PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Chael Sonnen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bongo Man (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sonnen comes to the cage accompanied by A Man Comes Around. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Sonnen
vs
Man

170 cm
20
199 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, 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 London, Bongo Man!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Glass and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sonnen drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Man is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Man can't do much from the bottom here.
Man is looking for a sweep.
Man is working to avoid the ground and pound but Sonnen connects with a decent elbow.
Man can't do much from the bottom here.
Man is trying to improve his position.
Sonnen cracks Man with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Man wants to control but Sonnen postures up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Man tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Man manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Man is looking to escape.
Nice strikes from Sonnen there.
The fighters are battling for position here. Man manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Sonnen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sonnen with a nice head shot there.
Sonnen chips away with some ground and pound.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen stops Man from standing up.
Sonnen chips away with some ground and pound.
Sonnen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sonnen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sonnen scoring with punches to the head and body.
Sonnen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sonnen is working Man over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sonnen wants to control from the top but Man keeps moving.
Man looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sonnen is one step ahead there.
Sonnen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Man looks gassed!
Sonnen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sonnen not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Sonnen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Sonnen stops Man from standing up.
Sonnen with a nice head shot there.
Sonnen working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Man's head.
Sonnen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Sonnen lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen trying to control but Man is working from the bottom.
Man is looking to stand up but Sonnen isn't so interested in that idea.
Sonnen trying to control the position from guard on top but Man is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sonnen distracts Man with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Sonnen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Sonnen trying to control the position from guard on top but Man is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sonnen might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sonnen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Man looking for a sweep. Not yet Man, not yet.
Sonnen distracts Man with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Man will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Sonnen trying to control the position from guard on top but Man is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sonnen is in close to Man's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen working some strikes from top position.
Sonnen works over Man with some ground and pound from guard.
Sonnen chips away with some ground and pound.
Sonnen lands a couple of elbows.
Sonnen working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Sonnen wants to control from the top but Man keeps moving.
Sonnen pushing down on Man's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Man has hold of Sonnen's hands but Sonnen slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Sonnen working over Man with some ground and pound. Man looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Man is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sonnen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
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!
Man tries to get to full guard but Sonnen has control of the leg.
Man is not content to let Sonnen control the position.
Man has hold of Sonnen's hands but Sonnen slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Sonnen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Sonnen lands strikes from half guard.
Sonnen working Man over with strikes.
Sonnen working the head and body with strikes.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Sonnen connects with a nice short shot to Man's temple.
Sonnen wants to take a breather but Man is having none of it.
Man gets back to full guard.
Sonnen trying to control but Man is working from the bottom.
Sonnen working some strikes from top position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sonnen's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Man is looking to stand up but Sonnen isn't so interested in that idea.
Sonnen stands up over Man, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nice takedown defense from Man. No joy for Sonnen on that attempt.
Sonnen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Man counters with a body kick.
Chael Sonnen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sonnen fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chael Sonnen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sonnen fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Man to the ground. Sonnen is now in Man's guard.
Man is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sonnen is controlling him.
Sonnen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sonnen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Man can do to turn this around?
Man trying to keep a closed guard but Sonnen is proving a slippery customer.
Sonnen landing some decent shots from guard.
Sonnen trying to control the position from guard on top but Man is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Man scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Sonnen fails with the takedown
and Man counters with a body kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Man throws the kick towards the body but Sonnen avoids it.
Sonnen keeps the fight on the outside.

Sonnen drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Man's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Man gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Sonnen lands strikes from half guard.
Sonnen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Sonnen working Man over with strikes.
Sonnen looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Man wants to get back to his feet.
Sonnen 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.
Man wants to get back to his feet.
Sonnen working Man over with strikes.
Sonnen is trying to control the action in half guard but Man is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Sonnen scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Sonnen prevents Man from improving his position.
Ground and pound from Sonnen.
Sonnen slips a nice elbow through Man's hands, connecting with Man's forehead.
Sonnen is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Chael Sonnen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sonnen scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Sonnen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Man keeps working.
Man on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Sonnen 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.
Sonnen is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Man is looking to improve his position.
Sonnen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Sonnen lands strikes from half guard.
Man is trying to stand back up but Sonnen is controlling him
Sonnen working over Man with some ground and pound. Man looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Ground and pound from Sonnen.
Sonnen is nestled in close to Man, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Man wants to get back to his feet.
Sonnen is looking to take a break and control but Man is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sonnen working Man over with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sonnen lands with a punch from half guard.
Sonnen wants to control but Man is keeping him busy.
Sonnen not doing much here.
Man on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sonnen lands a nice short elbow.
Sonnen is trying to control. Man wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ground and pound from Sonnen.
Sonnen trying to control from half guard but Man is working away.
Sonnen is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sonnen is keen to just control but Man is a slippery customer.
Sonnen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sonnen takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chael Sonnen 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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Sonnen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Man pinned against the cage. Man gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sonnen checks a leg kick nicely.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sonnen is defended easily by Man.
Man throws a nice outside leg kick.
Man tries to clinch but Sonnen is having none of it.
Man stuffs the takedown attempt from Sonnen. Sonnen gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chael Sonnen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Man swinging wildly here.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sonnen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen takes one to the chin there.
Sonnen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Man tries to clinch up but Sonnen circles away and keeps his distance.
Man throws a wild body kick that Sonnen sees coming a mile off.
Sonnen shoots in for a double leg but Man sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Man misses with a head kick.
Man stuffs the takedown attempt from Sonnen. Sonnen gets slowly back to his feet.
Man misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Man lets loose with a powerful body kick. Sonnen will feel that in the morning.
Man delivers a nice body kick.
Man throws a head kick but Sonnen moves out of range.
Sonnen shoots in and drives through. Man sprawls well.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Man.
Man lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Sonnen moves out of range of the body kick.
Man scores with a three punch combo!
Sonnen looks for a takedown but Man sprawls well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Man throws a head kick that Sonnen semi-blocks.

Sonnen gets a double leg takedown into Man's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen stopping the sweep attempt from Man.
Man is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Sonnen landing some decent shots from guard.
Man wants to get back to his feet but Sonnen is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Chael Sonnen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sonnen showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Sonnen is working Man over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Sonnen controls from within his opponent's guard.
Sonnen trying to control the position from guard on top but Man is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen controls from within his opponent's guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Chael Sonnen wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Sonnen fails with the takedown
and Man counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Sonnen walks forward, straight into a front kick from Man.

Sonnen closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Man gets back to half guard.
Sonnen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Man is looking to escape.
Sonnen frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sonnen working Man over with strikes here.
Man tries to buck Sonnen off but he can't manage it.
Bongo Man has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sonnen prevents Man from getting the reversal.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Bongo Man.
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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chael Sonnen!
A less than humble Chael Sonnen misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.