PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bugs Bani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sokoudjou 's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Rob Zombie Feel so Numb. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Thierry Sokoudjou
vs
Bani

178 cm
20
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

183 cm
19
185 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bugs Bani!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sokoudjou wants to clinch.
Bani avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sokoudjou is looking to clinch but Bani is avoiding it.

Bani moves into range and clinches up with Sokoudjou .
Bani taking a breather.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sokoudjou lands a right hand.

It looks like Bugs Bani has been cut.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Sokoudjou .

Bani lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Bani is trying to work for a kimura but Sokoudjou is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bani trying to control the pace.
Bani slips a nice elbow through Sokoudjou 's hands, connecting with Sokoudjou 's forehead.
Bani controlling the action here.
Sokoudjou wants to get back to his feet.
Sokoudjou trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Bani is trying to control the action in half guard but Sokoudjou is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Sokoudjou is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Bani scores with a couple of nice shots.
Bani working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Sokoudjou blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bani.
Bani seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Bani is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Sokoudjou has managed to free his arm - good work.
Bani drops an elbow to the side of Sokoudjou 's head.
Bani perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Bani is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sokoudjou sees it coming and defends easily.
Sokoudjou blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bani.
Bani prevents Sokoudjou from standing back up.
Bani has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Bani is working for a kimura but Sokoudjou is defending it quite comfortably.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokoudjou trying to control from the bottom.
Sokoudjou tries to kick Bani off but Bani keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Bani not doing much here.
Sokoudjou looks like he's trying to stand up.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Bani lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Sokoudjou is trying to escape back to his feet but Bani uses the scramble to pass into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Bani working away.
Sokoudjou is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Bani is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Sokoudjou seems a little lost for a moment, as Bani dominates the positioning.

Bani has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Sokoudjou tries to clinch up.
Bani tries to counter by closing the distance.
Bani has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Sokoudjou is looking to clinch.
Bani tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sokoudjou sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bani somewhat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bugs Bani dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bugs Bani's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sokoudjou looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Bani!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bani tries to improve position but can't.
Bani is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Sokoudjou 's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Sokoudjou tries to stand and escape but Bani is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bani punching from the bottom.

Sokoudjou is trying to work for a kimura but Bani is defending well.
Bani wants to control but Sokoudjou is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bani looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Bani looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Bani is trying is best to control the position here.

Bani kicks off Sokoudjou and gets to his feet.
Sokoudjou doesn't manage to clinch there - Bani circles away.
Sokoudjou tries to clinch there but Bani circles away.
Sokoudjou doesn't manage to clinch there - Bani circles away.
Bani feints the counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bani swats away the attempt to clinch by Sokoudjou .

Sokoudjou shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Sokoudjou showed some decent athleticism there.

Bani looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Bani preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sokoudjou wants to work for an arm triangle but Bani is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Bani can do anything to dispel that myth.

Sokoudjou is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Bani defends it well.
Bani slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Sokoudjou stopping the sweep attempt from Bani.
Sokoudjou has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Bani pushes a forearm under Sokoudjou 's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Sokoudjou is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:21 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Bugs Bani!