PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dao Sonnen (ranked 610 p4p, 74 weight class) and Liam Kelley (ranked 485 p4p, 59 weight class). Sonnen's entrance music is Sure to be sure. A fine choice. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sonnen
vs
Kelley

183 cm
31
188 lbs
20 - 10 - 0

180 cm
34
194 lbs
29 - 17 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

KOMBAT KLOTHING
Sin City Allstars

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 20 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dao Sonnen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 17 - 1, fighting out of London, Liam Kelley!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kelley throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kelley ducks under a wild hook from Sonnen.
Kelley moves out of range of the body kick.
Kelley looks to score with a jab to the body but Sonnen is just out of range.
Sonnen scores with a kick to the midsection.
Kelley swings away with a body shot that misses
and Kelley takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sonnen lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Kelley plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Kelley misses with a body kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Sonnen.
Good leg kick by Kelley there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kelley throws a leg kick but Sonnen checks it.
Kelley throws a front kick aimed at Sonnen's knee but Sonnen avoids it well.
Kelley needs to keep his hands up - Sonnen had a free shot at his head there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kelley throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It looked like Sonnen wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kelley throws a right hand that misses
and Sonnen counters with a good low kick that Kelley was not able to check.
Sonnen misses with a body punch
and Kelley connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Sonnen there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kelley throws a hook to the side of Sonnen's head but Sonnen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kelley misses with a low kick.
Sonnen tries to clinch but Kelley is having none of it.
Sonnen misses with an uppercut
and Kelley counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Sonnen.
A head kick from Sonnen lands but Kelley takes it in his stride.
Kelley ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sonnen moves away.
Kelley misses with a body kick.
A jab from Sonnen misses.
Kelley walks into a stiff left hand from Sonnen.
Kelley lands a high kick!
Sonnen moves out of range as Kelley strikes.
Sonnen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kelley shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kelley on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Sonnen. Sonnen obviously looking to wear him down.
Sonnen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kelley throws a leg kick that misses.
Sonnen scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sonnen throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Kelley has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Kelley pivots, looking for a leg kick but Sonnen is out of range and Kelley settles back down.
A chopping leg kick lands by Sonnen.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kelley.
Sonnen blocks a jab.
Sonnen throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kelley throws a sloppy head kick and Sonnen moves out of range easily.
Sonnen cracks Kelley with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Sonnen changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sonnen. Kelley does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kelley swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Sonnen scores with a sloppy right hand. Kelley should have avoided that one.
Sonnen connects with a nice looking jab.
Sonnen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kelley waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sonnen.
Sonnen looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kelley throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sonnen feints a jab promting Kelley to slip. Sonnen then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Kelley slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Sonnen on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kelley fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kelley jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sonnen turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kelley avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kelley throws the left hand but Sonnen avoids the punch easily.
Liam Kelley is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kelley fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kelley pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sonnen on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Sonnen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kelley throws out the jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kelley leaves Sonnen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kelley misses with a looping right.
Kelley takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Jab by Kelley.
Sonnen tries for a takedown but Kelley circles away easily
and Kelley counters with a nice body shot.
Kelley throws a low kick but it's checked well by Sonnen.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Sonnen - that will leave a mark!
Kelley swings widly with a right hand
letting Sonnen counter with a right hand.
Kelley checks a low kick from Sonnen.
Kelley looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kelley lands with an uppercut that bounces Sonnen off the cage and back into range.
Sonnen scores with a spinning back kick!
Sonnen misses with a jab, cross combination.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sonnen throws out a leg kick but Kelley moves out of range and Sonnen only half commits.
Kelley misses with a body shot.
The fighters circling - Kelley throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
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 Dao Sonnen will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kelley throws the left hand but Sonnen avoids the punch easily.
Sonnen does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Kelley throws a lazy uppercut

and Sonnen counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Kelley being controlled here, momentarily.
Sonnen trying to control the position from guard on top but Kelley is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kelley is adopting a defensive guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sonnen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kelley at a distance.
Sonnen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sonnen seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Kelley misses with a hook to the body
and Sonnen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kelley throws out a leg kick but Sonnen moves out of range and Kelley only half commits.
Sonnen fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kelley on the side of the head.
Kelley is looking to chop away at Sonnen's legs.

Sonnen scores with a takedown into Kelley's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sonnen tries to free his leg and advance position but Kelley is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sonnen drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kelley looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kelley looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kelley!

Sonnen is looking to reverse the position.
Sonnen is working hard here to advance position.
Sonnen manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Sonnen content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Kelley is looking for a sweep. Sonnen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Sonnen is trying to work for a kimura but Kelley is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sonnen content to control rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kelley is staying active underneath Sonnen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kelley tries to get to full guard but Sonnen has control of the leg.

Sonnen seems to be looking for submissions.
Sonnen is looking to take a break and control but Kelley is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kelley keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sonnen slows the pace down in half guard.
Sonnen is just content to waste time from the top position. Kelley takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Sonnen stays in close to Kelley's body and controls the position.
Sonnen wants to control from the top but Kelley keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dao Sonnen dominated that second round.
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!

Kelley is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Sonnen shoots in for a double leg but Kelley sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kelley looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kelley misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sonnen.
A punch combination from Kelley misses.
A slapping body kick lands there for Sonnen.
Kelley moves forwards but Sonnen connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Sonnen is looking to slow Kelley down with leg kicks.
Sonnen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kelley throws out the jab.
Sonnen misses with a wild body shot.
Good exchange - Kelley coming out on top.
Dao Sonnen is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kelley moves out of range as Sonnen throws a body kick.
Kelley waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sonnen.
That kick from Sonnen tenderised Kelley's leg. Kelley is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sonnen misses with a leg kick
and Kelley counters with a nice leg kick.
Kelley looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kelley throws a hook to the side of Sonnen's head but Sonnen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sonnen throws a shot to the body.

Sonnen closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Sonnen is keen to just control but Kelley is a slippery customer.
Sonnen seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Sonnen wants to pass the guard but Kelley is defending well.
Kelley wants to get back to full guard.
Sonnen is thwarting Kelley's attempts to control the position.
Sonnen wants to pass to mount but Kelley is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kelley desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Sonnen prevents Kelley from improving his position.
Sonnen with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Sonnen looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Sonnen controlling the action here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Dao Sonnen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen throws a nice outside leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Sonnen.
Sonnen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kelley rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Sonnen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kelley replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Sonnen blocks it well.
Sonnen slips under a jab.
Sonnen throws a jab when Kelley was well out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sonnen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kelley thinks about the counter body kick.
Sonnen gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Liam Kelley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen tries to clinch but Kelley moves out of range.
Sonnen lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kelley will feel that in the morning.
Sonnen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kelley doesn't seem bothered though.
Kelley throws a lazy right hand but Sonnen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kelley lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kelley throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Kelley shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kelley throws a lazy right hand but Sonnen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A slow jab from Kelley misses its intended target.
Kelley takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A slapping body kick lands there for Sonnen.
Sonnen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kelley's calf.
Kelley throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sonnen.
Kelley misses with a straight right.
Sonnen throws a quick counter kick to the body but Kelley avoids it.
Kelley has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Sonnen.
Kelley swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sonnen swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Dao Sonnen.
Well Sonnen has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dao Sonnen!
Dao Sonnen seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
Liam Kelley spoke after the fight, saying 'Ain't that a Bitch'.