PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Morris Norman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hunter Sobczak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hunter Sobczak will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Norman
vs
Sobczak

156 cm
24
178 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
170 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Morris Norman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Hunter Sobczak!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Ian Loll and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sobczak shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Norman pinned against the cage. Norman gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sobczak looks to land a combination but Norman avoids it well.
Norman tries to counter with a takedown but Sobczak is quick to defend against it.

Sobczak throws a left that rocks Norman and follows with a right that sends him tumbling to the canvas! Sobczak dives into side control, looking to finish! Can Norman regain composure!

It looks like Morris Norman has been cut.
Norman is trying to get back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sobczak wants to control but Norman is keeping him busy.
Norman is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Sobczak off and has taken his back!
Sobczak tries to break free.
I would not like to be Sobczak right now.
Norman really is a fat lump.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobczak trying to control the action but Norman just sinks the hooks in.
Norman has good solid back control here.
Sobczak tries to escape the position.

That's two 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.
Norman really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Sobczak.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norman not allowing Sobczak to control his hands.
Norman keeps control of the position easily here as Sobczak tries to buck him off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Can Sobczak hold on?! Norman is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Sobczak covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Sobczak covers up after that shot from Norman.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Norman loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Sobczak hold on?
Sobczak grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Sobczak trying to get back to his feet but Norman is in full control for now.
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 Morris Norman will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Morris Norman's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sobczak misses with a combination

and Norman counters with a single leg into guard. Sobczak didn't expect that.
Norman is standing up over Sobczak. Sobczak looks to escape but Norman dives into side control.

Sobczak is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Norman's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Norman controlling the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Norman lands with a punch from half guard.

Sobczak makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobczak throws a big shot that misses.
Norman throwing a counter right hand but Sobczak manages to avoid it.
Sobczak with a lazy takedown attempt
and Norman counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Norman gets the takedown into side control.

Norman stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Hunter Sobczak is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Sobczak closes the distance and clinches.
Sobczak tries to break free but Norman pushes him back against the cage.
Norman has Sobczak pressed against the cage, preventing Sobczak from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Sobczak wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Norman has him pressed against the cage.

Sobczak escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sobczak lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Norman circles away quickly and effectively.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Norman with that takedown attempt.
Sobczak throws a head kick that half lands.
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!

Norman closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Norman content to control rather than advance.
Norman landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Norman decides to return to a standing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sobczak throws a jab when Norman was well out of range.

Sobczak darts in and clinches Norman up against the cage.
Sobczak wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Sobczak avoiding damage as Norman throws knees to the body.
Sobczak tries to break the clinch but Norman is controlling the position.
Norman tries to land a knee to the head but Sobczak blocks with his arms.
Norman prevents a takedown attempt there.
Norman fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sobczak has Norman pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobczak looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Norman swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A frustrated look appears on Sobczak's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Sobczak breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Norman drives through with a takedown into guard.

Norman has gone for a leg lock! Sobczak slips out almost immediately though and dives into Norman's guard.

Sobczak controlling from the top position.
Norman wants to improve his position but instead Sobczak has moved into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Hunter Sobczak will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Morris Norman's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Norman leaves Sobczak with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sobczak is defended easily by Norman.

Norman has managed to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Norman just misses with a elbow thrown towards Sobczak's brow.
Sobczak is trying to pull guard but Norman has him pressed against the cage.
Morris Norman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hunter Sobczak.

Sobczak breaks from the clinch.

Sobczak closes the distance and pushes Norman back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sobczak breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice takedown defense from Sobczak. No joy for Norman on that attempt.
Sobczak defending well as Norman loads up on a big left hand.
Sobczak gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Norman counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Norman.

Sobczak manages to break the clinch.
Norman shoots in for a double leg but Sobczak sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sobczak turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Sobczak has managed to clinch.
Norman prevents Sobczak from breaking the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Sobczak's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sobczak escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Sobczak gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A nice left hand lands by Norman.
Sobczak tries to throw a body punch but Norman avoids it by throwing Sobczak back against the cage.
Sobczak wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Norman lands a hook to the side of the head.
Norman doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Norman wants to break the clinch but can't.
Sobczak tries for a takedown. No joy.
Norman's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norman manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Norman seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Sobczak has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Norman avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Sobczak pulls guard successfully.
Norman cracks Sobczak with a solid left hand.
Sobczak takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Norman gets to his feet - Sobczak follows without any prompting.
Sobczak shoots in and drives through. Norman sprawls well.
As Sobczak tries to get set, Norman tries to push him back and clinch up but Sobczak manages to avoid the attempt.

Norman fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Sobczak sprawls well initially but Norman persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Norman is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Norman prevents Sobczak from improving his position.
Norman slows the pace down in half guard.
Norman scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Morris Norman.
I think Norman has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Peck scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Morris Norman!