PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vasiliy Sobolev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mason Hicks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sobolev comes into the arena with Ya kuplu tebe dom blaring out of the sound system. Hicks has chosen Something From Nothing as his entrance music. Vasiliy Sobolev has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sobolev
vs
Hicks

201 cm
43
265 lbs
32 - 44 - 0

193 cm
28
245 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

GREEN!160

KaotiK
Bullet Proof System

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 32 - 44 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vasiliy Sobolev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mason Hicks!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Cecil Peabody and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hicks bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sobolev is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hicks sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sobolev moves away from the strike by Hicks.
Sobolev attempts a counter takedown but Hicks avoids it well and moves away.
Sobolev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hicks but Hicks pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hicks is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Hicks tries to clinch but Sobolev is having none of it.
Mason Hicks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Hicks moves into range and clinches up with Sobolev.
Hicks struggles to land a body shot inside as Sobolev controls his hands.

Hicks breaks from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hicks tries to bum rush Sobolev with a series of wild strikes but Sobolev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sobolev attempts a counter takedown but Hicks avoids it well and moves away.
Hicks lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sobolev circles away quickly and effectively.
Hicks fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hicks throws a right hand that misses

so Sobolev counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobolev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sobolev content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hicks told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Sobolev throws a big elbow that misses.
Sobolev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hicks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hicks utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hicks tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sobolev wants to pass the guard but Hicks is keeping the position.
Sobolev throwing strikes from guard but Hicks blocks nicely.
Sobolev stands up over Hicks, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Sobolev chips away with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev throws a strike but Hicks rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Sobolev trying to keep a closed guard but Hicks is proving a slippery customer.
Hicks stopping the sweep attempt from Sobolev.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hicks trying to stand up but can't free himself from Sobolev's guard.
Sobolev keeping moving, preventing Hicks from controlling successfully.
Sobolev trying to control the position.
Sobolev seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sobolev closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hicks circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vasiliy Sobolev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hicks throws a head kick that misses

so Sobolev counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Sobolev showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Sobolev with a nice head shot there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sobolev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hicks utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sobolev stands up over Hicks, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev throwing strikes from guard but Hicks blocks nicely.
Sobolev scoring with punches to the head and body.
Sobolev scoring with some ground and pound.
Hicks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sobolev.
Sobolev throws an elbow that misses. Hicks uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sobolev's guard. Nice move by Hicks!

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hicks throws an elbow that misses. Sobolev uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hicks's guard. Nice move by Sobolev!

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sobolev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sobolev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sobolev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasiliy Sobolev dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hicks misses with a straight left.
Sobolev half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sobolev.
Sobolev avoids the head kick by Hicks.
Sobolev misses with a series of wild punches.
Hicks looks to land a combination but Sobolev avoids it well.
Vasiliy Sobolev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sobolev takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

It looks like Vasiliy Sobolev has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hicks throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hicks moves out of range of the strikes.
Hicks feints the counter takedown.
Hicks throws a right hand that Sobolev ducks under and follows up with a left that Sobolev also avoids with ease.
Sobolev attempts a counter takedown but Hicks avoids it well and moves away.
Hicks tries to clinch there but Sobolev circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hicks misses with a hook

and Sobolev counters with a nice double leg into side control. Hicks won't be happy with that.
Sobolev cracks Hicks with a big right hand but Hicks just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Sobolev in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Vasiliy Sobolev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hicks wants to control but Sobolev postures up.
Check out the look on Sobolev's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Hicks is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Sobolev lands a few punches from side control.
Sobolev in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Sobolev tries to score with some ground and pound. Hicks controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sobolev throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hicks struggling a bit here.
Sobolev tries to score with some ground and pound. Hicks controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Sobolev working the strikes but Hicks uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Sobolev winds up and cracks Hicks with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Sobolev takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Sobolev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Sobolev thows a huge punch but Hicks dodges it nicely.
Sobolev not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Sobolev lands strikes from half guard.
Sobolev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hicks can do to turn this around?
Sobolev throwing shots but Hicks is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hicks has hold of Sobolev's hands but Sobolev slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Sobolev working over Hicks with some ground and pound. Hicks looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Sobolev throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Hicks to regain full guard.
Sobolev throwing strikes from guard but Hicks blocks nicely.
Sobolev is in close to Hicks's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Sobolev is working Hicks over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Sobolev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sobolev stopping the sweep attempt from Hicks.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sobolev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev throwing strikes from guard but Hicks blocks nicely.
Sobolev scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Sobolev postures up in Hicks's guard and throws a big left but Hicks blocks it.
Sobolev throws a big right hand that misses.
Sobolev stands up over Hicks, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hicks has momentary wrist control but Sobolev slips an elbow through the middle.
Sobolev is in close to Hicks's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Sobolev is looking to work some ground and pound but Hicks has wrist control.
Sobolev scoring with some ground and pound.
Sobolev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sobolev throws an elbow that misses. Hicks uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sobolev's guard. Nice move by Hicks!

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasiliy Sobolev dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Vasiliy Sobolev's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Sobolev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sobolev avoids the head kick by Hicks.
Sobolev drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hicks sprawls and moves away.
A jab from Hicks misses.
Hicks leaves Sobolev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hicks is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Hicks misses with an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sobolev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sobolev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hicks manages to avoid it.
Sobolev shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vasiliy Sobolev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hicks throws a head kick that Sobolev semi-blocks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks dodges the punch combination from Sobolev.
Hicks tries a head kick but it misses.
A jab from Hicks does it's job there.
Hicks misses with a few strikes there.
Sobolev appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Hicks defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sobolev.
Hicks wants to counter the offense by Sobolev and move into the clinch position.
Good exchange - Hicks coming out on top.
Sobolev slips a jab and a cross from Hicks.
A punch combination from Sobolev misses.
Hicks drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Sobolev defends it well.
Hicks looks to land a right hand but Sobolev moved out of range.
Sobolev half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Hicks.
Hicks tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sobolev appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Hicks throws a looping overhand right but Sobolev ducks down to avoid it.
Sobolev went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sobolev or perhaps it was just good defense by Hicks, which made it look bad.
Mason Hicks seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sobolev is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hicks sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hicks tries to clinch there but Sobolev circles away.
Hicks connects with a crisp jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hicks connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Sobolev defending well as Hicks loads up on a big left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Hicks.
Mason Hicks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sobolev goes for a double leg but Hicks avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hicks continues to drive forward.
Sobolev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hicks with the counter takedown but Sobolev avoids it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Hicks has Sobolev up against the cage in a clinch.

Sobolev gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Sobolev thows a huge punch but Hicks dodges it nicely.
Sobolev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sobolev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sobolev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hicks's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobolev thows a huge punch but Hicks dodges it nicely.
Sobolev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hicks keeps working.
Mason Hicks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sobolev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Nice strikes from Sobolev there.
Sobolev scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Hicks blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sobolev.
Sobolev with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Hicks trying to control from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mason Hicks comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sobolev has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vasiliy Sobolev!
Vasiliy Sobolev decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.