PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nate Sonnen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lutalo Hajjar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Sonnen
vs
Hajjar

178 cm
23
160 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

172 cm
22
150 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nate Sonnen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Lutalo Hajjar!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Alec Ball and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hajjar slaps away a takedown attempt from Sonnen, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Sonnen gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Hajjar stops Sonnen from standing up.
Hajjar pushing down on Sonnen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Sonnen on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Sonnen tries to get out of the position.
Sonnen is trying to stand.
Hajjar tries to stand but can't do so whilst Sonnen controls his leg.

Hajjar seems to be looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sonnen wants to get back to his feet.
Hajjar is taking a breather. Sonnen says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Sonnen is trying to stand up here but Hajjar is controlling him well.
Hajjar wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sonnen keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sonnen has his takedown stuffed

and Hajjar counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hajjar.
Sonnen wants to get back to his feet but Hajjar is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Hajjar trying to control but Sonnen is working from the bottom.
Hajjar prevents Sonnen from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hajjar looking to pass the guard.
Hajjar stops Sonnen from standing up.
Sonnen keeping moving, preventing Hajjar from controlling successfully.
Hajjar loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hajjar prevents Sonnen from getting back to his feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Hajjar lands a jab-cross combination.

Hajjar 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.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sonnen wants to stand up but Hajjar is controlling him.
Hajjar tries to free his leg and advance position but Sonnen is retaining full guard.
Sonnen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Sonnen pushes Hajjar off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Hajjar fails with the takedown

and Sonnen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Sonnen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hajjar's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hajjar is looking for a sweep. Sonnen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sonnen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Hajjar trying to control but Sonnen postures up.
Sonnen scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Hajjar wants to improve his position but Sonnen is controlling well.
Sonnen throwing shots but Hajjar is blocking nicely.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hajjar throws an overhand right that lands on Sonnen's shoulder, as Sonnen tries to avoid the shot.
Sonnen has his takedown stuffed

and Hajjar counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Sonnen's guard now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nate Sonnen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hajjar prevents Sonnen from getting back to his feet.
Sonnen keeping moving, preventing Hajjar from controlling successfully.
Hajjar landing with the ground and pound.
Hajjar won't allow Sonnen to get back to his feet.
Hajjar trying to control but Sonnen is working from the bottom.
Sonnen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hajjar scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Hajjar wants to pass the guard but Sonnen is keeping the position.
Hajjar won't allow Sonnen to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lutalo Hajjar dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hajjar with a poor takedown

and Sonnen counters with a shoot takedown. Hajjar fights it but they end up in guard.
Sonnen postures up and lands a big shot to Hajjar's brow.
Hajjar is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hajjar is pulling down on Sonnen's head to control his posture.
Sonnen chips away with some ground and pound.
Sonnen won't allow Hajjar to sweep him here.
Hajjar working a defensive guard here.
Sonnen connects with a couple of short punches.
Sonnen working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hajjar's head.
Sonnen throwing strikes from guard but Hajjar blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen slips nicely into half guard.
Sonnen working over Hajjar with some ground and pound. Hajjar looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Sonnen misses with a head shot. Hajjar uses the momentum to regain guard.
Hajjar working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sonnen.
Hajjar bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sonnen's guard.
Sonnen is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Hajjar dives into side control.
Sonnen is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Hajjar asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Hajjar wants to control but Sonnen is keeping him busy.
Lutalo Hajjar has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen is looking to get back to his feet here but Hajjar is keeping cool and he's managed to take Sonnen's back.
Sonnen is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Hajjar wants to control but Sonnen is keeping busy.
Sonnen trying to get back to his feet but Hajjar is in full control for now.

Hajjar looking for the RNC.
Sonnen controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hajjar struggling to keep hold of the position.
Hajjar somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
Hajjar slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.

Hajjar is looking for the choke from the back position but Sonnen is controlling his hands well.
Hajjar is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Sonnen trying to get back to his feet but Hajjar is in full control for now.
Hajjar somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Hajjar missing with punches from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sonnen trying to get back to his feet but Hajjar is in full control for now.

Hajjar goes for a risky armbar from back mount and it's not paid off. Sonnen escapes and is now in half guard on top.
Sonnen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Hajjar gets full guard.

Hajjar is looking for a triangle but Sonnen pushes his legs off easily.
Hajjar is breathing heavily.
Sonnen working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nate Sonnen dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sonnen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hajjar counters with an outside leg kick.
Sonnen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Hajjar counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Hajjar prevents Sonnen from standing back up.
Hajjar is looking to take a break and control but Sonnen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hajjar wants to stand but Sonnen has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Hajjar sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sonnen defending well though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hajjar wants to free his trapped foot but Sonnen is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hajjar trying to control the action but Sonnen is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sonnen has his takedown stuffed

and Hajjar counters with a nice double leg into side control. Sonnen won't be happy with that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nate Sonnen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hajjar landing strikes.
Sonnen is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Hajjar asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Hajjar is putting a hurting on Sonnen here, landing some big shots from side control.
Hajjar misses with the ground and pound.

Hajjar thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Hajjar wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sonnen keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen is trying to get back to his feet.
Sonnen regains half guard, as Hajjar was trying to land strikes.
Sonnen is trying to stand.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sonnen misses with a takedown

and Hajjar counters with a single leg into guard. Sonnen didn't expect that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hajjar trying to control but Sonnen is working from the bottom.
Sonnen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hajjar trying to control the position from guard on top but Sonnen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sonnen wants to get back to his feet but Hajjar is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Hajjar postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Sonnen is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Hajjar, into his guard.
Sonnen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sonnen thows a big elbow that misses.
Hajjar wants to sweep but no luck.
Hajjar is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Sonnen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sonnen lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Hajjar scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Sonnen misses with a takedown attempt

and Hajjar counters with a nice double leg into side control. Sonnen won't be happy with that.
Sonnen tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Hajjar won't let Sonnen get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Hajjar cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Hajjar lands a big elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lutalo Hajjar really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hajjar closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Sonnen tries to escape but Hajjar is in control.
Hajjar trying to control the action but Sonnen is working from the bottom.
Sonnen is trying to buck Hajjar off.
Hajjar fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Hajjar wants to control but Sonnen is keeping him busy.

Hajjar stands up.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Hajjar is looking to clinch but Sonnen is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Hajjar counters with a single leg into guard. Sonnen didn't expect that.
Sonnen is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hajjar is controlling him.
Hajjar slips nicely into half guard.
Hajjar wants to free his trapped foot but Sonnen is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Sonnen wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hajjar controlling the action here.
Sonnen tries to kick Hajjar off but Hajjar keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Sonnen is not content to let Hajjar control the position.

Hajjar wants to work for an arm triangle but Sonnen is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Hajjar is looking to take a break and control but Sonnen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Sonnen looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hajjar on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Hajjar looking for submissions off his back.
Hajjar slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Sonnen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Sonnen trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Hajjar manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Hajjar working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hajjar pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sonnen is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Hajjar landing with the ground and pound.
Sonnen wants to stand up but Hajjar is controlling him.
Sonnen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sonnen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Sonnen kicks Hajjar off and gets to his feet.

Hajjar feints and as Sonnen raises his hands in defense, Hajjar changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sonnen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lutalo Hajjar dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hajjar shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Sonnen's guard.
Sonnen has momentary wrist control but Hajjar slips an elbow through the middle.
Sonnen is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hajjar is controlling him.
Hajjar wants to control from the top but Sonnen keeps moving.
Sonnen wants to stand up but Hajjar is controlling him.
Hajjar postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hajjar lands a couple of decent looking shots.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Sonnen misses with a takedown attempt

and Hajjar counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Sonnen's guard now.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen has momentary wrist control but Hajjar slips an elbow through the middle.
Sonnen keeping moving, preventing Hajjar from controlling successfully.
Hajjar is looking to advance position but Sonnen has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
A nice elbow there by Sonnen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hajjar manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Hajjar wants to control but Sonnen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Sonnen is pressing down on Hajjar's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hajjar is holding on for now.
Hajjar manages to get to full guard.
Hajjar manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sonnen tries to buck Hajjar off but he can't manage it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hajjar can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Sonnen is looking to escape.
Hajjar thowing shots but they're missing.
Sonnen is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Nate Sonnen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hajjar unloading with bombs!
Hajjar with the ground and pound from mount.
Hajjar tries to control but Sonnen wriggling away.
Sonnen is trying to stand up.
Hajjar wants to control the pace but Sonnen is squirming around nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Hajjar tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Sonnen's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Hajjar has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sonnen is squirming around, avoiding Hajjar's attempts to control the action.
Lutalo Hajjar is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Despite being in the dominant position, Lutalo Hajjar just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sonnen has his takedown stuffed

and Hajjar counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Sonnen's guard now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lutalo Hajjar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hajjar has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 46:49
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 46:49
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lutalo Hajjar! Lutalo Hajjar retains his lightweight title!