PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Blind Shaman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcin Sokol (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shaman kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Shaman's Dream. The crowd seem to be enjoying Sokol's choice of entrance music: DMX - X gon' give it to Ya. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Shaman
vs
Sokol

182 cm
21
168 lbs
6 - 2 - 1

179 cm
23
165 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

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 6 - 2 - 1, fighting out of New York, Blind Shaman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Marcin Sokol!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, James Glass and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sokol cracks the inside of Shaman's front leg.
Shaman is looking to land body kicks.
Shaman tests Sokol's chin there with a solid looking shot.

It looks like Marcin Sokol has been cut.
An inside leg kick from Sokol misses.
Shaman's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Sokol connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Shaman scrambles back to his feet.

It looks like Blind Shaman has been cut.
Shaman throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sokol wants to land a leg kick but Shaman is out of range.
Shaman has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Shaman cracks a nice hook into Sokol's ribs.
Shaman ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sokol shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Sokol misses with a looping left.
Sokol misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sokol walks into a straight right hand from Shaman.
Sokol avoids a kick to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sokol takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Nice defenses there by Shaman.
Shaman misses with a hook to the body
and Sokol counters with a nice leg kick.
Sokol smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Sokol takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokol throws a big shot that misses.
Shaman takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Shaman tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sokol moves out of range as Shaman throws a body kick.
Sokol looks for the body kick but Shaman saw that one coming.
Sokol thows a body kick. Shaman tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Shaman on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Shaman connects with a solid leg kick.
Sokol tries to score with a low kick but Shaman moves his leg out of the way.
Sokol avoids the body shot from Shaman.
An inside leg kick from Sokol misses.
Shaman blocks a jab.
Shaman throws a series of punches but Sokol avoids them all with ease.
Shaman uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sokol.
Shaman lands a front kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shaman throws the kick towards the body but Sokol avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shaman misses with a kick to the body.
Shaman throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Sokol lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Shaman has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Shaman and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Shaman is looking to counter punch.
Shaman chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Sokol can pounce on him.
Shaman scores with a punch to the head.
Shaman throws out a loose jab but Sokol uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shaman misses with a wild body shot.
Sokol misses with a straight right.
An attempted straight right counter from Shaman misses the target.
Sokol defending well as Shaman loads up on a big left hand.
Sokol misses with a body kick.
Shaman throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shaman lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Shaman cracks Sokol with an open hand slap.
Sokol throws a push kick but Shaman slaps the foot to one side.
A leg kick checked by Shaman.
It looked like Shaman was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Sokol.
Shaman scores with a nice right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Sokol.
A jab from Sokol misses.
Sokol lunges at Shaman with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Shaman's hand.
Shaman getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Sokol defending well as Shaman loads up on a big left hand.
Sokol is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Shaman slips a straight right by Sokol.
Shaman throws a body punch but Sokol moves out of range.
Shaman ducks under a wild hook from Sokol.
Sokol throws a body kick that misses.
Shaman scores with a sloppy right hand. Sokol should have avoided that one.
Nice cross by Sokol.
Sokol tries a head kick but it misses.
Shaman was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Shaman lands with a shot to the body.
A head kick misses from Shaman.
Sokol with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Shaman to score with a decent uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sokol is looking to chop away at Shaman's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Sokol misses.
Marcin Sokol seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shaman takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sokol throws a sloppy head kick and Shaman moves out of range easily.
Sokol ducks right into an uppercut from Shaman.
A jab from Shaman misses.
Sokol throws a front kick that sends Shaman stumbling back into the cage.
Shaman swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shaman ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sokol moves away.
Shaman ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sokol moves away.
Sokol misses with an uppercut
and Shaman counters with a left to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Sokol misses the target.
Sokol lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sokol ducks under a wild hook from Shaman.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Sokol.
Sokol moves out of range of the leg kick from Shaman.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shaman. Sokol does a little dance to reset his feet.
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 Blind Shaman will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sokol throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sokol steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Shaman.
Sokol blocks a jab.
Blind Shaman is winning the standup battle so far.
Good standup being displayed there by Shaman as he connects with a hook.
Shaman moves out of range as Sokol throws a body kick.
Shaman scores with a decent looking hook.
Sokol shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Sokol showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shaman.
Sokol was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Sokol moves out of range as Shaman throws a body kick.
Sokol throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Shaman counters with a head kick. That will keep Sokol thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shaman misses with a wild combination.
Shaman keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sokol.
Shaman cracks Sokol with an open hand slap.
That kick from Sokol tenderised Shaman's leg. Shaman is trying to keep his angry face on.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shaman tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sokol was well out of range. Poor timing from Shaman.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Sokol! But no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaman moves forwards but Sokol connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Shaman with a nice cross.
Sokol uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Shaman.
Sokol avoids the body shot from Shaman.
No joy there for Shaman, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Shaman waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sokol.
Shaman throws a big shot that misses.
Sokol throws a head kick that misses.
Shaman misses the shot to the body.
Shaman pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Sokol back to the cage. Shaman follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
A swing and a miss from Shaman.
Sokol looks to land a right hand but Shaman moved out of range.
Sokol lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Shaman thuds a left hand into Sokol's body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shaman misses with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Shaman.
Shaman throws a body kick that misses
and Shaman takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sokol keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sokol misses with a hook. Shaman ducked under it nicely.
A slow jab from Shaman misses its intended target.
Sokol throws a head kick but Shaman moves out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Shaman misses the target.
Sokol moves out of range of the body kick.
Sokol moves out of range of the strikes.
Shaman misses with a wild body shot.
Sokol keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Shaman.
Shaman uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sokol.
Shaman moves out of range of the strikes.
Shaman swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sokol works Shaman's body with a nice hook.
Sokol looks to throw a body kick

and Shaman counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Shaman in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sokol keeping full guard, as Shaman tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Shaman won't allow Sokol to sweep him here.
Shaman sitting in guard here, content to control.
Shaman stands and throws Sokol's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Shaman sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Sokol is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

Shaman looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Shaman trying to control the position but Sokol is working away.
Sokol dodges the ground and pound from Shaman.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shaman working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Shaman wants to control for a moment but Sokol uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Shaman wants to pass to mount but Sokol is defending the position.
Shaman missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sokol has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Shaman is working away from the top position though.
Shaman seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sokol does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sokol is controlling Shaman's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Shaman not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blind Shaman dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Shaman throws a series of punches but Sokol avoids them all with ease.
An inside leg kick from Sokol misses.
Shaman misses with a body kick.
Sokol throws a big counter head kick but Shaman avoids it with no problem.
Sokol tests Shaman's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sokol throws a jab when Shaman was well out of range.
Sokol looks to land a right hand but Shaman moved out of range.
Shaman scores with a hook.
Sokol has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Shaman.
Shaman misses with a hook. Sokol ducked under it nicely.
Sokol throws a hook to the side of Shaman's head but Shaman sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sokol scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Shaman fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Shaman misses with an attempted mid kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sokol steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Shaman.
Shaman ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Sokol takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokol throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Sokol throws a jab but it's blocked by Shaman.
Shaman fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sokol has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Sokol throws a hook but Shaman avoids it easily.
Nice shot lands for Shaman.
A slow jab from Shaman misses its intended target.
Sokol thinks about the counter body kick.
Shaman avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sokol looks to land a body kick but Shaman moved away.
Sokol moves out of range of the body kick.
Sokol lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Shaman at a distance.
Shaman throws a hook but Sokol blocks it.
Shaman dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Shaman is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sokol can do to turn this around?
Shaman closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sokol circles away.
Jab from Shaman.
Sokol avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shaman uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sokol.
Danga de danga de dang - Shaman scores with a four punch combination!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shaman steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Sokol. That one must have hurt.
Sokol throws a good cross that connects.
Shaman misses with a kick to the body.
Sokol avoids the head kick by Shaman.
Sokol scoring well with a low kick there.
Marcin Sokol has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sokol pivots, looking for a leg kick but Shaman is out of range and Sokol settles back down.
Sokol takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sokol looks for the body kick but Shaman saw that one coming.
Shaman moves out of range of the leg kick from Sokol.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shaman. Sokol does a little dance to reset his feet.
Shaman takes one to the side of the head.
Sokol wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Shaman takes a swing at Sokol's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shaman checks the leg kick.
Shaman just misses with a punch to the body.
Sokol appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Shaman misses the shot to the body.
Sokol slips a jab from Shaman.
Sokol fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shaman manages to avoid it.
It looked like Shaman was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Sokol.
Shaman throws a sloppy head kick and Sokol moves out of range easily.
Sokol cracks Shaman with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Sokol rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Shaman moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Shaman blocks a leg kick.
Shaman swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

Shaman closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Shaman lands in his opponent's guard.

Sokol wriggles free and stands up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sokol misses with an uppercut. Shaman saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shaman moves out of range as Sokol strikes.
A head kick misses from Shaman.
Sokol cracks the inside of Shaman's front leg.
Shaman stuns Sokol with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Marcin Sokol is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sokol staying out of range there.
Sokol was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Sokol moves out of range as Shaman strikes.
Shaman blocks a head kick by Sokol.
A jab from Sokol misses.
Shaman throws a body shot but no joy.
Sokol is looking to slow Shaman down with leg kicks.
Shaman moves out of range of the body kick from Sokol.
Shaman throws a sloppy head kick and Sokol moves out of range easily.
Sokol scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shaman tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sokol was well out of range. Poor timing from Shaman.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Marcin Sokol.
Well Shaman has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Blind Shaman!
Blind Shaman decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.