PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gab Velasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chael Sauna (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gab Velasquez could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Chael Sauna's chin.

Velasquez
vs
Sauna

186 cm
21
191 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

185 cm
23
185 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Dangerous knees
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Gab Velasquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Chael Sauna!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Ryoma Takatsuka and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Velasquez.
Velasquez slips a jab and a cross from Sauna.
Sauna tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Velasquez swivels and escapes.
Sauna misses with the combination.
Sauna shoots for a double leg takedown but Velasquez sprawls well. He's pushed Sauna's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A combination from Sauna does no damage.
Sauna avoids the head kick by Velasquez.
Velasquez tries to clinch up.
Velasquez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Chael Sauna seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Velasquez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Velasquez avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sauna throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Velasquez doesn't manage to clinch there - Sauna circles away.
Sauna fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Velasquez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sauna fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sauna swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sauna misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gab Velasquez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chael Sauna.
Sauna throws a right hand that Velasquez ducks under and follows up with a left that Velasquez also avoids with ease.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Velasquez with a knee to the head.
Velasquez with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sauna as Velasquez tries to tie him up.
Velasquez tries to land a knee to the head but Sauna blocks with his arms.
Velasquez prevents a takedown attempt there.
Velasquez stops a takedown attempt from Sauna.
Velasquez tries to stall but Sauna uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez looking to throw knees to the head but Sauna is blocking nicely.

Sauna's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The fight stays on the outside here - Velasquez looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sauna throws a right hand that Velasquez ducks under and follows up with a left that Velasquez also avoids with ease.
Sauna scores with a decent looking hook.
Sauna will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Velasquez gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Sauna to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sauna pushes down on Velasquez's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Sauna wants to free his trapped foot but Velasquez is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Sauna working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Sauna trying to pass the guard but Velasquez defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sauna wants to control but Velasquez is keeping him busy.
Sauna lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Velasquez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Velasquez is looking for a sweep. Sauna is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Velasquez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sauna pulls his head out easily.
Sauna works his way into full mount!
Sauna prevents Velasquez from getting the reversal.
Sauna with good strikes from the mount here!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Sauna cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sauna with a couple of short strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sauna trying to control but Velasquez is having none of it.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Sauna scoring with strikes but Velasquez is staying in there.
Sauna looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Sauna trying to control but Velasquez is having none of it.
Velasquez is trying desperately to improve position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sauna controlling the pace for now.
Sauna wants to control the pace but Velasquez is squirming around nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sauna scoring with strikes but Velasquez is staying in there.

Velasquez is rocked!
Oooooh, big shot lands for Sauna! Velasquez is hurt baaadly! Sauna is firing away with more strikes - Velasquez is covering up... the ref is warning him to do something. He's just covering up though still and the ref has to step in to end the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Chael Sauna!
A victorious Chael Sauna thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.