PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yoshihiro Asai (ranked 241 p4p, 30 weight class) and Dao Sonnen (ranked 359 p4p, 48 weight class). Sonnen is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by The Devil's Doorbell. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Asai
vs
Sonnen

172 cm
30
192 lbs
19 - 9 - 1

183 cm
31
188 lbs
21 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

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 19 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yoshihiro Asai !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dao Sonnen!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Asai misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Asai takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Asai enables Sonnen to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Asai manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Sonnen tries to free his leg and advance position but Asai is retaining full guard.
Sonnen trying to control but Asai is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sonnen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sonnen trying to control the position from guard on top but Asai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Asai controls Sonnen momentarily but Sonnen frees himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonnen wants to pass the guard but Asai is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sonnen pushing down on Asai 's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Sonnen is keen to just control but Asai is a slippery customer.
Asai tries to roll over but Sonnen keeps him under control.

Sonnen is working for a submission of some sort.
Asai knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Sonnen on the ground.
Sonnen trying to pass the guard but Asai defending well.
Asai trying to control here.
Asai is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Asai wants to get back to full guard.

Sonnen is trying to work for a kimura but Asai is defending well.
Sonnen slows the pace down in half guard.
Asai tries to roll over but Sonnen keeps him under control.
Sonnen controlling the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sonnen has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Asai is landing a low percentage of strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen avoids a kick to the body.
Sonnen slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Sonnen lands a glancing blow to the side of Asai 's head.

Sonnen shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Asai is trying to defend but Sonnen finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Asai has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Sonnen is on him like a limpet, forcing Asai back against the cage.

Asai breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Asai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Asai but Asai pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Sonnen. Asai shrugs it off though.
Sonnen blocks a jab.
Sonnen throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Asai counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen's corner calls for a 1-2. Sonnen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Sonnen is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

Asai fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sonnen, pushing him back against the cage.
Sonnen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sonnen scores with a shoulder strike.
Sonnen works on Asai 's body with a couple of short punches.
Sonnen works on Asai 's body with a couple of short punches.
Sonnen lands a body shot in the clinch.
Asai is breathing heavily.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Sonnen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Asai 's elbow.
Sonnen struggles to land a body shot inside as Asai controls his hands.
A short right from Sonnen on the inside.
Asai prevents a body shot from Sonnen.

Sonnen manages to break the clinch.
Asai looks to score with a jab to the body but Sonnen is just out of range.
Sonnen lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sonnen throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Sonnen attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
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!

The fighters circling - Sonnen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sonnen scores with a jab to the jaw.
Asai checks a leg kick.
Asai takes a swing at Sonnen's ribcage but misses.
Sonnen looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A telegraphed right hand from Asai misses the target.
Sonnen avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Asai thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sonnen misses with an uppercut.
Sonnen throws a body shot but no joy.
Asai throws a body shot but no joy.
Sonnen swats away the attempt to clinch by Asai .
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Asai fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sonnen changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Asai moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Sonnen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Asai .

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asai throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Sonnen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Sonnen scores with a nice body kick.
Sonnen chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Donk. Sonnen catches Asai right on the button with a cross.

Sonnen feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Sonnen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Asai is keeping the position for now.
Asai wants to sweep but no luck.
Asai being controlled here, momentarily.
Asai keeping moving, preventing Sonnen from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen passes Asai 's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Sonnen wants to control but Asai is keeping him busy.
Sonnen stalling.
Sonnen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Asai keeps working.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Asai is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen is trying to control. Asai wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Sonnen looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Sonnen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sonnen looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sonnen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sonnen tries to bum rush Asai with a series of wild strikes but Asai uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Asai tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Asai throws a sloppy head kick and Sonnen moves out of range easily.
Yoshihiro Asai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Asai defends well and Sonnen ends up having to push Asai into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Asai doesn't manage to clinch there - Sonnen circles away.
Sonnen throws a shot from downtown. Asai moves away and avoids it.
Sonnen avoids the body shot from Asai .
Nice uppercut there from Asai .

Asai moves into range and clinches up with Sonnen.
Sonnen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Asai .
A head punch on the inside from Sonnen fails to land.

Asai breaks from the clinch.
Yoshihiro Asai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Asai lands the left hand.
Asai tries to move into range but Sonnen moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
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 feints and then cracks Asai 's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Asai down.
Sonnen avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Sonnen digs a good body shot into Asai 's ribs.
Sonnen misses with a body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dao Sonnen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Asai .
Asai throws a head kick that misses
and Asai takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sonnen jabs at Asai 's body.
Sonnen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Asai looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Asai moves out of range as Sonnen strikes.
Asai slips a straight right by Sonnen.
As Sonnen looks to move away, Asai throws a big counter combo but Sonnen just gets out of the way.
Sonnen avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Asai takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Sonnen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Asai .
Asai lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Asai punishes Sonnen's body with a nice straight punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonnen bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Asai tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sonnen was well out of range. Poor timing from Asai .
Sonnen throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sonnen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
An attempted straight right counter from Asai misses the target.
Sonnen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asai buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Sonnen.
Sonnen takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sonnen swings away with a leg kick that misses.

Asai has taken the fight to the clinch.

Asai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sonnen throws the kick towards the body but Asai avoids it.
It looked like Asai was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Sonnen.
Sonnen slips a straight right by Asai .
Sonnen keeps the fight on the outside.
Asai wants to clinch up but Sonnen keeps it at a distance.
Sonnen slips under a jab.
Asai throws a hook to the side of Sonnen's head but Sonnen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sonnen throws out a counter right but Asai avoids it with no problem.
Asai connects with the punch.
Asai looks to land a right hand but Sonnen moved out of range.
Asai gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Sonnen.
Sonnen has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Asai fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Sonnen avoids the head kick by Asai .
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sonnen feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Asai s jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Sonnen lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Sonnen lands with a straight right. Asai didn't see that one coming.
Sonnen lands with an uppercut that bounces Asai off the cage and back into range.
Asai tries to score with a low kick but Sonnen moves his leg out of the way.
Asai throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Asai throws a big shot that misses.
Sonnen scores with a push kick.
Sonnen moves out of range as Asai strikes.
Asai lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Asai lands with an uppercut that bounces Sonnen off the cage and back into range.
Asai takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Sonnen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Asai .
Dao Sonnen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asai throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sonnen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Asai fails with an attempt to clinch.
Asai throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Asai will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Nice jab there from Sonnen.
Sonnen clobbers Asai with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Asai pushes Sonnen away with a front kick.
Asai takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Sonnen throws a body kick that misses.
Sonnen looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Asai misses with a kick to the body.
Sonnen throws a counter combo.
Asai lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

It looks like Dao Sonnen has been cut.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Sonnen crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Asai - the referee stops the clock and Sonnen gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Asai . Sonnen manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Sonnen avoids the head kick by Asai .
Asai pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sonnen throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Asai misses with a looping right.
And Sonnen tries to counter it with a takedown but Asai pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A slapping leg kick lands for Sonnen.
Asai lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Asai scores with a kick to the midsection.
Asai scores with the left hand. Sonnen knows he should have avoided that one.
Asai throws a hook but Sonnen avoids it easily.
Asai jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Asai throws a right hand that misses
and Sonnen counters with an outside leg kick.
Sonnen moves out of range as Asai strikes.
Asai cracks Sonnen with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Sonnen thumps Asai with a low kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Asai throws a hook to the side of Sonnen's head but Sonnen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sonnen throws a leg kick which misses Asai 's front leg but catches the back leg as Asai tries to avoid it.
Yoshihiro Asai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sonnen feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Asai s jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

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 Yoshihiro Asai .
Well Sonnen has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dao Sonnen!
A very excited looking Dao Sonnen made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.