PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kelvin Iankoski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Magambo Sokambo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Iankoski
vs
Sokambo

170 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kelvin Iankoski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Magambo Sokambo!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Alexandre Firmino and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Iankoski keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Sokambo shoots in for a takedown but Iankoski shows good takedown defense.
Sokambo has a takedown stuffed.
Kelvin Iankoski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Magambo Sokambo.

Sokambo has Iankoski up against the cage in a clinch.
Sokambo is trying to pull guard but Iankoski turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Iankoski is trying to break the clinch but Sokambo has him pressed against the cage.
Iankoski tries to throw a body punch but Sokambo avoids it by throwing Iankoski back against the cage.
Sokambo avoiding damage as Iankoski throws knees to the body.
Sokambo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Sokambo tries to pull guard but Iankoski holds him up against the cage and eventually Sokambo drops back down to his feet.
Sokambo tries to land knees in the clinch but Iankoski avoids the damage to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Iankoski manages to break the clinch.

Iankoski drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Iankoski decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Sokambo, up you get!
Iankoski looks for a takedown but Sokambo sprawls well.
Sokambo tries to clinch there but Iankoski circles away.

Iankoski clinches.

Sokambo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sokambo closes this distance looking for a takedown but Iankoski circles away.
Iankoski shoots for a takedown but Sokambo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Iankoski wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sokambo swats away the attempt to clinch by Iankoski.
Sokambo throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Sokambo jumps guard but Iankoski stands there with Sokambo around his waist. Sokambo gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sokambo drops down looking for an ankle pick but Iankoski pulls his leg out and moves away.

Sokambo has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Iankoski jumps guard.
Sokambo wants to stand but Iankoski has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Iankoski keeping moving, preventing Sokambo from controlling successfully.
Sokambo being controlled here momentarily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Iankoski not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Iankoski has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Sokambo off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Iankoski is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Iankoski keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Iankoski tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sokambo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sokambo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Iankoski is fending him off so far but Sokambo persists. Nope, Iankoski circles away and we're back to standing.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Sokambo drives through and clinches with Iankoski against the cage.
Iankoski tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sokambo smiles and moves away.
Iankoski lands with a 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 Kelvin Iankoski will probably get the nod.
That's time! Iankoski's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sokambo shoots in but no luck this time.
Sokambo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sokambo keeps the fight on the outside.

Iankoski gets a clinch.
Sokambo has had enough of the clinch but Iankoski keeps him there for the moment.

Sokambo breaks from the clinch.
Sokambo misses with a takedown attempt - Iankoski sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kelvin Iankoski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Magambo Sokambo.
Iankoski shoots for a takedown but Sokambo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Iankoski tries to clinch up

and Sokambo counters by clinching up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iankoski blocks a body shot from Sokambo.
Sokambo leaning against his opponent.
Sokambo is trying to pull guard but Iankoski turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Sokambo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Iankoski shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sokambo sprawls well. Sokambo wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Iankoski gets slowly back to his feet.
Iankoski defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sokambo.
Sokambo throws a leg kick but Iankoski sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Sokambo motions for Iankoski to come forward. Sokambo throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sokambo dives in and grabs Iankoski's left leg, looking for a takedown. Iankoski pushes down on Sokambo's head and hops out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Iankoski as Sokambo shoots in.
Iankoski fails with an attempt to clinch.
Iankoski is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
No luck for Sokambo with that takedown attempt.
Iankoski shoots in for a takedown but Sokambo shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sokambo cracks Iankoski with a right hand to the side of the head.
Iankoski shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sokambo as he jumps to the side.
Sokambo fails with a takedown attempt.
Sokambo leaves Iankoski with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Iankoski as Sokambo shoots in.
Iankoski throws a low kick but Sokambo avoids it.
Sokambo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Iankoski looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Sokambo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Iankoski sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sokambo somewhat.

Sokambo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Iankoski, pushing him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sokambo can't get the takedown.
Iankoski wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sokambo has him pressed against the cage.
Sokambo blocks a body shot from Iankoski.
Sokambo tries to pull guard but Iankoski forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Iankoski wants to break the clinch but can't.
Sokambo is working for takedown but Iankoski is calmly controlling the position for now.

Sokambo manages to break the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Iankoski throws a right hand that Sokambo ducks under and follows up with a left that Sokambo also avoids with ease.
Sokambo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Iankoski sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sokambo somewhat.
Sokambo walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Iankoski checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Magambo Sokambo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Iankoski fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sokambo shoots in for a takedown but Iankoski shows good takedown defense.
Iankoski stuffs the takedown.
Nice jab there from Sokambo.
Sokambo misses with a takedown attempt - Iankoski sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kelvin Iankoski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Magambo Sokambo.
Sokambo tries for a takedown but Iankoski sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sokambo shoots in for a takedown but Iankoski shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Iankoski shoots in for a takedown but Sokambo shows good takedown defense.
Iankoski shoots in but Sokambo avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Iankoski moves to clinch but Sokambo breaks away

and Sokambo counters by moving into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokambo jumps guard but Iankoski turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Sokambo pushes off an throws an elbow but Iankoski leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Iankoski wants to break the clinch but can't.
Sokambo has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Iankoski is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sokambo jumps guard but Iankoski turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Sokambo breaks the clinch.
Iankoski misses with a combination
and Sokambo counters with a three punch combo that has Iankoski backing up. Iankoski nods at Sokambo to acknowledge the strikes.
Iankoski tries to clinch there but Sokambo circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sokambo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Iankoski is fending him off so far but Sokambo persists. Nope, Iankoski circles away and we're back to standing.
Sokambo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sokambo throws a right and a left that Iankoski avoids nicely.
A swing and a miss from Iankoski.

Iankoski rushes Sokambo and presses him up against the cage.
Iankoski tries to break free but Sokambo pushes him back against the cage.

Sokambo breaks from the clinch.
Magambo Sokambo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Iankoski looks to clinch
and Sokambo counters with a three punch combo that has Iankoski backing up. Iankoski nods at Sokambo to acknowledge the strikes.
Iankoski tries to clinch there but Sokambo circles away.
Nice takedown defense from Iankoski. No joy for Sokambo on that attempt.
Kelvin Iankoski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sokambo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Iankoski shoots in and drives through. Sokambo sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iankoski tries for a takedown but Sokambo circles away easily

and Sokambo moves into the clinch.
Iankoski swings wildly with an uppercut but Sokambo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Iankoski can't find room to land a body shot as Sokambo controls the action.
Sokambo is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Iankoski to keep the fight standing.
Iankoski is trying to drag Sokambo to the mat but Sokambo just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Sokambo breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slapping body kick lands there for Sokambo.

Sokambo gets tackled into the cage by Iankoski. Iankoski maintains the clinch.

Sokambo has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Iankoski uses from the top position.
Iankoski works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Iankoski escapes and gets back to his feet.
Iankoski throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Sokambo closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sokambo lands in his opponent's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sokambo would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Magambo Sokambo.
I think Sokambo 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:29
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Magambo Sokambo!
Our winner, Magambo Sokambo, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.