PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jim McCluskey (ranked 5314 p4p, 4545 weight class) and Vyacheslav Sokolov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vyacheslav Sokolov acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

McCluskey
vs
Sokolov

175 cm
18
180
0 - 1 - 0

180 cm
18
180
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jim McCluskey!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vyacheslav Sokolov!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Jonathan Paton and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCluskey swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Sokolov.
McCluskey connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Sokolov's hands.
Sokolov misses with a left hand
and McCluskey counters with a series of strikes. Sokolov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Jab, jab by McCluskey - just one landing.
Sokolov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McCluskey manages to avoid it.

McCluskey closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Sokolov quickly recovers to half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McCluskey seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Sokolov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. McCluskey is working away from the top position though.
McCluskey working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Sokolov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
McCluskey working over Sokolov with some ground and pound. Sokolov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Sokolov is looking for a sweep. McCluskey is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sokolov trying to control from the bottom.

Sokolov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but McCluskey pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokolov is trying to maintain the position but McCluskey is very close to passing his half guard.
McCluskey lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
McCluskey landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sokolov has hold of McCluskey's hands but McCluskey slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Ground and pound from McCluskey.
Ground and pound from McCluskey.
Sokolov has hold of McCluskey's hands but McCluskey slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Sokolov is trying to maintain the position but McCluskey is very close to passing his half guard.
McCluskey is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

It looks like Vyacheslav Sokolov has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCluskey seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
McCluskey scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

McCluskey stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Sokolov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McCluskey.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sokolov tries to clinch but McCluskey moves away
and McCluskey counters with a one-two to the body.
A right-left combo lands from McCluskey.

That has opened up Vyacheslav Sokolov's cut even more.
Sokolov throws a jab when McCluskey was well out of range.
McCluskey tests Sokolov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A nice combination there by McCluskey.

The cut above Vyacheslav Sokolov's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
McCluskey slips under a jab.

McCluskey feints and as Sokolov raises his hands in defense, McCluskey changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sokolov is trying to control the position but McCluskey postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sokolov pushes a forearm under McCluskey's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, McCluskey is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:22 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Vyacheslav Sokolov!