PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Yuri Sorokov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Whiteside (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Sorokov
vs
Whiteside

178 cm
24
140 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

160 cm
22
141 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Brawler
Good gas tank

GREEN!160

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yuri Sorokov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Johnny Whiteside!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Saam Ante and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sorokov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Whiteside tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Sorokov is in Whiteside's guard.
Whiteside trying to control the position.
Sorokov trying to control the position from guard on top but Whiteside is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sorokov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
We've been hearing that Sorokov has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

Whiteside has his foot on Sorokov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sorokov works his way back into a safe position though.
Sorokov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Sorokov trying to control the position from guard on top but Whiteside is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sorokov really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sorokov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Sorokov postures up and lands a big shot to Whiteside's brow.
Whiteside utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Whiteside has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sorokov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sorokov drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Whiteside manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Sorokov has Whiteside in his guard.
Whiteside throws a big right hand that misses.
Sorokov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Whiteside's guard.
Sorokov preventing the sweep.
Sorokov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sorokov throwing strikes but missing.
Whiteside working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sorokov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Whiteside has momentary wrist control but Sorokov slips an elbow through the middle.
Sorokov wants to control from the top but Whiteside keeps moving.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Whiteside throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Sorokov escapes and throws Whiteside's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Sorokov is trying to get an arm triangle but Whiteside is defending well.
Sorokov scoring with punches from side control.
Sorokov throws an elbow but Whiteside slips to the side and avoids it well.

Sorokov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Whiteside knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Whiteside has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Whiteside is trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sorokov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Whiteside is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Whiteside is trying to control Sorokov's posture but Sorokov avoids it.
Whiteside prevents Sorokov from improving position.
Whiteside is trying to control Sorokov's posture but Sorokov avoids it.

Sorokov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Sorokov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Sorokov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's four 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.
Sorokov cracks Whiteside with an elbow. That is naaassty.

Sorokov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Sorokov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Whiteside is looking for a sweep.
Whiteside taking punishment in the form of punches.
Sorokov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Whiteside is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Sorokov is controlling him well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Whiteside is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Sorokov off and has taken his back!
Sorokov covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Sorokov trying to control the action but Whiteside just sinks the hooks in.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuri Sorokov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sorokov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Whiteside darts in looking for a takedown but Sorokov gets double underhooks and turns Whiteside into the cage.
Johnny Whiteside seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice shot lands for Sorokov.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Sorokov!
Whiteside throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
An attempted straight right counter from Sorokov misses the target.
Whiteside throws a looping overhand right but Sorokov ducks down to avoid it.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Sorokov.
Sorokov ducks under a wild hook from Whiteside.
Whiteside doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Sorokov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sorokov is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

Sorokov gets the takedown into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Whiteside taking punishment in the form of punches.
Whiteside looking for a sweep but Sorokov has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Whiteside is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Sorokov is in the full mount, landing strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Whiteside tries to improve his position but Sorokov has taken his back! Sorokov has a choke - it's sunk in pretty tight... Will Whiteside tap? No... maybe... yes! He's tapped! Sorokov pushes Whiteside away and gets up to celebrate with his corner!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:20 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Yuri Sorokov!