PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mohamed Shaarawy (ranked 3397 p4p, 4694 weight class) and Jon Soialo (ranked 163 p4p, 208 weight class). Jon Soialo will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Shaarawy
vs
Soialo

193 cm
22
266
1 - 0 - 0

225 cm
25
268
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mohamed Shaarawy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jon Soialo!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Steve Erwin and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shaarawy looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Shaarawy sitting in guard, not really doing much.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shaarawy accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Shaarawy stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Soialo looks to land a combination but Shaarawy avoids it well.
Soialo has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Soialo wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Soialo moves out of range as Shaarawy throws a body kick.
Shaarawy looks for a takedown but Soialo sprawls well.
Soialo unleashes a big counter combination but Shaarawy bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Shaarawy takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaarawy shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Soialo defends it nicely.
Shaarawy is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Soialo.
Soialo moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Soialo works over Shaarawy's head and body with a nice combination.
Soialo throws a combination. Shaarawy tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Soialo looks winded!
Shaarawy on the wrong end of a nice hook.
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!
The fight stays on the outside here - Shaarawy looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Soialo wants to clinch up but Shaarawy keeps it at a distance.
Soialo slaps away a takedown attempt from Shaarawy, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mohamed Shaarawy. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Soialo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Shaarawy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Soialo lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Soialo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Soialo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Soialo lands with a nice combination. Shaarawy backs away looking to recover.
Soialo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Shaarawy darts in and clinches Soialo up against the cage.
Shaarawy taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Shaarawy successfully pulls guard.
Shaarawy controls Soialo momentarily but Soialo frees himself.

Soialo stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soialo displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Shaarawy tries to close the distance and clinch but Soialo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nice body punch from Soialo.
Soialo is working the combinations to good effect here.

Soialo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Soialo breaks the clinch.

Soialo moves into range and clinches up with Shaarawy.

Soialo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Soialo displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Soialo misses with a double jab.
Shaarawy tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Soialo manages to circle out of the way.
Shaarawy will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Soialo closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shaarawy shoots in for a takedown but Soialo shows good takedown defense.
Soialo misses with a series of wild punches.
Soialo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Shaarawy fails with an attempt to clinch.
Soialo lands a body shot.
Soialo lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Soialo.
Shaarawy dives in and grabs Soialo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Soialo pushes down on Shaarawy's head and hops out.
Soialo stuffs the takedown attempt from Shaarawy. Shaarawy gets slowly back to his feet.
Soialo scores with a one two! Shaarawy had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Soialo dominated that round.
That's time! Shaarawy's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Soialo lands a body shot.
Shaarawy tries a head kick but it misses.
Soialo throws a series of punches but Shaarawy moves out of range.
Shaarawy tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shaarawy tries to clinch but Soialo is having none of it.
Mohamed Shaarawy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Shaarawy takes the fight into the clinch.

Shaarawy manages to break the clinch.
Soialo defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Shaarawy.

Soialo forces Shaarawy back against the cage and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Soialo manages to break the clinch.
Soialo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Soialo instigates a clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shaarawy drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Soialo sneaks out the side door and pushes Shaarawy away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
A combination from Soialo does no damage.
Shaarawy tries a head kick but it misses.
Shaarawy looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Jon Soialo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Soialo jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Soialo takes the fight into the clinch.

Shaarawy breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soialo goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Soialo scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Soialo pushes Shaarawy up against the cage in a clinch.

Soialo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Soialo moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Soialo lands a jab-cross combination.

Shaarawy gets a takedown into half guard.

Soialo has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Shaarawy is on him like a limpet, forcing Soialo back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shaarawy jumps guard but Soialo turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mohamed Shaarawy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Soialo tries to break free but Shaarawy pushes him back against the cage.
Soialo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Shaarawy fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Soialo wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Shaarawy has him pressed against the cage.
Shaarawy prevents Soialo from breaking the clinch.
Soialo tries to circle away but Shaarawy has him pinned against the cage.

Shaarawy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shaarawy throws a leg kick that misses.
Soialo lands a jab to Shaarawy's midsection.
Donk. Soialo catches Shaarawy right on the button with a cross.
Soialo shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Shaarawy eats them both and turns towards Soialo to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Soialo throws a shot to the body.
Soialo blocks a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shaarawy takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Soialo scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shaarawy takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Shaarawy showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Soialo.
Shaarawy shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Soialo defends it nicely.
Soialo looks to land a combination. Shaarawy sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Shaarawy avoids the body shot from Soialo.
Soialo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Soialo 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!

Shaarawy shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Soialo as he jumps to the side.
Shaarawy tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Soialo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Soialo throws a right hand that Shaarawy ducks under and follows up with a left that Shaarawy also avoids with ease.
Shaarawy tries to clinch there but Soialo circles away.
Shaarawy lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Soialo throws a right hand that Shaarawy ducks under and follows up with a left that Shaarawy also avoids with ease.
Soialo keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Shaarawy throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Soialo's waist but Soialo gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Shaarawy off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mohamed Shaarawy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Soialo gets a clinch.
Shaarawy is trying to pull guard but Soialo has him pressed against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Soialo is looking to break free of the clinch but Shaarawy has double underhooks.
Soialo wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Shaarawy has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaarawy keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Soialo's efforts to push away.
A head punch on the inside from Shaarawy fails to land.
Shaarawy is looking to take this one to the mat.
Soialo wants to get back to striking at distance but Shaarawy won't allow it.
Soialo wants to get back to striking at distance but Shaarawy won't allow it.

Soialo breaks from the clinch.
Soialo fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Shaarawy on the side of the head.
Shaarawy fails in his attempt to clinch.
Soialo scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Soialo moves into the clinch.
Soialo has had enough of the clinch but Shaarawy keeps him there for the moment.

Soialo breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soialo lands a two punch combo.
Soialo throws a series of punches but Shaarawy avoids them all with ease.
Jon Soialo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Shaarawy closes the distance and pushes Soialo back into the cage.
Shaarawy drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Soialo gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Shaarawy breaks the clinch.
A punch combination from Soialo misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shaarawy tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Soialo defends well and Shaarawy ends up having to push Soialo into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Soialo is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Soialo is trying to break free.
Shaarawy prevents Soialo from breaking the clinch.
Soialo is trying to break the clinch but Shaarawy has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soialo has had enough of the clinch but Shaarawy keeps him there for the moment.
Shaarawy changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Soialo fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Soialo lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Soialo is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
A right-left combo lands from Soialo.
Shaarawy wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Soialo displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Shaarawy looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

Shaarawy shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Soialo scrambles and gets back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Soialo lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soialo lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Soialo.
No joy there for Soialo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Shaarawy circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jon Soialo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shaarawy swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Soialo clinches up against the cage.
Shaarawy is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Soialo wants to break the clinch but can't.
Shaarawy misses with a knee to the head.

Soialo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Soialo with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Mohamed Shaarawy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jon Soialo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Soialo lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Shaarawy backs up against the cage.
Soialo connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jon Soialo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Soialo has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jon Soialo!