PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Cheik Imbula (ranked 646 p4p, 90 weight class) and Basten Sodergren (ranked 781 p4p, 106 weight class). Imbula comes to the cage accompanied by The Bongo Massive. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Imbula
vs
Sodergren

185 cm
33
185 lbs
27 - 16 - 2

180 cm
37
192 lbs
37 - 17 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Dark Knight Nutrition
Urban Fighter

HGH Nutrients Q160 Tycoons Best Quality supps

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 16 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cheik Imbula!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 37 - 17 - 1, fighting out of New York, Basten Sodergren!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sodergren throws a body shot but no joy.
A little feinted left hand from Imbula on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Imbula fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sodergren has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Imbula tried to score with a low kick but Sodergren checks it.
Imbula throws a body shot but no joy.
Sodergren lands with a good body shot.
Imbula shoots in for a takedown but Sodergren shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sodergren checks a low kick from Imbula.
Imbula uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sodergren.
Imbula feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Sodergren scores with a nice body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Imbula walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sodergren checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Good work by Imbula as he checks the leg kick.
Imbula misses with a left hand
and Sodergren counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nice cross by Sodergren.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sodergren tries to land a leg kick but Imbula saw it coming and moves away.
Imbula moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Imbula on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Sodergren throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

Sodergren drops Imbula with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Imbula looks back up at him and smiles so Sodergren waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.

Imbula is rocked!
Sodergren misses with a head kick.
Oh Imbula is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Sodergren ducks under a wild hook from Imbula.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sodergren thumps Imbula with a low kick.
Imbula seems to have got his legs back now.
Sodergren scores with a nice strike.
Sodergren keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Imbula lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Sodergren throws a leg kick that is checked
and Imbula counters with a thumping low kick.
Sodergren sizes up Imbula with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sodergren tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Imbula was well out of range. Poor timing from Sodergren.
Sodergren throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sodergren misses the shot to the body.
Sodergren fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Imbula lands a nice hook to Sodergren's body. Sodergren takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Sodergren with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Basten Sodergren seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Imbula scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Sodergren throws a big shot that misses.
Sodergren chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Imbula can pounce on him.
Sodergren's corner calls for a 1-2. Sodergren obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Sodergren rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Imbula moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Imbula swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sodergren cracks the inside of Imbula's front leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Imbula.
Imbula on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Sodergren. Sodergren obviously looking to wear him down.
Sodergren looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Imbula looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Sodergren throws a nice head kick!
Sodergren throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Imbula swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sodergren lands a jab to Imbula's midsection.
Imbula works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Sodergren keeps the fight on the outside.
Sodergren flicks out a counter leg kick but Imbula steps away.
Sodergren throws a half hearted mid kick.
Sodergren goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Sodergren connects with an inside leg kick.
Imbula scores with a jab to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Sodergren walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Sodergren misses with the head strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Imbula.
Imbula can't find room to land a body shot as Sodergren controls the action.
Sodergren working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Imbula.
Sodergren tries to work over Imbula's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Imbula misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sodergren fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Imbula lands with a light punch inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Imbula misses with a body punch.
Sodergren prevents a body shot from Imbula.
Imbula working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Sodergren misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Imbula misses with some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Basten Sodergren dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

That kick from Sodergren tenderised Imbula's leg. Imbula is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sodergren looks to land a body kick but Imbula moved away.
Sodergren feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Imbulas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Imbula takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Sodergren gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Imbula.
Sodergren throws a leg kick but Imbula moved away.
It appears Imbula was looking to counter with a kick there.
Imbula pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sodergren ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Imbula moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jab from Sodergren.

Sodergren clinches with his opponent.
Sodergren lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Imbula backwards.
Imbula lands with a light punch inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Imbula goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sodergren misses with a punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Imbula misses with a punch to the body.
Sodergren lands with a right to the head.
Imbula blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Imbula pulls guard effortlessly.

Sodergren stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Imbula keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A little feinted left hand from Imbula on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Sodergren punishes Imbula's body with a nice straight punch.

Sodergren pushes Imbula up against the cage in a clinch.
Sodergren misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sodergren lands a left hand that snaps the head of Imbula backwards.
Imbula misses with a short punch on the inside.
Imbula prevents a body shot from Sodergren.
Imbula tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Sodergren blocks an uppercut.
Imbula prevents a body shot from Sodergren.
Imbula tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sodergren is working Imbula over against the cage.
Sodergren makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sodergren working aggressively here.
Sodergren swings wildly with an uppercut but Imbula uses good head movement to avoid it.
Imbula working aggressively here.

Sodergren breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sodergren misses with a leg kick.

Sodergren has Imbula up against the cage in a clinch.
Imbula tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sodergren smiles and moves away.
Imbula blocks a leg kick.
Basten Sodergren seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A clash of legs there as Imbula blocks the low kick.
Sodergren throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Sodergren feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Imbula's calf.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imbula misses with a low kick.
Sodergren misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Imbula.
A chopping leg kick lands by Sodergren.
Sodergren throws a low kick but Imbula avoids it.
Sodergren throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Imbula.
Sodergren throws a solid leg kick but Imbula takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Sodergren.
Imbula connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sodergren. Sodergren circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Imbula takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Imbula keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Sodergren pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Imbula throws an overhand right that lands on Sodergren's shoulder, as Sodergren tries to avoid the shot.
Sodergren cracks Imbula with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Imbula misses with a straight right.
Imbula checks a low kick from Sodergren.
Imbula tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Sodergren manages to circle out of the way.
Sodergren throws a hook but Imbula blocks it.
Sodergren has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sodergren throws out a loose jab but Imbula uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sodergren lands with a right hand.
Sodergren with a nice cross.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sodergren tries a low kick but Imbula avoids it.
Imbula swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sodergren throws out a powerful jab.
Imbula is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
A slapping leg kick lands for Sodergren.
Sodergren misses with a hook
letting Imbula counter with a right hand.
Sodergren throws a hook but Imbula blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Basten Sodergren 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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Sodergren tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Imbula looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Imbula throws a body kick that misses.
Imbula scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Sodergren connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Sodergren throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Imbula sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sodergren thuds a left hand into Imbula's body.
Sodergren scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Imbula is looking to score with low kicks.
Sodergren replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Imbula blocks it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sodergren takes one to the side of the head.
Imbula darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Imbula throws a sloppy body shot
and Sodergren counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Sodergren moves out of range as Imbula strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sodergren keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Imbula takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Imbula scores with a shot to the body.
Imbula takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sodergren fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Imbula manages to avoid it.
The fighters circling - Sodergren throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A low kick from Sodergren misses
and Imbula counters with a good low kick that Sodergren was not able to check.
Sodergren is looking to chop away at Imbula's legs.
It looked like Imbula wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Donk. Sodergren catches Imbula right on the button with a cross.
Sodergren misses with a body kick.
Sodergren throws out a leg kick but Imbula moves out of range and Sodergren only half commits.
Cheik Imbula has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Imbula.
Sodergren scores with a spinning back kick!
Sodergren avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sodergren moves out of range of the strikes.
Imbula takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Imbula on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Sodergren misses with a low kick.
Sodergren rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Imbula counters with a nice body kick.
Sodergren takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Imbula avoids the head kick by Sodergren.
Imbula rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Sodergren connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Imbula throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sodergren misses with a head kick.
Imbula throws a poor cross that misses
and Sodergren counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Imbula cracks Sodergren with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Sodergren looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Imbula finish him?

Sodergren is rocked!
Imbula misses with a leg kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Sodergren. That snapped Imbula's head back.
A low kick from Sodergren is predictable there
and Imbula counters with a thumping low kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Imbula lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Sodergren has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Sodergren and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Imbula scores with a hook.
Sodergren is still on wobbly legs! Can Imbula finish him?
A shot to the liver by Sodergren. Beautiful body shot.
Sodergren misses with an uppercut.
Basten Sodergren is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Imbula feints and then cracks Sodergren's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Sodergren down.
Sodergren seems to have recovered his senses.
Good leg kick by Sodergren there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Imbula fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Sodergren checks it well.
A nice leg kick lands there from Sodergren.
Sodergren chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Sodergren sizes up Imbula with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Imbula throws a poor cross that misses
and Sodergren counters with a nice uppercut.
Imbula throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Imbula scoring well with a low kick there.
Imbula jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sodergren was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Sodergren throws a body punch but Imbula moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Basten Sodergren.
I've got Sodergren 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Basten Sodergren!
A relieved looking Basten Sodergren thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.