PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Yuri Sorokov (ranked 1866 p4p, 91 weight class) and Oliver Queen (ranked 2400 p4p, 120 weight class). Yuri Sorokov is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Sorokov
vs
Queen

178 cm
33
146 lbs
19 - 17 - 0

186 cm
33
140 lbs
12 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Velocity Fightwear
RAGS of a RONIN

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 17 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yuri Sorokov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Oliver Queen!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sorokov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Queen momentarily.
Sorokov shoots in for a takedown but Queen shows good takedown defense.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A bit of stalling here from Queen.
Queen misses with the head strike.
Sorokov slows down the pace here.
Sorokov is trying to stall.
Sorokov lands with a right to the head.
Sorokov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Sorokov can't find room to land a body shot as Queen controls the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sorokov wants a takedown.
Sorokov is pressed up against the cage. Queen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sorokov down to the mat. Sorokov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Queen scores with a three punch combo!
Queen pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Sorokov back to the cage. Queen follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sorokov just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Queen instigates a clinch.
Queen works on Sorokov's body with a couple of short punches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Sorokov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Queen has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Queen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Queen is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Queen wants a takedown.
Yuri Sorokov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Oliver Queen.

Sorokov manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Sorokov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Sorokov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Queen defends it easily.
Sorokov looking for a sweep. Not yet Sorokov, not yet.
Sorokov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Queen.
Queen looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Queen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Sorokov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Queen defends well.
Sorokov seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

Sorokov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Queen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Queen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sorokov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Queen trying to control but Sorokov is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sorokov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Queen is one step ahead there.
Queen trying to control the position from guard on top but Sorokov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Queen works over Sorokov with some ground and pound from guard.
Queen trying to control but Sorokov is working from the bottom.
Queen connects with a couple of short punches.
Queen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Queen trying to control but Sorokov is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Sorokov working for a triangle but Queen defends it easily.
Sorokov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sorokov is working hard here to advance position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Queen clinches with his opponent.
A short right from Queen.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sorokov jumps guard.
Queen scoring with some ground and pound.

Sorokov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Oliver Queen will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Sorokov shoots in and drives through. Queen sprawls well.
Sorokov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Queen lands a jab to Sorokov's midsection.
A solid leg kick lands there for Queen.
Sorokov looks to land a right hand but Queen moved out of range.
Queen only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Queen attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Sorokov throws an overhand right that lands on Queen's shoulder, as Queen tries to avoid the shot.
Sorokov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Queen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sorokov.
Queen throws a body punch but Sorokov moves out of range.
Queen thuds his shin into the meat of Sorokov's side.
Oliver Queen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Queen moves into range and clinches up with Sorokov.
Queen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sorokov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Sorokov is trying to stall.

Queen is fighting off a takedown attempt but Sorokov is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Queen to the mat. Queen regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Queen pushes Sorokov off and scrambles back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sorokov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice sprawl there from Sorokov as Queen shoots in.
Sorokov loads up on a big right hand but Queen slips the punch.
Queen throws out a leg kick but Sorokov moves out of range and Queen only half commits.
Sorokov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Queen lands a glancing blow to the side of Sorokov's head.
Sorokov is looking to clinch.
Jab, jab by Queen - just one landing.
Queen throws a looping overhand right but Sorokov ducks down to avoid it.
Queen swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Sorokov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Queen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sorokov was well out of range. Poor timing from Queen.
Oliver Queen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Queen misses with an attempted mid kick.
Queen cracks Sorokov with an open hand slap.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sorokov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Queen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Sorokov to counter with a crisp jab.
Yuri Sorokov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Oliver Queen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Sorokov misses.
A nice leg kick lands there from Queen.
Sorokov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Queen misses the jab.

Sorokov has closed the distance and engaged Queen in a clinch.
Sorokov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Queen wants the takedown. Sorokov is fighting it off but Queen persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Sorokov's guard against the cage.
Queen won't allow Sorokov to sweep him here.
Queen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Oliver Queen has got the better of the ground game so far.

Sorokov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Queen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sorokov is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Queen looking to sit in guard and control but Sorokov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Sorokov trying to control but Queen is working from the bottom.
Queen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sorokov.
Sorokov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sorokov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Queen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sorokov's guard.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Queen wants to control from the top but Sorokov keeps moving.

Sorokov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Queen working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sorokov's head.
Queen trying to control but Sorokov is working from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sorokov is on top in guard.

Sorokov throwing strikes but missing.
Sorokov throwing strikes from guard but Queen blocks nicely.
Sorokov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Queen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sorokov is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oliver Queen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Sorokov looks to land a combination but Queen avoids it well.
Sorokov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Queen.
Queen looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Queen or perhaps it was just good defense by Sorokov, which made it look bad.
A big left from Sorokov misses.
Queen cracks Sorokov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Sorokov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Queen sprawls well initially but Sorokov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Queen on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Queen gets back to full guard.
Queen is trying to keep Sorokov in close.
Sorokov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sorokov stopping the sweep attempt from Queen.
Sorokov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sorokov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Queen keeping moving, preventing Sorokov from controlling successfully.
Queen looking to control.
Sorokov trying to control the position from guard on top but Queen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Queen keeping full guard, as Sorokov tries to pass.
Queen controlling Sorokov's posture.
Sorokov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Sorokov throws a strike but Queen rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Sorokov seems keen to control Queen's posture.
Queen wants to control from the top but Sorokov keeps moving.
Queen postures up in Sorokov's guard and throws a big left but Sorokov blocks it.
Queen stays in close to Sorokov's body and controls the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Oliver Queen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Queen has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Sorokov stuffs the takedown.
A jab from Sorokov misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sorokov drives through with a takedown into Queen's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Queen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sorokov trying to control but Queen is working from the bottom.
Sorokov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Queen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sorokov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Queen is keeping the position for now.
Queen lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Queen's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Queen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Yuri Sorokov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sorokov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Queen is one step ahead there.

Sorokov isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Queen stacks Sorokov on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Queen!
Sorokov tries to buck Queen off but Queen is having none of it.
Queen connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Sorokov some visible discomfort.
Queen is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sorokov is not content to let Queen control the position.

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 Yuri Sorokov.
I think Queen has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Oliver Queen!
An out of breath Oliver Queen thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.