PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chael Sonnen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David Wilkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wilkins has chosen New Noise as his entrance music. David Wilkins is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Sonnen
vs
Wilkins

187 cm
23
212 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

180 cm
28
210 lbs
13 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Chael Sonnen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, David Wilkins!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shigeki Sano and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sonnen is looking to clinch.
Wilkins swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Wilkins leaves Sonnen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sonnen fails with a takedown attempt.
Wilkins rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sonnen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Wilkins has managed to clinch.
Wilkins stalling in the clinch.
Wilkins makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

It looks like Chael Sonnen has been cut.
Wilkins is leaning against Sonnen and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Sonnen has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Wilkins is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chael Sonnen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wilkins lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Wilkins lands a shot to the body.
Wilkins lands a body shot in the clinch.
Sonnen is breathing heavily.
Wilkins pushes Sonnen back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
A right hook to the body lands for Wilkins.

Wilkins breaks from the clinch.
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Wilkins as he avoids it easily.
Nice takedown defense from Wilkins. No joy for Sonnen on that attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wilkins throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Sonnen on the side of the head.

Wilkins fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sonnen, pushing him back against the ropes.
Sonnen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Wilkins avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Wilkins scores with a hook to the body.

Wilkins breaks from the clinch.

Wilkins takes the fight into the clinch.

Wilkins breaks from the clinch.

Sonnen tries to keep at a distance but Wilkins has taken the fight into the clinch.
Sonnen is working for takedown but Wilkins is calmly controlling the position for now.

Wilkins escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wilkins fails to land with a series of punches.
Wilkins looks to land a combination but Sonnen avoids it well.
Chael Sonnen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wilkins defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sonnen.

Wilkins instigates a clinch.
Wilkins digs a right hand underneath Sonnen's ribcage. Sonnen let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Wilkins is leaning against Sonnen and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Wilkins stalls.
Wilkins lands a nice knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The referee calls for Wilkins to work.
Wilkins scores with a shoulder strike.
The referee calls for Wilkins to work.
Wilkins cracks Sonnen with a nice body shot.
Wilkins content to slow the pace in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by David Wilkins.
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown but Wilkins shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A punch lands to the side of Sonnen 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Wilkins gets a clinch.
Come on Wilkins - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Wilkins throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Wilkins.
Wilkins digs a right hand underneath Sonnen's ribcage. Sonnen let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Wilkins is stalling here.
Wilkins lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Wilkins.
Wilkins cracks Sonnen with a nice body shot.
Wilkins lands with a right to the head.
Wilkins is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Sonnen letting Wilkins take a breather here.
Wilkins prevents a takedown attempt there.
Wilkins stalling the fight.
Wilkins is working Sonnen over against the ropes.
Good body shot from Wilkins.
Wilkins working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Wilkins breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen slips a jab and a cross from Wilkins.
Wilkins tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sonnen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nice sprawl there from Wilkins as Sonnen shoots in.

Wilkins has managed to clinch.
Sonnen is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Wilkins breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wilkins throws a series of punches but Sonnen avoids them all with ease.
Sonnen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A hook to the body from Wilkins.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wilkins digs a right hand into Sonnen's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Sonnen's gas tank.

Wilkins breaks the clinch.
Sonnen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sonnen wants to clinch but Wilkins slips to the side
and Wilkins counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Wilkins looks to throw the jab but Sonnen is out of range.

Wilkins fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sonnen, pushing him back against the ropes.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Wilkins has Sonnen pressed against the ropes.
Wilkins gets underhooks to prevent Sonnen's takedown attempt.
Wilkins prevents the takedown attempt.
Wilkins lands a hook that snaps the head of Sonnen backwards.
Wilkins is working Sonnen over against the ropes.

Wilkins breaks from the clinch.
Wilkins throws a right and a left that Sonnen avoids nicely.
Wilkins throws a right and a left that Sonnen avoids nicely.
Sonnen misses with a takedown attempt
and Sonnen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Wilkins lands a jab-cross combination.
Wilkins misses with a two punch combination.

Wilkins gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Sonnen has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Wilkins is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Wilkins taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Wilkins escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Wilkins.
Wilkins goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Sonnen tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Wilkins counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Wilkins.
Sonnen tries for a takedown but Wilkins manages to get underhooks.

Wilkins escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sonnen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sonnen tries for a takedown but Wilkins circles away easily

and Wilkins counters by clinching up.

Wilkins manages to break the clinch.
Wilkins moves in looking to clinch but Sonnen pushes him off.
Wilkins jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Wilkins throws a body punch but Sonnen moves out of range.
Sonnen misses with a takedown attempt

and Wilkins holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen is trying to drag Wilkins to the mat but Wilkins just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Sonnen. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Nice body punch from Wilkins - that landed with a thud.
Wilkins taking a breather.
Sonnen is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Wilkins gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Wilkins digs a right hand underneath Sonnen's ribcage. Sonnen let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Sonnen has Wilkins pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Wilkins manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Wilkins's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
David Wilkins is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sonnen misses with a takedown attempt
and Wilkins counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Wilkins clinches.
Wilkins throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Sonnen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Wilkins prevents it.
Wilkins's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

Wilkins breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sonnen misses with a takedown
and Wilkins counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Wilkins rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sonnen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Wilkins moves into the clinch.
Wilkins scores a nice knee to the body.
Wilkins throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Sonnen can't get the takedown.
Wilkins dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the ropes.
Wilkins digs a right hand underneath Sonnen's ribcage. Sonnen let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Sonnen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Wilkins avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Wilkins.
Wilkins leaning his opponent against the ropes.
Sonnen is trying to drag Wilkins to the mat but Wilkins just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
A right handed body shot lands from Wilkins.
Sonnen being controlled against the ropes.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by David Wilkins.
Sonnen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Wilkins counter with a right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sonnen tries for a takedown but Wilkins circles away easily
and Wilkins counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Wilkins clinches up against the ropes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Wilkins dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Chael Sonnen's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Wilkins lands a jab to the nose.
Wilkins swinging wildly here.
Sonnen tries for a takedown but Wilkins circles away easily

and Wilkins holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Wilkins has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A right hook to the body lands for Wilkins.
Nice body punch from Wilkins - that landed with a thud.

Wilkins's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Wilkins closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
David Wilkins seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Wilkins stalling in the clinch.
Wilkins lands a body punch in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wilkins landing knees to the head.
Wilkins digs a right hand underneath Sonnen's ribcage. Sonnen let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Nice body punch from Wilkins - that landed with a thud.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Wilkins.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen is working for takedown but Wilkins is calmly controlling the position for now.
Wilkins is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Wilkins using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Wilkins is pressed up against the ropes. Sonnen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Wilkins down to the mat. Wilkins avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chael Sonnen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sonnen misses with a takedown

and Wilkins counters by clinching up.

Wilkins breaks from the clinch.
Nice body punch from Wilkins.
Sonnen shoots and misses
and Wilkins counters with a three punch combo that has Sonnen backing up. Sonnen nods at Wilkins to acknowledge the strikes.
Wilkins connects with a single shot there.
Chael Sonnen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Wilkins rushes Sonnen and presses him up against the ropes.
Wilkins lands a nice shot to the body.
Wilkins stalls.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen drops down looking for an ankle pick but Wilkins pulls his leg out and moves away.
Wilkins rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sonnen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Wilkins clinches up against the ropes.
Wilkins pressing his opponent against the ropes.
Wilkins stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Sonnen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short body shot lands from Wilkins as the two fighters clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Wilkins.
Wilkins is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wilkins lands a nice uppercut.
Sonnen tries for a takedown. No joy.

Wilkins breaks the clinch.
Wilkins misses with the combination.
Wilkins scores with a jab to the body.
Sonnen tries to clinch
and Wilkins counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Wilkins throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sonnen doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Wilkins counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Wilkins.
Sonnen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Wilkins gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A right hook to the body lands for Wilkins.
Wilkins has Sonnen pressed against the ropes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wilkins continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Sonnen looking for a takedown.
Wilkins gets underhooks to prevent Sonnen's takedown attempt.
Wilkins holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by David Wilkins.
Sonnen doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Wilkins counters with a series of strikes. Sonnen will be more careful next time no doubt.
The fighters circle momentarily. Wilkins darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Sonnen has his takedown stuffed
and Wilkins counters with a nice uppercut.

Wilkins takes the fight into the clinch.
Nice body punch from Wilkins.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen has Wilkins pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Wilkins manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Wilkins is pressed up against the ropes. Sonnen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Wilkins down to the mat. Wilkins avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Sonnen avoids a punch combination nicely.

Wilkins forces Sonnen back against the ropes and clinches.
Sonnen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Wilkins gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Wilkins landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Wilkins pressing his opponent against the ropes.

Wilkins manages to break the clinch.
Sonnen with a poor takedown
and Wilkins connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Wilkins backs up against the ropes.
Sonnen misses with a takedown attempt

and Wilkins counters by clinching up.
Nice body punch from Wilkins - that landed with a thud.
Wilkins presses Sonnen against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Wilkins lands a shot to the body.
Wilkins landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Sonnen changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Wilkins fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Wilkins drives through and clinches with Sonnen against the ropes.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Sonnen looking for a takedown.
Wilkins stalling against the ropes.
Wilkins is leaning against Sonnen and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Wilkins content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Wilkins pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sonnen shoots and misses
and Wilkins counters with a three punch combo that has Sonnen backing up. Sonnen nods at Wilkins to acknowledge the strikes.
Wilkins comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Sonnen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Wilkins counters by clinching up.
Sonnen is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Wilkins stops a takedown attempt from Sonnen.
Sonnen has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Wilkins is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Wilkins breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sonnen tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Wilkins moves into the clinch.
Wilkins manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Sonnen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Wilkins prevents it.
Wilkins slowing the pace effectively.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wilkins trying to control the position but instead, Sonnen has worked for underhooks and has pushed Wilkins into the ropes.
A short left from Wilkins.
Sonnen tries to score a body lock takedown but Wilkins shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Wilkins stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
David Wilkins is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
A right handed body shot lands from Wilkins.
Wilkins comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Wilkins is pressed up against the ropes. Sonnen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Wilkins down to the mat. Wilkins avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Wilkins clinches up against the ropes.

Wilkins escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sonnen fails with the takedown

and Wilkins counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Wilkins.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen looking for a takedown.
Sonnen is trying to drag Wilkins to the mat but Wilkins just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Sonnen tries to score a body lock takedown but Wilkins shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sonnen can't get the takedown.
Wilkins lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Wilkins breaks the clinch.
Sonnen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Wilkins holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Wilkins - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Still in the clinch, Wilkins scores with a nice short uppercut.
Sonnen wants a takedown.
Chael Sonnen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Wilkins manages to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
David Wilkins comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Wilkins 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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 16:20
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 16:20
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 16:20

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... David Wilkins!