PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dmitry Sokolov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ashotik Pizduidze (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dmitry Sokolov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Ashotik Pizduidze's chin.

Sokolov
vs
Pizduidze

195 cm
25
287 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

225 cm
25
300 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Springfield HW Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dmitry Sokolov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ashotik Pizduidze!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Stewart Dunkirk and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sokolov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Pizduidze manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sokolov looks to land a combination but Pizduidze avoids it well.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Sokolov enables Pizduidze to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Sokolov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Pizduidze postures up in Sokolov's guard and throws a big left but Sokolov blocks it.
Sokolov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Pizduidze keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sokolov's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sokolov looking to control.
Pizduidze working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Pizduidze trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Pizduidze content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Sokolov working a defensive guard here.
Pizduidze forces his way into half guard.

Pizduidze seems to be working for a kimura but Sokolov defends the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pizduidze is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Sokolov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Pizduidze throwing shots but Sokolov is blocking nicely.

Pizduidze is looking for a kimura but Sokolov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Pizduidze to get the leverage.
Sokolov trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!

Pizduidze jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Sokolov manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Sokolov is trying to control Pizduidze's posture but Pizduidze avoids it.
The strikes coming from Pizduidze are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

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.
Pizduidze tries to advance to mount but can't.

Pizduidze goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Sokolov has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Pizduidze but great work by Sokolov.

Sokolov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Sokolov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Sokolov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Pizduidze sneaks back into half guard.

Sokolov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Pizduidze gets back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pizduidze trying to control the position.
Pizduidze is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Pizduidze looking for a sweep. Not yet Pizduidze, not yet.
Pizduidze not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sokolov trying to control the position from guard on top but Pizduidze is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

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

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.
Pizduidze is trying to control the position but Sokolov postures up.
Pizduidze is controlling Sokolov's posture.
Pizduidze looks gassed!

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

Pizduidze looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sokolov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Pizduidze working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sokolov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sokolov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sokolov wants to control from the top but Pizduidze keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ashotik Pizduidze dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Pizduidze showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sokolov.
Sokolov tries to close the distance and clinch but Pizduidze swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sokolov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Pizduidze moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sokolov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Pizduidze moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sokolov lands a jab-cross combination.

It looks like Ashotik Pizduidze has been cut.
Sokolov throws a right hand that Pizduidze ducks under and follows up with a left that Pizduidze also avoids with ease.
Sokolov tries to bum rush Pizduidze with a series of wild strikes but Pizduidze uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sokolov throws a nice looking combination but Pizduidze bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Pizduidze feints and as Sokolov raises his hands in defense, Pizduidze changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pizduidze stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sokolov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Pizduidze working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Pizduidze drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Pizduidze jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Pizduidze working some strikes from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pizduidze thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Pizduidze trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sokolov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Pizduidze stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sokolov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sokolov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Pizduidze connects with a couple of short punches.
Pizduidze lands a couple of elbows.
Pizduidze pushing down on Sokolov's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

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.
Pizduidze works his way into full mount!

Pizduidze is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Sokolov has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Pizduidze looking to control and managing it successfully.
Sokolov wants to control but Pizduidze is having none of it.
Pizduidze landing shots from mount.
Sokolov tries to lock up and control but Pizduidze gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Sokolov is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Pizduidze thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sokolov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Pizduidze.

Pizduidze seems to be looking for submissions.

Pizduidze is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sokolov is just riding it out for now. Pizduidze eventually gives up the hold.
Sokolov wants to control but Pizduidze is keeping busy.
Sokolov is staying active underneath Pizduidze, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Pizduidze thows a huge punch but Sokolov dodges it nicely.
Sokolov is trying to control but can't.

Pizduidze is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Sokolov defends it well.
Ashotik Pizduidze has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sokolov wants to control the action here but instead Pizduidze manages to pass to full mount!
Pizduidze avoids the attempt from Sokolov to control.

Pizduidze working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Poor strikes thrown by Pizduidze there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

Pizduidze has hold of Sokolov's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Sokolov manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ashotik Pizduidze will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Ashotik Pizduidze's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Sokolov tries to bum rush Pizduidze with a series of wild strikes but Pizduidze uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sokolov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sokolov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Pizduidze paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Dmitry Sokolov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sokolov misses with the combination.

Pizduidze shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Pizduidze stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sokolov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sokolov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pizduidze postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Pizduidze throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sokolov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Pizduidze advances position into side control!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pizduidze lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Pizduidze looks up at the clock and then as Sokolov takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Pizduidze smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

Pizduidze thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Sokolov can't do much from the bottom here.
Pizduidze has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Pizduidze tries for a kimura but Sokolov is defending well.
Sokolov taking a bit of punishment here - Pizduidze scoring with strikes.

Pizduidze wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Sokolov, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Sokolov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Pizduidze thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Sokolov struggling a bit here.
Sokolov is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Pizduidze is looking to take a break and control but Sokolov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Pizduidze thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pizduidze tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Sokolov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Pizduidze's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Sokolov trying to control here.
Pizduidze missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Pizduidze trying to mount his opponent but Sokolov defends it.
Sokolov trying to control from the bottom.
Pizduidze controlling the action here.

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.

Pizduidze seems to be looking for submissions.
Sokolov trying to hold on to Pizduidze's head to control him but Pizduidze postures up.
Pizduidze is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Pizduidze is working for a submission of some sort.
Dmitry Sokolov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ashotik Pizduidze is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sokolov throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ashotik Pizduidze comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Pizduidze winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ashotik Pizduidze!