PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jim Solbaken (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Charlie Bronson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Solbaken
vs
Bronson

188 cm
19
299 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

150 cm
25
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Jim Solbaken!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Charlie Bronson!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Paul Tew and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Solbaken throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

It looks like Charlie Bronson has been cut.
No luck for Bronson with that takedown attempt.
No joy there for Solbaken, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Solbaken doesn't manage to clinch there - Bronson circles away.
Bronson blocks a head kick by Solbaken.
Left hook, right uppercut from Bronson.

It looks like Jim Solbaken has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bronson looks for a takedown but Solbaken sprawls well.
Bronson closes the distance and clinches up with Solbaken, looking for a takedown. Bronson pushes Solbaken against the cage but Solbaken circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Jim Solbaken has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Charlie Bronson.
Bronson takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Bronson shoots in but Solbaken avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bronson shoots in but no luck this time.
Bronson lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Bronson.
Solbaken misses with a double jab.

Bronson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Solbaken was covering up waiting for the punch and Bronson finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Solbaken wants to sweep here but Bronson controlling him for the moment.
Bronson is looking to pass into half guard but Solbaken pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Solbaken is in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Solbaken stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Bronson tries for a takedown but Solbaken sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
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!

Bronson drives through and clinches with Solbaken against the cage.
Solbaken missing with knees to the body.
Solbaken with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Bronson avoids the elbow strike from Solbaken, against the cage.
Bronson jumps guard but Solbaken stands there with Bronson around his waist. Bronson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Bronson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Solbaken tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bronson avoids it.
Bronson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Solbaken avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
The referee calls for Bronson to work.
Solbaken stalling in the clinch but Bronson improves position.
Bronson is trying to pull guard but Solbaken turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Solbaken is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Solbaken throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Bronson wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bronson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Solbaken gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Bronson dodges an elbow strike from Solbaken.
Solbaken is trying to break the clinch but Bronson is controlling him.
Bronson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Solbaken is trying to break the clinch but Bronson is controlling him.
Bronson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Bronson takes an elbow to the forehead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Charlie Bronson will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Solbaken's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bronson shoots and misses

and Solbaken counters by clinching up.
Solbaken misses with an elbow strike.
Bronson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Solbaken backwards.
Bronson is trying to break free.
Bronson has Solbaken pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Solbaken manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Bronson stalling.
Bronson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Solbaken to keep the fight standing.
Jim Solbaken has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Charlie Bronson.
Bronson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Bronson is trying to force a seperation but Solbaken has the dominant position.

Solbaken breaks the clinch.
Bronson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Solbaken is fending him off so far but Bronson persists. Nope, Solbaken circles away and we're back to standing.
Jim Solbaken is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bronson has Solbaken up against the cage in a clinch.
Bronson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Solbaken walks away with a smile on his face. Bronson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Solbaken breaks the clinch.
Bronson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bronson just misses with a punch to the body.

Bronson takes the fight into the clinch.
Solbaken prevents Bronson from breaking the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bronson can't break the clinch.
Solbaken using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bronson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Solbaken connects with a knee to the head.
Bronson wants to get back to striking at distance but Solbaken won't allow it.
Bronson tries to pull guard but Solbaken holds him up against the cage and eventually Bronson drops back down to his feet.

Solbaken manages to break the clinch.

Bronson moves into the clinch successfully.

Bronson pulls guard.
Bronson looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Solbaken has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Bronson is proving hard to escape from.
Solbaken is in close to Bronson's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Solbaken lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Solbaken accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Solbaken will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Solbaken postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Solbaken is looking to stand up but Bronson won't let him.
Bronson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Solbaken. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Solbaken wants to control from the top but Bronson keeps moving.
Solbaken won't allow Bronson to get back to his feet.

Solbaken gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bronson is defended easily by Solbaken.
Solbaken moves out of range as Bronson throws a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Solbaken misses with a head kick.
Bronson tries for a takedown but Solbaken sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Bronson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Bronson displaying some good clinch control by pressing Solbaken up against the cage.
Bronson fails to pull guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jim Solbaken will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Bronson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Solbaken throws a head kick but Bronson moves out of range.
Bronson fails with a takedown attempt.
Bronson throws a wild body kick that Solbaken sees coming a mile off.
Bronson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Jim Solbaken has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Charlie Bronson.
Solbaken is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Bronson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Bronson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bronson working away.
Bronson wants to take a breather but Solbaken manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Bronson.
Bronson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Solbaken has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Bronson off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Bronson throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Solbaken counters with a nice leg kick.
A nice combination there by Bronson.
Bronson tries for a takedown but Solbaken sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bronson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Solbaken tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bronson clobbers Solbaken with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Bronson feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Bronson looking to pass the guard.
Bronson prevents Solbaken from getting back to his feet.
Solbaken has his hands on Bronson's head, controlling the position.
Bronson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Solbaken's guard.
Jim Solbaken overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bronson wants to land a leg kick but Solbaken is out of range.
Bronson takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Bronson clinches with his opponent.
Solbaken using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bronson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Solbaken with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Solbaken keeps control of Bronson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Solbaken is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Bronson is trying to push Solbaken away but Solbaken has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Bronson avoiding damage.
Solbaken throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Bronson is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Solbaken is defending well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bronson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Solbaken putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Bronson in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Charlie Bronson.
I think Bronson 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Charlie Bronson!