PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sergei Sokolov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luke Highbrook (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.

Sokolov
vs
Highbrook

175 cm
21
210 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

188 cm
21
220 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sergei Sokolov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Luke Highbrook!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sokolov loads up on a big right hand but Highbrook slips the punch.
Sokolov throws a right and a left that Highbrook avoids nicely.
Sokolov shoots in looking for a takedown but Highbrook manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sokolov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sokolov dives in and grabs Highbrook's left leg, looking for a takedown. Highbrook pushes down on Sokolov's head and hops out.
Highbrook's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Sokolov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Highbrook scrambles back to his feet.
Sokolov misses with a hook
and Highbrook counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Highbrook changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sokolov tries to avoid it but Highbrook manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sokolov to the ground. Sokolov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Sokolov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Highbrook sprawls well initially but Sokolov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Sokolov lands strikes from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Highbrook trying to control here.
Sokolov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Sokolov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Highbrook is looking to improve his position.
Sokolov trying to control the action but Highbrook is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Highbrook is looking for a sweep. Sokolov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Highbrook slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Highbrook working a defensive guard here.
Sokolov advances to half guard.
Sokolov is nestled in close to Highbrook, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Highbrook manages to get to full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Highbrook can do anything to dispel that myth.
Highbrook utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Highbrook manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Highbrook lands a big elbow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Highbrook looking to finish Sokolov with some ground and pound. This is bad for Sokolov!
Sokolov is trying desperately to improve position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Highbrook avoids the attempt from Sokolov to control.
Sokolov working to try and regain half guard.
Sokolov is working hard here to advance position.
Highbrook dominating with strikes here.
Highbrook looking to control but Sokolov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Highbrook landing strikes from the mount and Sokolov is in trouble!
Highbrook looking to finish Sokolov with some ground and pound. This is bad for Sokolov!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov working to try and regain half guard.
Highbrook cracks Sokolov with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Highbrook is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Sokolov can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Sokolov is in a horrible position here. Highbrook smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Highbrook lands a big elbow.
Sokolov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Sokolov slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sokolov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sokolov is not content to let Highbrook control the position.
Highbrook working Sokolov over with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Sokolov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Highbrook scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Highbrook missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Highbrook postures up and lands a big shot to Sokolov's brow.
Highbrook with a nice head shot there.
Highbrook is looking to work some ground and pound but Sokolov has wrist control.
Highbrook postures up in Sokolov's guard and throws a big left but Sokolov blocks it.
Sokolov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Highbrook is one step ahead there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sokolov keeping moving, preventing Highbrook from controlling successfully.
Highbrook in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Highbrook dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sokolov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nice jab there from Highbrook.
Highbrook scores with the left hand. Sokolov knows he should have avoided that one.
Sokolov misses with a few strikes there.
Sokolov misses with a hook to the body

so Highbrook counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Luke Highbrook has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sokolov looking to control.
Highbrook lands a couple of digs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sokolov keeping moving, preventing Highbrook from controlling successfully.
Sokolov trying to strike off his back.
Highbrook chips away with some ground and pound.
Sokolov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sokolov keeping moving, preventing Highbrook from controlling successfully.
Highbrook makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokolov manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Highbrook can't escape the position.
BOOM! Sokolov connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Sokolov is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Highbrook can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Highbrook sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Sokolov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Highbrook trying to control here.
Highbrook tries to roll over but Sokolov keeps him under control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sokolov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov wants to pass to mount but Highbrook is defending the position.
Highbrook works his way to full guard. Good work.
Sokolov wants to control from the top but Highbrook keeps moving.
Sokolov tries to free his leg and advance position but Highbrook is retaining full guard.
Highbrook has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sokolov postures up and lands a big shot to Highbrook's brow.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sokolov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Highbrook keeping moving, preventing Sokolov from controlling successfully.
Highbrook looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sokolov is one step ahead there.
Highbrook keeping moving, preventing Sokolov from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Highbrook wriggles free and stands up.
Sokolov misses with a combination
letting Highbrook counter with a right hand.
Highbrook scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Sokolov lands a really nice looking cross but Highbrook seems unphased.
Sokolov looks to land a right hand but Highbrook moved out of range.
Sokolov looks to land a right hand but Highbrook moved out of range.
Sokolov throws a big shot that misses.
Sokolov pounces like a tiger and cracks Highbrook with a vicious hook! Highbrook is down but not out! Sokolov follows up with more strikes forcing the ref to jump in and stop it!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:53 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Sergei Sokolov!