PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Raimundo Sobral (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Darwin Strapp (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sobral
vs
Strapp

180 cm
33
202 lbs
19 - 12 - 1

181 cm
32
191 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Raimundo Sobral!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Darwin Strapp!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Jeff Smith and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Strapp moves out of range as Sobral strikes.
Sobral shoots in for a takedown but Strapp shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sobral shoots in and drives through. Strapp sprawls well.

Strapp closes the distance and clinches.
Strapp lands a hook to the side of the head.

Sobral escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Good shot there by Strapp.
Sobral misses with a takedown attempt - Strapp sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raimundo Sobral. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sobral walks into a stiff left hand from Strapp.
Strapp defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sobral.
Strapp connects with a solid leg kick.
Sobral fails with a takedown attempt.
Sobral with a poor takedown
and Strapp counters with a straight right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Strapp steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sobral.
Sobral shoots for a double leg takedown but Strapp sprawls well. He's pushed Sobral's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Strapp has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Sobral is landing a low percentage of strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strapp uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Raimundo Sobral seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sobral is defended easily by Strapp.
Nice sprawl there from Strapp as Sobral shoots in.
Strapp throws a leg kick which misses Sobral's front leg but catches the back leg as Sobral tries to avoid it.
Strapp slaps away a takedown attempt from Sobral, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sobral misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A nice inside leg kick there by Strapp. That's going to slow Sobral down.
A solid leg kick lands there for Strapp.
Strapp slaps away a takedown attempt from Sobral, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Strapp only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Strapp stuffs the takedown attempt from Sobral. Sobral gets slowly back to his feet.
Strapp shapes to counter with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sobral tries to score a power double leg takedown but Strapp sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sobral somewhat.
Sobral fails with a takedown attempt.
Strapp tries a quick counter leg kick but Sobral is wise to it.
Strapp is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sobral.

Strapp lands a big head kick that sends Sobral tumbling to the mat! Strapp takes a step backwards and waves Sobral back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Sobral is rocked!

It looks like Raimundo Sobral has been cut.
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!

Sobral gets tackled into the cage by Strapp. Strapp maintains the clinch.
Oh Sobral is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Strapp creates a bit of space for himself and rocks Sobral with a big uppercut! Sobral tries to clinch up but Strapp pushes him back against the cage and lands another monster strike that crumples Sobral to the mat! Sobral covers up and Strapp unloads with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:34 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Darwin Strapp!
Darwin Strapp spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.