PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Matt Quin (ranked 356 p4p, 47 weight class) and Dao Sonnen (ranked 337 p4p, 45 weight class). Quin comes to the cage accompanied by Captain Jack - Iko Iko. Sonnen has chosen Sure to be sure as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Quin
vs
Sonnen

195 cm
36
190 lbs
30 - 15 - 2

183 cm
30
188 lbs
19 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

IniTech Nutrition
Urban Fighter

Urban Fighter

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 30 - 15 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matt Quin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dao Sonnen!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Quin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sonnen manages to avoid it.
Quin cracks Sonnen with a good jab.
Quin lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Sonnen cracks Quin with a good jab.
Sonnen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Matt Quin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sonnen looks to land a right hand but Quin moved out of range.
Quin dives in and grabs Sonnen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sonnen pushes down on Quin's head and hops out.
Sonnen stuns Quin with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Quin cracks Sonnen with a right hand to the side of the head.
Sonnen just misses with a punch to the body.
Sonnen blocks a jab.
Sonnen swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Quin connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Sonnen momentarily.
Sonnen slips a straight right by Quin.
Sonnen is trying to counter with his kicks.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sonnen chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Quin has been working on his boxing with his coaches at LOD: Lightning Kicks (MaxID290K) in the buildup to the fight.
Sonnen throws a push kick but Quin slaps the foot to one side.
Quin ducks under a wild hook from Sonnen.
Sonnen misses with a hook to the body

and Quin counters with a takedown into side control.
Quin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sonnen keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Quin is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sonnen is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Sonnen defending against the ground and pound.
You can see the frustration on Sonnen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Quin is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sonnen is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Quin sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Sonnen is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Quin is putting a hurting on Sonnen here, landing some big shots from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Quin landing strikes.
Sonnen is trying to control Quin's posture but Quin avoids it.
Quin working the ground and pound but Sonnen is defending the strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
You can see the frustration on Sonnen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Quin tries to move to mount but Sonnen blocks the move with his legs.

Quin goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Sonnen has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Quin but great work by Sonnen.
Quin is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Quin is trying to control Sonnen's posture but Sonnen avoids it.
Sonnen controlling from side mount.
Quin is not content to let Sonnen control the position.
Quin is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Still in half guard, Sonnen seems content to control.
Sonnen prevents Quin from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Quin trying to hold on to Sonnen's head to control him but Sonnen postures up.
Sonnen works his way into full mount!
Quin has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Sonnen controlling from mount.
Quin wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

Sonnen is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Sonnen controls the action.
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 Matt Quin 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.

Sonnen looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Quin tries to counter with a takedown but Sonnen is quick to defend against it.
Quin with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sonnen is looking to slow Quin down with leg kicks.
We've been informed that Sonnen has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Quin on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Quin looks to score with a jab to the body but Sonnen is just out of range.
Quin is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Sonnen scores with a nice head shot.
Sonnen throws a looping overhand right but Quin ducks down to avoid it.
Sonnen chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Sonnen scores with a shot to the body.
The fighters circling - Quin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Quin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sonnen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonnen misses with a low kick.
Sonnen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Quin misses with a wild body shot.
Sonnen scores with a punch to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sonnen throws a push kick but Quin slaps the foot to one side.
Sonnen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Quin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Quin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A little jabbing left from Sonnen on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Quin is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sonnen.
Sonnen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Quin swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Sonnen throws a leg kick which misses Quin's front leg but catches the back leg as Quin tries to avoid it.
Quin changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Sonnen misses with a body shot.
A jab from Quin misses.
Sonnen throws a nice inside leg kick.
Quin throws a body punch but Sonnen moves out of range.
Quin lands a nice shot that snaps Sonnen's head back.
Sonnen throws a hook but Quin avoids it easily.
Quin lands a head shot.
Quin thows a left - swing and a miss!
Quin takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Quin misses with a looping left.
Quin blocks a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Quin connects with the punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sonnen just misses with a punch to the body.
Sonnen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Sonnen.
Sonnen throws a nice outside leg kick.
Quin goes for a double leg but Sonnen avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Sonnen continues to drive forward.
A little jabbing left from Sonnen on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Sonnen fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Sonnen misses with an attempted mid kick.
Quin throws a lazy right hand but Sonnen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A big left from Quin misses.
Sonnen throws a front kick aimed at Quin's knee but Quin avoids it well.
Quin checks the leg kick nicely there.
Quin tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sonnen swivels and escapes.
Sonnen feints a counter leg kick.
Quin scores with a crisp jab that stopped Sonnen in his tracks.
Sonnen throws a leg kick

and Quin counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Quin wants to control from the top but Sonnen keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sonnen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sonnen looking to control.
Sonnen keeping moving, preventing Quin from controlling successfully.
Quin is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Quin controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Sonnen is trying to keep Quin in close.
Dao Sonnen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Quin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sonnen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Quin has managed to get both his arms back between Sonnen's legs - danger averted.
Sonnen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Quin trying to control but Sonnen is working from the bottom.
Sonnen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Sonnen keeping moving, preventing Quin from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Quin blocks a jab.
Quin throws a hook but Sonnen avoids it easily.
Sonnen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Quin manages to avoid it.
Quin feinted with a counter takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dao Sonnen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. This is the final round!

Sonnen tries a head kick but it misses.
Quin attempts a counter takedown but Sonnen avoids it well and moves away.
Sonnen misses with a body shot.
Sonnen takes a swing at Quin's ribcage but misses.
It looked like Quin wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Sonnen blocks a jab.
Quin thuds a left hand into Sonnen's body.
Quin misses the shot to the body.
Quin backing away here, and Sonnen unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Quin bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Quin scores with a punch to the head.
Sonnen tried to score with a low kick but Quin checks it.
Sonnen throws the kick towards the body but Quin avoids it.
Sonnen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Quin manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonnen throws a leg kick but Quin sees it coming and moves out of range.
Quin scores with a jab. Sonnen acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Quin lands a jab to the head.
Sonnen fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen throws a lazy right hand but Quin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A lazy body kick from Sonnen

and Quin counters with a nice double leg into side control. Sonnen won't be happy with that.
Sonnen is looking for a sweep.
Sonnen is not content to let Quin control the position.
Quin tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Quin taking a breather here.
Sonnen is not content to let Quin control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Check out the look on Quin's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Sonnen is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Quin off and has taken his back!

Sonnen working for the choke.
Quin is really stuck here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Sonnen working for the choke.

Quin defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Sonnen's arms.
Quin trying to control the hands but Sonnen won't let him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sonnen working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Quin wants to escape the position.
Sonnen struggling to keep hold of the position.
Quin tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Sonnen controlling from mount.
Quin slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Matt Quin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sonnen wants to pass to mount but Quin is defending the position.
Quin is looking to control Sonnen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Quin avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Quin won't allow Sonnen to pass to mount.
Sonnen passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Quin!
Quin stops Sonnen from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Quin is in all sorts of trouble here.
Quin is working hard here to advance position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Dao Sonnen.
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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Matt Quin!
Matt Quin thanked the fans post fight for their support.