PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Bjj Catch Wrestler (ranked 646 p4p, 409 weight class) and Roberto Soldic (ranked 75 p4p, 46 weight class). Soldic has chosen Come With Me as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Catch Wrestler
vs
Soldic

180 cm
25
158
12 - 8 - 0

175 cm
25
150
10 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

UN-KAGED SAVAGE PEDS
Voodoo Nutrition

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Conviction

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 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Bjj Catch Wrestler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Roberto Soldic!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Joseph Jones and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Catch Wrestler has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Catch Wrestler there as he acknowledges the shot.
Catch Wrestler on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Catch Wrestler throws a hook but Soldic blocks it.
Catch Wrestler doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Soldic counter with a right hand.
A chopping leg kick lands by Soldic.
Soldic's jab looks to have found its range, popping Catch Wrestler under the eye.
Catch Wrestler just misses with a punch to the body.
Catch Wrestler keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Soldic throws a low kick but Catch Wrestler avoids it.
Catch Wrestler takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Soldic thows a left - swing and a miss!
A kick lands to the mid section there for Soldic.
Soldic moves out of range as Catch Wrestler strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Soldic walks into a jab.
Soldic connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Catch Wrestler fails with the takedown
and Soldic cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've been hearing reports that Catch Wrestler has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Catch Wrestler throws a looping overhand right but Soldic ducks down to avoid it.
Soldic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Soldic fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A nice leg kick lands there from Soldic.
Soldic works Catch Wrestler's body with a nice hook.
The fight stays on the outside here - Catch Wrestler looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Donk. Soldic catches Catch Wrestler right on the button with a cross.
Catch Wrestler fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Soldic avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bjj Catch Wrestler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Catch Wrestler tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Soldic manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Soldic throws a head kick but Catch Wrestler moves out of range.
Roberto Soldic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A swing and a miss from Catch Wrestler.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Catch Wrestler tries to score a power double leg takedown but Soldic sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Catch Wrestler somewhat.
A nice side step and Soldic releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Soldic has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Soldic with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Catch Wrestler closes the distance and clinches up with Soldic, looking for a takedown. Catch Wrestler pushes Soldic against the cage but Soldic circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Catch Wrestler tries to clinch but Soldic is having none of it.
Soldic sizes up Catch Wrestler with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
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!
Soldic scoring well with a low kick there.
Soldic lands a head kick!
Soldic throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Catch Wrestler's head.
Soldic tries to land a front kick but Catch Wrestler steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Soldic keeps the fight on the outside.
Catch Wrestler blocks a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Catch Wrestler uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Soldic.
Soldic throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Catch Wrestler manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Soldic on his heels. He'll look to pass Soldic's guard now, I'm sure.
Soldic looking to control.
Catch Wrestler throwing strikes from guard but Soldic blocks nicely.
Soldic keeping full guard, as Catch Wrestler tries to pass.
Catch Wrestler lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Catch Wrestler slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Soldic stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Catch Wrestler shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Soldic as he jumps to the side.

Catch Wrestler closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Catch Wrestler remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Catch Wrestler in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Catch Wrestler trying to control the position but Soldic is working away.
Soldic is looking to reverse the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Roberto Soldic dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Catch Wrestler ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Soldic moves away.
Soldic looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Catch Wrestler throws a poor cross that misses
and Soldic connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Catch Wrestler gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Catch Wrestler takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Soldic throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Catch Wrestler shoots in and gets a takedown into Soldic's guard.

Soldic pushes Catch Wrestler off and gets back to his feet.
Catch Wrestler will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Soldic misses with a looping left.
Catch Wrestler uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Soldic.
Catch Wrestler dives in for a single leg takedown but Soldic sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Soldic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Soldic defending well as Catch Wrestler loads up on a big left hand.
Catch Wrestler scores with a decent looking hook.
Catch Wrestler loads up on a big right hand but Soldic slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soldic connects with a body shot.
Soldic throws a body shot but no joy.
Catch Wrestler thows a left - swing and a miss!
Soldic scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Catch Wrestler moves out of range of the strikes.
Soldic chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Catch Wrestler misses with a takedown attempt - Soldic sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bjj Catch Wrestler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Soldic buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Soldic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Catch Wrestler is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

Catch Wrestler throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Soldic tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Catch Wrestler is in Soldic's guard.
Catch Wrestler is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Soldic wants to sweep here but Catch Wrestler controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Catch Wrestler is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Soldic trying to control the position.
Soldic has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Catch Wrestler trying to control but Soldic is working from the bottom.
Catch Wrestler looking to pass the guard.
Soldic has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Catch Wrestler throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Soldic works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Catch Wrestler preventing the sweep.
Catch Wrestler trying to control the position from guard on top but Soldic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Soldic throws a looping overhand right but Catch Wrestler ducks down to avoid it.

Catch Wrestler gets a double leg takedown into Soldic's guard.

Soldic is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Catch Wrestler presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Catch Wrestler manages to break the clinch.
Soldic lands a nice looking body shot.
Catch Wrestler on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Catch Wrestler closes the distance looking to clinch
and Soldic counters with a thumping low kick.
A nice leg kick from Soldic, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Soldic misses with a body kick.
Catch Wrestler slips under a jab from Soldic.
Catch Wrestler shoots in for a double leg but Soldic sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Soldic now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Catch Wrestler tests Soldic's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Catch Wrestler shoots in and drives through. Soldic sprawls well.
Nice body punch from Soldic.
Catch Wrestler blocks a head kick by Soldic.
Soldic takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Catch Wrestler throws a series of punches but Soldic moves out of range.
Catch Wrestler shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Soldic scores with a jab to the head.
Catch Wrestler tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Soldic manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Catch Wrestler rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Soldic counters with a nice leg kick.
Catch Wrestler is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Soldic.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Roberto Soldic 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!

Soldic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Soldic lands a lovely overhand right.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Catch Wrestler.
Soldic keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Soldic fails to land with a series of punches.
Soldic fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Catch Wrestler has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Soldic throws a nice outside leg kick.
Soldic scores with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Soldic stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Soldic wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bjj Catch Wrestler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Soldic lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Catch Wrestler shoots and misses
and Soldic counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Soldic connects with a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Soldic jabs Catch Wrestler right on the nose. Catch Wrestler blinks but takes it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soldic scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Soldic throws a nice inside leg kick.
Catch Wrestler looks to throw the jab but Soldic is out of range.
Catch Wrestler misses with a takedown attempt
and Soldic counters with a nice low kick that buckles Catch Wrestler's knee momentarily.

Catch Wrestler darts in and clinches Soldic up against the cage.
Catch Wrestler is trying to force a seperation but Soldic has the dominant position.
Catch Wrestler misses with a punch on the inside.
Soldic presses Catch Wrestler against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A nice right hand lands inside from Soldic.
Soldic lands with a right to the head.
Catch Wrestler is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Soldic gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Catch Wrestler tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Soldic just stands there and leans against the cage.

Soldic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Soldic fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Catch Wrestler drives through with a takedown into Soldic's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Soldic is trying to keep Catch Wrestler in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Catch Wrestler stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Soldic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Catch Wrestler 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.
Soldic seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Catch Wrestler throwing strikes but missing.
Catch Wrestler throws a big right hand that misses.
Catch Wrestler in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Soldic seems keen to control Catch Wrestler's posture.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Bjj Catch Wrestler overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Soldic tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Catch Wrestler misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A little jabbing left from Soldic on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Catch Wrestler takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Catch Wrestler swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Soldic with a nice cross.
Catch Wrestler fails with the takedown
and Catch Wrestler takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Soldic is looking to slow Catch Wrestler down with leg kicks.
Bjj Catch Wrestler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Soldic dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Catch Wrestler misses with a left hand
and Soldic counters with a thumping low kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Soldic.
Catch Wrestler looks to throw the jab but Soldic is out of range.
Nice defenses there by Soldic.
Catch Wrestler throws a body punch but Soldic moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Catch Wrestler jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Good standup being displayed there by Catch Wrestler as he connects with a hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Soldic buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Catch Wrestler looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Good shot there by Soldic.
A nice inside leg kick there by Soldic. That's going to slow Catch Wrestler down.
A nice leg kick lands there from Soldic.
Soldic slips under a jab.
Soldic scores with a kick to the midsection.
Soldic misses with a left hand
and Catch Wrestler counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A good leg kick by Soldic.
Soldic fakes the leg kick and cracks Catch Wrestler in the body.
Catch Wrestler on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Soldic uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Catch Wrestler.
Catch Wrestler walks into a jab.
Soldic uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Catch Wrestler.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roberto Soldic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Soldic 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30

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