PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Big Guns (ranked 510 p4p, 65 weight class) and Dao Sonnen (ranked 547 p4p, 70 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Sonnen's choice of entrance music: Sure to be sure. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Guns
vs
Sonnen

180 cm
31
192 lbs
16 - 16 - 1

183 cm
30
188 lbs
19 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

IniTech Nutrition

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 16 - 16 - 1, fighting out of London, Big Guns!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dao Sonnen!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Guns fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sonnen manages to avoid it.
Sonnen fails with the takedown.
Sonnen throws a poor cross that misses
and Guns counters with a left to the body.
Guns pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sonnen throws out a counter right but Guns avoids it with no problem.
Guns throws a leg kick but Sonnen sees it coming and checks it nicely.

Sonnen is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Guns's half guard.
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.
Guns makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Guns.

Guns has his foot on Sonnen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sonnen works his way back into a safe position though.
Sonnen passes Guns's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Sonnen seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Guns works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Guns is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sonnen's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Sonnen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Guns is keeping the position for now.
Guns looking for a sweep. Not yet Guns, not yet.

Guns looking for a guillotine here but Sonnen defends easily.

Guns is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
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.
Guns controlling Sonnen's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Sonnen wants to control from the top but Guns keeps moving.
Guns trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Guns keeping moving, preventing Sonnen from controlling successfully.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Sonnen looking to pass the guard.

Guns has his foot on Sonnen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sonnen works his way back into a safe position though.

Guns looking for a guillotine here but Sonnen defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Guns controls Sonnen momentarily but Sonnen frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Guns has his foot on Sonnen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sonnen works his way back into a safe position though.
Sonnen wants to stand but Guns is controlling his posture from full guard.
Sonnen wants to control from the top but Guns keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Guns pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Sonnen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Guns.
An inside leg kick lands from Sonnen.
Guns misses with a straight left.
Guns will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Guns takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sonnen's coach down at Temple of Cloud Warriors-youth was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Sonnen's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Sonnen misses with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen lands a nice hook to Guns's body. Guns takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Guns throws a body shot but no joy.
Nice uppercut there from Guns.
Sonnen throws a body shot but no joy.
Guns takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Sonnen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Guns closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A telegraphed right hand from Sonnen misses the target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sonnen throws a shot from downtown. Guns moves away and avoids it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sonnen. Guns does a little dance to reset his feet.

Guns gets caught napping as Sonnen dives in and scores a takedown. Guns manages to retain guard.
Guns keeping moving, preventing Sonnen from controlling successfully.
Sonnen slips nicely into half guard.
Sonnen wants to free his trapped foot but Guns is holding on for dear life with his legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dao Sonnen dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Guns cracks Sonnen with a good jab.
Guns lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Guns moves out of range of the body kick from Sonnen.
Guns throws a looping overhand right but Sonnen ducks down to avoid it.
Guns lands a lovely overhand right.
Guns throws a sloppy head kick and Sonnen moves out of range easily.
Sonnen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The crowd cheers as Sonnen lands an impressive looking overhand right. Guns doesn't seem phased though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonnen throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Guns stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

It looks like Dao Sonnen has been cut.
Guns clobbers Sonnen with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Sonnen looks to score with a jab to the body but Guns is just out of range.
Sonnen digs a good body shot into Guns's ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sonnen shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Guns's guard.
Guns looking to control.
Guns lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Guns trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sonnen looking to control.

Sonnen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Guns is aware though and is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sonnen is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Guns content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

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

Guns avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sonnen wants to sweep here but Guns controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sonnen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Guns trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Guns is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Sonnen is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Sonnen has escaped and now he's on top!

Sonnen won't allow Guns to sweep him here.
Guns lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Sonnen has an active guard here but Guns has managed to pass into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Guns is working for a submission of some sort.
Guns wants to pass the guard but Sonnen is defending well.
Sonnen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sonnen gets full guard.

Sonnen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Guns is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Sonnen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Guns defends it easily.
Sonnen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Guns's guard.

Sonnen trying to control the position from guard on top but Guns is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dao Sonnen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sonnen passes Guns's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Guns manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Sonnen's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Guns looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sonnen is stalling in the full guard.
Guns lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Big Guns will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Dao Sonnen's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Guns takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
It looks like Guns has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Guns throws a hook but Sonnen blocks it.
Sonnen is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Guns lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Sonnen connects with an inside leg kick.
Guns looks to land a left hand but Sonnen moved out of range nicely.
Sonnen throws out a counter right but Guns avoids it with no problem.
Sonnen moves away from the strike by Guns.
And Sonnen tries to counter it with a takedown but Guns pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Sonnen throws a nice outside leg kick.
Sonnen lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Sonnen defending well as Guns loads up on a big left hand.
Sonnen was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Guns misses with a head kick.
Guns misses with a looping left.
Sonnen looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Guns goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A little jabbing left from Sonnen on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Guns pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Sonnen scores with a takedown into Guns's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Sonnen wants to control from the top but Guns keeps moving.
Guns thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Sonnen's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Sonnen wants to pass the guard but Guns is keeping the position.
Guns keeping moving, preventing Sonnen from controlling successfully.
Sonnen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Guns is keeping the position for now.
Guns is trying to control the position but Sonnen postures up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Guns misses with a hook
and Sonnen counters with a nice uppercut.
Guns swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sonnen let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Sonnen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Guns.
Guns lands a jab to the nose.
Jab by Guns.
Sonnen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Guns drops his hands momentarily and Sonnen takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Guns thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Sonnen if he has to take too many more of those.
Guns uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sonnen.
Sonnen has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Sonnen there as he acknowledges the shot.
Guns takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Sonnen is looking to chop away at Guns's legs.
Big Guns is winning the standup battle so far.
Sonnen throws a poor cross that misses
and Guns makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen misses with a wild body shot.
Guns connects with a body shot that sends Sonnen's belly button to the back.
Guns turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Guns tries to clinch up but Sonnen circles away and keeps his distance.
Sonnen with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sonnen is looking to clinch.
Guns throwing a counter right hand but Sonnen manages to avoid it.
Guns tries to land a leg kick but Sonnen saw it coming and moves away.
Sonnen throws a quick inside leg kick.
Guns displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sonnen throws out the jab.
Guns fires out a quick counter leg kick but Sonnen just manages to avoid it.
Sonnen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Guns. Guns obviously looking to wear him down.
Sonnen walks into a left hand.
Sonnen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sonnen scores with a jab. Guns acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A telegraphed right hand from Guns misses the target.
Guns steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sonnen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen lands with a good body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sonnen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Guns.
Guns misses with an uppercut.
Guns lands with a kick to the temple. Sonnen shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Sonnen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Guns moves away.
Big Guns is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sonnen looks to land a body kick but Guns moved away.
Sonnen takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Sonnen drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Guns managing to control the position.
Sonnen wants to control from the top but Guns keeps moving.
Sonnen looking to pass the guard.

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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Dao Sonnen!
Dao Sonnen looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'I had a lot of respect for Quin's ground game, but still didn't wanna play too defensively. It was only a matter of time. I just needed to cook the beans, work through the pins I could close down his options. It was a gamble my coaches were counting on my superior physicals. '.