PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chael Sonnen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ganbaataryn Tuvshinbayar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sonnen
vs
Tuvshinbayar

170 cm
26
275 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

178 cm
19
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

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 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Chael Sonnen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ganbaataryn Tuvshinbayar!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Daniel Cesar and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tuvshinbayar throws a sloppy head kick and Sonnen moves out of range easily.
Sonnen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

so Tuvshinbayar counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Tuvshinbayar postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sonnen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tuvshinbayar.
Tuvshinbayar controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Tuvshinbayar makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Tuvshinbayar trying to control but Sonnen is working from the bottom.
Tuvshinbayar working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tuvshinbayar lands a couple of digs.
Tuvshinbayar in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuvshinbayar trying to control the position from guard on top but Sonnen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sonnen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sonnen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tuvshinbayar stands up over Sonnen, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tuvshinbayar throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sonnen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tuvshinbayar trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tuvshinbayar postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tuvshinbayar wants to control from the top but Sonnen keeps moving.
Sonnen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sonnen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Tuvshinbayar postures up.
Tuvshinbayar not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Tuvshinbayar gets a clinch.
Tuvshinbayar content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Tuvshinbayar breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Tuvshinbayar closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Sonnen to the mat! Sonnen manages to get full guard.
Sonnen is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tuvshinbayar is controlling him.
Tuvshinbayar postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tuvshinbayar wants to control from the top but Sonnen keeps moving.
Tuvshinbayar slips nicely into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuvshinbayar missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Sonnen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tuvshinbayar.
Tuvshinbayar not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Tuvshinbayar is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Sonnen wants to get back to full guard.
Tuvshinbayar passes to full mount!
Tuvshinbayar throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Tuvshinbayar throws a wild left hand from mount and Sonnen manages to wriggle his way back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Tuvshinbayar is thwarting Sonnen's attempts to control the position.
Sonnen regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Tuvshinbayar.
Sonnen keeping moving, preventing Tuvshinbayar from controlling successfully.
Tuvshinbayar throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tuvshinbayar throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sonnen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tuvshinbayar pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sonnen is keeping the position for now.
Tuvshinbayar is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ganbaataryn Tuvshinbayar dominated that round.
That's time! Sonnen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sonnen shoots and misses

and Tuvshinbayar counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Tuvshinbayar.
Tuvshinbayar throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sonnen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sonnen can't keep his opponent in guard - Tuvshinbayar advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Sonnen is staying active underneath Tuvshinbayar, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Tuvshinbayar lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Tuvshinbayar wants to take a breather but Sonnen is having none of it.
Tuvshinbayar throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Tuvshinbayar working Sonnen over with strikes.
Tuvshinbayar not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuvshinbayar prevents Sonnen from standing back up.
Tuvshinbayar trying to control the action but Sonnen is working from the bottom.
Sonnen keeping control of the position.
Tuvshinbayar trying to advance position but Sonnen counters by regaining guard.
Sonnen on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Sonnen tries to get out of the position.
Sonnen has Tuvshinbayar pulled in close to control his posture.
Sonnen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Tuvshinbayar. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

That's two 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.
Tuvshinbayar works over Sonnen with some ground and pound from guard.
Tuvshinbayar postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Sonnen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tuvshinbayar looking to pass the guard.
Tuvshinbayar postures up in Sonnen's guard and throws a big left but Sonnen blocks it.
Tuvshinbayar in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tuvshinbayar throwing strikes from guard but Sonnen blocks nicely.
Tuvshinbayar not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuvshinbayar throwing strikes from guard but Sonnen blocks nicely.
Tuvshinbayar controlling from the top position.
Tuvshinbayar stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sonnen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tuvshinbayar looking to sit in guard and control but Sonnen gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Sonnen scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Tuvshinbayar 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 regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Tuvshinbayar.
Tuvshinbayar throwing strikes but missing.
Tuvshinbayar stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sonnen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tuvshinbayar throws a strike but Sonnen rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Sonnen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ganbaataryn Tuvshinbayar showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Sonnen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Tuvshinbayar tries to land a front kick but Sonnen steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Tuvshinbayar swings for the body but Sonnen moves out of range.

Tuvshinbayar has managed to clinch.
Tuvshinbayar displaying some good clinch control by pressing Sonnen up against the cage.

Tuvshinbayar has clasped his hands together around Sonnen's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Sonnen tries to escape but Tuvshinbayar is in control.
Tuvshinbayar working away.
The strikes coming from Tuvshinbayar are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Sonnen is looking for a sweep.
Sonnen dodges the ground and pound from Tuvshinbayar.
The strikes coming from Tuvshinbayar are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Tuvshinbayar working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Tuvshinbayar cracks Sonnen with an elbow. That is naaassty.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuvshinbayar fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Sonnen tries to improve position but can't.
Sonnen takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Tuvshinbayar working the head with strikes.
Tuvshinbayar tries to score with some ground and pound. Sonnen controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Sonnen regains half guard there - taking advantage of Tuvshinbayar's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Tuvshinbayar throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sonnen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tuvshinbayar has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sonnen trying to hold on to Tuvshinbayar's head to control him but Tuvshinbayar postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuvshinbayar thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sonnen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sonnen wants to control but Tuvshinbayar is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Chael Sonnen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tuvshinbayar wants to control but Sonnen is keeping him busy.
Tuvshinbayar missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Tuvshinbayar looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Sonnen trying to control from the bottom.
Tuvshinbayar drops an elbow to the side of Sonnen's head.
Tuvshinbayar wants to take a breather but Sonnen is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen pushes Tuvshinbayar off looking to stand but Tuvshinbayar dives back in and keeps control.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Tuvshinbayar in particular looking to stall.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Tuvshinbayar throws out a loose jab but Sonnen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sonnen misses with a takedown attempt

and Tuvshinbayar counters with a single leg into guard. Sonnen didn't expect that.
Sonnen wants to stand up but Tuvshinbayar is controlling him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tuvshinbayar wants to pass the guard but Sonnen is keeping the position.
Sonnen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tuvshinbayar throwing strikes from guard but Sonnen blocks nicely.
Sonnen is trying to control the position but Tuvshinbayar postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tuvshinbayar stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sonnen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tuvshinbayar trying to control the position from guard on top but Sonnen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tuvshinbayar in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sonnen is trying to control the position but Tuvshinbayar postures up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tuvshinbayar accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tuvshinbayar missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tuvshinbayar missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tuvshinbayar trying to control but Sonnen is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ganbaataryn Tuvshinbayar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tuvshinbayar has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 26:30
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 26:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ganbaataryn Tuvshinbayar!