PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rafal Duda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jacek Sobotniewski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Duda
vs
Sobotniewski

184 cm
25
183 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

184 cm
19
197 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
KO power

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rafal Duda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jacek Sobotniewski!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Daniel Blasius and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Duda shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Sobotniewski counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Duda wants to get back to his feet but Sobotniewski is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Duda pulls Sobotniewski in close to prevent any damage.
Duda is trying to keep Sobotniewski in close.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Sobotniewski sitting in guard here, content to control.

Rafal Duda has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Duda scores with a takedown into Sobotniewski's guard.
Sobotniewski wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Sobotniewski holds on and takes a little breather.
Duda trying to control the position from guard on top but Sobotniewski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sobotniewski trying to control the position here.
Sobotniewski really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Duda. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Sobotniewski shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Sobotniewski showed some decent athleticism there.
Sobotniewski content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sobotniewski blocks the strikes from Duda.
Sobotniewski wants to pass the guard but Duda is defending well.
Duda wants to control but Sobotniewski is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Sobotniewski in particular looking to stall.
Duda trying to hold on to Sobotniewski's head to control him but Sobotniewski postures up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Duda misses with a takedown attempt

and Sobotniewski counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duda wants to stand but Sobotniewski is controlling the position.
Sobotniewski sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Sobotniewski must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sobotniewski won't allow Duda to get back to his feet.
Duda looking for a sweep. Not yet Duda, not yet.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Jacek Sobotniewski hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Duda with a poor takedown

and Sobotniewski counters with a nice double leg into guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafal Duda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Duda is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobotniewski looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Duda is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sobotniewski pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Duda is keeping the position for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Duda tries to clinch but Sobotniewski moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacek Sobotniewski dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sobotniewski shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Sobotniewski prevents Duda from standing back up.
Duda desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Duda is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sobotniewski's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sobotniewski's back!
Sobotniewski wants to control his opponent's hands but Duda gets his hands free.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sobotniewski preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Duda.
Sobotniewski tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Duda tries to take his opponent's back but Sobotniewski turns with him and manages to move into guard on the top. Nice work.
Sobotniewski controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Sobotniewski trying to control but Duda is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Sobotniewski trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sobotniewski controlling from the top position.
Duda looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Jacek Sobotniewski has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Sobotniewski dives in and scores a takedown into Duda's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sobotniewski content to stall in guard here.

Duda is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Sobotniewski controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Duda wants to sweep but no luck.
Sobotniewski is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Jacek Sobotniewski has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Sobotniewski gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Duda to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Duda stopping the sweep attempt from Sobotniewski.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sobotniewski can do anything to dispel that myth.
Sobotniewski working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Duda.
Sobotniewski is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sobotniewski is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacek Sobotniewski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Duda's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Duda gets a takedown into half guard.
Sobotniewski won't allow Duda to pass to mount.
Sobotniewski is looking to improve his position.
Duda performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Sobotniewski tries to roll over but Duda keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sobotniewski actively working from the bottom here.
Duda seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sobotniewski does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sobotniewski is trying to get back to full guard.
Sobotniewski takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Duda is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sobotniewski is trying to get back to full guard.
Duda is looking to take a break and control but Sobotniewski is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sobotniewski is trying to stand up here but Duda is controlling him well.
Sobotniewski is trying to maintain the position but Duda is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duda trying to control the action but Sobotniewski is working from the bottom.
Jacek Sobotniewski has got the better of the ground game so far.
Duda throwing shots but Sobotniewski is blocking nicely.
Sobotniewski is doing well to control the position and prevent Duda from advancing to side control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Rafal Duda.
Duda tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Sobotniewski decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Duda's guard.
Sobotniewski won't allow Duda to sweep him here.
Duda manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sobotniewski manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Duda trying to control the position from guard on top but Sobotniewski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sobotniewski is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Duda looking to pass the guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jacek Sobotniewski.
Well Sobotniewski 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 28:30
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 28:30
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jacek Sobotniewski!