PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Hiram Cummins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Evgeny Sotin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Hiram Cummins has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Cummins
vs
Sotin

180 cm
19
152 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

176 cm
19
161 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Alpha-Male Nutritional Supplements Q160/$195

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hiram Cummins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Evgeny Sotin!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Dmitry Maklakov and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed right hand from Cummins misses the target.
Hiram Cummins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sotin lands a leg kick that knocks Cummins off balance momentarily.

Cummins clinches.
Sotin managing to block the knees to the body from Cummins.
Cummins tries a body shot but Sotin blocks it.
Sotin struggles to land a body shot inside as Cummins controls his hands.
Sotin tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cummins's elbow.
Sotin missing with knees to the body.
Sotin is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cummins is defending well for now.
Cummins letting Sotin take a breather here.
Sotin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cummins avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sotin is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Sotin misses with a punch on the inside.
Sotin tries a body shot but Cummins blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cummins avoids a wild elbow strike from Sotin.
Sotin tries to land knees in the clinch but Cummins avoids the damage to the body.
Sotin misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sotin looking to throw knees to the head but Cummins is blocking nicely.
Sotin using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cummins has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Cummins stalling in the clinch.
Our sources have told us that Cummins has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Cummins throws a knee to the head but misses.
Sotin taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Sotin lands an elbow that stopped Cummins in his tracks for a moment.
Cummins controlling the action here for a moment.
Cummins has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Sotin after a bit of a struggle.
Cummins avoiding damage as Sotin throws knees to the body.
Sotin landing knees to the head.

It looks like Hiram Cummins has been cut.
Sotin told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
Cummins wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sotin tries to land a knee to the head but Cummins blocks with his arms.
Sotin throws a knee to the head but misses.
Cummins drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sotin pulls his leg out and moves away.
Sotin misses with an uppercut.
A little feinted left hand from Cummins on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Sotin takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Cummins fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sotin, pushing him back against the cage.
Cummins being controlled against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sotin keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cummins's efforts to push away.
Cummins avoiding damage as Sotin throws knees to the body.
Cummins is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Sotin is keeping busy.
Cummins blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sotin landing knees to the body.
Sotin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sotin is pushing Cummins up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Cummins can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hiram Cummins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sotin looking to throw knees to the head but Cummins is blocking nicely.
Cummins has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sotin avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Sotin working aggressively here.
Sotin tries a body shot but Cummins blocks it.
Cummins is trying to stall.
Cummins changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sotin fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sotin misses with a head kick.

Cummins closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sotin works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Cummins wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Knees to the body from Sotin.
Sotin effectively controlling the action here.
Sotin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Cummins is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sotin pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Sotin goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sotin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cummins avoids it.
Sotin stalling against the cage.
Cummins blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sotin will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Cummins up against the cage.
Sotin looking to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeny Sotin dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hiram Cummins's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sotin throws a head kick that misses.

Cummins gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Cummins has had enough of the clinch but Sotin keeps him there for the moment.
Cummins dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Sotin on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Cummins avoiding damage as Sotin throws knees to the body.
Cummins using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sotin has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Sotin lands a hook that snaps the head of Cummins backwards.
Cummins prevents a body shot from Sotin.
Sotin misses with a shot to the kidneys.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sotin leaning against his opponent.
Cummins is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Sotin to keep the fight standing.
Cummins can't break the clinch.
Sotin prevents the takedown attempt.
Cummins drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sotin gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hiram Cummins. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sotin misses with a knee strike.
Cummins lands with a left to the head.
Sotin connects with a knee to the head.
Sotin using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cummins has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
The referee is keeping an eye on Sotin - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Sotin has Cummins pressed against the cage, preventing Cummins from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Cummins is looking for a takedown.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Sotin.
Sotin is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Sotin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sotin is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cummins is defending well for now.
Cummins is looking to break free of the clinch but Sotin has double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sotin avoiding damage as Cummins throws knees to the body.
Cummins is trying to break the clinch but Sotin has him pressed against the cage.
Sotin will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Cummins up against the cage.
Evgeny Sotin seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Sotin with a knee to the head.
Sotin misses with an elbow strike.
Sotin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cummins avoids it.
Sotin letting Cummins take a breather here.
Cummins wants to break free but Sotin has control.
Sotin tries to land a knee to the head but Cummins blocks with his arms.
A bit of stalling here from Sotin.
Cummins is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cummins prevents a body shot from Sotin.

Cummins has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Sotin uses from the top position.
Cummins working a defensive guard here.
Cummins has Sotin pulled in close to control his posture.
Sotin controls from within his opponent's guard.
Cummins pulls Sotin in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Sotin landing some decent shots from guard.
Cummins is trying to control the position but Sotin postures up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Sotin instigates a clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sotin throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cummins blocks it with crossed arms.
Sotin missing with knees to the body.
Sotin misses with a knee strike.
Cummins changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sotin fights it off and pushes away nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeny Sotin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Hiram Cummins's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Cummins has taken the fight to the clinch.
Cummins on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Knees to the body from Sotin.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Sotin is defending well against a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cummins has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sotin avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Sotin is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Cummins is keeping busy.
Cummins tries to pull guard but Sotin holds him up against the cage and eventually Cummins drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hiram Cummins. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Sotin tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Sotin prevents Cummins from breaking the clinch.

Cummins manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Cummins is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Cummins looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Sotin is looking to work some ground and pound but Cummins has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Sotin wants to control from the top but Cummins keeps moving.
Sotin content to stall in guard here.
Hiram Cummins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cummins controls Sotin momentarily but Sotin frees himself.
Sotin postures up in Cummins's guard and throws a big left but Cummins blocks it.
Cummins wants to sweep here but Sotin controlling him for the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cummins closes the distance and pushes Sotin back into the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sotin.
Cummins is working for takedown but Sotin is calmly controlling the position for now.
Sotin can't find room to land a body shot as Cummins controls the action.
Sotin leaning his opponent against the cage.
Sotin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sotin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cummins avoids it.
Sotin landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Cummins wants to take the fight to the mat but Sotin manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Cummins - that landed with a thud.
Sotin misses with a knee to the head.
Sotin looking to throw knees to the head but Cummins is blocking nicely.
Sotin can't find room to land a body shot as Cummins controls the action.
Evgeny Sotin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sotin blocks a body shot from Cummins.
Cummins wants to take the fight to the mat but Sotin manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Cummins tries a knee to the head but Sotin blocks it.
Sotin tries to work over Cummins's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Cummins pulls guard effortlessly.
Cummins being controlled here, momentarily.
Cummins looking to control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sotin is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

And that's the end of the fight!
Evgeny Sotin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Sotin 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight for Evgeny Sotin!
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight for Evgeny Sotin!
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight for Evgeny Sotin!

Evgeny Sotin wins by unanimous decision!
After winning the bout, Evgeny Sotin thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.