PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Daniel Cormier (ranked 5835 p4p, 0 weight class) and Owen Sumrall (ranked 5160 p4p, 0 weight class). Daniel Cormier could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Owen Sumrall's chin.

Cormier
vs
Sumrall

180 cm
18
235 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

196 cm
18
272 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Daniel Cormier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Owen Sumrall!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Robert Twigg and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cormier fails with an attempt to clinch.

Sumrall has managed to clinch.
Cormier definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Sumrall lands a right hand.
Cormier fails to pull guard.
Sumrall has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Cormier avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Cormier has Sumrall pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sumrall manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Cormier tries for a takedown but Sumrall manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daniel Cormier. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cormier is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Sumrall slowing the pace effectively.

Sumrall breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sumrall dips to his left and cracks Cormier with an uppercut!
Cormier shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sumrall as he avoids it easily.
Cormier misses with a takedown
and Sumrall counters with a stiff right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sumrall wants to clinch up but Cormier keeps it at a distance.
Sumrall moves in looking to clinch but Cormier pushes him off.
Cormier on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cormier is defended easily by Sumrall.
Sumrall scores with a hook to the body. Cormier takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Cormier pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Sumrall darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Sumrall seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Cormier does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sumrall misses with a head shot. Cormier uses the momentum to regain guard.
Cormier pulls Sumrall in close to his closed guard and prevents Sumrall from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sumrall is looking to work some ground and pound but Cormier has wrist control.
Cormier keeping moving, preventing Sumrall from controlling successfully.
Sumrall stands up over Cormier, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sumrall showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Cormier utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sumrall loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sumrall trying to control but Cormier is working from the bottom.
Sumrall slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Cormier is trying to control the position but Sumrall postures up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Cormier walks into a left hand.

Sumrall has taken the fight to the clinch.
Cormier is trying to force a seperation but Sumrall has the dominant position.
Sumrall fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Cormier breaks from the clinch.
Cormier shoots in looking for a takedown but Sumrall manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cormier's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sumrall should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cormier closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Cormier is looking to take a break and control but Sumrall is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sumrall is trying to control but can't.
Sumrall tries to roll over but Cormier keeps him under control.
Cormier throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Cormier stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Sumrall to get to his feet.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Cormier successfully pulls 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!
Cormier looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Owen Sumrall dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sumrall clinches.

Cormier breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
No luck for Cormier with that takedown attempt.
The fighters circle momentarily. Sumrall darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Cormier moves into the clinch successfully.
Cormier stops a takedown attempt from Sumrall.

Sumrall lands a takedown into guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Cormier manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
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!
Sumrall tries to score a body lock takedown but Cormier shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sumrall blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Cormier gets underhooks to prevent Sumrall's takedown attempt.
Daniel Cormier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Owen Sumrall.
Cormier has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sumrall avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Sumrall gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Sumrall has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sumrall is breathing heavily.
Sumrall thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cormier's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cormier is positioning himself well to prevent Sumrall advancing to mount.
Cormier wants to get back to his feet.
Sumrall is trying to control. Cormier wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Sumrall is trying to work for a kimura but Cormier is defending well.
Sumrall trying to control the action but Cormier is working from the bottom.
Sumrall looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Cormier is not content to let Sumrall control the position.
Cormier trying to control here.

Sumrall is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Cormier has managed to free his arm - good work.
Cormier is positioning himself well to prevent Sumrall advancing to mount.
Sumrall is trying to control the action in half guard but Cormier is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Cormier shoots in looking for a takedown. Sumrall tries to sprawl out of it but Cormier keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sumrall manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sumrall closes the distance and clinches up with Cormier, looking for a takedown. Sumrall pushes Cormier against the cage but Cormier circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Cormier changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Sumrall looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Cormier is chipping away with strikes.
Cormier landing strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cormier wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sumrall keeps working.
Sumrall tries to buck Cormier off but Cormier is having none of it.
Sumrall is being controlled here.
Sumrall manages to work his way to half guard, despite Cormier's best efforts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sumrall looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Cormier trying to control the action but Sumrall is working from the bottom.
Cormier is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Sumrall wants to control but Cormier is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Cormier working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Cormier wants to pass to mount but Sumrall is defending the position.
Cormier lands with a punch from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Cormier dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Cormier shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sumrall is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Sumrall throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sumrall is looking to clinch but Cormier is avoiding it.
Cormier throws a chopping leg kick but Sumrall manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Sumrall wants to counter the offense by Cormier and move into the clinch position.
Sumrall fails in his attempt to clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cormier.
Cormier looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daniel Cormier. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sumrall takes the fight into the clinch.
Sumrall tries for a takedown but Cormier manages to get underhooks.

Cormier has Sumrall pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Cormier pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Sumrall tumbling to the mat - Cormier dives into Sumrall's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sumrall keeping full guard, as Cormier tries to pass.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sumrall avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cormier passes Sumrall's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Ground and pound from Cormier.
Sumrall is pressing down on Cormier's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sumrall is trying to hold Cormier in close to prevent damage but Cormier has managed to pass into half guard.
Cormier seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cormier works his foot free and advances to mount.
Sumrall gets back to half guard.

Cormier seems to be looking for submissions.
Cormier drops an elbow to the side of Sumrall's head.

Sumrall looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sumrall landing a few short strikes.
Cormier prevents Sumrall from improving his position.
Sumrall trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cormier is working for a submission of some sort.
Cormier trying to control from half guard but Sumrall is working away.
Cormier is thwarting Sumrall's attempts to control the position.
Daniel Cormier overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sumrall is staying active underneath Cormier, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Cormier takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Sumrall looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Cormier prevents Sumrall from improving his position.
Cormier is pressing down on Sumrall's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sumrall is holding on for now.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Cormier tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Sumrall defends well and Cormier ends up having to push Sumrall into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Daniel Cormier seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Sumrall darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Cormier has one foot on Sumrall's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cormier fails with the takedown
letting Sumrall counter with a right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Daniel Cormier showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Cormier 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Daniel Cormier!
Daniel Cormier seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.