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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dao Sonnen (ranked 19 p4p, 3 weight class) and Pablo Maraçon (ranked 41 p4p, 7 weight class). Sonnen comes to the cage accompanied by The Devil's Doorbell. Maraçon has chosen Pistolero as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?
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| 183 cm
33
188 lbs
27 - 11 - 0 |
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186 cm
34
185 lbs
30 - 9 - 2 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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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
27 - 11 - 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
30 - 9 - 2, fighting out of London, Pablo Maraçon!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Donald Grub and Chris Edwards.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sonnen jabs Maraçon to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Sonnen has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Maraçon fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Sonnen is out of range.
Maraçon with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sonnen looks to throw the jab but Maraçon is out of range.
Maraçon has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Sonnen fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Maraçon sprawls well initially but Sonnen persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Maraçon tries to roll over but Sonnen keeps him under control.
Sonnen is looking for a kimura here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maraçon is trying to stand up here but Sonnen is controlling him well.
Maraçon keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maraçon is trying to get back to full guard.
Sonnen stalling.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen is trying to work for a kimura but Maraçon is defending well.
Sonnen is working for a submission of some sort.
Sonnen trying to mount his opponent but Maraçon defends it.
Maraçon is looking to improve his position.
Sonnen is trying to control the action in half guard but Maraçon is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Sonnen wants to work for an arm triangle but Maraçon is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Maraçon tries to get to full guard but Sonnen has control of the leg.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Sonnen is looking to take a break and control but Maraçon is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Maraçon controlling the position for now.
Maraçon is refusing to be controlled, as Sonnen sits in half guard.
Maraçon is looking to improve his position.
Sonnen is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Sonnen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Maraçon keeps working.
Maraçon is pressing down on Sonnen's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maraçon scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Maraçon throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Maraçon walks into a straight right hand from Sonnen.
Sonnen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maraçon was well out of range. Poor timing from Sonnen.
Sonnen throws a leg kick that is checked
and Maraçon counters with a slapping leg kick.
Sonnen lands with a right hand.
Maraçon tried to score with a low kick but Sonnen checks it.
Sonnen tried to counter with a leg kick but Maraçon avoided it.
Sonnen pushes Maraçon up against the cage in a clinch.
Sonnen lands a body punch.
Maraçon prevents a takedown attempt there.
A head punch on the inside from Maraçon fails to land.
Maraçon misses with a hook to the ribs.
Maraçon lands with a right to the head.
Sonnen has Maraçon pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Maraçon manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sonnen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A right hook to the body lands for Maraçon.
Maraçon can't find room to land a body shot as Sonnen controls the action.
Sonnen lands a body punch in the clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen pulls guard effortlessly.
Sonnen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Maraçon defends it easily.
Maraçon passes Sonnen's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Sonnen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Maraçon is working away from the top position though.
Maraçon stalling.
Sonnen is pressing down on Maraçon's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Maraçon controls from within his opponent's guard.
Sonnen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
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 fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Sonnen moves away from the strike by Maraçon.
Maraçon connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Sonnen takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Maraçon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sonnen moves away.
A head kick misses from Sonnen.
Sonnen takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Sonnen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for Sonnen.
Maraçon throws a body kick that misses.
Maraçon uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sonnen.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Maraçon! But no joy.
Nice defenses there by Sonnen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice shot by Sonnen.
Maraçon misses with a low kick.
Sonnen needs to keep his hands up - Maraçon had a free shot at his head there.
Sonnen swings for the body but Maraçon moves out of range.
Maraçon chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Sonnen can pounce on him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maraçon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sonnen moves away.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Maraçon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sonnen throws a quick inside leg kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Sonnen as he connects with a hook.
Sonnen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maraçon was well out of range. Poor timing from Sonnen.
A low kick from Sonnen is predictable there
and Maraçon counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Maraçon connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sonnen. Sonnen circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Sonnen connects with a good right hand that stumbles Maraçon. Maraçon circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Maraçon misses with a body shot.
Maraçon looks for the body kick but Sonnen saw that one coming.
Sonnen throws a sloppy head kick and Maraçon moves out of range easily.
A low kick from Sonnen is predictable there
and Maraçon counters with a nice uppercut.
Maraçon lands a head shot.
The crowd cheers as Sonnen lands an impressive looking overhand right. Maraçon doesn't seem phased though.
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!
Maraçon checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Maraçon just misses with a punch to the body.
Sonnen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen misses with a lunging right hand
and Maraçon counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Pablo Maraçon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Maraçon avoids the head kick by Sonnen.
Sonnen throws a body kick that misses.
Maraçon misses with a kick to the body.
Sonnen lands a lovely overhand right.
Maraçon displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sonnen.
Sonnen throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A nice side step and Maraçon releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Sonnen explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Sonnen lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maraçon. Sonnen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sonnen swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Maraçon scores with a nice body kick.
Maraçon blocks the body kick.
Sonnen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sonnen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maraçon throws a looping overhand right but Sonnen ducks down to avoid it.
Pablo Maraçon seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sonnen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Maraçon.
Maraçon scoring well with a low kick there.
Sonnen throws a lazy right hand but Maraçon sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Maraçon is trying to counter with his kicks.
Sonnen scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Sonnen is looking to take a break and control but Maraçon is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Maraçon holding on.
Sonnen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Maraçon keeps working.
Dao Sonnen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Maraçon is trying to control Sonnen's posture but Sonnen avoids it.
Maraçon is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Sonnen's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maraçon is trying to get back to full guard.
Maraçon is doing well to control the position and prevent Sonnen from advancing to side control.
Sonnen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Maraçon does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Maraçon is looking for a sweep. Sonnen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sonnen is taking a breather. Maraçon says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Sonnen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Maraçon does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Maraçon regains full guard. Nicely done.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maraçon keeping moving, preventing Sonnen from controlling successfully.
Maraçon not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
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 Dao Sonnen will probably get the nod.
That's time! Sonnen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Sonnen just misses with a punch to the body.
Maraçon keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Maraçon takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Maraçon is looking to score with low kicks.
Maraçon connects with a high kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Maraçon. Sonnen shrugs it off though.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Sonnen, as that shot connected.
Sonnen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maraçon was well out of range. Poor timing from Sonnen.
Sonnen throws a hook but Maraçon avoids it easily.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sonnen or perhaps it was just good defense by Maraçon, which made it look bad.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonnen misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Maraçon to counter with a crisp jab.
Sonnen scores with a takedown into Maraçon's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sonnen being controlled here momentarily.
Maraçon's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen looking to pass the guard.
Maraçon pulls Sonnen in close to his closed guard and prevents Sonnen from doing any damage or advancing position.
Sonnen trying to control the position from guard on top but Maraçon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Maraçon is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Sonnen advances to half guard.
Maraçon is looking to control Sonnen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Maraçon avoid being mounted?
Sonnen is trying to control. Maraçon wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Maraçon is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sonnen is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Maraçon sees it coming and defends easily.
Maraçon is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sonnen's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sonnen's back!
Maraçon has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Sonnen's body.
Sonnen turns into Maraçon and is now in his guard.
Sonnen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maraçon wants to get back to his feet but Sonnen is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Maraçon has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Sonnen off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Maraçon misses with a leg kick.
Maraçon throws a body shot but no joy.
Sonnen tries to land a front kick but Maraçon steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Sonnen lands an overhand right.
Maraçon misses with a low kick as Sonnen jumps back.
A big right from Maraçon misses.
Sonnen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Maraçon avoids it really well and circles away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Maraçon! But no joy.
Nice defenses there by Sonnen.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maraçon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Maraçon appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Sonnen.
Sonnen misses with a right hand
and Maraçon counters with a solid body kick.
Maraçon fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Sonnen just misses with a punch to the body.
Maraçon fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Sonnen checks it well.
Sonnen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A bone on bone clash there as Sonnen blocks the leg kick.
A left lands for Maraçon.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sonnen slips under a jab from Maraçon.
Maraçon shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Maraçon avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Maraçon delivers a nice body kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Maraçon.
Sonnen defending well as Maraçon loads up on a big left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Pablo Maraçon really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Sonnen lands a lovely overhand right.
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Sonnen is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Sonnen trying to control but Maraçon is having none of it.
Maraçon gets back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maraçon tries to roll over but Sonnen keeps him under control.
Sonnen content to control rather than advance.
Sonnen trying to control from Maraçon's half guard. Maraçon has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen wants to control from the top but Maraçon keeps moving.
Sonnen is really struggling to control Maraçon but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Sonnen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maraçon is keeping the position for now.
Sonnen is working hard here to advance position.
Sonnen preventing the sweep.
Sonnen wants to control from the top but Maraçon keeps moving.
Maraçon tries to land a sweep but no joy.
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.
Maraçon keeping full guard, as Sonnen tries to pass.
Sonnen pushes down on Maraçon's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Maraçon is controlling Sonnen's trapped leg to prevent Sonnen from advancing to side control.
Sonnen is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Maraçon is just riding it out for now. Sonnen eventually gives up the hold.
Sonnen is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Maraçon is just riding it out for now. Sonnen eventually gives up the hold.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maraçon tries to get to full guard but Sonnen has control of the leg.
Sonnen wants to control but Maraçon is keeping him busy.
Sonnen seems to be working for a kimura but Maraçon defends the submission attempt.
Maraçon manages to get to full guard.
Maraçon wants to sweep but no luck.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Maraçon controls Sonnen momentarily but Sonnen frees himself.
Sonnen being controlled here momentarily.
Sonnen wants to control from the top but Maraçon keeps moving.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
That kick from Maraçon tenderised Sonnen's leg. Sonnen is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sonnen misses with a left hand
and Maraçon counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Sonnen fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Maraçon on the side of the head.
Sonnen lands a nice looking kick to the body. Maraçon takes a step back to recover.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Maraçon looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sonnen's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Maraçon connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Sonnen scrambles back to his feet.
A low kick from Maraçon misses
and Sonnen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Dao Sonnen had his way with Pablo Maraçon 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. This is the final round!
A low kick from Maraçon misses
letting Sonnen counter with a right hand.
Sonnen pivots, looking for a leg kick but Maraçon is out of range and Sonnen settles back down.
Sonnen fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Maraçon sprawls well initially but Sonnen persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Maraçon is defending against the submission attempts here by Sonnen.
Maraçon tries to roll over but Sonnen keeps him under control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maraçon won't allow Sonnen to pass to mount.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Maraçon tries to roll over but Sonnen keeps him under control.
Maraçon keeping control of the position.
Maraçon is refusing to be controlled, as Sonnen sits in half guard.
Sonnen trying to pass the guard but Maraçon defending well.
Sonnen wants to work for an arm triangle but Maraçon is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Maraçon wants to control but Sonnen is keeping busy.
Maraçon is not content to let Sonnen control the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Sonnen stalling.
Sonnen trying to control from Maraçon's half guard. Maraçon has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Sonnen tries to free his leg and advance position but Maraçon is retaining full guard.
Maraçon is trying to keep Sonnen in close.
Sonnen tries to free his leg and advance position but Maraçon is retaining full guard.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Sonnen throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Sonnen ducks under a wild hook from Maraçon.
Maraçon misses with a kick to the body.
Sonnen misses the shot to the body.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen scores with a leg kick.
Maraçon throws a leg kick which misses Sonnen's front leg but catches the back leg as Sonnen tries to avoid it.
Pablo Maraçon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sonnen walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Maraçon checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Sonnen shoots in but Maraçon avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Maraçon waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sonnen.
Maraçon throws a low kick but Sonnen avoids it.
Maraçon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Maraçon blocks a head kick by Sonnen.
Maraçon throws a push kick but Sonnen slaps the foot to one side.
Maraçon lands with an overhand left.
Sonnen throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maraçon. Sonnen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sonnen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Maraçon's calf.
Maraçon lands a jab to the nose.
It looks like Dao Sonnen has been cut.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen cracks Maraçon with a good jab.
Maraçon uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sonnen.
Maraçon misses the jab.
Maraçon throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Sonnen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maraçon misses with a hook to the body
and Sonnen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sonnen takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Maraçon uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sonnen.
Maraçon throws a front kick aimed at Sonnen's knee but Sonnen avoids it well.
Maraçon misses with an attempted mid kick.
Maraçon throws a hook to the side of Sonnen's head but Sonnen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sonnen half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Maraçon throws a lazy right hand but Sonnen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sonnen feinted with a counter takedown.
Sonnen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Maraçon throws a lazy uppercut
and Sonnen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Dao Sonnen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sonnen avoids a kick to the body.
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.
I think Sonnen has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 49:47
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 48:47
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 48:47
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dao Sonnen!
Dao Sonnen retains his middleweight title!
Dao Sonnen decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
47% |
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