PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tommy Green (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nate Sonnen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nate Sonnen told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Green
vs
Sonnen

192 cm
20
214 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

188 cm
24
218 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tommy Green!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nate Sonnen!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Jorge Garcia and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Green tries to clinch up

and Sonnen counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Sonnen.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Sonnen passes Green's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Green is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sonnen's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sonnen's back!
Green controls the action.
Green lands strikes to the head.
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 looking very determined here, making life difficult for Green.
Green is really struggling to control Sonnen but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Green looking for the RNC.
Green somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
Green is looking to control Sonnen but Sonnen is wriggling around and keeping busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Green is landing with strikes. Sonnen can't take much more of this.
A lull in the action here.
Green is trying to stick to Sonnen's back but Sonnen is turning into Green. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Green's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Sonnen.
Green keeping full guard, as Sonnen tries to pass.
Sonnen is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sonnen drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Green manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Sonnen has Green in his guard.
Green wants to control from the top but Sonnen keeps moving.
Green throws a big right hand that misses.
Green trying to control the position from guard on top but Sonnen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Green pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sonnen is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sonnen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Green can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Sonnen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Green doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Green manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Green trying to control but Sonnen is working from the bottom.

Sonnen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Green doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Green manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Green slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sonnen keeping moving, preventing Green from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Tommy Green just wasn't active enough.
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Green as he jumps to the side.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Green goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Green will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tommy Green will probably get the nod.
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.

Green connects with a crisp jab.
Green tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sonnen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Green cracks Sonnen with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Green fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sonnen.
Green moves in looking to clinch but Sonnen pushes him off.
Sonnen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Green pinned against the cage. Green gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A right-left combo lands from Green.
Sonnen takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Green works over Sonnen's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Nate Sonnen has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Green tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sonnen swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Green misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tommy Green is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Green wants to clinch but Sonnen slips to the side

and Sonnen counters with a takedown into side control.
Sonnen is breathing heavily.
Sonnen working away.
Sonnen just content to control the position.
Green manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Green wants to pass the guard but Sonnen is defending well.
Green performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Nate Sonnen has got the better of the ground game so far.
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 is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Green pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sonnen can do anything to dispel that myth.
Green works his foot free and advances to mount.
Sonnen is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Sonnen is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Green is staying active.
Green wants to control the pace but Sonnen is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Green with shots to the head and body - Sonnen looks very uncomfortable down there.
Sonnen is trying to stand.
Sonnen is wriggling around trying to escape.
Sonnen tries to hold on but Green postures up.
Green controlling his opponent.
Sonnen is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Green with good strikes from the mount here!
Sonnen is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Green takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

Green is working for a guillotine from mount but Sonnen frees his head quite easily.
Sonnen is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Sonnen bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Green keeping moving, preventing Sonnen from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Green dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Nate Sonnen's cut.
That's time! Green's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Sonnen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sonnen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Green throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Green wants to clinch.
Green lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sonnen backs up against the cage.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sonnen.
Tommy Green has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nate Sonnen.
Sonnen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Green, right into the meat.
Green tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Green.
Green tries to clinch up.
Tommy Green seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Green stuffs the takedown.
Green throws a one two combo.
Nice uppercut lands for Green. That snapped Sonnen's head back.
Green tries to clinch but Sonnen moves out of range.
Green tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Sonnen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Green lands a jab.
Green tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sonnen swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Green gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Tommy Green is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Green's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Green closes the distance but Sonnen moves to the side

and Sonnen counters with a nice double leg into side control. Green won't be happy with that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Green is trying to buck Sonnen off.
Green tries to bench press Sonnen off him but Sonnen keeps the position.

Sonnen tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Green is trying to buck Sonnen off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen trying to control the position but Green is working away.

Sonnen is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Green is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Green manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Sonnen tries to get to full guard but Green has control of the leg.
Green misses with a head shot. Sonnen uses the momentum to regain guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Green wants to control from the top but Sonnen keeps moving.

Green stands up and waves to Sonnen to follow him.
Green throws a sloppy head kick and Sonnen moves out of range easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sonnen is defended easily by Green.
Tommy Green is winning the standup battle so far.
Green throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tommy Green showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Green, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 John Roberts scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tommy Green!