PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Saul Goodman (ranked 15 p4p, 2 weight class) and Dao Sonnen (ranked 115 p4p, 14 weight class). Sonnen comes into a darkened arena with his song building. The Devil's Doorbell kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Dao Sonnen acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Goodman
vs
Sonnen

188 cm
32
190 lbs
32 - 6 - 1

183 cm
31
188 lbs
23 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
Sully's Bar & Grill

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Saul Goodman!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dao Sonnen!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Goodman ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sonnen moves away.
Sonnen scores with a jab to the jaw.
Goodman swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Sonnen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Sonnen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sonnen misses with a head kick.
Sonnen throws a low kick but Goodman moves out of range easily.
Goodman throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Goodman slips a jab from Sonnen.
We've been told by Goodman's head coaches at Gym Amsterdam that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Sonnen throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Goodman appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Goodman stuns Sonnen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonnen checks the leg kick nicely there.
Sonnen throws a hook but Goodman avoids it easily.
Goodman misses with a hook. Sonnen ducked under it nicely.
Sonnen moves away from the strike by Goodman.
Goodman misses with a kick to the body.
Goodman turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sonnen takes the fight into the clinch.
Sonnen has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Goodman is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sonnen tries to work over Goodman's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sonnen blocks an uppercut.

Sonnen works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Sonnen passes into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sonnen stalling away here and it's allowed Goodman to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Sonnen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sonnen engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Goodman tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sonnen controlling from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen trying to control but Goodman is working from the bottom.
Sonnen showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Sonnen trying to control but Goodman is working from the bottom.
Goodman utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sonnen looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Sonnen throwing strikes from guard but Goodman blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goodman preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Goodman is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Sonnen is trying to control but can't.
Sonnen is looking for a sweep. Goodman is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Goodman seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Sonnen wants to get back to full guard.
Goodman not doing much here.
Sonnen is looking for a sweep. Goodman is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sonnen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Sonnen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sonnen tries to get to full guard but Goodman has control of the leg.
Goodman content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Sonnen tries to roll over but Goodman keeps him under control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Goodman is thwarting Sonnen's attempts to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Dao Sonnen will probably get the nod.
That's time! Goodman's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Goodman uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sonnen.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Goodman checks a leg kick.
Sonnen connects with an inside leg kick.
Sonnen bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Goodman's head backwards.
Some bone on bone action there as Sonnen checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Sonnen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Goodman doesn't seem bothered though.
Dao Sonnen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sonnen misses with a looping right.
Sonnen avoids the body shot from Goodman.
And Sonnen tries to counter it with a takedown but Goodman pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Sonnen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Goodman.
Goodman bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Sonnen's head backwards.
Goodman on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Sonnen. Sonnen obviously looking to wear him down.
Goodman connects with a looping right hand.
Goodman scores with a sloppy right hand. Sonnen should have avoided that one.
Goodman throws a low kick but Sonnen moves out of range easily.
Sonnen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Goodman moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sonnen takes one on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goodman ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Goodman avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sonnen looks to land a right hand but Goodman moved out of range.
Goodman throws a push kick but Sonnen slaps the foot to one side.
Goodman checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Goodman misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sonnen.
Goodman moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sonnen connects with a looping right hand.
Saul Goodman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sonnen throws a nice inside leg kick.
Goodman avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sonnen blocks a low kick nicely.
Sonnen throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Goodman.
Sonnen throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A decent looking cross lands there for Sonnen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Goodman on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Sonnen cracks Goodman with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Goodman thows a leg kick but Sonnen checks it

and Sonnen counters with a takedown into side control.
Sonnen tries to advance to mount but can't.
Sonnen throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

Sonnen swings around for an armbar but Goodman sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Sonnen's guard.
Sonnen is trying to control the position but Goodman postures up.
Goodman controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Goodman stopping the sweep attempt from Sonnen.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sonnen is trying to control the position but Goodman postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sonnen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Goodman can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Sonnen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Goodman has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Sonnen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Goodman trying to control the position from guard on top but Sonnen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Goodman tries to free his leg and advance position but Sonnen is retaining full guard.

That's four 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.

Goodman got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sonnen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Goodman has managed to get both his arms back between Sonnen's legs - danger averted.
Goodman looking to pass the guard.
Goodman wants to control from the top but Sonnen keeps moving.

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

Sonnen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Goodman can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sonnen seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Goodman moves out of range of the leg kick from Sonnen.
Sonnen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Goodman at a distance.
Goodman connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Sonnen's hands.
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.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Goodman tries to score with a low kick but Sonnen moves his leg out of the way.
Sonnen throws out a counter right but Goodman avoids it with no problem.
Sonnen moves out of range of the leg kick from Goodman.
A little jabbing left from Sonnen on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Sonnen connects with a solid leg kick.
Goodman throws a low kick, looking for Sonnen's leg but Sonnen calmly moves out of range.
Sonnen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Good standup being displayed there by Sonnen as he connects with a hook.
Sonnen gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Goodman counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Sonnen has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Goodman.
Sonnen walks into a jab.
Goodman gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Sonnen counters with a nice uppercut.
Goodman avoids a kick to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Goodman lands with a good body shot.
Sonnen tries to work over Goodman's front leg with a kick but Goodman checks it.
Goodman appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Sonnen misses with a straight right.
Sonnen misses with a hook.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sonnen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goodman lands a nice shot to the body.
Goodman throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Goodman misses with an attempted mid kick.
Sonnen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Goodman.
Goodman uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Goodman keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sonnen.
Sonnen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Goodman.
Sonnen looks to score with a jab to the body but Goodman is just out of range.
Goodman fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sonnen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Sonnen takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Goodman lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Goodman.
Goodman throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Goodman ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Goodman just misses with a punch to the body.
Goodman fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sonnen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen misses with a head kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sonnen misses with a left hand
and Goodman counters with a straight right hand.
Sonnen is looking to chop away at Goodman's legs.
A jab from Goodman misses.
Sonnen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Goodman.
Goodman misses with an uppercut. Sonnen saw that one coming.
Goodman ducks under a wild hook from Sonnen.
Goodman looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Sonnen slips a straight right by Goodman.
Sonnen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Sonnen scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Goodman throws a leg kick but Sonnen moved away.
Sonnen blocks a leg kick.
Goodman swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Goodman. That's going to slow Sonnen down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goodman misses with a straight right.
Goodman misses with a body kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Goodman misses the target.
Sonnen ducks right into an uppercut from Goodman.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sonnen or perhaps it was just good defense by Goodman, which made it look bad.
Sonnen's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Sonnen misses with a left hand
and Goodman counters with a nice uppercut.
Goodman tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Sonnen misses with a jab to the body
and Goodman counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Nice body kick from Goodman.
Goodman dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Goodman looks to throw the jab but Sonnen is out of range.
Goodman pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sonnen misses with a wild body shot.
Sonnen takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goodman waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sonnen.
Goodman throws out a loose jab but Sonnen uses good head movement to avoid it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Goodman throws a nice outside leg kick.
Sonnen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Sonnen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A jab from Sonnen does it's job there.
Goodman misses with a series of wild punches.
Sonnen loads up on a big right hand but Goodman slips the punch.
Sonnen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sonnen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Goodman.
Goodman swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Sonnen throws a big shot that misses.
Sonnen tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Goodman is able to avoid easily.
Goodman half committed to a counter leg kick.
Goodman tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sonnen was well out of range. Poor timing from Goodman.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saul Goodman clearly takes that 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.

Sonnen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sonnen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Goodman.
Goodman checks the leg kick.
Goodman paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Goodman gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Sonnen is looking to score with low kicks.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sonnen. Goodman does a little dance to reset his feet.
Goodman attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Goodman takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Sonnen takes one to the chin there.
Goodman wants to clinch but Sonnen slips to the side
and Sonnen counters with a stiff right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Goodman blocks the body kick.
Goodman lands a front kick.
Sonnen misses with a lunging right hand
and Sonnen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Goodman is looking to score with low kicks.
Sonnen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Goodman manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen lunges at Goodman with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Goodman's hand.
Sonnen moves out of range of the body kick from Goodman.
Goodman jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Goodman misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sonnen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Goodman throws a predictable looking body shot
and Sonnen counters with a good low kick that Goodman was not able to check.
Goodman throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sonnen tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Goodman thows a leg kick but Sonnen checks it
and Sonnen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sonnen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Sonnen avoids the body shot from Goodman.
Sonnen misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Sonnen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A jab lands there for Goodman.
Sonnen throws a body kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sonnen throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Goodman's head.
Sonnen misses with a takedown attempt
and Goodman counters with a nice uppercut.
Sonnen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Goodman moves away.
Goodman is looking to counter punch.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Sonnen. Goodman shrugs it off though.
Goodman throws a shot to the body.
Goodman throws a chopping leg kick but Sonnen manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Sonnen feints a counter leg kick.
Sonnen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Goodman was well out of range. Poor timing from Sonnen.
Sonnen fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Goodman checks it well.
Sonnen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Goodman's waist but Goodman gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sonnen off to one side.
Goodman changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Goodman misses the shot to the body.
Goodman wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Sonnen looks to throw the jab but Goodman is out of range.
Goodman connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Goodman checks a low kick from Sonnen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen throws a leg kick
and Goodman counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That kick from Goodman tenderised Sonnen's leg. Sonnen is trying to keep his angry face on.
A shot to the body from Goodman misses

and Sonnen counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Sonnen wants to control from the top but Goodman keeps moving.
Sonnen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Goodman trying to control the position here.
Sonnen postures up in Goodman's guard and throws a big left but Goodman blocks it.
Sonnen looking to pass the guard.
Sonnen throws a strike but Goodman rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Sonnen looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Goodman has picked Sonnen up and slammed him! Sonnen can't keep hold of the triangle and Goodman manages to pass to side control!
A control attempt from Sonnen but he's now mounted!
Goodman tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Goodman tries to control but Sonnen wriggling away.
Sonnen is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saul Goodman had his way with Dao Sonnen in that 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. And we move into the final round!

Sonnen looks to throw the jab but Goodman is out of range.
Sonnen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Goodman takes a head kick and keeps coming.
An inside leg kick from Sonnen misses.
Sonnen throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Good leg kick by Sonnen there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Sonnen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Goodman jabs Sonnen right on the nose. Sonnen blinks but takes it well.
Sonnen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Goodman appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Goodman misses with a body kick.
Sonnen has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Goodman misses with a body shot.
Goodman throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Sonnen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Goodman catches Sonnen with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Goodman dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sonnen. That did some damage!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goodman digs a good body shot into Sonnen's ribs.
Goodman uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sonnen.
Sonnen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Sonnen slips under a jab from Goodman.
Sonnen's jab looks to have found its range, popping Goodman under the eye.
Sonnen misses with a straight left.
Sonnen tries to move into range but Goodman moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Sonnen throws a leg kick but Goodman moved away.
Sonnen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Goodman.
Sonnen cracks Goodman with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Goodman swings for the body but Sonnen moves out of range.
Decent striking displayed by Sonnen there.
Sonnen attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Goodman throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen is looking to chop away at Goodman's legs.
Goodman swings for the body but Sonnen moves out of range.
Goodman lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sonnen's sensitive parts.

Sonnen closes the distance and pushes Goodman back into the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Goodman working aggressively here.
Goodman lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sonnen backwards.
Goodman misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sonnen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sonnen throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Goodman has a couple of punches blocked by Sonnen.
Goodman swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sonnen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Goodman's elbow.
Goodman misses with the head strike.
Goodman lands a body punch in the clinch.
Goodman misses with some punches.
Sonnen cracks Goodman with a nice body shot.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Sonnen blocks an uppercut.
Sonnen can't find room to land a body shot as Goodman controls the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Sonnen.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sonnen.
Sonnen tries for a takedown. No joy.
Goodman tries a body shot but Sonnen blocks it.
Goodman is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Sonnen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A jab lands there for Sonnen.
Goodman ducks under a wild hook from Sonnen.
Sonnen moves out of range of the leg kick from Goodman.
Goodman looks to score with a jab to the body but Sonnen is just out of range.
Sonnen misses with a looping left.
Sonnen misses with a right hand
and Goodman counters with a low kick, right behind Sonnen 's knee.
Sonnen scores with a jab to the jaw.
Sonnen throws out a loose jab but Goodman uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sonnen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen tries to land a leg kick but Goodman saw it coming and moves away.

Sonnen is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Goodman's half guard.
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!
Goodman regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Sonnen.
Sonnen is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Sonnen wants to control from the top but Goodman keeps moving.
Sonnen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Goodman works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sonnen pushing down on Goodman's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dao Sonnen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 47:48
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 48:48
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Dao Sonnen!
Dao Sonnen is the new middleweight champion!
In his post fight interview, Dao Sonnen gave a big smile as he said 'First I wanna say thanks to Carlos for his game plan throughout the training in preparation to the fight. He said he's been allowing his fighters to develop unorthodox styles and pretty much fight freely, but now it's time for our camp to step up & hone these skills in. This win was important to us!'.