PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Trev Hartley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shapovolov Sokoloff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Trev Hartley has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Hartley
vs
Sokoloff

175 cm
26
177 lbs
5 - 3 - 1

183 cm
27
180 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 1, fighting out of London, Trev Hartley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Shapovolov Sokoloff!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Andrew Berry and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sokoloff has Hartley up against the cage in a clinch.

Sokoloff lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Sokoloff tries to pass to full mount but Hartley defends it.

Sokoloff looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hartley is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sokoloff's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sokoloff's back!
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Hartley's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

Hartley working for a choke but Sokoloff is defending well.
Sokoloff trying to control the hands but Hartley won't let him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartley throwing damaging strikes from the back! Sokoloff could be in trouble here!

Hartley is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Sokoloff knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Sokoloff for a finish.
You can see the frustration on Sokoloff's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Hartley is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Sokoloff is defending well though. Hartley let's go of the attempt for now.
Sokoloff manages to reverse the position and now he's in Hartley's guard. Nice work there by Sokoloff.
Sokoloff stopping the sweep attempt from Hartley.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sokoloff wants to stand but Hartley has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Sokoloff wants to control from the top but Hartley keeps moving.
Hartley seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Hartley looking for a sweep. Not yet Hartley, not yet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sokoloff pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hartley is keeping the position for now.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Shapovolov Sokoloff hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Hartley moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Sokoloff gets a double leg takedown into Hartley's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokoloff stopping the sweep attempt from Hartley.
Sokoloff throws a big elbow that misses.
Hartley keeping full guard, as Sokoloff tries to pass.
Sokoloff wants to control from the top but Hartley keeps moving.
Hartley is trying to control the position but Sokoloff postures up.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Sokoloff drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Hartley dives on top into guard.
Hartley trying to control but Sokoloff is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sokoloff wants to control but Hartley passes easily into half guard.

Hartley is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sokoloff is just riding it out for now. Hartley eventually gives up the hold.
Hartley with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Hartley is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Sokoloff doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hartley.
The fighters are battling for position here. Sokoloff manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hartley wants to control from the top but Sokoloff keeps moving.
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 Trev Hartley will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hartley stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hartley wants it to stay on the feet.
Sokoloff changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hartley tries to avoid it but Sokoloff manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hartley to the ground. Hartley escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Danga de danga de dang - Hartley scores with a four punch combination!
Sokoloff tries to clinch but Hartley is having none of it.
Hartley will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sokoloff ducks right into an uppercut from Hartley.
Sokoloff's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Hartley connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Sokoloff scrambles back to his feet.
Shapovolov Sokoloff seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sokoloff doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Hartley counters with a single leg into guard. Sokoloff didn't expect that.
Trev Hartley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shapovolov Sokoloff.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartley stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sokoloff swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hartley trying to control but Sokoloff is working from the bottom.
Hartley is in close to Sokoloff's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Sokoloff working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hartley doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hartley manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Hartley avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hartley in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hartley throws a big right hand that misses.
Hartley trying to control the position from guard on top but Sokoloff is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hartley loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sokoloff looking to control but Hartley passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sokoloff is trying to stand back up but Hartley is controlling him

Hartley seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Sokoloff has recovered full guard.
Hartley trying to control the position from guard on top but Sokoloff is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hartley won't allow Sokoloff to sweep him here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Hartley drops back looking for a leg! Sokoloff is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sokoloff manages to kick Hartley off! Hartley jumps back into Sokoloff's guard.
Hartley makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Sokoloff throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hartley has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Hartley tries to stand but Sokoloff is controlling from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokoloff keeping moving, preventing Hartley from controlling successfully.
Trev Hartley overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Hartley got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sokoloff has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hartley has managed to get both his arms back between Sokoloff's legs - danger averted.
Hartley scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Hartley lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Hartley trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hartley makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Sokoloff is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Hartley frees his head nicely. Oh but Sokoloff has switched to an armbar! Hartley is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Shapovolov Sokoloff!
A victorious Shapovolov Sokoloff thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.