PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rufus Soderberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Snabbo Smido (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smido is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Breathe. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Soderberg
vs
Smido

179 cm
28
186 lbs
14 - 3 - 0

179 cm
36
182 lbs
26 - 19 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ultra Fight Gear

Red Square Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rufus Soderberg!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 19 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Snabbo Smido!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Viktor Lagutenko and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Soderberg lands a nice shot to the body.
Smido misses with a low kick.

Soderberg closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Soderberg is trying to control. Smido wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Smido has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Soderberg is working away from the top position though.
Smido avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Soderberg.
Soderberg is controlling the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Rufus Soderberg.
Smido throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smido waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Soderberg.
Soderberg lands a right hook to the body.
Soderberg scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Smido throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Smido.
Smido slips under a jab.
Smido shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Soderberg stuffs the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg slaps away a takedown attempt from Smido, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Smido. Soderberg shrugs it off though.
Soderberg throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Smido's waist but Smido gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Soderberg off to one side.
Soderberg shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Smido throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Soderberg gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Soderberg checks a leg kick.
Snabbo Smido seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smido tries to work over Soderberg's front leg with a kick but Soderberg checks it.

Soderberg scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Soderberg tries to move to mount but Smido blocks the move with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smido tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Soderberg wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Soderberg tries to move into full mount but can't pass Smido's legs.
Smido is not content to let Soderberg control the position.
Soderberg controlling the position.
Smido can't do much from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ground and pound from Soderberg seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Soderberg has knee on belly momentarily but Smido bucks him off and regains half guard.
Smido trying to control here.
Soderberg perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Soderberg is looking to take a break and control but Smido is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Soderberg in particular looking to stall.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Rufus Soderberg.
Soderberg checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rufus Soderberg dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Soderberg shoots in looking for a takedown. Smido tries to sprawl out of it but Soderberg keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Smido manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Soderberg misses with a right hand
and Smido counters with a right hand to the body.
Soderberg throws a hook but Smido blocks it.
Smido tries to bum rush Soderberg with a series of wild strikes but Soderberg uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Smido shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Soderberg throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Smido tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Soderberg is in Smido's guard.
Smido keeping moving, preventing Soderberg from controlling successfully.
Soderberg tries to free his leg and advance position but Smido is retaining full guard.
Soderberg controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Soderberg wants to control from the top but Smido keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rufus Soderberg has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Smido is looking to chop away at Soderberg's legs.
Soderberg with a jab.
Soderberg throws the left hand but Smido avoids the punch easily.
Smido throws a leg kick that misses.
A slow jab from Soderberg misses its intended target.
Smido throws a chopping leg kick but Soderberg manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Smido throws a leg kick but Soderberg sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smido scores with the left hand. Soderberg knows he should have avoided that one.
Snabbo Smido seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Smido throws a lazy uppercut

and Soderberg counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Soderberg pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Smido is keeping the position for now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Soderberg trying to control the position from guard on top but Smido is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Soderberg slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Soderberg tries to free his leg and advance position but Smido is retaining full guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Rufus Soderberg overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smido has control of Soderberg's left arm, preventing Soderberg from doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Rufus Soderberg wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Soderberg scores with a jab to the body.
Soderberg ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Good standup being displayed there by Smido as he connects with a hook.
Soderberg defending well as Smido loads up on a big left hand.
Soderberg takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Soderberg uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Smido.
Some bone on bone action there as Soderberg checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smido connects with an inside leg kick.
Smido throws a leg kick but Soderberg checks it.
Soderberg fails to land the takedown.
Soderberg throws a hook but Smido avoids it easily.
Smido tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Soderberg was well out of range. Poor timing from Smido.
Smido scores with a sloppy right hand. Soderberg should have avoided that one.
Soderberg thows a body shot but no joy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Soderberg checks a low kick from Smido.
Smido tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
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 Rufus Soderberg will probably get the nod.
That's time! Soderberg's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Soderberg swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Soderberg takes one to the chin there.
Soderberg swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Smido lands a nice hook to Soderberg's body. Soderberg takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Soderberg avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Soderberg wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Soderberg throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Soderberg connects with a single shot there.
Soderberg lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Soderberg checks the leg kick nicely there.
Smido tries to score with a low kick but Soderberg moves his leg out of the way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soderberg tries for a takedown but Smido sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Soderberg takes a swing at Smido's ribcage but misses.
Soderberg digs a good body shot into Smido's ribs.

Soderberg gets a double leg takedown into Smido's guard.
Soderberg preventing the sweep.
Smido is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Smido keeping full guard, as Soderberg tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smido 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.
Soderberg wants to control from the top but Smido keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Snabbo Smido.
Smido on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Smido swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Smido tries to score with a low kick but Soderberg moves his leg out of the way.
Smido scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Soderberg fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Soderberg is trying hard to land a takedown here. Smido sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rufus Soderberg. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Smido.
A bone on bone clash there as Soderberg blocks the leg kick.
Smido throws a jab but it's blocked by Soderberg.
Smido gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Soderberg misses with an uppercut.
Soderberg throws a lazy uppercut
and Smido cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Soderberg shoots in for a takedown but Smido shows good takedown defense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smido takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nice takedown defense from Soderberg. No joy for Smido on that attempt.
Smido blocks a jab.
Soderberg throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Smido's waist but Smido gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Soderberg off to one side.
A punch lands to the side of Soderberg 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Soderberg closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Soderberg lands in his opponent's guard.
Smido looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Soderberg is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Rufus Soderberg did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Back to the action!

Thud! ouch! good body kick from Smido - that will leave a mark!
No luck for Soderberg with that takedown attempt.
Soderberg fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Smido manages to avoid it.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Smido lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Soderberg has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Soderberg and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Smido slips a jab from Soderberg.
Smido clobbers Soderberg with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Smido throws a low kick but it's checked well by Soderberg.
Smido scores with a sloppy right hand. Soderberg should have avoided that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smido fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Soderberg blocks the body kick.
Smido misses with a kick to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Soderberg misses the target.
Smido attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Soderberg shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Smido defends it nicely.

Smido closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Soderberg's guard.

Smido got a little sloppy there for a moment and Soderberg has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Smido has managed to get both his arms back between Soderberg's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Smido postures up.
Soderberg keeping moving, preventing Smido from controlling successfully.
Smido with a nice head shot there.
Smido content to stall in guard here.
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!
Soderberg keeping moving, preventing Smido from controlling successfully.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Snabbo Smido has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Soderberg cracks Smido with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smido wants to slow Soderberg down by chopping away at his legs.
Smido scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Smido lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Soderberg at a distance.
Smido motions for Soderberg to come forward. Smido throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Soderberg misses with a takedown attempt - Smido sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rufus Soderberg. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smido looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Soderberg fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smido scores with a crisp jab that stopped Soderberg in his tracks.
Smido throws a leg kick but Soderberg sees it coming and moves out of range.
Smido shoots in for a takedown but Soderberg shows good takedown defense.
Soderberg swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Smido.
Soderberg misses with a lunging right hand
and Smido counters with an inside leg kick.
Soderberg fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Smido looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Soderberg swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Soderberg on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Soderberg throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Snabbo Smido dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Smido lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Soderberg on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Smido misses with a body kick.
Smido throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Soderberg displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Smido throws out the jab.

Soderberg shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Soderberg is looking to take a break and control but Smido is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Soderberg performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soderberg trying to control the action but Smido is working from the bottom.

Rufus Soderberg has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Smido moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Soderberg drops his hands momentarily and Smido takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Smido misses with a looping left.
Soderberg looks to land a left hand but Smido moved out of range nicely.
Snabbo Smido has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smido throws a leg kick but Soderberg sees it coming and moves out of range.
Smido misses with a straight left.
Smido throws a low kick but it's checked well by Soderberg.
Soderberg checks a leg kick.
Soderberg on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Smido. Smido obviously looking to wear him down.
Smido connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Soderberg has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Smido finds it's way round the side to connect with Soderberg's head.
Smido leaves Soderberg with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A solid body kick from Smido.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg throws a shot from downtown. Smido moves away and avoids it.
Soderberg looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Soderberg shoots in looking for a takedown. Smido tries to sprawl out of it but Soderberg keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Smido manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Soderberg throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Soderberg shoots in and drives through. Smido sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rufus Soderberg. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smido steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Soderberg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Smido as he avoids it easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Soderberg.
Smido throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Soderberg tries to score a power double leg takedown but Smido sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Soderberg somewhat.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Smido.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smido misses with a body kick.
Rufus Soderberg is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Smido buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Snabbo Smido comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Soderberg has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 46:49
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 48:47
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Rufus Soderberg!
Rufus Soderberg retains his welterweight title!
Post fight, Rufus Soderberg took to the microphone: 'GOT you.'.