PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Faniqueiro Strong (ranked 5949 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juan Sorola (ranked 5395 p4p, 226 weight class). Juan Sorola 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!

Strong
vs
Sorola

165 cm
18
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

168 cm
22
143 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Faniqueiro Strong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Juan Sorola !
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Shigeki Sano and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sorola throws a series of punches but Strong avoids them all with ease.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sorola or perhaps it was just good defense by Strong, which made it look bad.
Sorola misses with a double jab.
Strong drops down looking for a counter takedown but Sorola sprawls and moves away.
Sorola stuffs the takedown.
Despite the aggression on Sorola 's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Sorola throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Strong.
Sorola displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Strong.
Sorola scores with a nice strike.
A combination from Sorola does no damage.
Sorola scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Strong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sorola tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Strong manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Strong avoids a punch combination nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A left and a right from Sorola both land. Nice combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strong shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sorola pinned against the cage. Sorola gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Faniqueiro Strong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sorola is looking to clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Sorola . No joy for Strong on that attempt.

Strong gets a clinch.
Sorola tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Strong successfully pulls guard.
Strong has a closed guard, preventing Sorola from standing up.
Sorola won't allow Strong to sweep him here.
Sorola works over Strong with some ground and pound from guard.
Sorola looking to sit in guard and control but Strong gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sorola keeping full guard, as Strong tries to pass.
Strong sitting in guard here, content to control.
Sorola looking to control.
Strong trying to control the position from guard on top but Sorola is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Sorola has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Strong can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Strong gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Sorola , as that shot connected.
Sorola scores with a one two! Strong had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Strong clinches up against the cage.

Sorola pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sorola throws a right and a left that Strong avoids nicely.
Strong half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Strong dodges the punch combination from Sorola .
Juan Sorola seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sorola connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Strong momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sorola throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Strong connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Strong dodges the punch combination from Sorola .
Strong seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Strong dodges the punch combination from Sorola .
Sorola swinging wildly here.
Sorola will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Strong lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Sorola looks winded!
Strong shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sorola but Sorola pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Strong swats away the attempt to clinch by Sorola .

Sorola gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Strong to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Sorola is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Sorola dominated that round.
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.

No luck with that takedown attempt from Strong.
Faniqueiro Strong is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sorola scores with a three punch combo!
Sorola tries to close the distance and clinch but Strong swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Juan Sorola seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A right-left combo lands from Sorola .
Strong looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Sorola throws a nice looking combination but Strong bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Strong drives through and clinches with Sorola against the cage.
Sorola managing to block the knees to the body from Strong.

Strong jumps into guard, dragging Sorola to the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Strong has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Sorola has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Strong.
Sorola struggles to land a body shot inside as Strong controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sorola drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Strong tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sorola just stands there and leans against the cage.
Sorola tries to break the clinch but Strong is controlling the position.
Sorola tries to pull guard but Strong forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Strong has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sorola is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Faniqueiro Strong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Strong is trying to pull guard but Sorola turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sorola scores with a shoulder strike.
Sorola is trying to pull guard but Strong turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Strong prevents the takedown attempt.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Sorola .

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strong misses with some punches.
Sorola wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Sorola ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Sorola no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Strong stands and steps away. Sorola gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Sorola throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Sorola misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sorola misses with a two punch combination.
It looked like Strong was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Sorola .
Strong lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sorola backs up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Strong drives through and clinches with Sorola against the cage.

Strong jumps guard.
Faniqueiro Strong overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Strong wants to stand up but Sorola is controlling him.
Strong keeping moving, preventing Sorola from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sorola controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Strong wants to stand up but Sorola is controlling him.
Sorola lands a couple of elbows.

That's four 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.
Strong tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sorola lands with a nice combination. Strong backs away looking to recover.

Sorola shoots in and bounces Strong off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Sorola stopping the sweep attempt from Strong.

Sorola gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Sorola lands a jab-cross combination.

Sorola moves into range and clinches up with Strong.
Strong goes for a takedown attempt but Sorola pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Strong showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sorola .
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Sorola showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Strong dodges the punch combination from Sorola .
Sorola throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Strong counters by clinching up.
Sorola looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Sorola wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Sorola looking to stall.
Sorola tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Strong smiles and moves away.
Sorola misses with the combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A punch combination from Sorola misses.
Sorola takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Strong showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sorola .
Sorola misses with a takedown

and Strong counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Strong has clasped his hands together around Sorola 's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Sorola throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Strong displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sorola .
Faniqueiro Strong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Juan Sorola .
Sorola stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sorola wants it to stay on the feet.
Sorola is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Sorola gets caught napping as Strong dives in and scores a takedown. Sorola manages to retain guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Strong working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sorola wants to control but Strong passes easily into half guard.
Sorola really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Strong. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sorola has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Strong is working away from the top position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sorola wants to get back to full guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Strong wants to take a breather but Sorola is having none of it.
Sorola is trying to control but can't.

Sorola looking for submissions off his back.
Sorola has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sorola wants to control but Strong is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strong throws a series of punches but Sorola avoids them all with ease.
Strong has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Sorola misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Strong moves into the clinch successfully.

Sorola breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sorola bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Strong's head.
Sorola misses with a double jab

and Strong counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Strong.
Strong misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sorola .

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sorola jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Strong walks away with a smile on his face. Sorola gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Strong shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Strong was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Sorola throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sorola throws a series of punches but Strong moves out of range.
Strong swats away the attempt to clinch by Sorola .
Sorola looks to land a combination but Strong avoids it well.
Faniqueiro Strong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sorola stuffs the takedown.
Sorola swinging wildly here.
Strong swinging wildly here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juan Sorola comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Sorola winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juan Sorola !