PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jonah Hex (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vasiliy Sobolev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hex comes to the cage accompanied by Genesis - Justice. Sobolev is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Ya kuplu tebe dom. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Hex
vs
Sobolev

194 cm
27
255 lbs
13 - 3 - 0

201 cm
33
265 lbs
15 - 20 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

KAISER
STEEL PENN'S 160 OF STEEL $50 Rio

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jonah Hex!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vasiliy Sobolev!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Paul Aken and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sobolev swats away the attempt to clinch by Hex.
Hex tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Sobolev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hex tries to clinch
and Sobolev counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hex is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Sobolev.
Hex closes the distance but Sobolev moves to the side

and Sobolev counters with a beautiful punch that sends Hex to the canvas!

Hex is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Sobolev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sobolev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hex avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hex preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sobolev throwing strikes but missing.
Sobolev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobolev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sobolev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sobolev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sobolev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sobolev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hex avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sobolev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sobolev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sobolev trying to control the position from guard on top but Hex is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sobolev is looking to work some ground and pound but Hex has wrist control.
Sobolev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev throwing strikes from guard but Hex blocks nicely.
Hex working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sobolev.
Sobolev scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Sobolev is looking to work some ground and pound but Hex has wrist control.
Sobolev postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Sobolev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sobolev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sobolev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sobolev tries to free his leg and advance position but Hex is retaining full guard.
Sobolev with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sobolev working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hex's head.
Sobolev throws a big elbow that misses.
Sobolev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev throwing strikes from guard but Hex blocks nicely.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sobolev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sobolev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sobolev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sobolev throws a big elbow that misses.
Hex working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sobolev.
Sobolev wants to control from the top but Hex keeps moving.
Sobolev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hex works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hex preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hex avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sobolev throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Sobolev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hex wants to stand but Sobolev is controlling the position.
Hex is breathing heavily.
Sobolev throws a big right hand that misses.
Sobolev with a flurry of punches that miss.
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!
Sobolev chips away with some ground and pound.
Sobolev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hex works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sobolev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sobolev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sobolev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sobolev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sobolev with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasiliy Sobolev dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sloppy strikes from Sobolev. Those never looked like landing.
Sobolev shoots for a takedown but Hex saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sobolev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hex avoids it really well and circles away.
Hex showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sobolev.
Sobolev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Jonah Hex has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vasiliy Sobolev.
Sobolev throws out a loose jab but Hex uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hex tries to clinch up but Sobolev circles away and keeps his distance.
Hex pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Sobolev back to the cage. Hex follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

It looks like Vasiliy Sobolev has been cut.
Sobolev looks to score with a jab to the body but Hex is just out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sobolev.
Hex defending well as Sobolev loads up on a big left hand.
Hex tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Sobolev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sobolev fails to land the takedown.
Sobolev shoots in for a takedown but Hex shows good takedown defense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hex tries to clinch up but Sobolev circles away and keeps his distance.
Sobolev throws the left hand but Hex avoids the punch easily.
Hex is looking to clinch but Sobolev is avoiding it.

Hex has Sobolev up against the cage in a clinch.
Hex trying to stall but Sobolev improves his position.
Hex gets underhooks to prevent Sobolev's takedown attempt.
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!
Sobolev is looking for a takedown.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
The referee is keeping an eye on Hex - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Sobolev gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hex kicks off Sobolev and gets to his feet.
Hex wants to clinch up but Sobolev keeps it at a distance.
Hex keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sobolev shoots in for a takedown but Hex shows good takedown defense.
Sloppy strikes from Sobolev. Those never looked like landing.
Hex fails with an attempt to clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sobolev.
Jonah Hex is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sobolev shoots in for a double leg but Hex sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Jonah Hex is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sobolev is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hex.
Nice takedown defense from Hex. No joy for Sobolev on that attempt.
Hex tries to clinch there but Sobolev circles away.
Hex tries to clinch but Sobolev is having none of it.
Sobolev keeps the fight on the outside.
Sobolev digs a good hook to Hex's body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sobolev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vasiliy Sobolev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hex slaps away a takedown attempt from Sobolev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jonah Hex will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Vasiliy Sobolev's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Hex stuffs the takedown attempt from Sobolev. Sobolev gets slowly back to his feet.
Sobolev moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Sobolev misses with a wild combination.
Sobolev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sobolev fails with a takedown attempt.
Sobolev fails with a takedown attempt.
Jonah Hex has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vasiliy Sobolev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobolev shoots for a double leg takedown but Hex sprawls well. He's pushed Sobolev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sobolev misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Hex counters with a slapping leg kick.
Hex misses with a double jab.
Hex scores with a hook.
Sobolev scores with a three punch combo!
Sobolev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hex but Hex pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sobolev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hex dodges the punch combination from Sobolev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev circles away from the clinch attempt

so Sobolev counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Vasiliy Sobolev has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sobolev throwing strikes but missing.

Hex has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Sobolev off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Hex tries to clinch
and Sobolev counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hex thinking.
Sobolev circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev throws a big shot that misses.
Hex tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sobolev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hex closes the distance looking to clinch
and Sobolev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hex looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sobolev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hex's waist but Hex gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sobolev off to one side.
Sobolev throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hex.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hex's waist but Hex gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sobolev off to one side.
Sobolev swings for the body but Hex moves out of range.
Sobolev swats away the attempt to clinch by Hex.
Hex tries to clinch up.

Hex pushes Sobolev up against the cage in a clinch.
Sobolev drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hex pulls his leg out and moves away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hex defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sobolev.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vasiliy Sobolev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sobolev 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 27:29
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 27:29
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vasiliy Sobolev!
A very excited looking Vasiliy Sobolev rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.