PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rufus Soderberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stephan Axe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rufus Soderberg had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Soderberg
vs
Axe

179 cm
26
186 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

178 cm
28
184 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Jihad Fight Gear-Outkast Infidels Version
Jihad Fight Gear-Outkast Infidels Version

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rufus Soderberg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Stephan Axe!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Konstantin Menshow and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Axe defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Soderberg.
Axe defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Soderberg.
Soderberg tries to score a power double leg takedown but Axe sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Soderberg somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rufus Soderberg. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Axe tries to close the distance and clinch up but Soderberg swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Soderberg fails with a takedown attempt.
Soderberg has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Axe wants to clinch

and Soderberg decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Axe's guard.
Soderberg stands up over Axe, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Soderberg with a flurry of punches that miss.
Soderberg wants to pass the guard but Axe is keeping the position.
Soderberg throwing strikes but missing.
Soderberg trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg pushes down on Axe's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Soderberg thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Axe's head.
Soderberg wants to take a breather but Axe is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Soderberg thows a huge punch but Axe dodges it nicely.
Soderberg is trying to control the action in half guard but Axe is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Axe is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Soderberg scores with a couple of nice shots.
Soderberg throwing shots but Axe is blocking nicely.

Soderberg is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Soderberg is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Axe sees it coming and defends easily.

Soderberg is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Axe defends it well.
Soderberg missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Soderberg not doing much here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Axe is staying active underneath Soderberg, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Soderberg is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Axe doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Soderberg.
Soderberg controlling the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

No luck with that takedown attempt from Soderberg.
Soderberg shoots in but no luck this time.

Soderberg darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Soderberg is trying to control the action in half guard but Axe is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Soderberg is looking for a kimura but Axe is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Soderberg to get the leverage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Axe is looking to control Soderberg's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Axe avoid being mounted?

Soderberg is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Axe is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:30 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Rufus Soderberg!