PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jacks Sole (ranked 2862 p4p, 2675 weight class) and Derek Trucks (ranked 375 p4p, 356 weight class). Trucks has chosen Lost without you as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sole
vs
Trucks

200 cm
32
200
16 - 7 - 1

183 cm
40
196
29 - 23 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Neon Zombie

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 16 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jacks Sole!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 23 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Derek Trucks!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Vladimir Khabensky and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sole moves into the clinch.
Sole lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Trucks or not.
Trucks goes for a takedown attempt but Sole pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Sole tries to work over Trucks's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sole.
Trucks lands a body shot.
Trucks managing to block the knees to the body from Sole.
Trucks has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sole is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sole lands with a left to the head.
Sole gets through Trucks's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Trucks.
Sole lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Trucks tries for a takedown but Sole manages to get underhooks.
Jacks Sole has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Derek Trucks.
Trucks is trying to maintain a safe position but Sole gets an underhook and turns Trucks into the ropes.
Sole comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Derek Trucks has been cut.

Sole breaks the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Sole has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sole blocks an elbow strike.
Trucks is working Sole over against the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sole wants to get back to striking at distance but Trucks won't allow it.
Sole gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sole fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sole trying to land knees to the body.

Trucks jumps guard and drags Sole to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Trucks is trying to keep Sole in close.
Sole throwing strikes from guard but Trucks blocks nicely.
Sole looking to pass the guard.
Sole trying to control but Trucks is working from the bottom.
Sole will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Trucks looking to control.
Sole postures up in Trucks's guard and throws a big left but Trucks blocks it.
Sole throwing strikes from guard but Trucks blocks nicely.
Trucks keeping full guard, as Sole tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sole won't allow Trucks to sweep him here.
Sole trying to control the position from guard on top but Trucks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sole with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sole has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Trucks working for a triangle but Sole defends it easily.

Sole got a little sloppy there for a moment and Trucks has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sole has managed to get both his arms back between Trucks's legs - danger averted.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Trucks throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Sole's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Sole postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Trucks trying to control the position.
Sole throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sole looking to pass the guard.

Trucks has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sole can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Trucks is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sole defends well.
Sole throws a strike but Trucks rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Trucks working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sole working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Trucks.
Trucks with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sole is trying to control the position but Trucks postures up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Sole holds on and takes a little breather.
Trucks has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sole working a defensive guard here.
Trucks throwing strikes from guard but Sole blocks nicely.
Trucks makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sole tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Trucks trying to control but Sole is working from the bottom.
Sole working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Trucks.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sole is trying to keep Trucks in close.
Trucks looking to sit in guard and control but Sole gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jacks Sole dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Derek Trucks's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Trucks rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sole moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Sole instigates a clinch.
Sole misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Trucks.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Trucks.
Sole gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Trucks.

Sole's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jacks Sole is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Sole gets a clinch.
Trucks tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sole just stands there and leans against the ropes.

Trucks has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Sole clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Sole manages to stand up with Trucks still on his back. Eventually Trucks drops to his feet and we're back in the standing position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Sole has managed to clinch.
Trucks misses with some punches.

Sole breaks from the clinch.
Trucks tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sole sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Trucks somewhat.
Jacks Sole has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Derek Trucks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sole is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Despite the aggression on Trucks's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Sole tries to clinch up but Trucks circles away and keeps his distance.

Sole fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Trucks, pushing him back against the ropes.
Sole throws a punch but it's blocked by Trucks.
Sole lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Sole lands an uppercut.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Sole.

Sole pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Trucks keeps the fight on the outside.

Sole gets a clinch.
Sole's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Sole throws a head punch that misses.
Trucks using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sole has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Sole swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Sole escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Sole has Trucks up against the ropes in a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sole has a couple of punches blocked by Trucks.
Sole tries a body shot but Trucks blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trucks tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sole smiles and moves away.
Sole tries to clinch up but Trucks circles away and keeps his distance.
Trucks keeps the fight on the outside.

Trucks darts in and clinches Sole up against the ropes.

Sole breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sole tries to close the distance and clinch but Trucks swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Trucks fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Sole to the ground. Trucks is now in Sole's guard.
Trucks with a flurry of punches that miss.
Trucks stands and throws Sole's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Sole is trying to get back to half guard.
Sole is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Trucks's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Trucks not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trucks is pressing down on Sole's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sole is holding on for now.
Trucks missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Sole tries to roll over but Trucks keeps him under control.
Trucks trying to control from Sole's half guard. Sole has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Sole is trying to control the position but Trucks postures up.
Sole looking for a sweep. Not yet Sole, not yet.

Sole working for a triangle but Trucks defends it easily.
Sole trying to keep a closed guard but Trucks is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Trucks throws a big elbow that misses.
Trucks landing with the ground and pound.
Sole is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Trucks can do to turn this around?
Trucks in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Trucks throws a strike but Sole rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Sole distracts Trucks with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Trucks wants to sweep here but Sole controlling him for the moment.
Trucks seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jacks Sole dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Derek Trucks's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Sole fails with an attempt to clinch.
Trucks flicks out a counter leg kick but Sole steps away.

Sole drives through with a takedown into guard.
Trucks wants to sweep but no luck.
Sole works over Trucks with some ground and pound from guard.
Sole working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sole wants to pass the guard but Trucks is keeping the position.
Sole postures up.
Sole trying to control the position from guard on top but Trucks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Trucks trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Trucks is trying to control the position but Sole postures up.
Trucks keeping moving, preventing Sole from controlling successfully.
Sole wants to pass the guard but Trucks is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Trucks had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sole defends it easily.
Sole trying to control the position from guard on top but Trucks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sole loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sole wants to pass the guard but Trucks is keeping the position.
Trucks wants to sweep here but Sole controlling him for the moment.
Jacks Sole overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Trucks managing to control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Trucks looks to land a combination but Sole avoids it well.

Sole closes the distance and clinches.
Sole tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Trucks's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sole pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sole tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Trucks manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Trucks fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Sole shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Sole prevents Trucks from improving his position.
Trucks takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sole seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Trucks does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sole winds up and cracks Trucks with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Sole is working for a submission of some sort.
Trucks wants to improve his position but Sole is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sole sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Trucks defending well though.
Sole wants to take a breather but Trucks is having none of it.
Sole is nestled in close to Trucks, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Sole is trying to control the action in half guard but Trucks is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Trucks manages to get to full guard.
Sole throws a big right hand that misses.

Trucks has his foot on Sole's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sole works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Trucks is working an open guard so Sole takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Trucks throws a nice looking combination but Sole bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Trucks throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sole tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Trucks paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Trucks tries to counter by closing the distance.
Trucks circles away from the clinch attempt.
Trucks swats away the attempt to clinch by Sole.
Jacks Sole is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Trucks shoots in but no luck this time.
Trucks misses with a takedown attempt - Sole sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jacks Sole has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Derek Trucks.

Sole closes the distance and clinches.

Trucks jumps guard and drags Sole to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Sole chips away with some ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Trucks is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sole is aware though and is defending well.
Sole is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Derek Trucks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sole works over Trucks with some ground and pound from guard.
Trucks being controlled here, momentarily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jacks Sole showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sole, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jacks Sole!
A relieved looking Jacks Sole thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
In defeat, Derek Trucks stepped up to the mic, saying 'This is not my first rodeo! See you on the matt again!'.