PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vadim Demidov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rashad Sokoudjou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Demidov
vs
Sokoudjou

195 cm
27
275 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

197 cm
27
272 lbs
16 - 8 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

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 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vadim Demidov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rashad Sokoudjou!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Demidov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Sokoudjou pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Demidov throws a hook to the side of Sokoudjou's head but Sokoudjou sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Demidov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Sokoudjou on the side of the head.
Sokoudjou fails to land the takedown.
Demidov lands with a straight right. Sokoudjou didn't see that one coming.
Demidov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Demidov.
Demidov dips to his left and cracks Sokoudjou with an uppercut!

It looks like Rashad Sokoudjou has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sokoudjou fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Demidov checks it well.
Demidov takes one to the side of the head.
Demidov misses with a looping left.
Demidov misses with a left hand

and Sokoudjou counters with a single leg into guard. Demidov didn't expect that.
Demidov is trying to keep Sokoudjou in close.
Demidov looking for a sweep. Not yet Demidov, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sokoudjou accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sokoudjou throwing strikes but missing.
Sokoudjou controls from within his opponent's guard.
Demidov is trying to control the position but Sokoudjou postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sokoudjou is looking to work some ground and pound but Demidov has wrist control.
Demidov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Demidov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Demidov is trying to control the position but Sokoudjou postures up.
Sokoudjou wants to control from the top but Demidov keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sokoudjou pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Demidov is keeping the position for now.
Demidov wants to sweep but no luck.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Demidov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Demidov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sokoudjou.
A jab from Demidov misses.
Sokoudjou shoots in looking for a takedown but Demidov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sokoudjou's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sokoudjou misses with an uppercut. Demidov saw that one coming.
Demidov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Demidov misses with a straight right.
Sokoudjou misses with a body shot.
Sokoudjou defending well as Demidov loads up on a big left hand.
Demidov lands with an overhand left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Demidov scores with a hook to the body. Sokoudjou takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Demidov works the jab nicely.
Demidov misses the jab.
No joy there for Demidov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sokoudjou moves out of range as Demidov throws a body kick.
Sokoudjou throws an overhand right that lands on Demidov's shoulder, as Demidov tries to avoid the shot.
Sokoudjou fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Demidov.
Demidov takes a swing at Sokoudjou's ribcage but misses.
Demidov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Sokoudjou throws a body punch but Demidov moves out of range.
Demidov lands with a shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Demidov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sokoudjou checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Vadim Demidov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Sokoudjou.
Demidov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

It looks like Vadim Demidov has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Demidov throws a looping overhand right but Sokoudjou ducks down to avoid it.
Sokoudjou slips under a jab from Demidov.
Sokoudjou staying out of range there.
Demidov throws a poor cross that misses
and Sokoudjou counters with an inside leg kick.
Sokoudjou loads up on a big right hand but Demidov slips the punch.
Sokoudjou scores with a push kick.
Demidov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sokoudjou.
Vadim Demidov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rashad Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Demidov is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Demidov misses with a looping right.
Demidov misses with a lunging right hand
and Demidov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sokoudjou uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Demidov.
Demidov looks to land a left hand but Sokoudjou moved out of range nicely.
Sokoudjou throws a poor cross that misses
and Demidov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Vadim Demidov will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Demidov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sokoudjou sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Demidov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sokoudjou takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Sokoudjou misses with a kick to the body.
Sokoudjou misses with the combination.
Demidov throws an overhand right that lands on Sokoudjou's shoulder, as Sokoudjou tries to avoid the shot.
Demidov is looking to slow Sokoudjou down with leg kicks.
Demidov scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Demidov avoids the body shot from Sokoudjou.
Demidov misses with a hook.
Sokoudjou misses with a body kick.
Demidov throws a jab when Sokoudjou was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokoudjou is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Demidov.
Sokoudjou throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sokoudjou looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Demidov swings for the body but Sokoudjou moves out of range.
Demidov missing with a left hand there. Sokoudjou was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Demidov misses with a straight right.
Demidov throws out a leg kick but Sokoudjou moves out of range and Demidov only half commits.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Demidov.
Sokoudjou keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Demidov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Demidov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Vadim Demidov is winning the standup battle so far.
Demidov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou scoring well with a low kick there.
Sokoudjou ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Demidov slips under a jab from Sokoudjou.
Demidov misses with a right hand
and Sokoudjou connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sokoudjou pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Sokoudjou ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sokoudjou throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Sokoudjou is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Demidov misses with a straight right.
Demidov throws a body punch but Sokoudjou moves out of range.
Sokoudjou tries for a takedown but Demidov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sokoudjou moves out of range of the strikes.
Demidov connects with a nice looking jab.
Sokoudjou throws a leg kick
enabling Demidov to counter with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokoudjou takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Demidov moves out of range of the strikes.
Demidov jabs at Sokoudjou's body.
Sloppy strikes from Demidov. Those never looked like landing.
Demidov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A nice leg kick lands there from Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou wants to land a leg kick but Demidov is out of range.
Demidov misses with a straight left.
Demidov misses with a leg kick.
Demidov throws a good cross that connects.
Sokoudjou bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Demidov's head backwards.
Demidov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sokoudjou.
Jab from Demidov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sokoudjou throws a looping overhand right but Demidov ducks down to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Demidov misses with an uppercut
enabling Sokoudjou to counter with a crisp jab.
A jab from Demidov misses.
Demidov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sokoudjou's calf.
Demidov slips under a jab from Sokoudjou.
Demidov throws a jab but it's blocked by Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou throws out a leg kick but Demidov moves out of range and Sokoudjou only half commits.

Sokoudjou decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Demidov wants to control but Sokoudjou is keeping busy.
Demidov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Demidov wants to get back to his feet.
Demidov is staying active underneath Sokoudjou, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vadim Demidov dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Sokoudjou uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Demidov.
Demidov checks a low kick from Sokoudjou.
Demidov takes a jab right on the kisser.
Demidov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sokoudjou steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Demidov.
No luck for Sokoudjou with that takedown attempt.
Sokoudjou slips a straight right by Demidov.
Demidov looks to land a right hand but Sokoudjou moved out of range.
Demidov moves out of range as Sokoudjou strikes.
Demidov lands a slapping body shot.
Sokoudjou misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Demidov.
Sokoudjou throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Demidov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sokoudjou was well out of range. Poor timing from Demidov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokoudjou moves out of range of the strikes.
Sokoudjou shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Demidov sprawls well. Demidov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sokoudjou gets slowly back to his feet.
Sokoudjou throws a big shot that misses.
Sokoudjou moves forwards but Demidov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Demidov takes one on the button.
Demidov throws a lazy right hand but Sokoudjou sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Sokoudjou drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Demidov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Sokoudjou working the head with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Demidov is looking to regain half guard here but Sokoudjou keeps moving and retains side control.
Sokoudjou misses with the ground and pound.
Sokoudjou has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Demidov dodges the ground and pound from Sokoudjou.
Demidov gets back to half guard.
Demidov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sokoudjou's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sokoudjou's back!
Demidov is controlling the position but Sokoudjou somehow manages to roll and ends up with half guard.
Demidov wants to stand but Sokoudjou has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Sokoudjou manages to get to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Demidov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Sokoudjou is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Vadim Demidov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sokoudjou controls Demidov momentarily but Demidov frees himself.

Demidov stands up from Sokoudjou's guard - Demidov perhaps looking for a knockout.
Sokoudjou slips under a jab from Demidov.
A leg kick checked by Demidov.
Sokoudjou uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Demidov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Demidov slips a jab from Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou is trying hard to land a takedown here. Demidov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rashad Sokoudjou has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vadim Demidov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rashad Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou slips a straight right by Demidov.
Sokoudjou shoots in but Demidov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Demidov throws a hook but Sokoudjou avoids it easily.
Good work by Demidov as he checks the leg kick.
A decent looking cross lands there for Demidov.
Sokoudjou displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Demidov throws out the jab.
Sokoudjou takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sokoudjou displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Demidov throws out the jab.
A nice combination there by Demidov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Demidov misses with a straight left.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Vadim Demidov.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Demidov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vadim Demidov!
Vadim Demidov seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.