PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rashad Sokoudjou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mal Reynolds (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Rashad Sokoudjou has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Rashad Sokoudjou seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Sokoudjou
vs
Reynolds

197 cm
25
281 lbs
13 - 4 - 1

210 cm
29
250 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 13 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Rashad Sokoudjou!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mal Reynolds!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Steve Smith and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sokoudjou scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Reynolds misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sokoudjou.
Reynolds scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Sokoudjou gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

It looks like Rashad Sokoudjou has been cut.
Reynolds throws a predictable looking body shot
letting Sokoudjou counter with a right hand.
Reynolds throws a head kick that misses
enabling Sokoudjou to counter with a crisp jab.
Reynolds scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
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!
Reynolds throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Sokoudjou counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou stands up over Reynolds, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Sokoudjou postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Sokoudjou has gone for a leg lock! Reynolds slips out almost immediately though and dives into Sokoudjou's guard.
Sokoudjou looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sokoudjou is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

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

Reynolds got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sokoudjou has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Reynolds has managed to get both his arms back between Sokoudjou's legs - danger averted.
Sokoudjou looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Reynolds puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

That's two 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.
Reynolds content to control rather than advance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Reynolds prevents Sokoudjou from improving his position.
Sokoudjou trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Reynolds manages to pass to mount!
Reynolds prevents Sokoudjou from getting the reversal.
Reynolds avoids the attempt from Sokoudjou to control.
Sokoudjou sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokoudjou tries to roll over but Reynolds keeps him under control.
Sokoudjou is pressing down on Reynolds's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Reynolds preventing the sweep.
Sokoudjou seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Sokoudjou wants to hit a switch here but Reynolds passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Sokoudjou there!

That's four 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.
Reynolds looking to control but Sokoudjou is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Sokoudjou really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Sokoudjou is working hard here to advance position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sokoudjou might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mal Reynolds will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Rashad Sokoudjou's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Reynolds scores with a hook.
Reynolds misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Reynolds throws a leg kick
and Sokoudjou counters with an inside leg kick.
Sokoudjou throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Reynolds misses with a right hand

and Sokoudjou counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Sokoudjou thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Reynolds's head.
Reynolds is controlling Sokoudjou's trapped leg to prevent Sokoudjou from advancing to side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Sokoudjou is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Sokoudjou throws a strike but Reynolds avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokoudjou wants to control from the top but Reynolds keeps moving.
Sokoudjou with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sokoudjou working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sokoudjou is looking to work some ground and pound but Reynolds has wrist control.
Sokoudjou pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Reynolds is keeping the position for now.
Sokoudjou trying to move into half guard but instead Reynolds has managed to sweep!
Sokoudjou looking for a sweep. Not yet Sokoudjou, not yet.
Reynolds trying to control but Sokoudjou is working from the bottom.
Sokoudjou wants to sweep here but Reynolds controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds trying to control but Sokoudjou is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mal Reynolds was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Reynolds scores with a jab to the jaw.
Reynolds swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Sokoudjou counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Sokoudjou lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Reynolds is staying active underneath Sokoudjou, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sokoudjou throws a strike but Reynolds avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Reynolds is trying to keep Sokoudjou in close.
Sokoudjou is looking to work some ground and pound but Reynolds has wrist control.
Sokoudjou postures up.
Reynolds utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Reynolds avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Sokoudjou drops back, looking for a kneebar! Reynolds looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Reynolds looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Reynolds!
Sokoudjou tries to buck Reynolds off but Reynolds is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Sokoudjou dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rashad Sokoudjou's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sokoudjou misses the body punch
and Reynolds counters with an inside leg kick.
Reynolds misses with a leg kick.
Sokoudjou avoids the head kick by Reynolds.
Reynolds with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Mal Reynolds seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Reynolds misses with a wild body shot.
Reynolds stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Reynolds wants it to stay on the feet.
Reynolds throws the kick towards the body but Sokoudjou avoids it.
Reynolds throws a lazy head kick
and Sokoudjou counters with a left to the body.
A good leg kick by Reynolds.
Reynolds feints and then cracks Sokoudjou's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Sokoudjou down.
Mal Reynolds is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sokoudjou checks a leg kick nicely.
Reynolds jabs Sokoudjou right on the nose. Sokoudjou blinks but takes it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Reynolds.
Mal Reynolds is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Reynolds slips a straight right by Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Sokoudjou takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Reynolds feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sokoudjou's calf.
Sokoudjou misses with a takedown attempt
and Reynolds counters with a nice leg kick.
Reynolds moves into range and connects with a jab.
The fighters circling - Sokoudjou throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sokoudjou misses with a jab to the body
and Reynolds counters with a leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Reynolds throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Reynolds connects with an inside leg kick.
Reynolds throws a nice head kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds tests Sokoudjou's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Reynolds swings for the body but Sokoudjou moves out of range.
Reynolds clobbers Sokoudjou with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Reynolds stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Sokoudjou moves out of range of the leg kick from Reynolds.
Sokoudjou is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Sokoudjou misses with a takedown attempt
and Reynolds counters with an inside leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rashad Sokoudjou. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sokoudjou checks a leg kick.
Sokoudjou slips a straight right by Reynolds.
Reynolds lands a right hook to the body.
Reynolds swinging wildly here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Sokoudjou keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Reynolds throws a series of punches but Sokoudjou avoids them all with ease.
Reynolds throws a leg kick

and Sokoudjou decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Reynolds's guard.
Sokoudjou wants to control from the top but Reynolds keeps moving.
Sokoudjou is fighting to break Reynolds's control of his arms but Reynolds is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Reynolds. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Reynolds tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sokoudjou lands a couple of digs.
Sokoudjou won't allow Reynolds to get back to his feet.
Sokoudjou is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Sokoudjou postures up in Reynolds's guard and throws a big left but Reynolds blocks it.
Sokoudjou looking to sit in guard and control but Reynolds gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Sokoudjou is looking for a triangle but Reynolds pushes his legs off easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mal Reynolds comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Reynolds 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mal Reynolds!