PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Julio Sobral (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Lineker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). John Lineker has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sobral
vs
Lineker

181 cm
33
168 lbs
29 - 15 - 1

177 cm
29
163 lbs
18 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Julio Sobral!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Lineker!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Paulo Santos and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sobral digs a good hook to Lineker's body.
Sobral takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Lineker scores with a leg kick.
Sobral lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Lineker throws a nice inside leg kick.
Sobral sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Sobral will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Julio Sobral seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sobral throws a body shot but no joy.
Lineker is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Sobral misses with a few strikes there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sobral throws a looping overhand right but Lineker ducks down to avoid it.
A head kick misses from Lineker.
Sobral throwing a counter right hand but Lineker manages to avoid it.
Lineker wants to slow Sobral down by chopping away at his legs.
Sobral is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Lineker.
Sobral just misses with a punch to the body.
Sobral backing away here, and Lineker unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Sobral throws a body punch but Lineker moves out of range.
Lineker appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Lineker uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sobral.
Lineker tries to move into range but Sobral moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Lineker walks into a jab.
Lineker tries a head kick but it misses.
Lineker throws a leg kick that is checked

and Sobral counters with a nice double leg into side control. Lineker won't be happy with that.
Sobral tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Lineker tries to buck Sobral off but Sobral is having none of it.
We've been hearing that Sobral has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Lineker can't do much from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sobral tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Lineker is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Sobral is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Lineker sees it coming and defends easily.
Sobral missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Sobral is looking for a kimura but Lineker is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sobral to get the leverage.
Lineker is refusing to be controlled, as Sobral sits in half guard.
Sobral is pressing down on Lineker's thigh, looking to free his foot. Lineker is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lineker blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sobral.
Lineker is doing well to control the position and prevent Sobral from advancing to side control.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Sobral wants to take a breather but Lineker is having none of it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A jab lands there for Sobral.
Lineker keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sobral.
Sobral blocks a low kick nicely.
A quick step to the side and Sobral tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lineker looks to land a body kick but Sobral moved away.
Lineker uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sobral.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lineker throws a leg kick but Sobral sees it coming and moves out of range.
Sobral attempts a counter takedown but Lineker avoids it well and moves away.
Sobral throws a combination that misses
and Lineker counters with an inside leg kick.
Sobral throws an off balance right hand
and Lineker counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Sobral chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Lineker can pounce on him.
Lineker throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Lineker slips under a jab from Sobral.
Lineker lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Sobral takes a kick to the side of the head.
Sobral rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Lineker counters with a good, hard body kick but Sobral shrugs it off.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A combination from Sobral does no damage.
Sobral jabs Lineker to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A jab from Sobral misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julio Sobral dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Lineker fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sobral has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Sobral throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Lineker counters with a low kick, right behind Sobral 's knee.
The fighters circling - Sobral throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lineker slips a straight right by Sobral.
Lineker thinks about the counter body kick.
Sobral takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Both fighters circling a little - Lineker finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Sobral takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Sobral walks forward, straight into a front kick from Lineker.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sobral throws a series of punches but Lineker avoids them all with ease.
Sobral misses with a lunging right hand
and Lineker counters with a low kick, right behind Sobral 's knee.
Lineker throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Sobral takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobral misses the jab.
Lineker blocks a jab.
Sobral moves out of range as Lineker throws a body kick.
Lineker scores with a nice body kick.
A leg kick checked by Sobral.
Sobral appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
A slapping leg kick lands for Lineker.
Lineker shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Lineker throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Sobral throws a body shot but no joy.
Sobral on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Lineker. Sobral shrugs it off though.
An inside leg kick from Lineker misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lineker fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sobral.
Sobral cracks a nice hook into Lineker's ribs.
John Lineker is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lineker scores with a leg kick.
Sobral misses with a series of wild punches.
Lineker follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Lineker walks into a stiff left hand from Sobral.
Sobral misses with a shot to the body
and Lineker counters with a nice body kick.
Sobral is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Sobral tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lineker was well out of range. Poor timing from Sobral.
Lineker looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sobral is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lineker.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lineker throws a leg kick but Sobral checks it.
Sobral looks to throw the jab but Lineker is out of range.
No joy there for Sobral, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A solid leg kick lands there for Lineker.
Sobral throws a sloppy body shot
and Lineker counters with a nice leg kick.
Lineker throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Lineker cracks the inside of Sobral's front leg.
Sobral shoots for a double leg takedown but Lineker sprawls well. He's pushed Sobral's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Lineker tries to land a leg kick but Sobral saw it coming and moves away.
Sobral went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Sobral misses with a takedown
and Lineker counters with an inside leg kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobral throws a body punch but Lineker moves out of range.
Lineker connects with an inside leg kick.
Sobral throws a shot to the body.
Lineker connects with an inside leg kick.
Sobral takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sobral waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lineker.
Lineker appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Lineker walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sobral checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
An inside leg kick lands from Lineker.
Lineker throws a leg kick but Sobral sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Lineker looks for the body kick but Sobral saw that one coming.
Sobral feinted with a counter takedown.
Sobral looks to land a right hand but Lineker moved out of range.
Lineker on the wrong end of a nice jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Lineker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Sobral just misses with a punch to the body.
Lineker counters with a body kick.
Lineker thumps Sobral with a low kick.
Lineker thows a leg kick but Sobral checks it

and Sobral counters with a nice double leg into side control. Lineker won't be happy with that.
Lineker is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Sobral's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Lineker tries to get to full guard but Sobral has control of the leg.

Sobral looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sobral thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobral is looking to advance position but Lineker won't allow it.
Lineker is staying active underneath Sobral, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Sobral looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Lineker blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sobral.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Lineker is looking to control Sobral's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lineker avoid being mounted?
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Julio Sobral overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lineker wants to improve his position but Sobral is controlling well.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sobral lands with a shot to the body.
Sobral throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lineker attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Lineker lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A low kick from Lineker is predictable there
and Sobral counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lineker throws a low kick, looking for Sobral's leg but Sobral calmly moves out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Lineker.
Lineker throws a leg kick that is checked
and Sobral counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sobral throws a body shot but no joy.
Lineker defending well as Sobral loads up on a big left hand.
Sobral misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
And Lineker responds with a good body kick, but Sobral manages to step out the way in time.
Sobral misses with a body shot.
Sobral will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobral throws a right hand that Lineker ducks under and follows up with a left that Lineker also avoids with ease.
Sobral swings for the body but Lineker moves out of range.
Lineker lands a leg kick that knocks Sobral off balance momentarily.
Lineker swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Sobral throws the left hand but Lineker avoids the punch easily.
Lineker feints a counter leg kick.
Sobral throws a combination that misses
and Lineker counters with a nice low kick that buckles Sobral's knee momentarily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lineker uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sobral.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sobral misses with a two punch combination.
Sobral lands a nice hook to Lineker's body. Lineker takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lineker buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Lineker thuds his shin into the meat of Sobral's side.
Lineker throws a leg kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julio Sobral clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sobral avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Lineker misses with a low kick.
Sobral takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Lineker stuffs the takedown attempt from Sobral. Sobral gets slowly back to his feet.
Sobral misses with a takedown attempt
and Lineker counters with a slapping leg kick.
Lineker throws a nice outside leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Lineker.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lineker thumps Sobral with a low kick.
Lineker throws a leg kick but Sobral checks it.
Lineker throws a head kick that misses.
Sobral throws a body punch but Lineker moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lineker tries a low kick but Sobral avoids it.
Sobral cracks Lineker with a good jab.
Sobral shoots in for a takedown but Lineker shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Julio Sobral. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lineker buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Lineker throws a leg kick

and Sobral counters with a single leg into guard. Lineker didn't expect that.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Lineker pushes Sobral off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
A lazy body kick from Lineker
and Sobral counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Lineker throws a leg kick that misses.
John Lineker seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sobral misses with an uppercut
and Lineker counters with a nice kick to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sobral throws a shot from downtown. Lineker moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sobral misses with a lunging right hand
and Lineker counters with a body kick that stops Sobral in his tracks momentarily.
Sobral throws a shot from downtown. Lineker moves away and avoids it.
Sobral's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
Sobral moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Sobral keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Lineker thows a leg kick but Sobral checks it
and Sobral counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lineker feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sobral's calf.
Lineker throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Sobral drops down looking for a counter takedown but Lineker sprawls and moves away.
A shot to the body from Sobral misses
and Lineker counters with a nice low kick that buckles Sobral's knee momentarily.
Sobral throws a left and a right that both miss
and Lineker counters with a nice kick to the body.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Lineker - that will leave a mark!
Lineker finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lineker moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sobral ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lineker moves away.
Lineker tries a quick counter leg kick but Sobral is wise to it.
Lineker gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Lineker throws a leg kick but Sobral sees it coming and moves out of range.
Sobral misses with a hook
and Lineker counters with a slapping leg kick.
Lineker connects with a solid leg kick.
Lineker bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Crunch! Lineker slams his shin into Sobral's torso.
Lineker thows a body kick. Sobral tries to catch it but that hurt him.
A leg kick checked by Sobral.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lineker throws a leg kick that misses.
Sobral takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Sobral throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Lineker counters with a solid body kick.
Sobral takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Good leg kick by Lineker there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Lineker lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Sobral connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Lineker with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A thudding body kick lands there by Lineker!
Lineker is looking to land body kicks.
Sobral changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Sobral fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lineker manages to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Lineker dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Sobral throws a shot from downtown. Lineker moves away and avoids it.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Sobral checks a leg kick.
Sobral misses with a double jab
and Lineker counters with a head kick.
Lineker lands with a kick to the temple. Sobral shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Lineker misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
An inside leg kick from Lineker misses.
Lineker lands with a thumping leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sobral lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Sobral lands a body shot.
Lineker will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobral looks to throw the jab but Lineker is out of range.
Sobral throws an overhand right that lands on Lineker's shoulder, as Lineker tries to avoid the shot.
Sobral fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Lineker lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sobral's sensitive parts.
Lineker scores with a leg kick.
Sobral falls off balance throwing a combination
and Lineker counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Lineker throws out a leg kick but Sobral moves out of range and Lineker only half commits.
Sobral moves out of range of the leg kick from Lineker.
A quick step to the side and Sobral tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sobral keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lineker throws a leg kick but Sobral moved away.
Good shot there by Sobral.
Lineker with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Lineker throws a half hearted mid kick.
Sobral thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lineker gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Lineker drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Sobral scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lineker uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sobral.
Lineker flicks out a counter leg kick but Sobral steps away.
Sobral moves out of range as Lineker throws a body kick.
Sobral goes for a double leg but Lineker avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the ropes as Lineker continues to drive forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Sobral.
Sobral waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lineker.
Lineker buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Lineker keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sobral misses with a right hand
and Lineker counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Sobral moves out of range of the body kick.
Sobral takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Sobral misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lineker.
Sobral swings widly with a right hand
and Lineker finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Lineker moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lineker thuds his shin into the meat of Sobral's side.
Sobral will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sobral backing away here, and Lineker unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Sobral waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lineker.
Lineker flicks out a counter leg kick but Sobral steps away.
Lineker walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lineker fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Lineker scores with a kick to the body.
A bone on bone clash there as Sobral blocks the leg kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Sobral misses the target.
Some bone on bone action there as Sobral checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Sobral misses with an uppercut. Lineker saw that one coming.
Lineker throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Lineker comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lineker 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 47:48
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 47:48
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Lineker!
John Lineker is the new lightweight champion!
John Lineker seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.