PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mason Sonnier (ranked 4573 p4p, 4554 weight class) and Scott Norton (ranked 0 p4p, 494 weight class). Norton is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Regulators by - Warren G. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Sonnier
vs
Norton

175 cm
18
150
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
165
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mason Sonnier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Scott Norton!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sonnier misses with a kick to the body
and Norton connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Norton throws a shot to the body.
Sonnier wants to clinch.
Sonnier tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Norton defends well and Sonnier ends up having to push Norton into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Sonnier is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A head punch on the inside from Norton fails to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Norton is trying to break free.

Sonnier breaks from the clinch.
Norton circles away from the clinch attempt
and Norton counters with a series of strikes. Sonnier will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Norton digs a good hook to Sonnier's body.
Sonnier tries for a takedown but Norton sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mason Sonnier. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sonnier changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Norton tries to avoid it but Sonnier manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Norton to the ground. Norton escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Norton misses with a short punch on the inside.
Norton misses with a punch to the body.

Sonnier breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sonnier misses with a combination
and Norton makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Norton scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Sonnier gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Norton gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Sonnier.

Sonnier pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Norton scores with the left hand. Sonnier knows he should have avoided that one.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Norton dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sonnier throws a sloppy head kick
letting Norton counter with a right hand.
Norton connects with a looping right hand.
Sonnier tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Norton counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mason Sonnier seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sonnier is trying hard to land a takedown here. Norton sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Norton cracks Sonnier with a good jab.
Norton cracks Sonnier with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Norton lands a really nice looking cross but Sonnier seems unphased.
Sonnier has his takedown stuffed
and Sonnier takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norton ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Sonnier. Those never looked like landing.
Norton throws out a counter right but Sonnier avoids it with no problem.
Norton circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sonnier wants to clinch up but Norton keeps it at a distance.
Norton doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Norton lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Norton.
Sonnier misses with a jab to the body
and Norton counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Norton connects with a nice looking jab.
Sonnier tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Norton manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Norton bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Sonnier's head backwards.
Sonnier misses with a takedown
and Norton counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Sonnier is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnier shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Norton counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
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!
Sonnier shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Norton connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Norton scores with a punch to the head.
Norton dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Norton lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sonnier backs up against the cage.
Scott Norton is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Norton scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Norton keeps the fight on the outside.
Norton throws a counter combo.
Sonnier darts in trying to clinch
and Norton counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Scott Norton dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Sonnier gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Norton makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Nice uppercut there from Norton.
Sonnier tries to bum rush Norton with a series of wild strikes but Norton uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nice takedown defense from Norton. No joy for Sonnier on that attempt.
Norton throws a counter combo.
Norton scores with a body shot.
Sonnier throws a head kick but Norton moves out of range.
Scott Norton seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Norton lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sonnier backs up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonnier looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Norton is fending him off so far but Sonnier persists. Nope, Norton circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mason Sonnier. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sonnier shoots and misses
and Sonnier takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sonnier throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sonnier looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Norton lands an overhand right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnier takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Norton scores with a jab to the body.
Nice straight punches there by Norton. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Norton.
Norton smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Norton keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Norton lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Nice shot lands for Norton.
Sonnier misses with a takedown
and Norton counters with a left to the body.
Sonnier takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Norton bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Sonnier's head backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Norton scores with a sloppy right hand. Sonnier should have avoided that one.
Norton lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sonnier backs up against the cage.
Norton scores with a nice head shot.
Sonnier shoots and misses
and Norton connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Norton scores with a jab to the head.
Norton connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Sonnier's hands.
Norton rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sonnier moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Norton works Sonnier's body with a nice hook.
Norton has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sonnier takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Sonnier misses with a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnier takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Norton throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Norton fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Norton slaps away a takedown attempt from Sonnier, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sonnier tries to clinch but Norton is having none of it.
Norton misses with a double jab.

Sonnier rushes Norton and presses him up against the cage.
Sonnier presses Norton against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Norton is trying to break free.
Norton looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Norton has a couple of punches blocked by Sonnier.
Norton working hard to break the clinch.
Norton swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Norton misses with a punch on the inside.
Norton is trying to force a seperation but Sonnier has the dominant position.
Sonnier is working for takedown but Norton is calmly controlling the position for now.
A nice right hand lands inside from Norton.
Norton throws a punch but it's blocked by Sonnier.
Sonnier pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Sonnier stalling against the cage.
Sonnier tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Sonnier throws an elbow but it misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Scott Norton showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sonnier misses with a takedown attempt
and Norton makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Sonnier shoots and misses
letting Norton counter with a right hand.
Sonnier throws a head kick that misses
and Norton makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Sonnier takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Sonnier on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Sonnier has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Sonnier there as he acknowledges the shot.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Sonnier. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Sonnier tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Norton paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Sonnier shoots and misses
and Norton counters with a right hand to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mason Sonnier. 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.
Norton scores with a body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Norton throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sonnier stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Mason Sonnier is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Norton moves into range and connects with a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sonnier tries to clinch there but Norton circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnier ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Norton moves away.
Norton's jab looks to have found its range, popping Sonnier under the eye.
Norton slaps away a takedown attempt from Sonnier, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Norton throws a one two combo.
Sonnier closes the distance but Norton moves to the side
and Norton counters with a straight right hand.
Norton connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Sonnier's hands.
A right-left combo lands from Norton.
Sonnier wants to clinch
and Norton makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnier is looking to clinch but Norton is avoiding it.
Sonnier walks into a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Norton lands a nice hook to Sonnier's body. Sonnier takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Sonnier moves into range and clinches up with Norton.
Norton wants to break free but Sonnier has control.
Norton is trying to break the clinch but Sonnier is controlling him.
Norton misses with a short punch on the inside.
A frustrated look appears on Norton's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Sonnier's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sonnier misses with a double jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norton throws a one two combo.
Sonnier with a poor takedown
and Sonnier takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sonnier throws a head kick that misses
and Norton counters with a straight right hand.
Sonnier throws a head kick that misses.
Norton lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Norton stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Norton wants it to stay on the feet.
Norton appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Norton throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sonnier stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Norton scores with a sloppy right hand. Sonnier should have avoided that one.
Sonnier takes a jab right on the kisser.
Norton digs a good body shot into Sonnier's ribs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Norton stalks Sonnier and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Sonnier's face. Sonnier staggers backwards, shaken.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Norton keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Norton lands a slapping body shot.
Nice uppercut there from Norton.
Sonnier misses with a looping right.
Norton changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Sonnier tries to clinch
and Norton counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sonnier fails with the takedown
and Norton counters with a nice body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Scott Norton comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Norton winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight for Scott Norton!
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Scott Norton!
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight for Scott Norton!

Scott Norton wins by unanimous decision!
Scott Norton tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.