PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Genki Sodo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dominique Samson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Samson has chosen Music as his entrance music. Genki Sodo has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sodo
vs
Samson

176 cm
23
154 lbs
3 - 5 - 1

175 cm
23
154 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Genki Sodo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dominique Samson!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shigeki Sano and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sodo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sodo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Samson swivels and escapes.
Sodo scores with a spinning back kick!
Samson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Sodo counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Sodo throws a right hand that Samson ducks under and follows up with a left that Samson also avoids with ease.
Samson misses with a takedown

and Sodo counters by clinching up.
Samson is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Genki Sodo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dominique Samson.
Samson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sodo prevents it.

Sodo manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Samson won't allow Sodo to get back to his feet.

Samson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Sodo seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sodo trying to keep a closed guard but Samson is proving a slippery customer.

Samson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Sodo wants to get back to his feet but Samson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Sodo is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Samson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Samson looks gassed!

Samson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Sodo gets full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sodo wants to get back to his feet but Samson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Sodo uses the ropes to get back to his feet.
Samson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Sodo holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Sodo is working on a single leg takedown against the ropes. Samson can't fight it off and eventually Sodo manages to take the fight to the floor. Samson looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Sodo trying to control the position from guard on top but Samson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Samson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sodo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sodo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sodo working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Samson's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sodo stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Samson has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Samson there as he acknowledges the shot.

Sodo closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.

Samson pulls Sodo into guard.
Sodo trying to stand up but can't free himself from Samson's guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Sodo tries to free his leg and advance position but Samson is retaining full guard.

Samson had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Sodo is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Samson Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Sodo's back instead.

Samson looking to break Sodo's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Sodo remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Samson will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Samson is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Sodo has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Samson working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Samson is looking for the choke from the back position but Sodo is controlling his hands well.
Sodo trying to control the action but Samson just sinks the hooks in.

Samson working for a choke but Sodo reverses nicely into Samson 's guard.

Samson has his foot on Sodo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sodo works his way back into a safe position though.
Samson can't keep his opponent in guard - Sodo advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Genki Sodo dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sodo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sodo shoots in but Samson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sodo scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Sodo lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

Sodo clinches up with Samson and pushes him back against the ropes.
Samson wants to break free but Sodo has control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Samson tries to pull guard but Sodo won't allow it.
Samson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sodo pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Samson is breathing heavily.

Sodo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sodo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Samson tries a knee to the head but Sodo blocks it.
Samson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sodo pulls his leg out and moves away.
Genki Sodo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dominique Samson.
Sodo misses with a wild combination.
Samson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Sodo counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Sodo throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

Sodo bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Sodo stands up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sodo shoots and misses

and Samson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Sodo won't be happy with that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Samson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Sodo has escaped the position, nice work there.
Sodo is looking for a sweep.

Samson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sodo knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Samson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Samson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Sodo, who protects the arm well.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sodo sneaks back into half guard.
Sodo wants to get back to his feet.

Samson wants to work for an arm triangle but Sodo is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Samson is trying to work for a kimura but Sodo is defending well.
Sodo is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Samson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Samson's back!

Sodo working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Sodo working for a choke but Samson is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sodo is trying to stick to Samson's back but Samson is turning into Sodo. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Sodo's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Samson.

Samson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Samson drops back looking for a leg! Sodo is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sodo manages to kick Samson off! Samson jumps back into Sodo's guard.
Sodo controls Samson momentarily but Samson frees himself.

Samson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Genki Sodo dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sodo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Samson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Samson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sodo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Samson swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Sodo gets the takedown into side control.
Samson is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Samson is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Sodo pulls his head out easily.

Samson looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Sodo pushes past his half guard into mount!
Sodo prevents Samson from getting the reversal.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sodo tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samson can't escape the position.
Samson is trying to reverse the position but instead Sodo has taken his back - oops!
Sodo controls the action.
Sodo controlling well, preventing Samson from escaping the position.

Sodo is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Samson defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Samson turns into Sodo and is now in his guard.

Samson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Sodo kicks Samson off and gets to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sodo scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Samson actively working from the bottom here.

Samson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sodo works his way into side control.

Sodo decides to stand back up. Sodo steps back and let's Samson get back to his feet.

Samson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Sodo's guard.

Samson drops back looking for a leg! Sodo is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sodo manages to kick Samson off! Samson jumps back into Sodo's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sodo wants to stand but Samson is controlling the position.

Samson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Dominique Samson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Samson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Samson stops Sodo from standing up.

Samson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Samson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Samson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Samson wants to pass the guard but Sodo is keeping the position.
Genki Sodo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Sodo.
Samson manages to get back to half guard.

Samson looking for submissions off his back.

Samson has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Sodo escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Sodo!
Genki Sodo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Samson tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Sodo presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!

Sodo stands up from mount. Strange move.

And that's the end of the fight!
Genki Sodo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Sodo has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Genki Sodo!