PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Konstantin Sokolov (ranked 1846 p4p, 195 weight class) and Milton Friedman (ranked 2409 p4p, 241 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sokolov
vs
Friedman

198 cm
29
223 lbs
9 - 12 - 0

188 cm
31
260 lbs
14 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Konstantin Sokolov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Milton Friedman!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Franklyn Lucas and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sokolov scores with a jab to the body.
Sokolov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Friedman on the side of the head.

It looks like Milton Friedman has been cut.
Sokolov has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Basement in the buildup to the fight.
Friedman walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Friedman throws a series of punches but Sokolov avoids them all with ease.
Sokolov misses with a right hand
and Friedman counters with a lovely straight right hand!
No joy there for Sokolov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Friedman is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Sokolov scores with a punch to the head.
Friedman throws a right hand that Sokolov ducks under and follows up with a left that Sokolov also avoids with ease.
Sokolov throws out a powerful jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Friedman moves out of range as Sokolov strikes.
Sokolov looks to throw the jab but Friedman is out of range.
Sokolov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A big right from Friedman misses.
Sokolov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Sokolov misses with an uppercut
and Friedman counters with a one-two to the body.
Sokolov slips under a jab.
Sokolov is looking to counter punch.
Sokolov throws a hook but Friedman avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Friedman misses with a hook. Sokolov ducked under it nicely.
Sokolov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Friedman was well out of range. Poor timing from Sokolov.
Konstantin Sokolov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Sokolov drops Friedman with a right and a left! Sokolov comes rushing in but Friedman regains his composure and manages to keep Sokolov in guard.

Friedman is rocked!
Sokolov trying to control the position from guard on top but Friedman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Friedman is still in real trouble! Can Sokolov finish him?

Friedman is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Friedman seems to have recovered his senses.
Friedman is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Sokolov won't allow Friedman to sweep him here.
Sokolov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Friedman tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sokolov chips away with some ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Friedman keeping moving, preventing Sokolov from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Sokolov postures up in Friedman's guard and throws a big left but Friedman blocks it.
Sokolov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Friedman works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sokolov postures up.
Sokolov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sokolov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sokolov preventing the sweep.
Friedman trying to keep a closed guard but Sokolov is proving a slippery customer.
Sokolov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Friedman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sokolov.
Friedman not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Friedman looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sokolov trying to control but Friedman is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Friedman works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Friedman is trying to keep Sokolov in close.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sokolov scores with a nice right hand.
Sokolov thuds a left hand into Friedman's body.
Nice uppercut lands for Sokolov. That snapped Friedman's head back.
Sokolov throws a looping overhand right but Friedman ducks down to avoid it.
A slow jab from Sokolov misses its intended target.
Sokolov misses with a hook. Friedman ducked under it nicely.

Sokolov cracks Friedman with an uppercut from hell and Friedman crumples to the canvas, he's out! Oh no, he's recovered and he's grabbed one of Sokolov's legs and pulled him into guard. The ref thought about stopping it there but he's let it go - good reffing!
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!
Sokolov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sokolov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Sokolov trying to control the position from guard on top but Friedman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Friedman trying to keep a closed guard but Sokolov is proving a slippery customer.
Sokolov gets to his feet and stands over Friedman, holding his ankles. He dives in with a big left hand that connects! Friedman felt that one! Sokolov unloads more punches and elbows and this one is over! The ref has dived in to save Friedman from any more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Konstantin Sokolov!
During a confident post fight interview, Konstantin Sokolov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.