PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sergio Aguilar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Basten Sodergren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Basten Sodergren told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Aguilar
vs
Sodergren

180 cm
34
193 lbs
18 - 14 - 0

180 cm
27
192 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Hellbent
Sully's Bar & Grill

Amped Performance

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 18 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sergio Aguilar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Basten Sodergren!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aguilar connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A jab from Sodergren finds it's way through Aguilar's defenses.
Aguilar shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sodergren but Sodergren pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sodergren wants to slow Aguilar down by chopping away at his legs.
Aguilar on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Sodergren looks to land a body kick but Aguilar moved away.
The fighters circle momentarily. Aguilar darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Sloppy strikes from Aguilar. Those never looked like landing.
Sodergren swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Aguilar closes the distance and clinches.

Aguilar manages to pull guard.
Sodergren is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Aguilar wants to sweep here but Sodergren controlling him for the moment.

Aguilar looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sodergren stopping the sweep attempt from Aguilar.
Aguilar can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sodergren controls the pace.

Sodergren stands and steps away. Aguilar gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Aguilar shoots and misses
and Sodergren counters with a straight right hand.
Sodergren takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Sodergren uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Aguilar.
Aguilar backing away here, and Sodergren unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Sodergren lands with a nice body kick.
Sodergren slips under a jab from Aguilar.
Aguilar lands a jab.
Sodergren slips under a jab from Aguilar.
Aguilar backing away here, and Sodergren unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Sodergren pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Aguilar tries to move into range but Sodergren moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sodergren on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Sodergren scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Aguilar doesn't seem bothered though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Sodergren, right into the meat.
The fighters circling - Aguilar throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Aguilar uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sodergren.
Aguilar connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sodergren. Sodergren circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Aguilar lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Aguilar connects with the punch.
Aguilar throws a hook to the side of Sodergren's head but Sodergren sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Aguilar avoids the head kick by Sodergren.
Aguilar misses with an uppercut
and Sodergren connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Aguilar throws a body punch but Sodergren moves out of range.
Sodergren feints a counter leg kick.
Aguilar throws an overhand right that lands on Sodergren's shoulder, as Sodergren tries to avoid the shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sodergren lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Nice defenses there by Sodergren.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Sodergren! But no joy.
Sodergren slips a jab from Aguilar.
Aguilar lands a glancing blow to the side of Sodergren's head.
Aguilar scores with a jab to the jaw.
Aguilar misses with a takedown attempt
and Sodergren counters with a nice leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergio Aguilar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aguilar shoots in but Sodergren avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Aguilar misses with a straight right.

Aguilar has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sodergren lands with a right to the head.
Aguilar is trying to break the clinch but Sodergren is controlling him.
Sodergren blocking some punches.
Aguilar is trying to pull guard but Sodergren has him pressed against the cage.
Aguilar jumps guard but Sodergren turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sodergren is leaning against Aguilar and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Sodergren pushes Aguilar back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Aguilar blocks a body shot from Sodergren.
Aguilar's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Aguilar makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Sodergren breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sodergren misses with an attempted mid kick.
Sodergren motions for Aguilar to come forward. Sodergren throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Basten Sodergren is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Aguilar shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Aguilar showed some decent athleticism there.
Sodergren tries to roll over but Aguilar keeps him under control.
Sodergren looks like he's trying to stand up.
Aguilar wants to free his trapped foot but Sodergren is holding on for dear life with his legs.
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 Sergio Aguilar will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Aguilar tries to clinch there but Sodergren circles away.
Sodergren lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sodergren throws a sloppy head kick and Aguilar moves out of range easily.
Aguilar closes the distance but Sodergren moves to the side
and Sodergren counters with an inside leg kick.
Aguilar takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Sodergren gets caught flat footed, as Aguilar shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aguilar wants to pass the guard but Sodergren is keeping the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sodergren is on top in guard.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Aguilar tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Aguilar is working hard here to advance position.
Sodergren must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Aguilar looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Sodergren puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aguilar is trying to get back to full guard.
Sodergren wants to pass to mount but Aguilar is defending the position.

Sodergren stands up from half guard.
Sergio Aguilar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sodergren uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Aguilar.
Sodergren throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Aguilar misses with a double jab.
Aguilar fails to land the takedown.
Sodergren cracks a nice hook into Aguilar's ribs.
Sodergren lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Good shot there by Aguilar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Aguilar darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Sodergren lands a slapping body shot.
Sodergren takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice leg kick lands there from Sodergren.
Sodergren throws a quick inside leg kick.
Aguilar checks a low kick from Sodergren.
Aguilar misses with a double jab.
Sodergren shapes to counter with a head kick.
Aguilar throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Sodergren counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sodergren tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Aguilar was well out of range. Poor timing from Sodergren.
Aguilar shoots for a takedown but Sodergren saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Aguilar shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Sodergren napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Aguilar wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sodergren keeps working.
Sodergren manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Sodergren is going to stand back up.
Aguilar is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Aguilar is looking to get back to full guard here but Sodergren has managed to pass to side control instead.
Aguilar is trying to improve his position.

Sodergren stands up.
Aguilar gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Sodergren counters with a nice leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergio Aguilar. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sodergren uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Aguilar.
A leg kick checked by Aguilar.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Aguilar.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Sodergren! But no joy.
A chopping leg kick lands by Sodergren.
Basten Sodergren seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Aguilar tries to bum rush Sodergren with a series of wild strikes but Sodergren uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sodergren tries a quick counter leg kick but Aguilar is wise to it.
Aguilar fails with the takedown
and Sodergren counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A telegraphed right hand from Aguilar misses the target.
Aguilar misses with a body shot
and Sodergren counters with a good low kick that Aguilar was not able to check.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Aguilar blocks a head kick by Sodergren.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Basten Sodergren showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Aguilar misses with a series of wild punches.
Sodergren throws a sloppy head kick and Aguilar moves out of range easily.
Aguilar is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Aguilar misses with a wild combination.
Sodergren lands with a slapping head kick.
Sodergren gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Sodergren thows a body kick. Aguilar tries to catch it but that hurt him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sodergren with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Aguilar to score with a decent uppercut.
A slapping leg kick lands for Sodergren.
Sodergren moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Aguilar throws a right hand that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Aguilar scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Sodergren doesn't seem bothered though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sodergren missing with a left hand there. Aguilar was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sodergren steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Aguilar.
A shot to the body from Aguilar misses
and Sodergren counters with a stiff right hand.
Sodergren cracks the inside of Aguilar's front leg.
Aguilar will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sodergren flicks out a counter leg kick but Aguilar steps away.
Aguilar fails with the takedown.
Aguilar goes for a double leg but Sodergren avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Sodergren continues to drive forward.
A chopping leg kick lands by Sodergren.
Sodergren staying out of range there.
Aguilar misses with a hook. Sodergren ducked under it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sodergren throws a low kick but it's checked well by Aguilar.
Aguilar is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Sodergren throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Aguilar has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Sodergren.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Aguilar checks a low kick from Sodergren.
Sodergren gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Aguilar counters with a nice body shot.
Aguilar misses with a left hand
and Sodergren makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sodergren stuns Aguilar with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Aguilar misses with a takedown attempt
and Sodergren counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergio Aguilar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aguilar tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Sodergren looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Sodergren scores with a spinning back kick!
Sodergren scores with a hook.
Sodergren throws a head kick that Aguilar semi-blocks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sodergren tried to score with a low kick but Aguilar checks it.
Sodergren ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sodergren uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Aguilar.
Sodergren throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Aguilar blocks a low kick nicely.
Aguilar takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Aguilar swinging wildly here.
Aguilar backing away here, and Sodergren unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Aguilar shoots and misses
and Aguilar takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Aguilar is rocked!
Sodergren dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Aguilar. That did some damage!
Oh Aguilar is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Sodergren is looking to slow Aguilar down with leg kicks.
Aguilar seems to have got his legs back now.
Sodergren tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Aguilar misses with a takedown attempt
and Sodergren counters with a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sodergren feints and then cracks Aguilar's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Aguilar down.
A chopping leg kick lands by Sodergren.
Sodergren throws a leg kick

and Aguilar counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sodergren wants to get back to his feet.
Sodergren has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Sodergren manages to escape and get back to his feet!
A slow jab from Sodergren misses its intended target.
Aguilar was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Aguilar checks a low kick from Sodergren.
Sodergren ducks under a wild hook from Aguilar.
Sodergren cracks Aguilar with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Aguilar is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Sodergren.

And that's the end of the fight!
Basten Sodergren comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sodergren 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Basten Sodergren!