attempt from Sotiropoulos.
Schneider stands up over Sotiropoulos, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schneider postures up in Sotiropoulos's guard and throws a big left but Sotiropoulos blocks it.
Schneider trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Schneider working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Schneider is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Schneider content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Sotiropoulos looking for a guillotine here but Schneider defends easily.
Schneider stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sotiropoulos swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Schneider showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on George Sotiropoulos's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Sotiropoulos throws a looping overhand right but Schneider ducks down to avoid it.
Schneider misses with a takedown
and Sotiropoulos counters with a nice uppercut.
Schneider gets off balance looking for a body kick
enabling Sotiropoulos to counter with a crisp jab.
Schneider misses with a leg kick
and Sotiropoulos counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sotiropoulos rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Schneider counters with a leg kick.
Schneider is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Sotiropoulos throws a big shot that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sotiropoulos scores with a jab. Schneider acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Schneider blocks a leg kick.
Schneider tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sotiropoulos swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Schneider throws the kick towards the body but Sotiropoulos avoids it.
Schneider throws a leg kick
enabling Sotiropoulos to counter with a crisp jab.
Donk. Sotiropoulos catches Schneider right on the button with a cross.
Schneider dives in and grabs Sotiropoulos's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sotiropoulos pushes down on Schneider's head and hops out.
Sotiropoulos misses with a left hand

and Schneider counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Sotiropoulos's guard now.
Sotiropoulos is controlling Schneider's posture.
Schneider stopping the sweep attempt from Sotiropoulos.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sotiropoulos keeping moving, preventing Schneider from controlling successfully.
Schneider showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Schneider throws a big right hand that misses.
Sotiropoulos working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Schneider misses with a low kick.
Schneider scores with a three punch combo!
Schneider throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Sotiropoulos to counter with a crisp jab.
A low kick from Sotiropoulos is predictable there
and Schneider counters with a nice low kick that buckles Sotiropoulos's knee momentarily.
Schneider thows a leg kick but Sotiropoulos checks it
and Sotiropoulos counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
George Sotiropoulos is winning the standup battle so far.
Sotiropoulos throws a big shot that misses.
Sotiropoulos scores with a sloppy right hand. Schneider should have avoided that one.
Schneider slips under a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Schneider rushes Sotiropoulos and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Sotiropoulos fails to land.
Schneider lands with a right to the head.
Schneider throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Schneider lands an elbow inside.
Schneider is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
George Sotiropoulos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Schneider.
Sotiropoulos avoids a wild elbow strike from Schneider.
Schneider can't get the takedown.
Schneider is trying to drag Sotiropoulos to the mat but Sotiropoulos just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Schneider misses with a hook from the clinch.
Schneider throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Sotiropoulos softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Schneider working aggressively here.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Sotiropoulos.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sotiropoulos looking to slow down the pace here.
Sotiropoulos lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Schneider tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Sotiropoulos avoids it.
Schneider misses with the head strike.
Schneider is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sotiropoulos gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Sotiropoulos clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on George Sotiropoulos's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

That kick from Sotiropoulos tenderised Schneider's leg. Schneider is trying to keep his angry face on.
Schneider throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Sotiropoulos to counter with a crisp jab.
Sotiropoulos looks to land a left hand but Schneider moved out of range nicely.
Schneider pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sotiropoulos jabs Schneider right on the nose. Schneider blinks but takes it well.
Sotiropoulos throws a right hand that misses

and Schneider counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Schneider trying to control but Sotiropoulos is working from the bottom.
Schneider landing with the ground and pound.
Sotiropoulos looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schneider working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Schneider engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Sotiropoulos working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Schneider doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Schneider manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Max Schneider has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sotiropoulos keeping full guard, as Schneider tries to pass.
Sotiropoulos controls Schneider momentarily but Schneider frees himself.
Sotiropoulos wants to sweep but no luck.
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.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sotiropoulos is working hard here to advance position.
Sotiropoulos working a defensive guard here.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Schneider lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Schneider pushes down on Sotiropoulos's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Sotiropoulos looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Schneider lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sotiropoulos keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Schneider throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sotiropoulos is staying active underneath Schneider, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Schneider looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Sotiropoulos moves into full guard.
Sotiropoulos tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Schneider not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Schneider throws a strike but Sotiropoulos rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Schneider manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sotiropoulos is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Schneider thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Sotiropoulos is bucking up trying to escape but Schneider cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Schneider dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on George Sotiropoulos's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Schneider tries to move into range but Sotiropoulos moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Schneider throws a leg kick
and Sotiropoulos counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sotiropoulos misses the jab.
Schneider swinging wildly here.
Schneider turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Schneider uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sotiropoulos.
Schneider turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Schneider throws a lazy uppercut
and Sotiropoulos counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schneider darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

George Sotiropoulos's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Sotiropoulos looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Schneider throws a leg kick
and Sotiropoulos counters with a straight right hand.
Schneider looks for the body kick but Sotiropoulos saw that one coming.
Sotiropoulos stuffs the takedown.
Schneider misses the body punch
and Sotiropoulos counters with a stiff right hand.
Sotiropoulos sizes up Schneider with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A good leg kick by Sotiropoulos.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sotiropoulos looks for a takedown but Schneider sprawls well.
Sotiropoulos tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Sotiropoulos throws a leg kick but Schneider sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Schneider with a poor takedown
and Sotiropoulos counters with a leg kick.
Schneider throws a leg kick
enabling Sotiropoulos to counter with a crisp jab.
Schneider has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Schneider tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sotiropoulos sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Schneider somewhat.
George Sotiropoulos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Schneider.
Schneider is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Sotiropoulos lands with a straight right. Schneider didn't see that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sotiropoulos throws a shot to the body.
Schneider misses with a looping left.
Schneider shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sotiropoulos as he avoids it easily.
Schneider fails with a takedown attempt.
Sotiropoulos lunges at Schneider with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Schneider's hand.
A low kick from Sotiropoulos is predictable there
and Schneider makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Schneider misses
and Schneider takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sotiropoulos connects with a jab.
Nice uppercut there from Sotiropoulos.
Schneider tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sotiropoulos sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Schneider somewhat.
Schneider with a lazy takedown attempt
and Sotiropoulos counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Good standup being displayed there by Sotiropoulos as he connects with a hook.
Sotiropoulos fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
George Sotiropoulos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Max Schneider is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sotiropoulos pivots, looking for a leg kick but Schneider is out of range and Sotiropoulos settles back down.

And that's the end of the fight!
George Sotiropoulos showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Schneider 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 47:48
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 47:48
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Max Schneider!
Max Schneider is the new lightweight champion!