PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Manjinder Dhaliwal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fail Sonnen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Dhaliwal
vs
Sonnen

180 cm
27
182 lbs
9 - 9 - 0

180 cm
26
191 lbs
8 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Manjinder Dhaliwal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Fail Sonnen!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Elvis Blanc and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dhaliwal throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Dhaliwal tries a low kick but Sonnen avoids it.
Dhaliwal throws a low kick but Sonnen moves out of range easily.
Some bone on bone action there as Sonnen checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Dhaliwal misses with a low kick.
Dhaliwal misses with a leg kick.
Dhaliwal attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Dhaliwal slips under a jab from Sonnen.
Dhaliwal slips under a jab.
Dhaliwal misses with a low kick.
Manjinder Dhaliwal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Sonnen checks a leg kick.
Dhaliwal staying out of range there.
Dhaliwal pivots, looking for a leg kick but Sonnen is out of range and Dhaliwal settles back down.
Dhaliwal throws a solid leg kick but Sonnen takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Dhaliwal.
Dhaliwal is looking to score with low kicks.
Dhaliwal shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen with a hook.
Sonnen checks a low kick from Dhaliwal.
Dhaliwal wants to slow Sonnen down by chopping away at his legs.
Dhaliwal throws a low kick but Sonnen moves out of range easily.
Dhaliwal throws a low kick, looking for Sonnen's leg but Sonnen calmly moves out of range.
Dhaliwal swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Dhaliwal tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sonnen is able to avoid easily.
A low kick from Dhaliwal misses

so Sonnen counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Dhaliwal scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Dhaliwal moves out of range of the leg kick from Sonnen.
Dhaliwal tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sonnen is able to avoid easily.
Sonnen works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dhaliwal wants to slow Sonnen down by chopping away at his legs.
Manjinder Dhaliwal is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen swings for the body but Dhaliwal moves out of range.
Dhaliwal throws a low kick but Sonnen avoids it.
Sonnen checks a leg kick.
Sonnen throws a right and a left that both miss.
A left lands for Sonnen.
A leg kick checked by Sonnen.
Sonnen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dhaliwal.
Dhaliwal moves out of range of the strikes.
Dhaliwal walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sonnen checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Sonnen connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Sonnen keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Dhaliwal throws a leg kick that misses.
A clash of legs there as Sonnen blocks the low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dhaliwal fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Sonnen checks it well.
Sonnen avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Dhaliwal uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sonnen.

Sonnen shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Dhaliwal manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Dhaliwal wants to stand and escape but Sonnen is having none of it.
Dhaliwal trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Dhaliwal keeping moving, preventing Sonnen from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dhaliwal wants to stand up but Sonnen is controlling him.

Dhaliwal uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Sonnen moves into range and connects with a jab.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Sonnen checks a leg kick.
Dhaliwal walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sonnen checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

Sonnen throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Dhaliwal was covering up waiting for the punch and Sonnen finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Sonnen won't allow Dhaliwal to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sonnen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Fail Sonnen 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.

Sonnen works over Dhaliwal's head and body with a nice combination.
Dhaliwal swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Dhaliwal tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sonnen throws an overhand right that lands on Dhaliwal's shoulder, as Dhaliwal tries to avoid the shot.
Dhaliwal misses with a low kick.
Dhaliwal throws a solid leg kick but Sonnen takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Dhaliwal.
Dhaliwal throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Dhaliwal tries to work over Sonnen's front leg with a kick but Sonnen checks it.
Dhaliwal throws a front kick aimed at Sonnen's knee but Sonnen avoids it well.
Dhaliwal tries to score with a low kick but Sonnen moves his leg out of the way.

Sonnen bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Dhaliwal is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Sonnen has just dragged him back down to the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen is looking to take a break and control but Dhaliwal is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Dhaliwal is pushing Sonnen's head away, looking to escape. Sonnen manages to hold on to the position though.
Sonnen wants to control but Dhaliwal is keeping him busy.
Sonnen prevents Dhaliwal from escaping the position.
Sonnen trying to control the position but Dhaliwal is working away.
Sonnen misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Dhaliwal is trying to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sonnen wants to control but Dhaliwal is keeping him busy.
Sonnen looks up at the clock and then as Dhaliwal takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Sonnen smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Check out the look on Sonnen's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Sonnen wants to control but Dhaliwal is keeping him busy.
Sonnen controls the position from side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sonnen trying to control the action but Dhaliwal is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen prevents Dhaliwal from escaping the position.
Sonnen works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Sonnen working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Dhaliwal is working to avoid the ground and pound but Sonnen connects with a decent elbow.
Dhaliwal is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Sonnen asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Dhaliwal takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dhaliwal is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Sonnen working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Dhaliwal is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fail Sonnen has got the better of the ground game so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sonnen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Dhaliwal keeps working.
Sonnen working the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fail Sonnen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Sonnen missing with a left hand there. Dhaliwal was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sonnen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Dhaliwal attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Sonnen checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Some bone on bone action there as Sonnen checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Dhaliwal throws a leg kick but Sonnen checks it.
Dhaliwal is looking to score with low kicks.
Dhaliwal throws a solid leg kick but Sonnen takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Dhaliwal.
Dhaliwal throws a low kick, looking for Sonnen's leg but Sonnen calmly moves out of range.
Dhaliwal slips under a jab from Sonnen.
Dhaliwal throws a leg kick but Sonnen moved away.
Dhaliwal tries to land a leg kick but Sonnen saw it coming and moves away.
Dhaliwal throws out a leg kick but Sonnen moves out of range and Dhaliwal only half commits.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sonnen shoots in and bounces Dhaliwal off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Dhaliwal kicks Sonnen off and gets to his feet.
Dhaliwal is looking to chop away at Sonnen's legs.
Dhaliwal tries to work over Sonnen's front leg with a kick but Sonnen checks it.
Sonnen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sonnen checks the leg kick nicely there.
Dhaliwal throws a leg kick but Sonnen moved away.
Dhaliwal throws a leg kick but Sonnen checks it.
Dhaliwal throws a leg kick but Sonnen checks it.
Sonnen looks to land a left hand but Dhaliwal moved out of range nicely.
Sonnen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Dhaliwal motions for Sonnen to come forward. Dhaliwal throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Dhaliwal will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Dhaliwal misses with a low kick.
Sonnen throws a shot from downtown. Dhaliwal moves away and avoids it.
Sonnen looks to land a combination but Dhaliwal avoids it well.
Dhaliwal slips a jab from Sonnen.
Sonnen fails to land with a series of punches.
Dhaliwal fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Sonnen is out of range.
Dhaliwal walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sonnen checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dhaliwal throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Dhaliwal throws a solid leg kick but Sonnen takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Dhaliwal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dhaliwal misses with a low kick.
Sonnen lands a jab.
Dhaliwal wants to slow Sonnen down by chopping away at his legs.
Sonnen wants to land a leg kick but Dhaliwal is out of range.
Dhaliwal throws a solid leg kick but Sonnen takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Dhaliwal.
Dhaliwal throws a leg kick but Sonnen sees it coming and moves out of range.
Dhaliwal throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Sonnen to counter with a crisp jab.
Dhaliwal moves forwards but Sonnen connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Sonnen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dhaliwal.
Dhaliwal tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sonnen is able to avoid easily.
Dhaliwal throws a leg kick that misses.
Sonnen moves out of range of the leg kick from Dhaliwal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dhaliwal throws a low kick but Sonnen avoids it.
Sonnen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Dhaliwal needs to keep his hands up - Sonnen had a free shot at his head there.
Sonnen avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Dhaliwal wants to land a leg kick but Sonnen is out of range.
Manjinder Dhaliwal is winning the standup battle so far.
Dhaliwal attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Dhaliwal is looking to chop away at Sonnen's legs.
Sonnen lands with a good body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sonnen checks a low kick from Dhaliwal.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dhaliwal misses with a low kick as Sonnen jumps back.
Dhaliwal pivots, looking for a leg kick but Sonnen is out of range and Dhaliwal settles back down.
Manjinder Dhaliwal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dhaliwal pivots, looking for a leg kick but Sonnen is out of range and Dhaliwal settles back down.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Manjinder Dhaliwal.
I think Sonnen has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fail Sonnen!