PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mikkel Bukholt Nielsen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Julio Sobral (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bukholt Nielsen
vs
Sobral

173 cm
20
167 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

181 cm
19
168 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

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Kobra Clothing Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mikkel Bukholt Nielsen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Julio Sobral!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Mauricio Rocha and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nielsen throws a push kick but Sobral slaps the foot to one side.
Sobral just misses with a punch to the body.
Sobral ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nielsen moves away.

Sobral has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nielsen working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Sobral escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sobral closes the distance and clinches up with Nielsen, looking for a takedown. Sobral pushes Nielsen against the cage but Nielsen circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nielsen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sobral takes a swing at Nielsen's ribcage but misses.
Sobral looks to score with a jab to the body but Nielsen is just out of range.

Sobral gets a double leg takedown into Nielsen's guard.

Nielsen has his foot on Sobral's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sobral works his way back into a safe position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sobral missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nielsen keeping moving, preventing Sobral from controlling successfully.
Nielsen can't keep his opponent in guard - Sobral advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Sobral not doing much here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobral is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Nielsen is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Sobral scores with a couple of nice shots.
Sobral is looking to advance position but Nielsen won't allow it.
Sobral has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sobral is controlling the pace.
Sobral missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Sobral prevents Nielsen from improving his position.
Nielsen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sobral is working away from the top position though.
Sobral has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Nielsen sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sobral is pressing down on Nielsen's thigh, looking to free his foot. Nielsen is holding on for now.
Sobral takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Sobral not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Nielsen is pressing down on Sobral's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sobral trying to control but Nielsen is working from the bottom.

Nielsen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sobral can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sobral stays in close to Nielsen's body and controls the position.
Nielsen trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sobral accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Nielsen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sobral is aware though and is defending well.
Nielsen 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.
Sobral sitting in guard here, content to control.
Sobral trying to control but Nielsen is working from the bottom.
Sobral trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sobral is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Sobral slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Julio Sobral was stalling too much, according to the referee.
A nice leg kick lands there from Nielsen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nielsen throws a series of punches but Sobral avoids them all with ease.

Sobral rushes Nielsen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Nielsen is looking to control Sobral's arms but Sobral gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nielsen has his back to the cage.
Nielsen with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Sobral misses with a body punch.
Sobral throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Nielsen throws a knee to the head but misses.

Sobral manages to break the clinch.
Nielsen throws a right and a left that both miss.

Sobral bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sobral prevents Nielsen from escaping the position.
Sobral is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Nielsen will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nielsen is looking to reverse the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julio Sobral dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sobral shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Nielsen manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Nielsen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Julio Sobral has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sobral trying to control but Nielsen is working from the bottom.
Nielsen being controlled here, momentarily.
Nielsen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nielsen wants to sweep here but Sobral controlling him for the moment.
Sobral showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Sobral's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Mikkel Bukholt Nielsen just wasn't active enough.
Sobral keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nielsen.

Sobral closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Nielsen quickly recovers to half guard.
Sobral working Nielsen over with strikes.

Sobral seems to be looking for submissions.
Nielsen wants to get back to his feet.
Sobral landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Nielsen looking for submissions off his back.
Sobral controlling the pace.
Sobral lands with a punch from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nielsen wants to get back to full guard.
Sobral trying to control the pace.
Nielsen is looking to improve his position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sobral trying to control the action but Nielsen is working from the bottom.
Sobral is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Nielsen reverses the position - he's now on top in Sobral's guard.
Sobral wants to sweep but no luck.
Nielsen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Sobral escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nielsen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sobral is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nielsen tries to free his leg and advance position but Sobral is retaining full guard.
Nielsen won't allow Sobral to sweep him here.

Nielsen stands up and waves to Sobral to follow him.
Nielsen moves in looking to clinch but Sobral pushes him off.

Sobral shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Sobral wants to take a breather but Nielsen is having none of it.
Sobral with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Sobral looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Sobral is breathing heavily.
Sobral prevents Nielsen from standing back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobral is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Nielsen is trying to stand back up but Sobral is controlling him

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Julio Sobral wasn't active enough on the ground.
Sobral bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A nice combination there by Nielsen.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nielsen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Sobral closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Nielsen gets back to full guard.
Nielsen can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sobral controls the pace.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nielsen wants to sweep but no luck.
Sobral tries to free his leg and advance position but Nielsen is retaining full guard.
Nielsen is trying to keep Sobral in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julio Sobral showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Nielsen!
Sobral fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nielsen tries to clinch but Sobral moves out of range.

Sobral looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Nielsen is trying to stand up here but Sobral is controlling him well.
Sobral controlling the action here.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Sobral connects with a nice short shot to Nielsen's temple.
Sobral is trying to control the action in half guard but Nielsen is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Nielsen wants to get back to full guard but Sobral has passed into side control.
Sobral is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Nielsen will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Sobral.
Sobral taking a breather here.
Sobral connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Nielsen some visible discomfort.
Nielsen wants to get back to his feet.
Sobral taking a breather here.
Nielsen sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nielsen wants to improve his position but Sobral is controlling well.
Sobral working Nielsen over with strikes.
Sobral passes to side control.
Sobral has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Sobral controlling the pace for now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mikkel Bukholt Nielsen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Julio Sobral is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sobral prevents Nielsen from getting the reversal.
Sobral sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Nielsen squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Sobral takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
BOOM! Sobral connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Sobral tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobral avoids the attempt from Nielsen to control.
Nielsen can't escape the position.
Sobral tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Let's hope that Sobral has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Sobral blocks Nielsen's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Sobral controlling the position easily from mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Julio Sobral comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Sobral winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Julio Sobral!
Julio Sobral took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Kobra Clothing Inc. for their support in the buildup to the fight.