PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Soto (ranked 1507 p4p, 2204 weight class) and Steven Seagull (ranked 87 p4p, 134 weight class). Soto comes to the cage accompanied by Octavio Meza y su Conjunto - La Pelea Con El Diablo. Steven Seagull told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Soto
vs
Seagull

160 cm
25
138
3 - 0 - 0

160 cm
25
135
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Fighters Connection
Battle Hecs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rafael Soto!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Steven Seagull!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Peter Branson and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch lands to the side of Soto 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Soto forces Seagull back against the cage and clinches.
Seagull is trying to force a seperation but Soto has the dominant position.

Soto manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Soto is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Seagull is aware though and is defending well.

Soto looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Seagull passes into half guard.

Soto looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
It looks like Seagull is going to stand back up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Seagull trying to control the action but Soto is working from the bottom.
Seagull takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Seagull trying to control the action but Soto is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Seagull might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Soto haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Seagull wants to pass to mount but Soto is defending the position.

Soto actively working from the bottom here.
Seagull is trying to control. Soto wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Soto looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Soto looking for submissions off his back.
Seagull controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Soto looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Soto definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Soto tries to get to full guard but Seagull has control of the leg.

Seagull moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Soto.
Soto is looking for a sweep.
Seagull controlling the position.
Soto is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Soto is trying to escape the position but Seagull is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soto defending against the ground and pound.
Soto manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Soto is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Seagull is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

Soto is working for a kimura but Seagull is defending it quite comfortably.

Soto is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Seagull sees it coming and defends easily.

Soto is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Seagull is just riding it out for now. Soto eventually gives up the hold.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Seagull trying to control from the bottom.
Soto is trying to control the action in half guard but Seagull is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Seagull tries to roll over but Soto keeps him under control.
Seagull gets full guard.
Seagull is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Seagull is pulling down on Soto's head. It's preventing any offense from Soto, at least for the moment.

Soto thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Seagull is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

We've been informed that Seagull has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Seagull controlling the action here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rafael Soto will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Seagull misses with an uppercut.
Soto walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Soto tries to close the distance and clinch but Seagull swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Seagull now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Seagull throws an overhand right that lands on Soto's shoulder, as Soto tries to avoid the shot.
Soto tries to clinch but Seagull moves out of range.
Soto wants to clinch.
Seagull doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Seagull misses with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Soto fails in his attempt to clinch.
Seagull jabs at Soto's body.
Seagull lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Soto at a distance.
Soto tries to clinch there but Seagull circles away.
Rafael Soto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Soto tries to close the distance and clinch up but Seagull swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Seagull has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soto doesn't manage to clinch there - Seagull circles away.
Seagull scores with a body shot.
Seagull jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Soto keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Seagull scores with a jab to the head.

Soto drives through and clinches with Seagull against the cage.
Soto blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Seagull is looking to break free of the clinch but Soto has double underhooks.

Soto jumps guard and drags Seagull to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Soto has his feet on Seagull's thighs here. He's pushed Seagull off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Seagull screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rafael Soto!
Rafael Soto retains his bantamweight title!
A relieved looking Rafael Soto thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.