PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Niklas Brink (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yuri Sorokov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yuri Sorokov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Brink
vs
Sorokov

172 cm
29
140 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

178 cm
23
140 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niklas Brink!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yuri Sorokov!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Paul Aken and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sorokov throws a right hand that Brink ducks under and follows up with a left that Brink also avoids with ease.
Brink feinted with a counter takedown.
Sorokov with a nice cross.
Sorokov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Brink.
Sorokov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Brink. Brink circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Brink staying out of range there.
Brink ducks under a wild hook from Sorokov.

Sorokov forces Brink back against the cage and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sorokov is pressed up against the cage. Brink has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sorokov down to the mat. Sorokov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Brink ducks right into an uppercut from Sorokov.

Sorokov has managed to clinch.

Sorokov lands a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sorokov throws a big right hand that misses.
Brink keeping moving, preventing Sorokov from controlling successfully.
Brink 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.
Brink wants to stand and escape but Sorokov is having none of it.
Sorokov is working Brink over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Brink looking for a guillotine here but Sorokov defends easily.
Sorokov trying to control but Brink is working from the bottom.
Brink doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Brink avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Brink trying to control the position.
Sorokov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Brink keeping moving, preventing Sorokov from controlling successfully.
Sorokov throws a strike but Brink rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Sorokov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Brink is one step ahead there.
Sorokov is still trying to improve position.
Sorokov working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brink is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Sorokov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Brink stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sorokov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sorokov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Brink preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Sorokov trying to keep a closed guard but Brink is proving a slippery customer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Brink blocks a jab.
Brink changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Brink slips under a jab.
Sorokov misses with a left hand
and Brink counters with a straight right hand.
Sorokov with a jab.
Jab from Sorokov.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sorokov clinches up against the cage.
Sorokov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Brink.

Sorokov manages to pull guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuri Sorokov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Brink uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sorokov.
Brink appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Sorokov shoots in for a takedown but Brink shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sorokov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Brink's hands.
Brink slips a straight right by Sorokov.
Brink attempts a counter takedown but Sorokov avoids it well and moves away.
Sorokov has a takedown stuffed.
Brink attempts a counter takedown but Sorokov avoids it well and moves away.
The fighters circling - Sorokov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Brink attempts a counter takedown but Sorokov avoids it well and moves away.
Sorokov might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A lazy left from Sorokov finds it's target.
Sorokov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Brink paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Brink half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Sorokov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sorokov pushes Brink up against the cage in a clinch.
Sorokov lands a right hand.
Sorokov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Sorokov.
Sorokov avoiding damage as Brink throws knees to the body.
Brink is looking to take this one to the mat.

Sorokov has hold of one of Brink's legs. Brink is fighting the takedown attempt but Sorokov gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Sorokov throws a big elbow that misses.
Sorokov postures up.
Brink is looking to stand back up but Sorokov counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Brink.
Still in half guard, Sorokov seems content to control.

Sorokov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Brink defends it well.
Sorokov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brink won't allow Sorokov to pass to mount.
Sorokov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
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!
Brink wants to get back to his feet.
Sorokov wants to control but Brink is keeping him busy.
Brink tries to kick Sorokov off in order to stand up. Sorokov Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Brink is trying to improve his position.
Yuri Sorokov has got the better of the ground game so far.

Sorokov is trying to get an arm triangle but Brink is defending well.
Sorokov working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sorokov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Brink has escaped the position, nice work there.
Sorokov connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Brink some visible discomfort.
Sorokov is working Brink over with some ground and pound from side control.
Brink manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Sorokov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Brink trying to control here.

Sorokov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Brink wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brink won't allow Sorokov to pass to mount.
Brink is looking to improve his position.
Brink keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sorokov moves nicely into side control.
Sorokov lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

Sorokov is trying to get an arm triangle but Brink is defending well.
Sorokov is trying to ground and pound but Brink uses the momentary lack of control by Sorokov to regain half guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Sorokov working his ground and pound in the gym.
Sorokov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Sorokov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Brink does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuri Sorokov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Sorokov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sorokov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Sorokov lands a shot to the body.
Sorokov lands with a short shot to the head.
Brink can't find room to land a body shot as Sorokov controls the action.
Brink taking a breather.
Sorokov prevents the takedown attempt.
Brink wants a takedown but no success here.
Brink drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sorokov pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Niklas Brink. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sorokov swings for the body but Brink moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sorokov closes the distance and clinches.

Sorokov lands a takedown into guard.
Sorokov is pushing down on Brink's leg trying to pass to half guard. Brink is fighting to maintain full guard but Sorokov has managed to sneak the leg through.
Sorokov slips a nice elbow through Brink's hands, connecting with Brink's forehead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sorokov looks to land a strike but Brink avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

Brink throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sorokov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sorokov throws a big right hand that misses.
Sorokov trying to control the position from guard on top but Brink is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sorokov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Brink's head.
Sorokov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Sorokov wants to control from the top but Brink keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Sorokov tries to free his leg and advance position but Brink is retaining full guard.
Sorokov lands a couple of elbows.
Brink wants to get back to his feet but Sorokov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Sorokov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Brink is looking to stand up but Sorokov isn't so interested in that idea.
Sorokov working some strikes from top position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sorokov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Brink tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sorokov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Brink's head.
Sorokov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sorokov chips away with some ground and pound.
Sorokov trying to control but Brink is working from the bottom.
Sorokov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Yuri Sorokov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sorokov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Sorokov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Brink backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sorokov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Brink has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sorokov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Sorokov prevents the takedown attempt.
Sorokov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Still in the clinch, Sorokov scores with a nice short uppercut.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sorokov lands a nice shot to the body.

Sorokov has hold of one of Brink's legs. Brink is fighting the takedown attempt but Sorokov gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Niklas Brink has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sorokov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yuri Sorokov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sorokov 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 26:30
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 26:30
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yuri Sorokov!