PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jan Sokol (ranked 1102 p4p, 836 weight class) and Eh Phuthong (ranked 89 p4p, 72 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sokol
vs
Phuthong

182 cm
31
135
19 - 17 - 1

178 cm
29
147
19 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Experienced

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Jan Sokol!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 13 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Eh Phuthong!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Jeff Smith and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sokol lands a lovely overhand right.
Phuthong scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Sokol doesn't seem bothered though.
Eh Phuthong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Phuthong misses with a body shot.
Phuthong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A big right from Sokol misses.
Nice jab there from Phuthong.
Phuthong throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
An attempted straight right counter from Sokol misses the target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Phuthong. Sokol does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sokol walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Phuthong checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Sokol walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Sokol lands a jab to the nose.
Phuthong misses with an uppercut. Sokol saw that one coming.
It looked like Sokol wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Sokol walks into a jab.
Phuthong on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Phuthong throws an overhand right that lands on Sokol's shoulder, as Sokol tries to avoid the shot.
Donk. Phuthong catches Sokol right on the button with a cross.
A big right from Phuthong misses.
Sokol walks into a stiff left hand from Phuthong.
Phuthong throws a leg kick that misses.
Sokol takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Sokol feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Phuthongs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Sokol tries to clinch there but Phuthong circles away.
Sokol wants to clinch up but Phuthong keeps it at a distance.
Jab, jab by Sokol - just one landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokol throws a body punch but Phuthong moves out of range.
Sokol scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Sokol really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Phuthong throws a hook to the side of Sokol's head but Sokol sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Phuthong on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Phuthong fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sokol looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Phuthong misses with a hook.
A slow jab from Phuthong misses its intended target.
Phuthong moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Phuthong moves out of range of the strikes.
Phuthong with a hook.
Phuthong is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sokol.
Phuthong throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A slow jab from Sokol misses its intended target.
Phuthong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sokol misses with a straight left.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Sokol looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sokol misses with a series of wild punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Phuthong takes a swing at Sokol's ribcage but misses.

Phuthong gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Phuthong.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phuthong blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sokol has a couple of punches blocked by Phuthong.
Sokol swings wildly with an uppercut but Phuthong uses good head movement to avoid it.
Phuthong tries to throw a body punch but Sokol avoids it by throwing Phuthong back against the cage.
Sokol throws a head punch that misses.
Phuthong blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Phuthong gets through Sokol's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Phuthong goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sokol is stalling here.
Phuthong lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A short uppercut from Phuthong.
Phuthong misses with a punch on the inside.
Sokol lands a left hand that snaps the head of Phuthong backwards.
Phuthong tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sokol's elbow.
Sokol throws a punch but it's blocked by Phuthong.
Phuthong lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A short right from Sokol.
Phuthong misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sokol has a couple of punches blocked by Phuthong.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokol tries to throw a body punch but Phuthong avoids it by throwing Sokol back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Phuthong.
Sokol swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Phuthong misses with a punch on the inside.
Phuthong lands with a light punch inside.
Sokol blocks a body shot from Phuthong.
Phuthong blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Phuthong lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sokol backwards.
Phuthong is trying to pull guard but Sokol turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sokol.
Phuthong tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sokol smiles and moves away.
Phuthong staying out of range there.
It looks like Sokol has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Phuthong sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Phuthong keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Sokol keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Phuthong.
Sokol keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Phuthong feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Sokols jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Sokol bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Sokol is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A looping hook to the body misses from Phuthong. Sokol does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sokol half committed to a counter leg kick.
Sokol throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Phuthong sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Phuthong swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phuthong swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Phuthong darts in and clinches Sokol up against the cage.
Sokol scores with a nice hook to the head.
Sokol swings wildly with an uppercut but Phuthong uses good head movement to avoid it.
Phuthong lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Phuthong.
Sokol lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Phuthong lands a left hand.
Phuthong throws a punch but it's blocked by Sokol.
Sokol working aggressively here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sokol.
Sokol blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sokol prevents a body shot from Phuthong.
Sokol misses with a punch on the inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sokol prevents a body shot from Phuthong.
Phuthong blocking some punches.
Phuthong misses with a punch on the inside.
Sokol misses with the head strike.
Phuthong scores with a shot to the side of Sokol's head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eh Phuthong dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Phuthong thows a left - swing and a miss!
As Phuthong looks to move away, Sokol throws a big counter combo but Phuthong just gets out of the way.
Phuthong lands with a shot to the body.
Phuthong takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Phuthong throws a looping overhand right but Sokol ducks down to avoid it.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Phuthong throws a good cross that connects.
Sokol displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Phuthong throws out the jab.
A big right from Phuthong misses.
Sokol slips a jab from Phuthong.
Phuthong circles away from the clinch attempt.
Phuthong works Sokol's body with a nice hook.
Sokol looks to score with a jab to the body but Phuthong is just out of range.
Phuthong throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sokol.
Phuthong takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Phuthong misses with a wild body shot.
As Phuthong looks to move away, Sokol throws a big counter combo but Phuthong just gets out of the way.
Phuthong takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Sokol connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Phuthong looks to land a left hand but Sokol moved out of range nicely.
Phuthong walks into a jab.
Sokol is looking to clinch but Phuthong is avoiding it.
Sokol keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Sokol tries to clinch there but Phuthong circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phuthong throws a hook but Sokol avoids it easily.
Sokol seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Phuthong looks to land a right hand but Sokol moved out of range.
Phuthong doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Phuthong scores with a jab.
Eh Phuthong seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sokol takes a swing at Phuthong's ribcage but misses.
Sloppy strikes from Phuthong. Those never looked like landing.
Phuthong looks to throw the jab but Sokol is out of range.
Phuthong ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sokol throws a hook but Phuthong avoids it easily.
Phuthong missing with a left hand there. Sokol was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Phuthong scores with a sloppy right hand. Sokol should have avoided that one.

Sokol closes the distance and pushes Phuthong back into the cage.
Phuthong misses with a body punch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sokol.
Phuthong jumps guard but Sokol turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Phuthong has a couple of punches blocked by Sokol.
Sokol throws a head punch that misses.
Phuthong misses with a body punch.
Sokol struggles to land a body shot inside as Phuthong controls his hands.
Sokol lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Phuthong backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Phuthong creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Sokol misses with a punch to the body.
Phuthong blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Phuthong letting Sokol take a breather here.
Sokol misses with the head strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sokol.
Phuthong jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sokol walks away with a smile on his face. Phuthong gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Decent striking displayed by Sokol there.
A big left from Sokol misses.
Sokol needs to keep his hands up - Phuthong had a free shot at his head there.
Phuthong scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Sokol bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sokol swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Phuthong.
Phuthong looks to score with a jab to the body but Sokol is just out of range.
Sokol misses with a straight left.
Phuthong lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Sokol getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Phuthong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sokol was well out of range. Poor timing from Phuthong.
Phuthong throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Phuthong misses.
Phuthong swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sokol connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Phuthong momentarily.
Phuthong throws out a loose jab but Sokol uses good head movement to avoid it.
Phuthong lands a nice looking body shot.
Phuthong swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Phuthong fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sokol looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Phuthong looks to score with a jab to the body but Sokol is just out of range.
Sokol listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Phuthong walks into a stiff left hand from Sokol.
Sokol moves out of range as Phuthong strikes.
Phuthong uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sokol.
Sokol connects with a high kick.
Phuthong misses with a straight right.
Nice uppercut there from Phuthong.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sokol uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Phuthong.
Phuthong swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Phuthong scores with a decent looking hook.
Sokol fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Phuthong manages to avoid it.
Sokol is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sokol misses with an uppercut.
Phuthong throws a predictable looking body shot
letting Sokol counter with a right hand.
Phuthong ducks under a wild hook from Sokol.
Sokol moves in looking to clinch but Phuthong pushes him off.
Phuthong scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sokol swings for the body but Phuthong moves out of range.
Phuthong keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sokol.
Sokol misses with a series of wild punches.
Phuthong lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Phuthong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sokol was well out of range. Poor timing from Phuthong.
Phuthong avoids the body shot from Sokol.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A big right from Phuthong misses.
Sokol moves out of range as Phuthong throws a body kick.
Phuthong keeps the fight on the outside.
A lazy left from Phuthong finds it's target.
Sokol closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eh Phuthong showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Sokol clinches up with Phuthong and pushes him back against the cage.
Sokol blocks a body shot from Phuthong.
A shot in the inside from Sokol.
Phuthong tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Phuthong lands a right hand.
Phuthong misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Phuthong is trying to pull guard but Sokol turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Phuthong tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Jan Sokol has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eh Phuthong.
Phuthong blocking some punches.

Phuthong breaks from the clinch.
Phuthong misses with a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Phuthong. Sokol does a little dance to reset his feet.
Phuthong keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Phuthong swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Phuthong gets a clinch.
Phuthong misses with a punch on the inside.
Phuthong misses with a punch to the body.
Sokol tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Phuthong scores with a shoulder strike.
Phuthong misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from Phuthong.

Sokol is rocked!
Sokol swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Oh Sokol is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Phuthong misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sokol blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sokol lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Phuthong backwards.
Sokol misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sokol swings wildly with an uppercut but Phuthong uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sokol misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sokol blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Phuthong misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sokol seems to have got his legs back now.
Sokol pushes Phuthong back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Sokol lands a left hand.
Sokol misses with a hook from the clinch.
Phuthong has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Sokol seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Phuthong can turn it around.
Sokol looking to slow down the pace here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Phuthong.
Phuthong lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sokol backwards.
Phuthong blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sokol goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A nice right hand lands inside from Phuthong.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Phuthong on the inside.
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!
Sokol tries to stall but Phuthong uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Sokol misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sokol tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sokol lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A right hook to the body lands for Phuthong.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Phuthong.
Phuthong lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Phuthong looking to slow down the pace here.
Phuthong lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Phuthong tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sokol's elbow.
Phuthong has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sokol prevents a body shot from Phuthong.
Sokol tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A bit of stalling here from Sokol.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sokol.
Phuthong throws a head punch that misses.
Phuthong misses with a hook from the clinch.
Phuthong swings wildly with an uppercut but Sokol uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phuthong swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Phuthong tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sokol smiles and moves away.
Phuthong swats away the attempt to clinch by Sokol.
A swing and a miss from Sokol.
Phuthong lands the left hand.
Phuthong blocks a jab.
Sokol slips under a jab.
Phuthong misses with a straight right.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Phuthong.
Phuthong slips under a jab from Sokol.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sokol looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sokol uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Phuthong.
Phuthong misses with a hook.
Phuthong sizes up Sokol with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Phuthong tries a head kick but it misses.
Phuthong throws a lazy right hand but Sokol sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sokol keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Phuthong.
Sokol looks to score with a jab to the body but Phuthong is just out of range.
Phuthong lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sokol at a distance.
Sokol shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Phuthong cracks Sokol with a good jab.
Phuthong misses with a hook to the body
and Sokol counters with a stiff right hand.
Phuthong loads up on a big right hand but Sokol slips the punch.
A little feinted left hand from Sokol on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Phuthong swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Phuthong misses with a straight left.
The fighters circling - Phuthong throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Jan Sokol has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Phuthong circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sokol looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Phuthong keeps the fight on the outside.
Phuthong fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sokol looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Phuthong keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sokol.
Phuthong steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sokol.
Phuthong throws a right hand that misses
enabling Sokol to counter with a crisp jab.
Sokol missing with a left hand there. Phuthong was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Phuthong cracks a nice hook into Sokol's ribs.
Phuthong steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sokol.
A little jabbing left from Phuthong on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Phuthong scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eh Phuthong comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Phuthong 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 Josh West scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eh Phuthong!
After winning the bout, Eh Phuthong thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.