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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Paulo Mendes (ranked 1018 p4p, 1986 weight class) and Sergei Sokolov (ranked 133 p4p, 254 weight class). Mendes's entrance music is Future - Last Breath. A fine choice. 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.
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| 180 cm
27
181
11 - 7 - 0 |
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180 cm
26
181
6 - 4 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin |
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Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Paulo Mendes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sergei Sokolov!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Darius Henderson and Eliza Hachem.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sokolov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sokolov tries for a takedown but Mendes circles away easily
letting Mendes counter with a right hand.
Sokolov gets the takedown into side control.
Mendes is trying to get back to half guard.
Sokolov lands a decent elbow from side control.
Mendes has one of Sokolov's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
Mendes is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sokolov working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
That's one minute gone in the round.
The strikes coming from Sokolov are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Sokolov cracks Mendes with a big right hand but Mendes just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Sokolov working his ground and pound in the gym.
Sokolov throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Mendes is looking to reverse the position.
Mendes is working hard here to advance position.
Sokolov fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Sokolov working the strikes but Mendes uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Sokolov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sokolov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Mendes won't allow Sokolov to pass to mount.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Sokolov trying to control from half guard but Mendes is working away.
Mendes tries to kick Sokolov off but Sokolov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Sokolov has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Mendes working to try and regain half guard.
Sokolov has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Mendes's face.
Sokolov lands a couple of good shots and Mendes has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
Mendes rolls, trying to escape but Sokolov keeps control of the position.
Sokolov is not going to allow Mendes to sit and survive in this position.
Sokolov scores with punches and elbows.
Mendes fending off the submission attempt from Sokolov.
Sokolov working for the choke.
Sokolov lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Mendes.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
The referee is taking a good look at Mendes as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Sokolov!
Sokolov scores with strikes from the back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sokolov working for the choke.
Sokolov lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Sergei Sokolov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.
Mendes has a takedown stuffed.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Mendes, as that shot connected.
Sokolov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sokolov or perhaps it was just good defense by Mendes, which made it look bad.
Sokolov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sokolov misses with a takedown attempt - Mendes sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mendes swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Paulo Mendes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Sokolov.
Sokolov has a takedown stuffed.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mendes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sokolov throws a shot from downtown. Mendes moves away and avoids it.
Mendes pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Sokolov back to the cage. Mendes follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Sokolov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mendes sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sokolov manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Mendes on his heels. He'll look to pass Mendes's guard now, I'm sure.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sokolov looking to sit in guard and control but Mendes gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Mendes seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sokolov is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sokolov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
We've been hearing that Mendes has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Sokolov working a defensive guard here.
Sokolov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mendes stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sokolov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sokolov controlling Mendes's posture.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sokolov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mendes lands a couple of digs.
Sergei Sokolov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mendes content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mendes throws a strike but Sokolov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Sokolov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mendes works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mendes lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Sokolov wants to sweep here but Mendes controlling him for the moment.
Sokolov controls Mendes momentarily but Mendes frees himself.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov pulls Mendes in close to his closed guard and prevents Mendes from doing any damage or advancing position.
Mendes trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sokolov looking to control.
Sokolov pulls Mendes in to control the position.
Mendes is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Sokolov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sokolov working a defensive guard here.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Mendes with a flurry of punches that miss.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mendes throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Sokolov tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Mendes is in Sokolov's guard.
Mendes trying to control the position from guard on top but Sokolov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mendes throws an elbow that misses. Sokolov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Mendes's guard. Nice move by Sokolov!
Sokolov slips nicely into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sokolov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Paulo Mendes dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!
Sokolov fails with a takedown attempt.
Mendes throwing a counter right hand but Sokolov manages to avoid it.
Mendes throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sokolov.
Mendes throws a series of punches but Sokolov avoids them all with ease.
Sokolov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Sokolov drives through with a takedown into Mendes's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The fighters are working up against the cage. Mendes manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Sokolov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Mendes pulls his leg out and moves away.
Paulo Mendes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Sokolov.
Sokolov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Mendes was covering up waiting for the punch and Sokolov finishes the takedown easily into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sokolov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokolov postures up in Mendes's guard and throws a big left but Mendes blocks it.
Sokolov landing some decent shots from guard.
Sokolov postures up and lands a big shot to Mendes's brow.
Mendes keeping moving, preventing Sokolov from controlling successfully.
Sokolov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Sokolov looking to sit in guard and control but Mendes gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendes won't allow Sokolov to sweep him here.
Mendes throwing strikes but missing.
Mendes's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Sokolov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sokolov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Sokolov trying to control the position from guard on top but Mendes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mendes trying to keep a closed guard but Sokolov is proving a slippery customer.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Sokolov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Mendes wants to pass the guard but Sokolov is keeping the position.
Mendes stopping the sweep attempt from Sokolov.
Mendes postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sokolov keeping moving, preventing Mendes from controlling successfully.
Mendes tries to free his leg and advance position but Sokolov is retaining full guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendes wants to control from the top but Sokolov keeps moving.
Sokolov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Mendes controls the pace.
Sokolov pulls Mendes in close to prevent any damage.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sokolov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mendes as he jumps to the side.
Sokolov scores with a jab. Mendes acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sokolov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mendes sprawls well. Mendes wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sokolov gets slowly back to his feet.
And that's the end of the fight!
Paulo Mendes showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mendes has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paulo Mendes!
Paulo Mendes decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
36% |
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