PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Luis Cardoza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vaso Sokratis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cardoza's entrance music is Holy See. A fine choice. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Cardoza
vs
Sokratis

180 cm
21
205 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

191 cm
20
215 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Good kicks
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Machine Fight Gear
Conquer

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Luis Cardoza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Vaso Sokratis!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Chris Saunders and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cardoza looks for a takedown but Sokratis sprawls well.
Cardoza tries for a takedown but Sokratis circles away easily
and Sokratis counters with a straight right hand.

It looks like Luis Cardoza has been cut.
Cardoza changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sokratis tries to avoid it but Cardoza manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sokratis to the ground. Sokratis escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sokratis looks like he wants to counter punch here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luis Cardoza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cardoza misses with a takedown
letting Sokratis counter with a right hand.
Cardoza shoots in looking for a takedown but Sokratis manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cardoza's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sokratis flicks out a counter leg kick but Cardoza steps away.

Sokratis darts in and clinches Cardoza up against the cage.
Sokratis lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Sokratis tries to work over Cardoza's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sokratis tries a body shot but Cardoza blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cardoza is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Sokratis can't fight it off and eventually Cardoza manages to take the fight to the floor. Sokratis looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Cardoza won't allow Sokratis to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cardoza works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Cardoza wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sokratis keeps working.
Cardoza is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sokratis is refusing to be controlled, as Cardoza sits in half guard.

Cardoza seems to be working for a kimura but Sokratis defends the submission attempt.
Cardoza seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sokratis does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sokratis trying to control here.
Cardoza works his way into side control.
Sokratis really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Cardoza. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cardoza tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
You can see the frustration on Sokratis's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Sokratis is trying to get back to his feet.

Cardoza wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Sokratis, who protects the arm well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Cardoza is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sokratis knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cardoza tries to move to mount but Sokratis blocks the move with his legs.

Cardoza is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Sokratis has escaped the position, nice work there.
Cardoza moves into full mount!
Cardoza wants to take Sokratis's back here but Sokratis is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.

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.

Cardoza has hold of Sokratis's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Sokratis manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Cardoza takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Cardoza moves to back control.
Sokratis is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Cardoza off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

Cardoza has his arm under Sokratis's chin here. Game over son! Cardoza squeezes tightly and Sokratis is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Luis Cardoza!
Luis Cardoza made sure to mention his sponsor, Machine Fight Gear in his post fight interview.