PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between George Conor Russell (ranked 6233 p4p, 512 weight class) and Ghenki Sudo (ranked 9703 p4p, 609 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Conor Russell
vs
Sudo

190 cm
17
153 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

170 cm
24
154 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, George Conor Russell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ghenki Sudo!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yukihiro Shimada and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sudo misses with a takedown attempt
and Russell counters with a two punch combo.
Sudo shoots in looking for a takedown. Russell tries to sprawl out of it but Sudo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Russell manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Russell throws a big counter combination but Sudo scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Sudo dives in for a single leg takedown but Russell sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
George Conor Russell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ghenki Sudo.
Sudo is trying hard to land a takedown here. Russell sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Russell swinging wildly here.
Sudo feints the counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Russell misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sudo is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Russell rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sudo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ghenki Sudo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Sudo has taken the fight to the clinch.
We've been hearing reports that Russell has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sudo has Russell pressed against the cage, preventing Russell from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Russell breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Russell really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Russell throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Sudo counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Sudo throws a head kick but Russell moves out of range.
Sudo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Russell misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sudo slips a jab and a cross from Russell.
Russell swings for the body but Sudo moves out of range.
Some wild striking there from Russell.

Sudo clinches up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sudo keeps control of Russell as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Sudo's coach down at Lock and Roll Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Sudo's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

Russell manages to break the clinch.

Sudo has managed to clinch.
Sudo has Russell pressed against the cage, preventing Russell from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Sudo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sudo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Russell went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
George Conor Russell is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sudo throws a sloppy head kick and Russell moves out of range easily.
Russell drops down looking for a counter takedown but Sudo sprawls and moves away.
Sudo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Russell swivels and escapes.
Sudo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Russell counters with a series of strikes. Sudo will be more careful next time no doubt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Russell swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Russell, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Sudo has taken the fight to the clinch.

Russell escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sudo with a poor takedown
and Russell counters with a nice uppercut.
Russell avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sudo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Russell sprawls well. Russell wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sudo gets slowly back to his feet.
A little feinted left hand from Russell on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Sudo throws a sloppy head kick and Russell moves out of range easily.
Russell feinted with a counter takedown.
Sudo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Russell is fending him off so far but Sudo persists. Nope, Russell circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sudo tries to close the distance and clinch but Russell swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sudo doesn't manage to clinch there - Russell circles away.
A decent looking cross lands there for Russell.
Sudo wants to clinch up but Russell keeps it at a distance.
Russell misses with a double jab.
Sudo dives in for a single leg takedown but Russell sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Russell is looking for a counter combo.
Sloppy strikes from Russell. Those never looked like landing.
Sudo is looking to clinch but Russell is avoiding it.

Sudo pushes Russell up against the cage in a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sudo is trying to pull guard but Russell turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Russell lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sudo circles away quickly and effectively.
Sudo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Russell is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sudo can do to turn this around?
Sudo looks to clinch

and Russell decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Sudo's guard.
Sudo looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Russell gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Russell breaks from the clinch.
Sudo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Russell as he jumps to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sudo moves to clinch but Russell breaks away
and Russell connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sudo or perhaps it was just good defense by Russell, which made it look bad.
George Conor Russell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ghenki Sudo.
Sudo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Russell is fending him off so far but Sudo persists. Nope, Russell circles away and we're back to standing.
Russell tries to bum rush Sudo with a series of wild strikes but Sudo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Russell swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Sudo counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Russell stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Russell wants it to stay on the feet.
As Sudo looks to move away, Russell throws a big counter combo but Sudo just gets out of the way.
Sudo is breathing heavily.
Sudo lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russell circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sudo doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Russell counters with a two punch combo.
Sudo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sudo slips a jab and a cross from Russell.
Sudo closes the distance but Russell moves to the side
and Russell counters with a one-two to the body.
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!
Sudo throws a jab but it's blocked by Russell.
As Sudo tries to get set, Russell tries to push him back and clinch up but Sudo manages to avoid the attempt.
Russell throws a right and a left that both miss.
Russell swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Sudo counters with a three punch combo that has Russell backing up. Russell nods at Sudo to acknowledge the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sudo throws a sloppy head kick and Russell moves out of range easily.
Sudo lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Sudo fails with a takedown attempt.
Sudo dives in for a single leg takedown but Russell sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Sudo tries to clinch up.
Sudo dodges the punch combination from Russell.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sudo is trying hard to land a takedown here. Russell sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Russell throws a series of punches but Sudo avoids them all with ease.
Sudo throws a hook but Russell blocks it.
Russell tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Sudo manages to circle out of the way.
Russell misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Russell is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Sudo tries a head kick but it misses.
Sudo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Russell was well out of range. Poor timing from Sudo.
Russell changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
George Conor Russell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sudo misses with a takedown attempt - Russell sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
It looked like Russell was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Russell throws a series of punches but Sudo moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Conor Russell dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Russell swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Sudo makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
George Conor Russell is winning the standup battle so far.

Sudo drives through with a takedown into Russell's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Russell is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sudo is controlling him.
Sudo trying to control but Russell is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sudo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sudo stops Russell from standing up.
Sudo slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sudo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Sudo stands up and waves to Russell to follow him.
Russell lands with an overhand left.
Sudo tries to clinch but Russell moves out of range.
Russell half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Sudo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Russell defends it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sudo with a lazy takedown attempt
and Russell counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Sudo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Some wild striking there from Russell.
Russell leaves Sudo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Russell seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
George Conor Russell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ghenki Sudo.
Sudo wants to clinch up but Russell keeps it at a distance.
George Conor Russell is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Russell lands a jab to Sudo's midsection.
Sudo shoots and misses
and Russell counters with a series of strikes. Sudo will be more careful next time no doubt.
Russell throws a right hand that Sudo ducks under and follows up with a left that Sudo also avoids with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell tries to bum rush Sudo with a series of wild strikes but Sudo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sudo tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Russell defends well and Sudo ends up having to push Russell into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Sudo looks to clinch

and Russell decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Sudo's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Russell gets to his feet - Sudo follows without any prompting.
Russell lands a nice shot to the body.

Sudo pushes Russell up against the cage in a clinch.
Russell keeps control of Sudo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Russell is trying to break free.

Russell breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sudo moves in looking to clinch but Russell pushes him off.
Sudo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Russell tries to avoid it but Sudo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Russell to the ground. Russell escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Russell looks to land a combination. Sudo sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Russell misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sudo shoots in for a takedown but Russell shows good takedown defense.
Russell fails to land with a series of punches.
Russell avoids the head kick by Sudo.
A quick step to the side and Russell tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Russell will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sudo is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

And that's the end of the fight!
George Conor Russell showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Russell, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... George Conor Russell!