PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Frendy Saputra (ranked 3183 p4p, 5489 weight class) and Sime Soldic (ranked 290 p4p, 363 weight class). Saputra comes to the cage accompanied by Truckin'. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Saputra
vs
Soldic

177 cm
22
148
3 - 0 - 0

183 cm
22
145
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Fantasy Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Frendy Saputra!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sime Soldic!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Dean Styles and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saputra misses with a wild body shot.
Soldic lands with a good body shot.
Saputra takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Saputra shoots in for a takedown but Soldic shows good takedown defense.
Soldic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Saputra changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Soldic jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Soldic throws a body shot but no joy.
Soldic throws a shot from downtown. Saputra moves away and avoids it.
Soldic has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Saputra is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Soldic is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Saputra gets a clinch.
Soldic lands a left hand that snaps the head of Saputra backwards.

Saputra drags the fight down to the ground.
Saputra is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

This has been an exciting period of action!
Soldic moves into full guard.
Saputra engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saputra in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saputra trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Soldic is controlling Saputra's posture.
Saputra tries to free his leg and advance position but Soldic is retaining full guard.
Soldic wants to stand up but Saputra is controlling him.
Soldic has his hands on Saputra's head, controlling the position.
Saputra preventing the sweep.
Soldic working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Saputra.
Saputra wants to control from the top but Soldic keeps moving.
Soldic looking for a sweep. Not yet Soldic, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Soldic has Saputra pulled in close to control his posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Soldic looking to hit a scissor sweep but Saputra is one step ahead there.
Soldic trying to control the position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Soldic is controlling Saputra's posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Saputra misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Horrible takedown attempt by Saputra or perhaps it was just good defense by Soldic, which made it look bad.
Sime Soldic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saputra slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Saputra throws a jab when Soldic was well out of range.
Saputra uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Soldic.
A big left from Soldic misses.
Sime Soldic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soldic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Saputra moves away.
Saputra lands a lovely overhand right.
Soldic fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Saputra is out of range.
Saputra half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Saputra tries to clinch but Soldic moves out of range.
Soldic throws out a counter right but Saputra avoids it with no problem.
Soldic changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Saputra fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frendy Saputra. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Soldic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Saputra moves away.
Soldic swings for the body but Saputra moves out of range.
Soldic throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Saputra counters by moving into the clinch.
Soldic is trying to break free.
Soldic gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Saputra.
Soldic wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Soldic breaks the clinch.
Soldic throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Soldic throws out a loose jab but Saputra uses good head movement to avoid it.

Saputra decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saputra wants to free his trapped foot but Soldic is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soldic trying to hold on to Saputra's head to control him but Saputra postures up.
Soldic is in trouble now - Saputra has advanced to mount!
Soldic really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Saputra. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Soldic is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Soldic wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Saputra.
Saputra is looking to work his way around to Soldic's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.

Saputra goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Soldic is on top in guard.

Saputra working for a triangle but Soldic defends it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Sime Soldic will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Saputra tries to close the distance and clinch but Soldic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Saputra slips under a jab.
Soldic is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Saputra.
Saputra misses with the combination.

Saputra has taken the fight to the clinch.

Soldic breaks from the clinch.
Soldic stuns Saputra with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Saputra throws a series of punches but Soldic moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Soldic.
Soldic pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Saputra misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Soldic throws a hook but Saputra avoids it easily.
Soldic displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Saputra throws out the jab.
Soldic keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Saputra.
Soldic tries a quick counter leg kick but Saputra is wise to it.
Soldic jabs at Saputra's body.
Soldic misses with a straight right.
Soldic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Soldic just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Soldic misses.
Saputra keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sloppy strikes from Saputra. Those never looked like landing.
Sime Soldic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Saputra looks to land a right hand but Soldic moved out of range.
Nice jab there from Soldic.
Soldic throws a nice outside leg kick.
Saputra misses with a straight left.
Soldic connects with a solid leg kick.
Saputra throws a nice looking combination but Soldic bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Soldic looks to land a left hand but Saputra moved out of range nicely.
Soldic throws an overhand right that lands on Saputra's shoulder, as Saputra tries to avoid the shot.
Soldic circles away from the clinch attempt.
Soldic scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Saputra doesn't seem bothered though.
Soldic ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Saputra tries to clinch up.
Saputra throws a hook to the side of Soldic's head but Soldic sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Soldic throws a nice inside leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Soldic throws out a loose jab but Saputra uses good head movement to avoid it.
As Soldic tries to get set, Saputra tries to push him back and clinch up but Soldic manages to avoid the attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Soldic catches Saputra right on the button with a cross.
Soldic throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Saputra sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Saputra feinted with a counter takedown.
Soldic throws a shot from downtown. Saputra moves away and avoids it.
Soldic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Saputra ducks under a wild hook from Soldic.

Saputra closes the distance and clinches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Soldic creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Saputra wants a takedown.
Saputra tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Soldic gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Saputra.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frendy Saputra. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saputra digs a right hand into Soldic's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Soldic's gas tank.
Soldic wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Saputra lands a left hand.
Soldic lands a hook that snaps the head of Saputra backwards.
Saputra tries to pull guard but Soldic forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Soldic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Saputra slips a jab from Soldic.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soldic thows a left - swing and a miss!
Saputra changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Nice uppercut lands for Saputra. That snapped Soldic's head back.

Saputra moves into the clinch successfully.
Soldic blocking some punches.

Soldic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Soldic comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Saputra displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Soldic throws out the jab.
Saputra tries to clinch up.
Soldic feints a counter leg kick.
A good leg kick by Soldic.
Soldic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Saputra.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Soldic prevents the takedown attempt.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Soldic.
Soldic controlling the action here for a moment.
I was talking to Saputra's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Soldic lands a body punch in the clinch.
Soldic blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saputra can't get the takedown.
Saputra is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Soldic to keep the fight standing.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Soldic.

Soldic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Saputra throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Soldic counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Soldic throws a jab but it's blocked by Saputra.
Saputra tries to counter by clinching up but Soldic breaks away and moves out of range.
Saputra throws a hook to the side of Soldic's head but Soldic sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Saputra just misses with a punch to the body.
Saputra misses with a looping left.
Soldic misses with a straight left.
Soldic misses with a looping right.
Soldic with the inside leg kick.
Saputra uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Soldic.
Soldic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Soldic tries to work over Saputra's front leg with a kick but Saputra checks it.
Saputra throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Saputra connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Soldic's hands.
Saputra steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Soldic.

Soldic tries to keep at a distance but Saputra has taken the fight into the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sime Soldic 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! This is the final round!

Soldic takes one to the side of the head.
Saputra tries to close the distance and clinch but Soldic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Saputra tries to close the distance and clinch up but Soldic swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Soldic is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Saputra.
Saputra ducks under a wild hook from Soldic.
Saputra throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Soldic pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Saputra moves out of range of the strikes.
Soldic throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Soldic misses with an uppercut. Saputra saw that one coming.
Soldic is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Saputra.
Saputra misses with a two punch combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Soldic connects with the punch.
Soldic ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Soldic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saputra misses with a hook.
Soldic just misses with a punch to the body.
Saputra attempts a counter takedown but Soldic avoids it well and moves away.
Soldic lands a really nice looking cross but Saputra seems unphased.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saputra fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Soldic manages to avoid it.
Soldic flicks out a counter leg kick but Saputra steps away.
Saputra keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Soldic.
Soldic throws a big shot that misses.
Saputra is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Soldic.
Saputra fails in his attempt to clinch.
Soldic throws out a counter right but Saputra avoids it with no problem.
Saputra misses the shot to the body.
Soldic throws out a loose jab but Saputra uses good head movement to avoid it.
Soldic doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Jab from Saputra.
The fight stays on the outside here - Saputra looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Saputra avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Soldic misses with a hook. Saputra ducked under it nicely.
Saputra takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Saputra slips a straight right by Soldic.
Soldic throws a jab but it's blocked by Saputra.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Soldic throws a leg kick which misses Saputra's front leg but catches the back leg as Saputra tries to avoid it.
Soldic keeps the fight on the outside.
Sime Soldic is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saputra shoots in for a double leg but Soldic sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Soldic blocks a jab.
Soldic now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Good leg kick by Soldic.

Saputra moves into the clinch successfully.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A frustrated look appears on Soldic's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Frendy Saputra has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Soldic is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Frendy Saputra has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Saputra lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Saputra is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Soldic to keep the fight standing.
Soldic is trying to break the clinch but Saputra has him pressed against the cage.
Saputra blocks a body shot from Soldic.

Soldic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Soldic throws a low kick but Saputra moves out of range easily.
Saputra on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Soldic. Soldic obviously looking to wear him down.
Saputra throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Soldic connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A left lands for Saputra.
Soldic scores with a leg kick.
Soldic lands the left hand.
Saputra looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Soldic.
It seemed like Soldic was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Saputra thows a left - swing and a miss!
Soldic throws an overhand right that lands on Saputra's shoulder, as Saputra tries to avoid the shot.
Saputra tries to clinch but Soldic moves out of range.
Saputra slips under a jab.

Saputra rushes Soldic and presses him up against the cage.
Soldic lands with a short shot to the head.
Soldic is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Soldic breaks the clinch.
Soldic getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Saputra throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
enabling Soldic to counter with a crisp jab.
Saputra walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Saputra closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Soldic to the mat! Soldic manages to get full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saputra pushing down on Soldic's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Soldic is trying to control but Saputra passes into side control!
You can see the frustration on Soldic's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saputra tries to advance to mount but can't.
Saputra prevents Soldic from escaping the position.
Soldic tries to bench press Saputra off him but Saputra keeps the position.

Saputra wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Soldic, who protects the arm well.

Saputra is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Soldic knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Soldic is looking to regain half guard here but Saputra keeps moving and retains side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sime 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sime Soldic!
Our winner, Sime Soldic, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.