PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Franco Veratti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Koji Sobando (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Koji Sobando will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Veratti
vs
Sobando

188 cm
25
175 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

169 cm
26
169 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Franco Veratti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Koji Sobando!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Santiago Holmes and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sobando stalks Veratti and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Veratti's face. Veratti staggers backwards, shaken.
Sobando looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Sobando is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sobando doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Veratti counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Veratti has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Veratti stopping the sweep attempt from Sobando.
Veratti has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Veratti is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Veratti throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sobando works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Veratti connects with a couple of short punches.
Veratti throwing strikes from guard but Sobando blocks nicely.
Veratti throwing strikes but missing.
Veratti content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Veratti slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Sobando takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobando is working to avoid the ground and pound but Veratti connects with a decent elbow.
Veratti working the head and body with strikes.
Veratti scoring with punches from side control.
Veratti landing a few strikes.
Veratti scoring with punches and elbows.
Veratti works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sobando is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Veratti is working Sobando over with some ground and pound from side control.
Sobando takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Veratti working away.
Veratti working the head and body with strikes.
Check out the look on Veratti's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Veratti working the head with strikes.
Veratti lands a few punches from side control.

Sobando is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sobando is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Sobando is still in real trouble! Can Veratti finish him?
Veratti in side control here. He's dropped a big elbow there and Sobando looks hurt! Oh, he is hurt! Veratti turns on the heat and pounds him out for a TKO victory! Good killer instinct there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:23 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Franco Veratti!