PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Maligni Tudor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chael Sonnen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Tudor
vs
Sonnen

189 cm
25
194 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
26
185 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Good chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Experienced

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Maligni Tudor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Chael Sonnen!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Ryoma Takatsuka and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tudor moves into the clinch successfully.

Tudor manages to pull guard.
Sonnen seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Sonnen trying to control but Tudor is working from the bottom.
Sonnen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Tudor. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Tudor tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tudor keeping full guard, as Sonnen tries to pass.
Tudor is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Chael Sonnen.
Tudor fails to land the takedown.

Tudor shoots in and gets a takedown into Sonnen's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen pulls Tudor in close to his closed guard and prevents Tudor from doing any damage or advancing position.
Sonnen is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Tudor wants to pass the guard but Sonnen is keeping the position.
Tudor pushing down on Sonnen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Sonnen keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Tudor throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen trying to control here.
Tudor has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Tudor looking to control but Sonnen is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tudor throwing strikes here but Sonnen is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Tudor wants to take Sonnen's back here but Sonnen is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Tudor thowing shots but they're missing.

Tudor is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Sonnen has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Sonnen trying desperately to get to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tudor can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Sonnen is looking to escape.
Sonnen working to try and regain half guard.
Tudor wants to control the pace but Sonnen is squirming around nicely.

Tudor looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sonnen is trying to escape the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maligni Tudor dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Tudor gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Tudor pulls Sonnen into guard.
Tudor is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sonnen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sonnen wants to control from the top but Tudor keeps moving.

Tudor is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sonnen is aware though and is defending well.
Maligni Tudor overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tudor is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Tudor slows the pace down in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tudor is looking to advance position but Sonnen won't allow it.
Tudor is working hard here to advance position.
Tudor throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sonnen trying to control here.
Sonnen tries to get to full guard but Tudor has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Tudor manages to pass to mount!
Sonnen keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Tudor jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Sonnen is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Sonnen and Tudor has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Sonnen is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but Tudor has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tudor tries for a kimura but Sonnen is defending well.

Tudor is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Sonnen has escaped the position, nice work there.

Tudor swings around for an armbar but Sonnen sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Tudor's guard.
Tudor looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen trying to control but Tudor is working from the bottom.
Sonnen sitting in guard here, content to control.
Sonnen preventing the sweep.

Sonnen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sonnen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sonnen's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Chael Sonnen has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Tudor tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Sonnen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Maligni Tudor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tudor tries to clinch up but Sonnen circles away and keeps his distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sonnen tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Tudor is able to avoid easily.
Tudor blocks the body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maligni Tudor dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Sonnen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Tudor fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sonnen, pushing him back against the ropes.
Sonnen pushes off an throws an elbow but Tudor leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.

Tudor drags the fight down to the ground.

Tudor looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Tudor looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sonnen is one step ahead there.
Sonnen wants to stand but Tudor has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Tudor is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Tudor keeping moving, preventing Sonnen from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tudor looking for a guillotine here but Sonnen defends easily.
Sonnen wants to control from the top but Tudor keeps moving.

Tudor is looking for a triangle but Sonnen pushes his legs off easily.
Sonnen wants to control from the top but Tudor keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Chael Sonnen.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Tudor checks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tudor moves in looking to clinch but Sonnen pushes him off.
Tudor checks a leg kick.
Tudor fails with the takedown
and Sonnen makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Chael Sonnen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Tudor checks a leg kick.
Sonnen throws a lazy right hand but Tudor sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Chael Sonnen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sonnen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tudor is looking to clinch but Sonnen is avoiding it.
Sonnen defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tudor.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Tudor.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maligni Tudor. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Tudor gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
The referee is keeping an eye on Sonnen - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Tudor manages to pull guard.
Tudor wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Tudor is proving hard to escape from.
Tudor manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sonnen manages to get himself to full guard.
Tudor sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Sonnen's guard.
Tudor passes the guard and advances to mount!
Sonnen is squirming around, avoiding Tudor's attempts to control the action.
Maligni Tudor is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sonnen is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maligni Tudor showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tudor 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maligni Tudor!