PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alif Famianto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Sonnen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alif Famianto has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Famianto
vs
Sonnen

225 cm
18
190 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

190 cm
25
187 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Alif Famianto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Steve Sonnen!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, David Hoff and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Sonnen as Famianto shoots in.

Sonnen gets caught flat footed, as Famianto shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Famianto throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sonnen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sonnen trying to control the position.
Famianto will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Famianto throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sonnen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Famianto knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Sonnen on the ground.
Famianto showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Famianto trying to control but Sonnen is working from the bottom.
Famianto tries to free his leg and advance position but Sonnen is retaining full guard.
Famianto controls from within his opponent's guard.

We're going to have a standup here because Alif Famianto wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Famianto misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen blocks a head kick by Famianto.
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown but Famianto shows good takedown defense.
Sonnen misses with a double jab.
Famianto looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sonnen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Famianto really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Sonnen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sonnen scoring well with a low kick there.
Famianto has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Famianto fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Famianto throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Sonnen tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Famianto is in Sonnen's guard.
Famianto has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Sonnen working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sonnen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sonnen controls Famianto momentarily but Famianto frees himself.
Famianto wants to stand but Sonnen is controlling his posture from full guard.
Famianto is breathing heavily.
Sonnen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Famianto is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Famianto trying to control but Sonnen is working from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sonnen throws a sloppy head kick and Famianto moves out of range easily.
Famianto blocks the body kick.

Famianto closes the distance and clinches.

Famianto breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Famianto sprawls well. Famianto wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sonnen gets slowly back to his feet.
Sonnen dives in for a single leg takedown but Famianto sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Alif Famianto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Sonnen.
Famianto has Sonnen pressed against the cage, preventing Sonnen from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Famianto gets control of Sonnen's arms and successfully pulls guard. Famianto will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Sonnen trying to control the position from guard on top but Famianto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sonnen slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Famianto is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sonnen is aware though and is defending well.
Sonnen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Famianto is keeping the position for now.
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 Alif Famianto 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.

Famianto circles away from the clinch attempt
and Famianto counters with a left and a right that stings Sonnen.

Famianto forces Sonnen back against the cage and clinches.
Famianto is trying to drag Sonnen to the mat but Sonnen just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Sonnen can't get the takedown.
Famianto gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Sonnen.
Famianto is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Sonnen is defending well.
Sonnen jumps guard but Famianto stands there with Sonnen around his waist. Sonnen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Alif Famianto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Sonnen.

Famianto decides to pull guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen trying to control but Famianto is working from the bottom.
Sonnen looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Famianto is controlling Sonnen's posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Sonnen passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.

Sonnen is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Famianto doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sonnen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen is keen to just control but Famianto is a slippery customer.
Famianto trying to control but Sonnen postures up.
Famianto is looking to escape.
Sonnen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Famianto keeps working.
Famianto is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Famianto keeps control of the position for the meantime.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Steve Sonnen.

Famianto shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sonnen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Famianto's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Famianto's back!
Famianto prevents Sonnen from getting a body triangle.

Sonnen is working on the RNC. He looks like he's got it but Famianto won't tap... Oh, he's out! The ref rips Sonnen off his unconscious opponent!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Steve Sonnen!