PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vasiliy Sobolev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Grammur Natzee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sobolev's entrance music is Ya kuplu tebe dom. A fine choice. Natzee is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Marillion - Garden Party. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sobolev
vs
Natzee

201 cm
39
265 lbs
25 - 33 - 0

162 cm
35
148 lbs
32 - 14 - 4

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

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 25 - 33 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vasiliy Sobolev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 14 - 4, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Grammur Natzee!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Tiny Johnson and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Natzee misses.

Natzee looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Sobolev definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Sobolev wants to sweep here but Natzee controlling him for the moment.
Natzee with a flurry of punches that miss.
Natzee sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Sobolev's guard.
Sobolev wants to control but Natzee is keeping busy.
Natzee throwing shots but Sobolev is blocking nicely.
Natzee thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sobolev's head.
Natzee drops an elbow to the side of Sobolev's head.
Natzee misses with a head shot. Sobolev uses the momentum to regain guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Natzee keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sobolev's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Natzee throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Natzee trying to control the position from guard on top but Sobolev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Natzee throwing strikes from guard but Sobolev blocks nicely.
Sobolev wants to sweep but no luck.
Sobolev wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Natzee trying to control the position from guard on top but Sobolev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Natzee throwing strikes from guard but Sobolev blocks nicely.
Natzee must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sobolev seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Natzee looking to pass the guard.
Sobolev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Natzee takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Natzee cracks Sobolev with a good jab.

Sobolev dives in and scores a takedown into Natzee's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Natzee is on top in guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sobolev is on top in guard.
Natzee is pulling down on Sobolev's head. It's preventing any offense from Sobolev, at least for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sobolev connects with a couple of short punches.
Natzee bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sobolev's guard.
Sobolev is adopting a defensive guard.
Natzee with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Natzee won't allow Sobolev to sweep him here.
Sobolev manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Natzee manages to get himself to full guard.
Sobolev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Natzee trying to control the position.
Sobolev connects with a couple of short punches.
Sobolev landing some decent shots from guard.
Sobolev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Natzee trying to keep a closed guard but Sobolev is proving a slippery customer.
Natzee avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Natzee tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sobolev trying to control but Natzee is working from the bottom.
Sobolev has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sobolev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sobolev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sobolev will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Sobolev won't allow Natzee to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev working some strikes from top position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Sobolev working some strikes from top position.
Sobolev keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Natzee's head.
Sobolev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Natzee bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sobolev's guard.
Natzee missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Natzee throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Natzee trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sobolev keeping moving, preventing Natzee from controlling successfully.
Natzee throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sobolev pulls Natzee in close to prevent any damage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Natzee pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sobolev is keeping the position for now.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Natzee's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
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 Vasiliy Sobolev will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Sobolev scores with a takedown into Natzee's guard.
Sobolev postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Sobolev controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Sobolev is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Natzee utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Natzee is on top in guard.
Natzee in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Natzee throwing strikes but missing.
Natzee loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
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 can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Natzee controls the pace.
Natzee missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobolev pulls Natzee in close to prevent any damage.
Natzee throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Natzee trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Natzee won't allow Sobolev to sweep him here.
Sobolev manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Natzee manages to get himself to full guard.
Natzee is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Natzee thows a huge punch but Sobolev dodges it nicely.
Sobolev is looking to improve his position.
Natzee throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Natzee is nestled in close to Sobolev, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Natzee.
Sobolev wants to improve his position but Natzee is controlling well.
Sobolev manages to get to full guard.
Natzee stands up over Sobolev, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sobolev is controlling Natzee's posture.
Vasiliy Sobolev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Natzee postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Natzee wants to control from the top but Sobolev keeps moving.
Natzee is looking to work some ground and pound but Sobolev has wrist control.
Sobolev controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Natzee postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Natzee postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Natzee is looking to work some ground and pound but Sobolev has wrist control.
Sobolev lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Natzee!
Sobolev cracks Natzee with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Natzee is in all sorts of trouble here.
Sobolev lands a heavy elbow.
Natzee is in all sorts of trouble here.
Sobolev with good strikes from the mount here!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Natzee bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Natzee wants to control from the top but Sobolev keeps moving.
Sobolev controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Natzee lands a couple of elbows.
Natzee throws a strike but Sobolev rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Natzee 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.
Sobolev with a nice head shot there.
Sobolev lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Sobolev keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Natzee's head.
Natzee utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Natzee bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sobolev's guard.
Sobolev pulls Natzee in close to prevent any damage.
Natzee keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sobolev's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasiliy Sobolev dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Sobolev scores with a decent looking hook.
Sobolev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sobolev defending well as Natzee loads up on a big left hand.
Natzee scores with a nice head shot.
Natzee pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Sobolev.
Natzee sneaks back into half guard.
Sobolev lands strikes from half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sobolev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Natzee defending well though.
Sobolev trying to pass the guard but Natzee defending well.
Nice strikes from Sobolev there.
Natzee is looking to control Sobolev's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Natzee avoid being mounted?
Sobolev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Sobolev.
Natzee keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Sobolev lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Sobolev throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Natzee to regain full guard.
Sobolev working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Natzee looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Natzee utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Natzee trying to control the position.
Sobolev looking to pass the guard.
Natzee looking for a sweep. Not yet Natzee, not yet.
Sobolev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sobolev won't allow Natzee to get back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sobolev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Grammur Natzee has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev looking to sit in guard and control but Natzee gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Sobolev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sobolev is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Sobolev bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Natzee's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sobolev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sobolev is looking to work some ground and pound but Natzee has wrist control.
Natzee tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Natzee bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sobolev's guard.
Sobolev keeping full guard, as Natzee tries to pass.
Sobolev trying to control the position here.
Natzee wants to pass the guard but Sobolev is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev wants to sweep here but Natzee controlling him for the moment.
Natzee throws a strike but Sobolev rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Natzee throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Natzee looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sobolev is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev landing with the ground and pound.
Natzee working a defensive guard here.
Natzee preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sobolev stopping the sweep attempt from Natzee.

Natzee escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sobolev gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sobolev cracks Natzee with a solid left hand.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sobolev landing with the ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sobolev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Vasiliy Sobolev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sobolev landing with the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vasiliy Sobolev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Sobolev has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vasiliy Sobolev!
After the fight, Vasiliy Sobolev was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.
The defeated Grammur Natzee had this to say: 'no, what are you doing? gimme that belt. :c'.