PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bram Nijhoff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Georgio Socrates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Socrates has chosen Tool - Schism as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Nijhoff
vs
Socrates

178 cm
25
165 lbs
10 - 10 - 0

178 cm
28
169 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
Brawler
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Sportsmanship Ltd.
V-Mask Clothing (10%)

GREEN!160
V-Mask Clothing (10%)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Bram Nijhoff!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Georgio Socrates!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Colin Fotheringham and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Socrates looks to land a combination but Nijhoff avoids it well.
Socrates looks for a takedown but Nijhoff sprawls well.
Nijhoff shoots for a takedown but Socrates saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Socrates fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nijhoff avoids it really well and circles away.
Nijhoff shoots in for a takedown but Socrates shows good takedown defense.
Socrates scores with a body shot.

Nijhoff closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Socrates to the mat! Socrates manages to get full guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Socrates has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Nijhoff off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Socrates tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nijhoff was well out of range. Poor timing from Socrates.
Socrates looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Bram Nijhoff has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Georgio Socrates.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Socrates stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Socrates wants it to stay on the feet.
Nijhoff shoots for a takedown but Socrates saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A countering left hand to the body from Socrates misses.
Socrates defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nijhoff.

Socrates shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Socrates tries to stand and escape but Nijhoff is controlling the position.

Socrates is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Nijhoff doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Socrates.
Nijhoff is not content to let Socrates control the position.
Socrates takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Socrates wants to work for an arm triangle but Nijhoff is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Nijhoff wants to control but Socrates is keeping busy.

Socrates seems to be looking for submissions.

Nijhoff manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Socrates keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

Socrates manages to break the clinch.
Nijhoff shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Socrates as he avoids it easily.
Socrates tries to clinch but Nijhoff moves out of range.
Nijhoff works over Socrates's head and body with a nice combination.
Socrates with a poor takedown

and Nijhoff holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nijhoff wants a takedown.
A left hand lands to the body for Socrates.
Nijhoff prevents the takedown attempt.
Nijhoff wants a takedown but no success here.

Nijhoff manages to break the clinch.
Socrates shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nijhoff sprawls well. Nijhoff wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Socrates gets slowly back to his feet.

Nijhoff gets caught napping as Socrates dives in and scores a takedown. Nijhoff manages to retain guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Socrates working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Socrates throws an elbow that misses. Nijhoff uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Socrates's guard. Nice move by Nijhoff!

Nijhoff landing with the ground and pound.
Nijhoff cracks Socrates with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Socrates is trying to keep Nijhoff in close.
Nijhoff is in close to Socrates's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Nijhoff throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Socrates works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Socrates working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nijhoff doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nijhoff manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Socrates has Nijhoff pulled in close to control his posture.
Nijhoff lands a couple of elbows.
Nijhoff chips away with some ground and pound.
Nijhoff with a flurry of punches that miss.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nijhoff postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Socrates looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Socrates 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.
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 Bram Nijhoff will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Socrates goes for a double leg but Nijhoff avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Nijhoff continues to drive forward.

Socrates clinches.
Nijhoff has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Socrates is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Socrates breaks from the clinch.
Nijhoff swats away the attempt to clinch by Socrates.
Nijhoff keeps the fight on the outside.
Nijhoff went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Nijhoff changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Socrates tries to avoid it but Nijhoff manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Socrates to the ground. Socrates escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Socrates tries to counter by closing the distance.
Socrates misses with a low kick.
Nijhoff shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Socrates defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bram Nijhoff. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Socrates fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Socrates moves into range and clinches up with Nijhoff.

Socrates has clasped his hands together around Nijhoff's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Socrates tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Socrates has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Socrates stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nijhoff fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nijhoff is trying hard to land a takedown here. Socrates sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Socrates shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Socrates was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Socrates looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Nijhoff is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Socrates stands up.
Nijhoff defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Socrates.
Nijhoff shoots in looking for a takedown but Socrates manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Nijhoff's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Georgio Socrates seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nijhoff shoots and misses
and Socrates counters with a head kick. That will keep Nijhoff thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Socrates shoots in for a takedown but Nijhoff shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
No luck for Socrates with that takedown attempt.
Nijhoff shoots in and drives through. Socrates sprawls well.
Nijhoff shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nijhoff tries to score a power double leg takedown but Socrates sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nijhoff somewhat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Socrates wants to clinch up but Nijhoff keeps it at a distance.
Socrates has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nijhoff fails to land the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Socrates!
Bram Nijhoff is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Socrates fails with a takedown attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Nijhoff.
Nijhoff shoots in but no luck this time.

Nijhoff throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Socrates tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Nijhoff is in Socrates's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Socrates is on top in guard.

Socrates looking to pass the guard.
Socrates wants to stand but Nijhoff is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Socrates slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Socrates is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Nijhoff knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Socrates trying to control the action but Nijhoff is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Georgio Socrates showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Socrates leaves Nijhoff with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Socrates.
Nijhoff is trying to improve his position.

Socrates decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Socrates fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Socrates stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Socrates wants it to stay on the feet.
Nijhoff shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Socrates as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bram Nijhoff. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nijhoff defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Socrates.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Socrates doesn't manage to clinch there - Nijhoff circles away.

Nijhoff gets caught napping as Socrates dives in and scores a takedown. Nijhoff manages to retain guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Socrates scoring with punches to the head and body.
Socrates missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nijhoff trying to control the position.
Socrates trying to control but Nijhoff is working from the bottom.
Nijhoff 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.
Socrates trying to stand up but can't free himself from Nijhoff's guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Socrates passes into half guard.

Socrates is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Socrates wants to take a breather but Nijhoff is having none of it.

Socrates escapes and gets back to his feet.
Nijhoff stuffs the takedown attempt from Socrates. Socrates gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nijhoff shoots for a double leg takedown but Socrates sprawls well. He's pushed Nijhoff's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Socrates is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Nijhoff looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Socrates.
It looked like Nijhoff was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Socrates misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nijhoff.
Socrates lands with a kick to the temple. Nijhoff shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Socrates scores with a takedown into Nijhoff's guard.
Socrates trying to control but Nijhoff is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nijhoff controlling Socrates's posture.
Socrates throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nijhoff is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nijhoff seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Socrates trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Nijhoff manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nijhoff postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Georgio Socrates comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Socrates 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Georgio Socrates!
Georgio Socrates gave a mention to Soul Supremacy Fight Gear in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).