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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Evaldas Skarnulis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brian Sonnen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Skarnulis comes to the cage accompanied by Face the pain. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 178 cm
25
190 lbs
2 - 0 - 0 |
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188 cm
26
198 lbs
3 - 4 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power |
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BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power |
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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
2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Evaldas Skarnulis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brian Sonnen!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Wesley Smith and Stewart Dunkirk.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Sonnen with that takedown attempt.
Sonnen closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Skarnulis quickly recovers to half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Skarnulis has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sonnen is working away from the top position though.
Skarnulis is trying to stand.
Sonnen is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Skarnulis has managed to free his arm - good work.
Skarnulis is defending against the submission attempts here by Sonnen.
Skarnulis has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sonnen is working away from the top position though.
Sonnen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen is looking for a kimura here.
Skarnulis trying to control here.
Sonnen seems to be working for a kimura but Skarnulis defends the submission attempt.
Skarnulis is looking to escape.
Sonnen trying to control the action but Skarnulis is working from the bottom.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skarnulis looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Skarnulis tries to roll over but Sonnen keeps him under control.
Sonnen is looking for a kimura but Skarnulis is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sonnen to get the leverage.
Sonnen is looking for a kimura but Skarnulis is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sonnen to get the leverage.
Sonnen is thwarting Skarnulis's attempts to control the position.
Skarnulis slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Sonnen trying to move into half guard but instead Skarnulis has managed to sweep!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skarnulis is looking to work some ground and pound but Sonnen has wrist control.
Sonnen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sonnen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Sonnen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sonnen looks gassed!
Skarnulis distracts Sonnen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Skarnulis is looking to work some ground and pound but Sonnen has wrist control.
Skarnulis is looking to stand up but Sonnen won't let him.
Sonnen wants to stand up but Skarnulis is controlling him.
Skarnulis postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Sonnen tries to strike from the bottom.
Skarnulis keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sonnen's head.
Skarnulis throws an elbow that misses. Sonnen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Skarnulis's guard. Nice move by Sonnen!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen passes Skarnulis's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sonnen looks to land a strike but Skarnulis avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Skarnulis wriggles free and stands up.
Sonnen walks into a stiff left hand from Skarnulis.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Skarnulis tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Sonnen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Skarnulis sprawls well. Skarnulis wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sonnen gets slowly back to his feet.
Skarnulis leaves Sonnen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Evaldas Skarnulis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brian Sonnen.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sonnen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
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 Evaldas Skarnulis 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 gets tackled into the cage by Skarnulis. Skarnulis maintains the clinch.
Sonnen can't get the takedown.
Skarnulis wants to break free but Sonnen has control.
Sonnen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Skarnulis looks for a takedown but Sonnen sprawls well.
Evaldas Skarnulis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Skarnulis lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sonnen's sensitive parts.
Sonnen gets a takedown into half guard.
Skarnulis looks like he's trying to stand up.
Skarnulis is trying is best to control the position here.
Skarnulis gets full guard.
Skarnulis is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Skarnulis prevents it.
Sonnen is breathing heavily.
Skarnulis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Skarnulis misses with a body shot.
Skarnulis misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Skarnulis throws a series of punches but Sonnen avoids them all with ease.
Skarnulis misses with a series of wild punches.
Skarnulis tries to clinch but Sonnen is having none of it.
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Skarnulis as he jumps to the side.
Evaldas Skarnulis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brian Sonnen.
Skarnulis shoots in for a takedown but Sonnen shows good takedown defense.
Skarnulis tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sonnen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Skarnulis but Skarnulis pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Sonnen gets tackled into the cage by Skarnulis. Skarnulis maintains the clinch.
Sonnen is trying to drag Skarnulis to the mat but Skarnulis just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Sonnen has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Skarnulis after a bit of a struggle.
Skarnulis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sonnen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Skarnulis cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Skarnulis shoots in looking for a takedown. Sonnen tries to sprawl out of it but Skarnulis keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sonnen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Skarnulis looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sonnen is fending him off so far but Skarnulis persists. Nope, Sonnen circles away and we're back to standing.
Skarnulis shoots in looking for a takedown. Sonnen tries to sprawl out of it but Skarnulis keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sonnen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sonnen.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skarnulis moves into the clinch successfully.
Sonnen breaks from the clinch.
Skarnulis has taken the fight to the clinch.
Skarnulis throws a head punch that misses.
Skarnulis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sonnen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Skarnulis tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sonnen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Skarnulis throws a hook to the side of Sonnen's head but Sonnen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sonnen moves out of range as Skarnulis strikes.
Nice sprawl there from Skarnulis as Sonnen shoots in.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Skarnulis.
Skarnulis tries to clinch but Sonnen moves out of range.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Skarnulis looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Sonnen goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Skarnulis has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Sonnen but great work by Skarnulis.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Skarnulis throws a strike aimed at the side of Sonnen's head but Sonnen avoids it well.
The strikes coming from Skarnulis are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Skarnulis throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Sonnen works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Sonnen manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Evaldas Skarnulis is winning the standup battle so far.
Skarnulis connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sonnen. Sonnen circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Sonnen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Skarnulis's waist but Skarnulis gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sonnen off to one side.
Skarnulis scores with a jab. Sonnen acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Skarnulis dives in and grabs Sonnen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sonnen pushes down on Skarnulis's head and hops out.
Sonnen fails with the takedown.
Skarnulis throws a hook but Sonnen avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Evaldas Skarnulis dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sonnen is defended easily by Skarnulis.
Skarnulis lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sonnen circles away quickly and effectively.
Sonnen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Skarnulis circles away.
Skarnulis throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Sonnen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Skarnulis sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sonnen somewhat.
Evaldas Skarnulis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brian Sonnen.
Skarnulis instigates a clinch.
Skarnulis lands with a short shot to the head.
A shot in the inside from Skarnulis.
Skarnulis lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short uppercut from Skarnulis.
Skarnulis breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Skarnulis throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Sonnen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Skarnulis lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Skarnulis looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Skarnulis with a nice head shot there.
Sonnen is rocked!
Skarnulis with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sonnen is still in real trouble! Can Skarnulis finish him?
Skarnulis is working Sonnen over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Skarnulis stands up over Sonnen, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Skarnulis with a nice head shot there.
Skarnulis content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Skarnulis accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sonnen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Skarnulis is in close to Sonnen's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Skarnulis has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Sonnen wants to stand and escape but Skarnulis is having none of it.
Skarnulis scoring with punches to the head and body.
Skarnulis with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Skarnulis working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sonnen's head.
Sonnen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Skarnulis doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Skarnulis manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Skarnulis stands and steps away. Sonnen gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Sonnen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sonnen seems to have recovered his senses.
Skarnulis keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen slips a jab from Skarnulis.
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Skarnulis but Skarnulis pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Skarnulis decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Sonnen looking for submissions off his back.
Sonnen on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Skarnulis lands strikes from half guard.
Skarnulis sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sonnen defending well though.
Skarnulis missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Sonnen has one foot on Skarnulis's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Sonnen shoots in and drives through. Skarnulis sprawls well.
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown but Skarnulis shows good takedown defense.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Skarnulis connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Sonnen scrambles back to his feet.
Sonnen looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Sonnen trying to control the action but Skarnulis is working from the bottom.
Skarnulis on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Sonnen trying to control from half guard but Skarnulis is working away.
Evaldas Skarnulis overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Skarnulis pushes Sonnen off and gets back to his feet.
Sonnen dives in and scores a takedown into Skarnulis's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sonnen throws a strike but Skarnulis rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sonnen is on top in guard.
Sonnen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sonnen throwing strikes from guard but Skarnulis blocks nicely.
Sonnen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Brian Sonnen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sonnen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Skarnulis looking for a sweep. Not yet Skarnulis, not yet.
Sonnen thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Evaldas Skarnulis is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Skarnulis utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that's the end of the fight!
Evaldas Skarnulis showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Skarnulis has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evaldas Skarnulis!
A victorious Evaldas Skarnulis thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
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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
95% |
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