PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sergei Sokolov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrew Wheeler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Sokolov
vs
Wheeler

175 cm
20
210 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

195 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sergei Sokolov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Andrew Wheeler!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Wheeler fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sokolov, pushing him back against the cage.
Sokolov wants a takedown.
Sokolov prevents the takedown attempt.

Wheeler has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Sokolov uses from the top position.
Sokolov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Sokolov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Wheeler controls Sokolov momentarily but Sokolov frees himself.
Sokolov tries to free his leg and advance position but Wheeler is retaining full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sokolov is working Wheeler over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sokolov postures up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Wheeler is on top in guard.
Sokolov looking for a sweep. Not yet Sokolov, not yet.
Wheeler trying to control the position from guard on top but Sokolov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sokolov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Sokolov tries to get out of the position.
Wheeler has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Sokolov is proving hard to escape from.
Sokolov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sokolov lands a couple of shots from the bottom.
Sokolov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Wheeler on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokolov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sokolov is pulling down on Wheeler's head to control his posture.
Sokolov wants to sweep but no luck.
Sokolov seems keen to control Wheeler's posture.
Wheeler wants to pass the guard but Sokolov is keeping the position.
Wheeler preventing the sweep.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Wheeler trying to control but Sokolov is working from the bottom.

Andrew Wheeler has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Sokolov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Wheeler is trying to defend but Sokolov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Wheeler is looking to control Sokolov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Wheeler avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wheeler regains full guard. Nicely done.
Wheeler has momentary wrist control but Sokolov slips an elbow through the middle.
Sokolov lands a couple of digs.
Sokolov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Wheeler is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Wheeler looking for a guillotine here but Sokolov defends easily.
Sokolovis looking to pass into half guard but Wheeler pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Wheeler is in guard.
Sokolov tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wheeler wants to control from the top but Sokolov keeps moving.
Wheeler wants to stand but Sokolov is controlling his posture from full guard.
Wheeler preventing the sweep.
Sokolov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sokolov is on top in guard.
Wheeler is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sokolov looking to pass the guard.
Wheeler working a defensive guard here.

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.
Sokolov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wheeler swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Wheeler 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.
Wheeler keeping moving, preventing Sokolov from controlling successfully.

Wheeler has his foot on Sokolov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sokolov works his way back into a safe position though.
Sokolov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wheeler swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sokolov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Sokolov cracks Wheeler with a solid left hand.
Wheeler is trying to keep Sokolov in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergei Sokolov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sokolov feints and as Wheeler raises his hands in defense, Sokolov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sokolov postures up and lands a big shot to Wheeler's brow.
Sokolov distracts Wheeler with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Wheeler wants to sweep but no luck.
Sokolov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sokolov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Wheeler is trying to keep Sokolov in close.
Wheeler looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sokolov is in close to Wheeler's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Sokolov postures up and lands a big shot to Wheeler's brow.
Wheeler is breathing heavily.
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!
Sokolov connects with a couple of short punches.
Sokolov passes Wheeler's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Sokolov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokolov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Wheeler wants to get back to full guard.
Sokolov is nestled in close to Wheeler, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Sokolov lands strikes from half guard.
Sokolov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Wheeler is trying to maintain the position but Sokolov is very close to passing his half guard.
Sokolov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Wheeler with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Sokolov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Sokolov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Wheeler on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Sokolov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sokolov works his way into side control.
Sokolov passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Wheeler!
Sokolov landing strikes from the mount and Wheeler is in trouble!
Sokolov is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Sokolov lands a big shot there that rocks Wheeler but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Wheeler is rocked!
Sokolov postures up and throws a couple of big shots that have Wheeler in real trouble here! The ref calls for Wheeler to improve his position which he doesn't do, so the referee has no choice but to end the fight due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:48 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Sergei Sokolov!