PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Yermolai Sokoloff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lu Kuan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sokoloff's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, USS / Yin Yang. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Sokoloff
vs
Kuan

189 cm
28
202 lbs
12 - 6 - 1

194 cm
27
205 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Union Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Yermolai Sokoloff!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Lu Kuan!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Ben Watson and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick by Sokoloff misses
and Kuan counters with a leg kick.
Kuan misses with a looping left.
Sokoloff pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Kuan closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Sokoloff manages to break the clinch.
Kuan throws a leg kick which misses Sokoloff's front leg but catches the back leg as Sokoloff tries to avoid it.
Sokoloff throws a poor cross that misses
and Kuan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A punch combination from Sokoloff misses.
Sokoloff tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kuan defends well and Sokoloff ends up having to push Kuan into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kuan looking to throw knees to the head but Sokoloff is blocking nicely.

Kuan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A low kick from Kuan misses
and Sokoloff counters with a head kick. That will keep Kuan thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Sokoloff tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sokoloff walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

It looks like Yermolai Sokoloff has been cut.
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!
Kuan takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Sokoloff swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
That kick from Kuan tenderised Sokoloff's leg. Sokoloff is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kuan fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kuan fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Sokoloff is out of range.
Sokoloff lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Sokoloff.

It looks like Lu Kuan has been cut.
A combination from Sokoloff does no damage.
Kuan fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Sokoloff explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

Sokoloff fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kuan to the ground. Sokoloff is now in Kuan's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sokoloff trying to control but Kuan is working from the bottom.
Kuan is controlling Sokoloff's posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sokoloff lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kuan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sokoloff is one step ahead there.
Sokoloff landing with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sokoloff got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kuan has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sokoloff has managed to get both his arms back between Kuan's legs - danger averted.
Kuan manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sokoloff 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.
Sokoloff is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Sokoloff manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Sokoloff is looking for a sweep. Kuan is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kuan wants to pass the guard but Sokoloff is defending well.
Sokoloff is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokoloff is not content to let Kuan control the position.

Kuan seems to be looking for submissions.
Sokoloff wants to control but Kuan is keeping busy.
Sokoloff tries to roll over but Kuan keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sokoloff is staying active underneath Kuan, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Sokoloff wants to improve his position but Kuan is controlling well.
Kuan is thwarting Sokoloff's attempts to control the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kuan digs a good body shot into Sokoloff's ribs.
Kuan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kuan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sokoloff misses with a head kick.
Kuan stuffs the takedown attempt from Sokoloff. Sokoloff gets slowly back to his feet.
Sokoloff throws a body kick that misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sokoloff misses with a body shot.
Sokoloff checks the leg kick nicely there.
Sokoloff checks a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Lu Kuan will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sokoloff throws the kick towards the body but Kuan avoids it.
Kuan blocks the body kick.
Kuan avoids the head kick by Sokoloff.
Sokoloff fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kuan throws a head kick that half lands.
A jab from Sokoloff misses.

Sokoloff fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kuan sprawls well initially but Sokoloff persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Sokoloff winds up and cracks Kuan with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Yermolai Sokoloff overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kuan trying to control here.
Kuan might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Sokoloff haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuan gets back to full guard.

Kuan has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sokoloff can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokoloff scoring with some ground and pound.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kuan holds on and takes a little breather.
Sokoloff won't allow Kuan to sweep him here.
Sokoloff throwing strikes from guard but Kuan blocks nicely.
Sokoloff working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Sokoloff is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kuan is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kuan has escaped and now he's on top!
Kuan trying to stand up but can't free himself from Sokoloff's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuan wants to pass the guard but Sokoloff is keeping the position.
Sokoloff looking for a sweep. Not yet Sokoloff, not yet.
Kuan trying to stand up but can't free himself from Sokoloff's guard.
Kuan postures up.
Sokoloff is looking to sweep but instead, Kuan has passed into half guard.
Sokoloff tries to roll over but Kuan keeps him under control.
Sokoloff is not content to let Kuan control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokoloff wants to improve his position but Kuan is controlling well.
Sokoloff tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Kuan has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Kuan wants to take Sokoloff's back here but Sokoloff is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
Sokoloff is trying desperately to improve position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuan controlling his opponent.

Kuan stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Lu Kuan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sokoloff lands a glancing blow to the side of Kuan's head.
Jab by Sokoloff.
Sokoloff lunges at Kuan with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kuan's hand.
Kuan throws a sloppy head kick and Sokoloff moves out of range easily.
Sokoloff connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuan throws a low kick but Sokoloff avoids it.
Sokoloff scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kuan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sokoloff manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sokoloff tries to bum rush Kuan with a series of wild strikes but Kuan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sokoloff throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sokoloff tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sokoloff throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kuan looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kuan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
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 Yermolai Sokoloff will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sokoloff tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kuan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sokoloff somewhat.
Yermolai Sokoloff seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sokoloff fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kuan lands a head kick!
Sokoloff takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Sokoloff wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Sokoloff waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kuan.
Kuan stuffs the takedown attempt from Sokoloff. Sokoloff gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yermolai Sokoloff. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head kick misses from Kuan.
Kuan wants to clinch up but Sokoloff keeps it at a distance.
Kuan throws a front kick aimed at Sokoloff's knee but Sokoloff avoids it well.
Sokoloff rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kuan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Sokoloff checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Sokoloff fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kuan scores with a jab to the body.
Sokoloff avoids the head kick by Kuan.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Sokoloff.
Kuan throws a head kick but Sokoloff moves out of range.
Sokoloff fails with the takedown.
A left and a right from Sokoloff both land. Nice combination.
Sokoloff bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Kuan lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Sokoloff throws a head kick but Kuan moves out of range.
Kuan throws a head kick but Sokoloff moves out of range.
Sokoloff throws a right hand that Kuan ducks under and follows up with a left that Kuan also avoids with ease.
Kuan throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sokoloff throws a right hand that Kuan ducks under and follows up with a left that Kuan also avoids with ease.
Kuan jabs Sokoloff right on the nose. Sokoloff blinks but takes it well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sokoloff blocks a head kick by Kuan.
Kuan moves out of range of the body kick from Sokoloff.
Kuan has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Sokoloff throws a series of punches but Kuan moves out of range.
Kuan looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kuan moves out of range as Sokoloff throws a body kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kuan, right into the meat.
Kuan chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Sokoloff can pounce on him.
Kuan throws a sloppy head kick
and Sokoloff counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Kuan is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Sokoloff tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kuan defends well and Sokoloff ends up having to push Kuan into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
I was talking to Sokoloff's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Kuan breaks from the clinch.
Kuan lands a high kick!
A head kick from Kuan lands but Sokoloff takes it in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokoloff connects with a solid leg kick.
Kuan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sokoloff.
Kuan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kuan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kuan ducks right into an uppercut from Sokoloff.
No luck for Sokoloff with that takedown attempt.
Sokoloff moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Lu Kuan seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sokoloff misses with a two punch combination.
A head kick misses from Kuan.
Sokoloff throws a hook to the side of Kuan's head but Kuan sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kuan drops his hands momentarily and Sokoloff takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Kuan throws a head kick that misses
and Sokoloff counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kuan gets caught flat footed, as Sokoloff shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuan can't keep his opponent in guard - Sokoloff advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Sokoloff sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kuan defending well though.
Sokoloff prevents Kuan from improving his position.
Sokoloff is thwarting Kuan's attempts to control the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sokoloff moves nicely into side control.
Sokoloff postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Yermolai Sokoloff.
I think Sokoloff 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:28
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 29:29
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 28:30

The fight is ruled a draw!