PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tain Bo Cuailnge (ranked 23775 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mathew Soro (ranked 5164 p4p, 450 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Bo Cuailnge
vs
Soro

170 cm
20
150 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

166 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Tain Bo Cuailnge!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Mathew Soro !
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Steven Brown and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Soro closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Cuailnge's guard.

Cuailnge is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Soro is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Cuailnge is trying to stall.

Cuailnge has clasped his hands together around Soro 's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Soro is trying to control Cuailnge's posture but Cuailnge avoids it.
Cuailnge wants to lay and pray for a moment but Soro keeps working.
Soro is trying to get back to half guard.
A lull in the action here.
Soro is trying to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soro gets back to half guard.
Soro gets back to full guard.
Soro pulls Cuailnge in close to prevent any damage.
Cuailnge stands and throws Soro 's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Soro is not content to let Cuailnge control the position.
Soro is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Cuailnge off and has taken his back!
Soro wants to control but Cuailnge is keeping busy.
Soro has good solid back control here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Soro tries to get the hooks in deep but Cuailnge pushed the leg off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soro controlling the position well here. Cuailnge rolled but Soro kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Cuailnge tries to break free.
Soro keeps control of the position easily here as Cuailnge tries to buck him off.
Soro trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Cuailnge tries to roll but Soro sticks to his back.

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.
A lull in the action here.
Soro really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Cuailnge.
Cuailnge looking very determined here, making life difficult for Soro .
You can see the frustration on Cuailnge's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Soro controlling the positon.
Well, with Soro on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Cuailnge is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
Cuailnge is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mathew Soro dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Soro shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Cuailnge is trying to defend but Soro finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Soro performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Soro trying to pass the guard but Cuailnge defending well.
Cuailnge wants to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Soro trying to control the pace.
Soro wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cuailnge keeps working.
Soro has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Soro in particular looking to stall.
Mathew Soro has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cuailnge is not content to let Soro control the position.
Soro is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Cuailnge is looking for a sweep. Soro is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Soro looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Soro wants to pass to mount but Cuailnge is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Soro moves nicely into side control.
Soro moves into full mount!
Soro wants to control the pace but Cuailnge is squirming around nicely.
Soro controlling his opponent.
Soro is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.
Soro looking to control but Cuailnge is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Soro controlling from the full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Soro looking to secure an arm triangle but Cuailnge defends it well.

Soro gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!

Cuailnge shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Soro trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Cuailnge lands a couple of good shots and Soro has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soro tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Soro bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cuailnge wants to sweep but no luck.
Cuailnge trying to keep a closed guard but Soro is proving a slippery customer.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cuailnge looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Soro pushes down on Cuailnge's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Soro sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Let's hope that Soro has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mathew Soro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Soro looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cuailnge is fending him off so far but Soro persists. Nope, Cuailnge circles away and we're back to standing.
Soro throws a head kick that misses
and Cuailnge counters with a series of strikes. Soro will be more careful next time no doubt.
Soro throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cuailnge's waist but Cuailnge gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Soro off to one side.

Soro dives in and scores a takedown into Cuailnge's guard.
Soro would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Cuailnge keeping full guard, as Soro tries to pass.
Soro wants to control from the top but Cuailnge keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cuailnge working for a triangle but Soro defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soro passes Cuailnge's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Cuailnge keeping hold of Soro 's head, controlling as best he can.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Soro wants to control but Cuailnge is keeping him busy.
Soro is taking a breather. Cuailnge says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Soro has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cuailnge keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Cuailnge has given up his back.
Cuailnge trying to control but not successfully.
Soro keeps control of the position easily here as Cuailnge tries to buck him off.
Soro struggling to keep hold of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
What can Cuailnge do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Soro is not going to allow Cuailnge to sit and survive in this position.
Cuailnge is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Soro .
Soro is looking to control Cuailnge but Cuailnge is wriggling around and keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
I would not like to be Cuailnge right now.
Mathew Soro is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Soro tries to get the hooks in deep but Cuailnge pushed the leg off.
Soro biding his time, controlling Cuailnge.
Cuailnge is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Soro really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Cuailnge.
Soro tries to keep control of the position but Cuailnge is staying busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mathew Soro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Soro 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 James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mathew Soro !