PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bill Newton (ranked 1237 p4p, 168 weight class) and Basten Sodergren (ranked 956 p4p, 133 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Newton
vs
Sodergren

184 cm
31
197 lbs
20 - 17 - 3

180 cm
37
192 lbs
38 - 18 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
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 20 - 17 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bill Newton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 38 - 18 - 1, fighting out of New York, Basten Sodergren!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sodergren throws a chopping leg kick but Newton manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
We've been hearing reports that Newton has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Sodergren throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sodergren fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Newton has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Newton looks to land a right hand but Sodergren moved out of range.
Sodergren throws a leg kick which misses Newton's front leg but catches the back leg as Newton tries to avoid it.
Sodergren throws an overhand right that lands on Newton's shoulder, as Newton tries to avoid the shot.
Sodergren drops his hands momentarily and Newton takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Newton connects with a body shot that sends Sodergren's belly button to the back.
Sodergren will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Newton checks the leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sodergren throws out a loose jab but Newton uses good head movement to avoid it.
Newton tries to counter with a takedown but Sodergren is quick to defend against it.
Newton misses with a wild body shot.
Sodergren now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Newton cracks Sodergren with a right hand to the side of the head.
Newton shoots in but Sodergren avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sodergren has Newton up against the cage in a clinch.
Newton tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sodergren's elbow.
A short right from Newton.
A right handed body shot lands from Sodergren.
Sodergren lands a right hand that snaps the head of Newton backwards.
Sodergren working aggressively here.
A right hand to the body from Newton.
Newton doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Sodergren pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Basten Sodergren seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Newton scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Basten Sodergren is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Newton swings widly with a right hand
and Sodergren counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sodergren takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Newton manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Sodergren on his heels. He'll look to pass Sodergren's guard now, I'm sure.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sodergren is looking to stand up but Newton isn't so interested in that idea.
Newton trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Newton has gone for a leg lock! Sodergren slips out almost immediately though and dives into Newton's guard.

Sodergren wants to control from the top but Newton keeps moving.
Newton wants to sweep but no luck.
Newton has a closed guard, preventing Sodergren from standing up.

Newton working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sodergren doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sodergren manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Newton is trying to hold Sodergren in close to prevent damage but Sodergren has managed to pass into half guard.
Sodergren passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sodergren controlling the pace for now.
Newton tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Newton is working hard here to advance position.
Sodergren controlling his opponent.
Newton tries to lock up and control but Sodergren gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Sodergren sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Newton is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Newton wants to control but Sodergren is having none of it.
Newton bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Newton tries to free his leg and advance position but Sodergren is retaining full guard.
Sodergren is controlling Newton's posture.
Newton looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Basten Sodergren will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sodergren connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Newton's hands.
Sodergren throws a solid leg kick but Newton takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Sodergren.
Newton takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Sodergren misses with an uppercut. Newton saw that one coming.
Sodergren defending well as Newton loads up on a big left hand.
Sodergren throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sodergren moves away from the strike by Newton.
Sodergren throws a lazy right hand but Newton sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sodergren throws a hook to the side of Newton's head but Newton sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Newton tries to counter with a takedown but Sodergren is quick to defend against it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sodergren swats away the attempt to clinch by Newton.
Basten Sodergren seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sodergren throws a leg kick

and Newton counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Newton is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Newton passes to full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Newton working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Sodergren really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Newton looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Newton working for a submission but Sodergren is keeping him at bay.

Newton is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Sodergren has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Sodergren!
Bill Newton overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Sodergren stands up and waves to Newton to follow him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Newton closes the distance looking to clinch
and Sodergren connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sodergren avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sodergren uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Newton.
Sodergren throws a head kick but Newton moves out of range.
Newton appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Sodergren misses with a leg kick.

Newton closes the distance and clinches.
A short uppercut from Sodergren.
Sodergren throws a head punch that misses.
Newton is trying to drag Sodergren to the mat but Sodergren just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Newton misses with a punch on the inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Newton misses with a punch on the inside.
Newton blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Sodergren.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Newton can't find room to land a body shot as Sodergren controls the action.
Newton tries to pull guard but Sodergren forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Newton takes a shot to the head.
Sodergren lands an uppercut.
Sodergren scores with a shoulder strike.
Newton doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sodergren is leaning against Newton and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Newton tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bill Newton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sodergren lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Sodergren scores with a hook to the body.
A shot in the inside from Sodergren.
Sodergren goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sodergren lands with a right to the head.
Sodergren makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A hook to the body from Sodergren.
Sodergren working aggressively here.
Basten Sodergren seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Sodergren blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Newton misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sodergren misses with a body punch.
Newton is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sodergren pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Sodergren breaks the clinch.
Sodergren has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Sodergren there as he acknowledges the shot.
Newton dips to his left and cracks Sodergren with an uppercut!
Sodergren looks to land a body kick but Newton moved away.
A jab lands there for Sodergren.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Newton.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sodergren.
Sodergren misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Newton.
Newton half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Some wild striking there from Sodergren.
Newton takes a swing at Sodergren's ribcage but misses.
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.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

A big right from Newton misses.
Newton is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Newton gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Sodergren counter with a right hand.
Newton fails with the takedown.
Newton shoots for a double leg takedown but Sodergren sprawls well. He's pushed Newton's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bill Newton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Newton takes one on the button.
Sodergren throws a front kick that sends Newton stumbling back into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slapping leg kick lands for Sodergren.
Sodergren lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Sodergren goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Newton swings widly with a right hand
and Sodergren counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sodergren just misses with a punch to the body.
Newton cracks Sodergren with a right hand to the side of the head.
Sodergren blocks a jab.
Newton bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Newton misses the body punch
and Sodergren counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sodergren misses with a leg kick

and Newton counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Newton.
Newton pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sodergren is keeping the position for now.
Sodergren is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Newton tries to free his leg and advance position but Sodergren is retaining full guard.
Newton works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Newton is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sodergren is just riding it out for now. Newton eventually gives up the hold.
Sodergren is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Newton is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sodergren sees it coming and defends easily.
Sodergren wants to get back to his feet.
Sodergren is looking to control Newton's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sodergren avoid being mounted?
Sodergren is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Newton trying to pass the guard but Sodergren defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Newton is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Sodergren is trying to stand.
Sodergren works his way to full guard. Good work.

Newton drops back, looking for a kneebar! Sodergren looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Sodergren looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Sodergren!

Sodergren decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Sodergren chopping away at his opponent's legs.
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.
Sodergren connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Newton throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Newton misses the shot to the body.
Sodergren tries a quick counter leg kick but Newton is wise to it.
Sodergren has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Newton stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Sodergren.
Sodergren misses with a hook. Newton ducked under it nicely.
Sodergren lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Newton lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Sodergren scores with a head kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Newton takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Bill Newton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sodergren throws a shot from downtown. Newton moves away and avoids it.
Sodergren uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Newton.
Sodergren works Newton's body with a nice hook.

Sodergren has managed to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Basten Sodergren comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Basten Sodergren!
A very excited looking Basten Sodergren made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.