PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rashad Sokoudjou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Trent Pope (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Pope's choice of entrance music: LMFAO - Sexy and I Know It . Trent Pope is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Sokoudjou
vs
Pope

197 cm
29
272 lbs
20 - 10 - 1

198 cm
30
273 lbs
22 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

Hellraiser Fightgear ($10-$20 Clothing)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Rashad Sokoudjou!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Trent Pope!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, William Peck and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pope is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Pope tries to close the distance and clinch but Sokoudjou swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Pope lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Pope delivers a nice body kick.
Sokoudjou looks to land a left hand but Pope moved out of range nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pope looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sokoudjou bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sokoudjou walks forward, straight into a front kick from Pope.
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!
Pope throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Sokoudjou feints and as Pope raises his hands in defense, Sokoudjou changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Sokoudjou trying to control but Pope is working from the bottom.
Sokoudjou won't allow Pope to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokoudjou throws a big right hand that misses.
Pope wants to sweep here but Sokoudjou controlling him for the moment.
Sokoudjou wants to control from the top but Pope keeps moving.
Sokoudjou in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Pope looking to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Trent Pope was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Pope misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pope throws a head kick that misses
and Sokoudjou connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Pope gets caught napping as Sokoudjou dives in and scores a takedown. Pope manages to retain guard.
Pope wants to improve his position but instead Sokoudjou has moved into half guard.
Pope is staying active underneath Sokoudjou, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Pope looks like he's trying to stand up.
Pope is looking to improve his position.
Sokoudjou trying to control the pace.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sokoudjou trying to control from half guard but Pope is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokoudjou trying to pass the guard but Pope defending well.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Sokoudjou thows a huge punch but Pope dodges it nicely.
Pope pushes Sokoudjou off looking to stand but Sokoudjou dives back in and keeps control.
Sokoudjou tries to pass the half guard into mount. Pope knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Sokoudjou throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sokoudjou prevents Pope from improving his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pope won't allow Sokoudjou to pass to mount.
Sokoudjou seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Pope does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sokoudjou wants to pass to mount but Pope is defending the position.

Sokoudjou wants to work for an arm triangle but Pope is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Sokoudjou slows the pace down in half guard.
Pope tries to get to full guard but Sokoudjou has control of the leg.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pope is not content to let Sokoudjou control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rashad Sokoudjou will probably get the nod.
That's time! Sokoudjou's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sokoudjou cracks Pope with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
A good leg kick by Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Pope as he avoids it easily.
Nice defenses there by Sokoudjou.
Pope scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Pope throws a nice outside leg kick.
Sokoudjou misses the shot to the body.
Sokoudjou ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pope moves away.
Pope lands a two punch combo.

It looks like Rashad Sokoudjou has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pope missing with a left hand there. Sokoudjou was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sokoudjou getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Sokoudjou throws a lazy right hand but Pope sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sokoudjou connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Pope lands a leg kick that knocks Sokoudjou off balance momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokoudjou thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sokoudjou shoots in for a double leg but Pope sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sokoudjou lands a really nice looking cross but Pope seems unphased.
Sokoudjou lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Sokoudjou throws a shot from downtown. Pope moves away and avoids it.
Pope uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sokoudjou.
Pope looks to throw a body kick
and Sokoudjou counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Sokoudjou does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Sokoudjou throws a leg kick but Pope sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Sokoudjou throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A big right from Sokoudjou misses.
Pope ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sokoudjou ducks under a wild hook from Pope.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pope scores with a kick to the midsection.
Pope tries to close the distance and clinch but Sokoudjou swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
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!
Pope with a hook.
Sokoudjou misses with a hook.
Pope swings away with a body shot that misses
and Pope takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A good leg kick by Sokoudjou.
Pope scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Pope swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Sokoudjou misses with an uppercut
and Pope counters with a straight right hand.
Pope misses with a body shot.
Sokoudjou moves out of range of the body kick.
Nice sprawl there from Pope as Sokoudjou shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rashad Sokoudjou. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sokoudjou misses with a low kick.
Pope closes the distance but Sokoudjou moves to the side
and Sokoudjou counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokoudjou fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sokoudjou just misses with a punch to the body.
Pope ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Pope closes the distance and pushes Sokoudjou back into the cage.
Come on Pope - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Pope comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sokoudjou.
Sokoudjou managing to block the knees to the body from Pope.
Sokoudjou throws a head punch that misses.
Pope throws an elbow that misses.
Sokoudjou takes an elbow to the temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Pope throws an elbow but misses.
Sokoudjou tries to score a body lock takedown but Pope shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Pope pushes off an throws an elbow but Sokoudjou leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Pope misses with a knee strike.
Pope struggles to land a body shot inside as Sokoudjou controls his hands.
Pope misses with an elbow strike.
Sokoudjou can't find room to land a body shot as Pope controls the action.
Pope taking a breather.
Sokoudjou takes a knee right on the jaw!

Rashad Sokoudjou's cut is getting worse.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Sokoudjou has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Pope is trying to keep an underhook but Sokoudjou manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Sokoudjou missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sokoudjou is trying to control the action in half guard but Pope is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Pope makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Pope.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Trent Pope showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Rashad Sokoudjou's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Pope defending well as Sokoudjou loads up on a big left hand.
Pope closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Sokoudjou fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Pope misses with a low kick.
Sokoudjou throws an off balance right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Pope misses the shot to the body.
Pope throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Pope lands the left hand.
Trent Pope seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Pope moves into the clinch successfully.
Sokoudjou working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pope tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sokoudjou prevents a body shot from Pope.

Sokoudjou gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Pope regains guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pope lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Sokoudjou!
Sokoudjou wants to control but Pope is having none of it.
Sokoudjou blocking the ground and pound.
Sokoudjou wants to hold on but Pope pushes him away.
Sokoudjou reaches up and holds on to Pope to control the position.
Sokoudjou tries to lock up and control but Pope gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Sokoudjou keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pope takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Sokoudjou wants to hold on but Pope pushes him away.
Sokoudjou is working to get back to half guard.

Pope is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Pope tries a head kick but it misses.
Pope misses with a body kick.
Sokoudjou throws an overhand right that lands on Pope's shoulder, as Pope tries to avoid the shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pope doesn't manage to clinch there - Sokoudjou circles away.
Sokoudjou bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Sokoudjou checks a leg kick.
Some wild striking there from Pope.
Sokoudjou lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Sokoudjou checks a low kick from Pope.
Sokoudjou blocks a jab.
Pope looks to throw the jab but Sokoudjou is out of range.
Sokoudjou tries to score a power double leg takedown but Pope sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sokoudjou somewhat.
Sokoudjou uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Pope.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pope looks to land a combination but Sokoudjou avoids it well.
Sokoudjou scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Pope staying out of range there.
Pope defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sokoudjou.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rashad Sokoudjou. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pope just misses with a punch to the body.
Sokoudjou misses with a looping left.
Pope buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pope throws a leg kick but Sokoudjou checks it.
Pope lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sokoudjou throws out a loose jab but Pope uses good head movement to avoid it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sokoudjou avoids a kick to the body.
Pope walks into a left hand.
Pope throws a head kick that misses
and Sokoudjou counters with an outside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Trent Pope comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Pope has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 28:30
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Trent Pope!
A very excited looking Trent Pope made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.