PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Check Mong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rashad Sokoudjou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Mong might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to I ain't never scared. Rashad Sokoudjou is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Mong
vs
Sokoudjou

196 cm
29
260 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

197 cm
24
281 lbs
11 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Check Mong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Rashad Sokoudjou!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, William Peck and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mong avoids the head kick by Sokoudjou.

Sokoudjou moves into range and clinches up with Mong.
Mong tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mong misses with some punches.
Mong is trying to force a seperation but Sokoudjou has the dominant position.
Mong scores with a nice hook to the head.
Mong has a couple of punches blocked by Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mong drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sokoudjou digs a right hand into Mong's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Mong's gas tank.
A right hook to the body lands for Sokoudjou.
Mong has a couple of punches blocked by Sokoudjou.
Mong misses with a punch on the inside.
Sokoudjou scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Sokoudjou lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mong using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sokoudjou has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Mong can't find room to land a body shot as Sokoudjou controls the action.
A left hand lands to the body for Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou managing to block the knees to the body from Mong.
Mong looking to throw knees to the head but Sokoudjou is blocking nicely.
A short left from Mong.
A short body shot lands from Sokoudjou as the two fighters clinch.
Mong is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sokoudjou digs a right hand into Mong's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Mong's gas tank.
Sokoudjou scores with a shot to the side of Mong's head.
Stalling in the clinch from Sokoudjou.

Sokoudjou works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Mong preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sokoudjou's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokoudjou scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Sokoudjou is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Sokoudjou postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sokoudjou thows a big elbow that misses.

Mong throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Sokoudjou escapes and throws Mong's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Sokoudjou throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Mong is looking for a sweep.

Sokoudjou tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Sokoudjou has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Sokoudjou is working Mong over with some ground and pound from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sokoudjou misses with the ground and pound.
Mong struggling a bit here.
Sokoudjou throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Sokoudjou is working Mong over with some ground and pound from side control.
Sokoudjou has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sokoudjou scores with a couple of short elbows.
Mong is looking to reverse the position.
Sokoudjou tries to score with some ground and pound. Mong controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Sokoudjou working the ground and pound.
Mong tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sokoudjou cracks Mong with a big elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mong is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mong gets back to half guard.
Sokoudjou is looking to take a break and control but Mong is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sokoudjou throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Mong moves into full guard.
Sokoudjou chips away with some ground and pound.
Sokoudjou stopping the sweep attempt from Mong.
Sokoudjou works over Mong with some ground and pound from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sokoudjou lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Mong is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sokoudjou with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sokoudjou looking to pass the guard.

Sokoudjou drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sokoudjou jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Mong wants to sweep here but Sokoudjou controlling him for the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sokoudjou forces his way into half guard.
Mong tries to roll over but Sokoudjou keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Sokoudjou dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mong wants to clinch but Sokoudjou slips to the side

so Sokoudjou counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Mong wants to sweep here but Sokoudjou controlling him for the moment.
Mong keeping full guard, as Sokoudjou tries to pass.
Rashad Sokoudjou has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mong looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sokoudjou is one step ahead there.
Mong is working hard here to advance position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mong trying to control the position.
Sokoudjou with a nice head shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokoudjou stopping the sweep attempt from Mong.
Mong preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sokoudjou throws a big right hand that misses.
Sokoudjou makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sokoudjou postures up.
Mong 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.
Sokoudjou is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Sokoudjou makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sokoudjou postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sokoudjou throwing strikes from guard but Mong blocks nicely.

Mong looking for subs off his back but Sokoudjou has passed one foot through into half guard.
Mong trying to control from the bottom.
Mong tries to roll over but Sokoudjou keeps him under control.
Mong trying to control from the bottom.
Sokoudjou lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Mong makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Mong.
Mong manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sokoudjou manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mong preventing the sweep.
Mong trying to control the position from guard on top but Sokoudjou is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Mong is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Sokoudjou is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Sokoudjou has escaped and now he's on top!
Sokoudjou has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sokoudjou scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Sokoudjou wants to control from the top but Mong keeps moving.
Mong preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mong is adopting a defensive guard.

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.
Sokoudjou forces his way into half guard.
Sokoudjou prevents Mong from improving his position.
Sokoudjou is trying to control. Mong wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Mong is looking to control Sokoudjou's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Mong avoid being mounted?
Mong moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Sokoudjou postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Sokoudjou showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Mong's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Mong rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Sokoudjou counters with an inside leg kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mong.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou cracks Mong with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Mong checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Sokoudjou throws a leg kick
and Mong counters with a left to the body.

Sokoudjou closes the distance and pushes Mong back into the cage.
Mong can't break the clinch.

Sokoudjou has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Mong regains guard immediately.

Mong looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mong is looking for a triangle but Sokoudjou pushes his legs off easily.
Mong looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sokoudjou is one step ahead there.
Sokoudjou scoring with punches to the head and body.
Mong not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Mong looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sokoudjou is one step ahead there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sokoudjou accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mong wants to sweep here but Sokoudjou controlling him for the moment.
Check Mong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Mong utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mong looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sokoudjou is one step ahead there.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sokoudjou's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sokoudjou keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mong's head.
Mong is trying to keep Sokoudjou in close.
Sokoudjou preventing the sweep.
Sokoudjou pushes down on Mong's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Sokoudjou is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Mong sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mong is refusing to be controlled, as Sokoudjou sits in half guard.

Sokoudjou seems to be working for a kimura but Mong defends the submission attempt.
Sokoudjou trying to pass the guard but Mong defending well.
Mong moves into full guard.
Mong is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sokoudjou with a flurry of punches that miss.

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.

Mong is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sokoudjou defends well.
Sokoudjou throws and elbow that misses. Mong uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sokoudjou's guard. Nice move by Mong!

Mong avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sokoudjou manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mong manages to get himself to full guard.
Sokoudjou won't allow Mong to sweep him here.
Rashad Sokoudjou is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sokoudjou controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rashad Sokoudjou comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sokoudjou has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rashad Sokoudjou!