PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Javier Casados (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chael Sonnen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Javier Casados has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Casados
vs
Sonnen

195 cm
22
193 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

180 cm
25
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
KO power

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Javier Casados!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Chael Sonnen!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Roger Salmon and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sonnen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Casados counters with a nice body shot.
Sonnen throws a leg kick but Casados moved away.
Sonnen throws a leg kick but Casados moved away.
Casados changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sonnen tries to avoid it but Casados manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sonnen to the ground. Sonnen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Sonnen closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Casados did well to prevent Sonnen getting side control.
Casados missing with punches from the bottom.

Casados is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sonnen pulls his head out easily.
Sonnen keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen trying to control the action but Casados is working from the bottom.
Sonnen working Casados over with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sonnen lands a nice short elbow.
Sonnen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Casados's head.
Sonnen winds up and cracks Casados with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Sonnen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Casados taking some punishment here, with Sonnen in his half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Sonnen connects with a nice short shot to Casados's temple.
Sonnen looks to land a strike but Casados avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

Casados looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen trying to control but Casados is working from the bottom.
Sonnen wants to pass the guard but Casados is keeping the position.
Sonnen slips nicely into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Casados is refusing to be controlled, as Sonnen sits in half guard.
Sonnen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Sonnen throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Casados to regain full guard.
Sonnen chips away with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen landing with the ground and pound.
Sonnen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sonnen trying to control but Casados is working from the bottom.
Sonnen throws a big right hand that misses.
Casados working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sonnen.

Casados looking for a guillotine here but Sonnen defends easily.
Sonnen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen trying to control the position from guard on top but Casados is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sonnen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Casados is keeping the position for now.
Sonnen throws a big right hand that misses.
Sonnen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sonnen controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Sonnen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sonnen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Sonnen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chael Sonnen dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Casados shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sonnen sprawls well. Sonnen wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Casados gets slowly back to his feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Casados is defended easily by Sonnen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Casados fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Javier Casados. That's going to take a lot out of him.

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

and Sonnen counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Casados is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sonnen is aware though and is defending well.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sonnen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sonnen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sonnen landing with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Casados utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sonnen wants to control from the top but Casados keeps moving.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sonnen is in close to Casados's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Sonnen distracts Casados with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Sonnen has gone for a leg lock! Casados slips out almost immediately though and dives into Sonnen's guard.
Casados won't allow Sonnen to sweep him here.
Casados missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Casados pushes down on Sonnen's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Casados is trying to work for a kimura but Sonnen is defending well.
Sonnen moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Sonnen is looking to stand up but Casados isn't so interested in that idea.
Casados throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Casados drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Sonnen manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Casados has Sonnen in his guard.
Sonnen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Sonnen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sonnen throwing strikes from guard but Casados blocks nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Casados is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sonnen defends well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sonnen throws an elbow that misses. Casados uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sonnen's guard. Nice move by Casados!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chael Sonnen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Casados doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Sonnen counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Sonnen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Sonnen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Casados's head.
Sonnen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Casados looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sonnen thows a huge punch but Casados dodges it nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Casados on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Casados on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Sonnen stalling.
Casados taking some punishment here, with Sonnen in his half guard.
Casados taking some punishment here, with Sonnen in his half guard.

Casados is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sonnen pulls his head out easily.
Sonnen working Casados over with strikes.
Sonnen takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Sonnen takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Javier Casados has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sonnen lands a nice short elbow.
Sonnen seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Sonnen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Casados is looking to improve his position.
Casados regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Sonnen.
Casados will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Sonnen working some strikes from top position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sonnen looking to sit in guard and control but Casados gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Casados preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen keeping full guard, as Casados tries to pass.
Sonnen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Casados drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Sonnen dives on top into guard.

Casados is looking for a triangle but Sonnen pushes his legs off easily.
Chael Sonnen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sonnen cracks Casados with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Casados's head.
Sonnen advances to half guard.

Sonnen is looking to control the position but Casados frees his trapped leg and locks up an armbar from the bottom! It looks tight! Sonnen grimaces and holds on for a second but is forced to tap or have his arm broken! Slick Jiu Jitsu from Casados there - Sonnen really paying for some sloppy defensive work!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:35 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Javier Casados!
Javier Casados thanked the fans post fight for their support.