PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Doko Dokov (ranked 3367 p4p, 415 weight class) and William Bonin (ranked 7496 p4p, 668 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Dokov
vs
Bonin

178 cm
24
170 lbs
6 - 9 - 0

178 cm
24
174 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Doko Dokov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, William Bonin!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, John Mangel and Chris Dean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The crowd cheers as Bonin lands an impressive looking overhand right. Dokov doesn't seem phased though.

Dokov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Bonin working hard to break the clinch.

Bonin breaks the clinch.
Bonin misses with a jab, cross combination.

Dokov closes the distance and clinches.

Dokov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Dokov moves into the clinch successfully.
Bonin is looking to break free of the clinch but Dokov has double underhooks.
Stalling in the clinch from Dokov.
Dokov misses with an elbow over the top.
Bonin is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dokov lands with a light punch inside.
Bonin is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Dokov breaks the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dokov pulls guard effortlessly.
Bonin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Dokov throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Dokov scores with a short punch from the bottom.
Dokov tries to strike from the bottom.
Dokov is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Bonin dives into side control.
Dokov gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Bonin wants to control but Dokov is keeping him busy.
Bonin is looking to stall here but Dokov recovers full guard.

Bonin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dokov is pulling down on Bonin's head to control his posture.
Dokov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dokov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Dokov throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Dokov wants to stand and escape but Bonin is having none of it.

Bonin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Dokov striking off his back, scoring a few points.
Dokov 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.

Dokov manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonin is looking to break free of the clinch but Dokov has double underhooks.
A frustrated look appears on Bonin's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Bonin is looking to break free of the clinch but Dokov has double underhooks.
Dokov's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Bonin wants to get back to striking at distance but Dokov won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Dokov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dokov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Dokov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Dokov decides to return to a standing position.

Dokov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Bonin struggling a bit here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dokov trying to control the action but Bonin is working from the bottom.
Dokov grinds an elbow into Bonin's temple.
Bonin avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Dokov.

Dokov has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
William Bonin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dokov misses with a hook
and Bonin counters with a left to the body.

Dokov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Bonin sprawls well initially but Dokov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Dokov working over Bonin with some ground and pound. Bonin looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Bonin looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Dokov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Dokov closes the distance and pushes Bonin back into the cage.
Dokov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Bonin after a bit of a struggle.
Bonin working aggressively here.
William Bonin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bonin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Dokov.
Bonin is trying to break the clinch but Dokov has him pressed against the cage.
Bonin looking to stall.
Dokov gets through Bonin's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A right hand to the body from Dokov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dokov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Bonin backwards.

Dokov turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Dokov manages to end up in side control.
Bonin takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
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!
Dokov works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

Dokov decides to stand back up. Dokov steps back and let's Bonin get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dokov is looking to clinch but Bonin is avoiding it.

Bonin tries to keep at a distance but Dokov has taken the fight into the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Dokov throws an elbow but misses.
Dokov misses with a punch on the inside.
Bonin wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Dokov has him pressed against the cage.
Bonin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Dokov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bonin backwards.
Dokov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Bonin has had enough of the clinch but Dokov keeps him there for the moment.
Dokov pushes off an throws an elbow but Bonin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Doko Dokov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Bonin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bonin fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

It looks like Doko Dokov has been cut.
Good leg kick by Bonin there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dokov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Dokov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bonin can do to turn this around?

Dokov has closed the distance and engaged Bonin in a clinch.
Bonin tries to circle away but Dokov has him pinned against the cage.
Dokov tries a body shot but Bonin blocks it.
Bonin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Dokov successfully pulls guard.
Dokov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Bonin must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Bonin wants to control from the top but Dokov keeps moving.
Doko Dokov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Dokov will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Bonin trying to control the position from guard on top but Dokov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dokov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Dokov has his foot on Bonin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bonin works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonin preventing the sweep.

Dokov is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Bonin is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Bonin breaks the clinch.

Dokov instigates a clinch.
Still in the clinch, Bonin scores with a nice short uppercut.
Dokov has Bonin pressed against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Dokov takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Bonin goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bonin is trying to force a seperation but Dokov has the dominant position.
Bonin trying to stall but Dokov improves his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dokov successfully pulls guard.
Dokov will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Dokov trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Dokov manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Bonin lands with a short shot to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head punch on the inside from Bonin fails to land.

Bonin breaks from the clinch.

Dokov closes the distance and clinches.
Bonin is trying to stall.
A short right from Dokov.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Dokov.
Bonin working aggressively here.
Dokov tries a body shot but Bonin blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Doko Dokov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Doko Dokov's cut.
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!

Dokov rushes Bonin and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Dokov tries a knee to the head but Bonin blocks it.
Bonin slowing the pace effectively.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dokov.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Dokov lands a shot to the body.
Bonin tries to break free but Dokov pushes him back against the cage.
Bonin working hard to break the clinch.
Dokov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dokov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Dokov keeps control of Bonin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A frustrated look appears on Bonin's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Bonin is trying to break free.
Bonin is pushing Dokov up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Dokov presses Bonin against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A short body shot lands from Bonin as the two fighters clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Dokov as Bonin tries to tie him up.
Dokov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bonins head.
A frustrated look appears on Bonin's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Dokov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Dokov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bonin backwards.
Dokov lands with a short shot to the head.
Bonin is trying to break the clinch but Dokov has him pressed against the cage.
Bonin wants to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dokov lands a hook that snaps the head of Bonin backwards.
Dokov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Bonin misses with some punches.
Dokov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Dokov decides to pull guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Dokov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bonin gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Dokov lands a couple of decent looking body shots there.
Bonin tries to free his leg and advance position but Dokov is retaining full guard.

Dokov pushes Bonin off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Bonin avoids a kick to the body.

Dokov moves into the clinch.
Doko Dokov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonin has a couple of punches blocked by Dokov.
Bonin is trying to force a seperation but Dokov has the dominant position.

Dokov manages to break the clinch.
Bonin looks to land a body kick but Dokov moved away.
Bonin just misses with a punch to the body.
Dokov went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Bonin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bonin throws a poor cross that misses
and Dokov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Dokov forces Bonin back against the cage and clinches.
Bonin throws a punch but it's blocked by Dokov.
Bonin wants to get back to striking at distance but Dokov won't allow it.
Bonin misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bonin trying to stall but Dokov improves his position.
Dokov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Bonin working hard to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dokov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Bonin tries to throw a body punch but Dokov avoids it by throwing Bonin back against the cage.
Bonin can't find room to land a body shot as Dokov controls the action.
Bonin is trying to force a seperation but Dokov has the dominant position.
A nice right hand lands inside from Bonin.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bonin.
Bonin takes a shot to the head.
Bonin is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dokov.
Bonin misses with a hook from the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Doko Dokov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Dokov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Doko Dokov!
After winning the bout, Doko Dokov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.