PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dao Sonnen (ranked 33 p4p, 6 weight class) and Razmig Grigorian (ranked 17 p4p, 3 weight class). Sonnen's entrance music is The Devil's Doorbell. A fine choice. Grigorian has chosen Ara Gevorgyan - Artsakh as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Sonnen
vs
Grigorian

183 cm
32
188 lbs
24 - 10 - 0

186 cm
26
193 lbs
17 - 1 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

HELLBENT
Urban Fighter

HELLBENT
Riner Clothing and Laundry (85%)

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 24 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dao Sonnen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Razmig Grigorian!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sonnen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Grigorian sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Grigorian now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Grigorian takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Grigorian misses with a wild body shot.
Sonnen has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Temple of Cloud Warriors-youth in the buildup to the fight.
Grigorian misses with a looping right.
Sonnen throws a looping overhand right but Grigorian ducks down to avoid it.
Grigorian misses with a jab to the body
and Sonnen counters with a thumping low kick.
Sonnen misses with a body shot.
Grigorian lands a jab to Sonnen's midsection.
Grigorian moves out of range of the body kick from Sonnen.
Grigorian throws out a counter right but Sonnen avoids it with no problem.
Grigorian fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Grigorian swings widly with a right hand
and Sonnen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Grigorian throws a shot from downtown. Sonnen moves away and avoids it.
Sonnen swings widly with a right hand
and Grigorian makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Sonnen misses the target.
Grigorian swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Sonnen misses with a leg kick
and Grigorian counters with a nice low kick that buckles Sonnen's knee momentarily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Grigorian takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Sonnen cracks the inside of Grigorian's front leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Sonnen.
Grigorian steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sonnen.
Sonnen darts in looking for a takedown but Grigorian gets double underhooks and turns Sonnen into the cage.
Sonnen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A big left from Sonnen misses.
Grigorian ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sonnen lands a nice looking body kick.
Sonnen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Sonnen throws a body kick that misses
enabling Grigorian to counter with a crisp jab.
Sonnen throws a looping overhand right but Grigorian ducks down to avoid it.
Sonnen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Grigorian.
Grigorian lands a leg kick that knocks Sonnen off balance momentarily.
Sonnen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Grigorian keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Grigorian takes one on the button.
Sonnen throws a chopping leg kick but Grigorian manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen scores with a shot to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sonnen looks to throw the jab but Grigorian is out of range.
Sonnen throws a lazy right hand but Grigorian sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Grigorian throws out a counter right but Sonnen avoids it with no problem.
Sonnen lands a slapping body shot.
Sonnen takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A big left from Sonnen misses.
Grigorian scores with a crisp jab that stopped Sonnen in his tracks.
Grigorian throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Sonnen counters with a left to the body.
Grigorian catches Sonnen with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Grigorian tests Sonnen's chin there with a solid looking shot.

It looks like Dao Sonnen has been cut.
A telegraphed right hand from Sonnen misses the target.
Grigorian cracks Sonnen with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Grigorian misses with a leg kick

and Sonnen counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Sonnen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Grigorian keeping full guard, as Sonnen tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grigorian is controlling Sonnen's posture.
Sonnen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Grigorian is keeping the position for now.
Sonnen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sonnen trying to control but Grigorian is working from the bottom.
Sonnen is stalling in the full guard.
Sonnen trying to control but Grigorian is working from the bottom.
Sonnen tries to free his leg and advance position but Grigorian is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Sonnen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Grigorian throws a wild body kick that Sonnen sees coming a mile off.

Sonnen shoots in and gets a takedown into Grigorian's guard.
Sonnen trying to control the position from guard on top but Grigorian is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sonnen is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Sonnen looking to pass the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sonnen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Grigorian can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sonnen controls the pace.
Sonnen scoring with some ground and pound.
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 cut man is working on Dao Sonnen's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sonnen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Grigorian connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Sonnen's hands.
Sonnen throws a right hand that misses
and Grigorian counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Sonnen gets a takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sonnen is trying to control the action in half guard but Grigorian is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Grigorian tries to kick Sonnen off but Sonnen keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Grigorian won't allow Sonnen to pass to mount.
Grigorian wants to get back to his feet.

Grigorian is defending against the submission attempts here by Sonnen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonnen thows a huge punch but Grigorian dodges it nicely.
Sonnen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Sonnen is trying to work for a kimura but Grigorian is defending well.
Grigorian is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sonnen throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Grigorian to regain full guard.
Sonnen throwing strikes but missing.
Grigorian keeping moving, preventing Sonnen from controlling successfully.
Grigorian looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sonnen is one step ahead there.
Grigorian avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Sonnen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sonnen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Grigorian swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Grigorian keeping moving, preventing Sonnen from controlling successfully.
Grigorian wants to stand up but Sonnen is controlling him.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Sonnen scores with a nice strike.
Grigorian throws a leg kick but Sonnen sees it coming and moves out of range.
Sonnen throws an overhand right that lands on Grigorian's shoulder, as Grigorian tries to avoid the shot.
Grigorian misses with a looping right.
Grigorian looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Grigorian moves away from the strike by Sonnen.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sonnen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sonnen tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Grigorian is able to avoid easily.
Sonnen misses with a wild body shot.
Sonnen tries to clinch up but Grigorian circles away and keeps his distance.
Grigorian throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Grigorian takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Grigorian throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sonnen throws a head kick that misses.
Grigorian let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Grigorian lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Grigorian tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sonnen was well out of range. Poor timing from Grigorian.
Grigorian misses with a body shot.
Grigorian fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sonnen connects with a single shot there.
Grigorian misses with a wild body shot.
Sonnen fires out a quick counter leg kick but Grigorian just manages to avoid it.
Sonnen getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Grigorian.
Sonnen throws a looping overhand right but Grigorian ducks down to avoid it.
A big right from Grigorian misses.
Sonnen was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Grigorian tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Grigorian looks for the body kick but Sonnen saw that one coming.
Sonnen moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sonnen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Sonnen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Grigorian throws a leg kick but Sonnen checks it.
Sonnen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Grigorian lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Grigorian dodges the punch combination from Sonnen.
Grigorian blocks the body kick.
A clash of legs there as Sonnen blocks the low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dao Sonnen dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Dao Sonnen's cut.
That's time! Sonnen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sonnen throws a looping overhand right but Grigorian ducks down to avoid it.
Sonnen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Grigorian thuds a left hand into Sonnen's body.
Grigorian looks to land a right hand but Sonnen moved out of range.
Sonnen bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Grigorian misses with a wild combination.
Sonnen throws out a loose jab but Grigorian uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sonnen connects with a crisp jab.
Grigorian tries to bum rush Sonnen with a series of wild strikes but Sonnen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Grigorian scores with a jab. Sonnen acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonnen blocks a leg kick.
Grigorian fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sonnen half committed to a counter leg kick.
Sonnen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Grigorian.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Sonnen, right into the meat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Grigorian. Sonnen does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grigorian avoids the body shot from Sonnen.
Grigorian fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sonnen manages to avoid it.
Grigorian rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Sonnen makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Grigorian really felt that one!
Grigorian gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Sonnen ducks right into an uppercut from Grigorian.
Razmig Grigorian is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sonnen throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Sonnen throws a push kick but Grigorian slaps the foot to one side.
Grigorian slips under a jab from Sonnen.
Sonnen throws a low kick but Grigorian moves out of range easily.
Grigorian swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Grigorian throws out a leg kick but Sonnen moves out of range and Grigorian only half commits.
Sonnen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Grigorian misses with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen throws a shot to the body.
Grigorian throws an off balance right hand

and Sonnen counters with a nice double leg into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sonnen throws an elbow that misses. Grigorian uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sonnen's guard. Nice move by Grigorian!

Grigorian wanted to stand there but Sonnen had control of the position.

Sonnen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Grigorian can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Grigorian is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Sonnen 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 seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Grigorian stands up from Sonnen's guard - Grigorian perhaps looking for a knockout.
Sonnen throws a low kick but it's checked well by Grigorian.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen missing with a left hand there. Grigorian was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sonnen walks into a jab.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sonnen.
Sonnen throws out a powerful jab.
Sonnen takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Sonnen takes one to the chin there.
Grigorian takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Sonnen throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Grigorian is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Sonnen with a body shot.
Grigorian lands a nice hook to Sonnen's body. Sonnen takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Sonnen 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.
Grigorian changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Grigorian uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sonnen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen slips under a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Grigorian tries to land a leg kick but Sonnen saw it coming and moves away.
Nice cross by Grigorian.

Sonnen closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Grigorian's guard.
Sonnen controlling from the top position.
Grigorian keeping moving, preventing Sonnen from controlling successfully.
Sonnen throws a big right hand that misses.
Grigorian is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sonnen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Grigorian works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Grigorian is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sonnen is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Razmig Grigorian just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Dao Sonnen's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Sonnen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Sonnen dives in and scores a takedown into Grigorian's guard.
Sonnen not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Dao Sonnen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sonnen tries to free his leg and advance position but Grigorian is retaining full guard.
Sonnen controls from within his opponent's guard.
Sonnen throwing strikes but missing.
Sonnen preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grigorian looking to control.
Grigorian is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sonnen wants to control from the top but Grigorian keeps moving.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Grigorian displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sonnen throws out the jab.
Sonnen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Grigorian throws a leg kick but Sonnen sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Grigorian steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sonnen.
Sonnen misses with a wild body shot.
Sonnen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Grigorian walks into a stiff left hand from Sonnen.
Sonnen misses with a wild body shot.
Grigorian misses with a straight left.
A nice leg kick lands there from Grigorian.
Sonnen throws a low kick, looking for Grigorian's leg but Grigorian calmly moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grigorian misses with a hook.
Grigorian lands with a hook. Sonnen tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Sonnen gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Grigorian counters with a body kick.
Sonnen moves out of range as Grigorian strikes.
Sonnen throws a jab when Grigorian was well out of range.
Sonnen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Grigorian.
A punch lands to the side of Grigorian 's head but he takes it in his stride.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sonnen blocks a low kick nicely.
Grigorian ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sonnen scores with a nice body kick.
Grigorian throws a leg kick that misses.
Sonnen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Grigorian throws out a counter right but Sonnen avoids it with no problem.
Sonnen defending well as Grigorian loads up on a big left hand.
Sonnen misses with a takedown attempt - Grigorian sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grigorian takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Sonnen throws a shot to the body.
Sonnen works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A slow jab from Sonnen misses its intended target.
Grigorian misses with an attempted mid kick.
A cross from Sonnen lands.
Grigorian jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Grigorian scores with a hook.
A clash of legs there as Grigorian blocks the low kick.
Grigorian on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Sonnen checks the leg kick.
Grigorian swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sonnen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Grigorian.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen lands with a good body shot.
Grigorian throws a shot from downtown. Sonnen moves away and avoids it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sonnen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Grigorian defending well as Sonnen loads up on a big left hand.
Despite the aggression on Grigorian's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Sonnen fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Grigorian looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Grigorian with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Sonnen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Grigorian is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sonnen.
Sonnen has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Grigorian.
Sonnen shoots in looking for a takedown. Grigorian tries to sprawl out of it but Sonnen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Grigorian manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Dao Sonnen will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Dao Sonnen's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A lazy left from Grigorian finds it's target.
Sonnen turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Sonnen checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Sonnen misses with a shot to the body
and Grigorian counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sonnen moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Sonnen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sonnen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sonnen delivers a nice body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonnen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Sonnen tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sonnen walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Grigorian throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Grigorian moves out of range of the body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grigorian blocks the body kick.
Sonnen throws a big shot that misses.
Grigorian works the jab nicely.
Grigorian scores with a nice strike.
Grigorian with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Sonnen to score with a decent uppercut.
Grigorian tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sonnen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Grigorian moves away from the strike by Sonnen.
Sonnen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Grigorian throws out a counter right but Sonnen avoids it with no problem.
Sonnen misses the shot to the body.
Sonnen checks the leg kick nicely there.
A slapping leg kick lands for Sonnen.
Sonnen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Grigorian only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Grigorian defending well as Sonnen loads up on a big left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Sonnen.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Grigorian manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Sonnen throwing shots but Grigorian is blocking nicely.
Sonnen stops Grigorian from getting back to his feet.
Grigorian wants to get back to full guard.
Sonnen stops Grigorian from getting back to his feet.
Grigorian tries to roll over but Sonnen keeps him under control.
Sonnen looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Sonnen looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Sonnen is working hard here to advance position.
Razmig Grigorian has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Grigorian defending well though.
Sonnen is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Sonnen punching from mount but Grigorian doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Sonnen controlling the position easily from mount.

Sonnen moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Grigorian has worked his arm free - good work by Grigorian!
You can see the frustration on Grigorian's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen controls the position.
Grigorian is not content to let Sonnen control the position.
Grigorian parries the strikes from Sonnen easily there. Sonnen is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Grigorian to escape.
Sonnen trying to control the action but Grigorian is working from the bottom.
Sonnen scores with punches from side control.
Sonnen trying to control the action but Grigorian is working from the bottom.
Sonnen throwing shots but missing, from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dao Sonnen showed his dominance in that final round.
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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 50:46
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 49:46
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 50:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dao Sonnen!
Dao Sonnen retains his middleweight title!
A victorious Dao Sonnen thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.