PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gunnar Jensen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yermolai Sokoloff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jensen comes to the cage accompanied by Devour . Sokoloff has chosen USS / Yin Yang as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Jensen
vs
Sokoloff

196 cm
34
225 lbs
18 - 11 - 2

189 cm
28
202 lbs
12 - 6 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
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 18 - 11 - 2, fighting out of Sydney, Gunnar Jensen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 2, fighting out of London, Yermolai Sokoloff!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Skip Squint and Topper Green.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jensen looks for the body kick but Sokoloff saw that one coming.
Sokoloff shoots in for a double leg but Jensen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sokoloff slips under a jab from Jensen.
Sokoloff thows a left - swing and a miss!
Jensen misses with a head kick.
Jensen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Jensen looks to land a combination but Sokoloff avoids it well.
Sokoloff throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jensen misses with an uppercut. Sokoloff saw that one coming.
Jensen has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Shield in the buildup to the fight.
Sokoloff slips a jab from Jensen.
Sokoloff scores with a jab to the jaw.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Sokoloff has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Jensen getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Sokoloff pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sokoloff misses with a head kick.
Sokoloff misses with a takedown attempt - Jensen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jensen misses with a wild combination.
Sokoloff misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jensen throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Sokoloff lands with a nice body kick.
Jensen throws a good cross that connects.

It looks like Yermolai Sokoloff has been cut.
Jensen takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Jensen throws a sloppy head kick and Sokoloff moves out of range easily.
Jensen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sokoloff.
Jensen misses with a two punch combination.
Jensen misses with a head kick.
Jensen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sokoloff circles away quickly and effectively.
Jensen takes one to the side of the head.
Sokoloff lands with a cross.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A jab from Sokoloff finds it's way through Jensen's defenses.
A cross from Sokoloff lands.
A left lands for Sokoloff.
Sokoloff moves out of range of the strikes.
Sokoloff throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sokoloff lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jensen misses with a hook.
Sokoloff keeps Jensen at a distance using the push kick.
Sokoloff dodges the punch combination from Jensen.
Sokoloff scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Jensen takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Sokoloff throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sokoloff misses with a body kick.
Sokoloff throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sokoloff throws a head kick that misses.
Sokoloff closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jensen circles away.
Gunnar Jensen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yermolai Sokoloff.
Sokoloff misses with a head kick.
Sokoloff takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Sokoloff explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

Jensen scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
You can see the frustration on Sokoloff's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Sokoloff is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jensen wants to control but Sokoloff is keeping him busy.
Jensen misses with the ground and pound.
Sokoloff can't do much from the bottom here.
Sokoloff manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Jensen blocks the strikes from Sokoloff.
Sokoloff manages to get to full guard.
Jensen wants to pass the guard but Sokoloff is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jensen won't allow Sokoloff to sweep him here.

Sokoloff looking for a guillotine here but Jensen defends easily.
Jensen content to stall in guard here.
Jensen trying to control but Sokoloff is working from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sokoloff is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Jensen chips away with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yermolai Sokoloff dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Yermolai Sokoloff's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sokoloff thows a body kick. Jensen tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Gunnar Jensen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sokoloff takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Yermolai Sokoloff seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sokoloff throws a head kick but Jensen moves out of range.
Jensen sizes up Sokoloff with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Jensen stuffs the takedown.
Jensen checks the leg kick.
Jensen throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Sokoloff.
A big left from Jensen misses.
Jensen takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
No joy there for Sokoloff, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jensen takes one to the side of the head.
A telegraphed right hand from Jensen misses the target.
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!
A swing and a miss from Sokoloff.
Sokoloff with a jab.
Jensen throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Sokoloff counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Jensen is on top in guard.
Jensen won't allow Sokoloff to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jensen trying to control the position from guard on top but Sokoloff is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yermolai Sokoloff has got the better of the ground game so far.
Jensen not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Sokoloff looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Jensen postures up.
Jensen wants to control from the top but Sokoloff keeps moving.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Jensen stopping the sweep attempt from Sokoloff.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jensen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Jensen trying to control the position from guard on top but Sokoloff is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jensen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Sokoloff is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sokoloff is trying to control the position but Jensen postures up.
Sokoloff is pulling down on Jensen's head to control his posture.
Jensen showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Sokoloff wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sokoloff is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Jensen trying to control the position from guard on top but Sokoloff is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Sokoloff looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Jensen wants to pass the guard but Sokoloff is keeping the position.

Sokoloff is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Jensen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Jensen there.
Jensen trying to control from half guard but Sokoloff is working away.
Sokoloff wants to get back to full guard.
Jensen takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Jensen trying to control the action but Sokoloff is working from the bottom.
Sokoloff won't allow Jensen to pass to mount.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jensen throwing shots but Sokoloff is blocking nicely.
The fighters are battling for position here. Sokoloff manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jensen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Jensen trying to control but Sokoloff is working from the bottom.
Jensen working some strikes from top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Yermolai Sokoloff will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Yermolai Sokoloff's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Jensen takes a kick to the side of the head.
Jensen avoids the head kick by Sokoloff.
Sokoloff showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Jensen.
Jensen throws a body punch but Sokoloff moves out of range.

Sokoloff drives through with a takedown into Jensen's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Jensen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sokoloff is one step ahead there.
Sokoloff trying to control but Jensen is working from the bottom.

Jensen looking for a guillotine here but Sokoloff defends easily.
Sokoloff works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Sokoloff there.
Jensen is trying to get back to full guard.
Sokoloff wants to control but Jensen is keeping him busy.
Jensen won't allow Sokoloff to pass to mount.
Sokoloff takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Jensen actively working from the bottom here.
Sokoloff seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Jensen gets back to full guard.
Jensen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sokoloff prevents Jensen from getting back to his feet.
Sokoloff cracks Jensen with a solid left hand.
Gunnar Jensen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sokoloff looking to pass the guard.
Sokoloff with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Jensen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sokoloff working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Jensen's head.
Sokoloff scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Sokoloff wants to control from the top but Jensen keeps moving.
Sokoloff landing with the ground and pound.
Sokoloff preventing the sweep.

Jensen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sokoloff missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokoloff loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sokoloff seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Sokoloff distracts Jensen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Sokoloff missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sokoloff landing with the ground and pound.
Jensen keeping moving, preventing Sokoloff from controlling successfully.
Jensen wants to sweep here but Sokoloff controlling him for the moment.
Yermolai Sokoloff is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sokoloff wants to control from the top but Jensen keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jensen controlling Sokoloff's posture.
Sokoloff trying to control the position from guard on top but Jensen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sokoloff postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Jensen lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Jensen preventing the sweep.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sokoloff bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Jensen's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sokoloff content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Sokoloff stands and throws Jensen's legs to the side, diving into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yermolai Sokoloff comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sokoloff has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Francis DeMontford scores the fight 28:30
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30
Judge Topper Green scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yermolai Sokoloff!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Yermolai Sokoloff waved his t-shirt featuring Union Fight Gear's logo in front of the cameras.