PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Anirudh Negi (ranked 18780 p4p, 3101 weight class) and Chael Sonnenberg (ranked 0 p4p, 431 weight class). Chael Sonnenberg has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Negi
vs
Sonnenberg

175 cm
42
190
1 - 1 - 0

186 cm
25
190
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Prefers standup

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anirudh Negi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chael Sonnenberg!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Gwen Towbar and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice defenses there by Negi.
Sonnenberg misses with a looping right.
Chael Sonnenberg seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sonnenberg swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Sonnenberg has taken the fight to the clinch.
Negi tries to score a body lock takedown but Sonnenberg shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sonnenberg can't find room to land a body shot as Negi controls the action.
Sonnenberg blocking some punches.
Negi is looking for a takedown.
Negi drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sonnenberg gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anirudh Negi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Negi tries to score a body lock takedown but Sonnenberg shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Negi is looking for a takedown.
Sonnenberg misses with some punches.
Sonnenberg keeps control of Negi as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Negi is looking to break free of the clinch but Sonnenberg has double underhooks.
Negi could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Negi wants to stall.
Negi tries to pull guard but Sonnenberg holds him up against the cage and eventually Negi drops back down to his feet.
Sonnenberg stalling against the cage.
Sonnenberg throws a punch but it's blocked by Negi.
Negi tries to break free but Sonnenberg pushes him back against the cage.
Negi avoiding damage as Sonnenberg throws knees to the body.
Sonnenberg has Negi pressed against the cage, preventing Negi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Negi blocks an uppercut.
A frustrated look appears on Negi's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Negi looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Negi is trying to pull guard but Sonnenberg has him pressed against the cage.
Sonnenberg stalling.
Negi jumps guard but Sonnenberg turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Sonnenberg tries a body shot but Negi blocks it.
Sonnenberg is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
A bit of stalling here from Sonnenberg.
Sonnenberg continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Stalling in the clinch from Sonnenberg.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Chael Sonnenberg.
Negi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sonnenberg defends it nicely.
Negi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnenberg throws a right hand that Negi ducks under and follows up with a left that Negi also avoids with ease.

Sonnenberg rushes Negi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Negi is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Sonnenberg is defending well.
Negi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sonnenberg keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Negi's efforts to push away.
Sonnenberg can't find room to land a body shot as Negi controls the action.
Sonnenberg misses with a short punch on the inside.
Negi has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Sonnenberg after a bit of a struggle.
Sonnenberg is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Sonnenberg throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Negi is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnenberg throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Negis head.
Sonnenberg fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sonnenberg slowing the pace effectively.
Sonnenberg tries to throw a body punch but Negi avoids it by throwing Sonnenberg back against the cage.
Good body shot from Sonnenberg.
Sonnenberg dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Negi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sonnenberg gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Sonnenberg is stalling here.
Sonnenberg misses with a hook from the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sonnenberg stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Negi jumps guard but Sonnenberg turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Chael Sonnenberg dominated that 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.

Sonnenberg rushes Negi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Sonnenberg manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Negi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Negi wants to take the fight to the mat but Sonnenberg manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Sonnenberg lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Sonnenberg controlling the action here for a moment.
Sonnenberg tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Negi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Negi blocks a body shot from Sonnenberg.
Negi goes for a takedown attempt but Sonnenberg pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Negi goes for a double leg but Sonnenberg avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Sonnenberg continues to drive forward.
Negi sets himself, and Sonnenberg steps forward looking for the clinch! Negi avoids it this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anirudh Negi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stalling in the clinch from Sonnenberg.
Negi changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sonnenberg fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Negi misses with a takedown attempt

and Sonnenberg counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Sonnenberg.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sonnenberg tries a body shot but Negi blocks it.
Sonnenberg tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sonnenberg.
Sonnenberg misses with a body punch.
Negi is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Sonnenberg tries to throw a body punch but Negi avoids it by throwing Sonnenberg back against the cage.
Sonnenberg doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sonnenberg goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Sonnenberg creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Negi tries to stall but Sonnenberg uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Sonnenberg tries to throw a body punch but Negi avoids it by throwing Sonnenberg back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sonnenberg.
A short body shot lands from Sonnenberg as the two fighters clinch.
Sonnenberg displaying some good clinch control by pressing Negi up against the cage.
Sonnenberg tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Negi's elbow.
Sonnenberg misses with a shot to the kidneys.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sonnenberg.
Sonnenberg doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Negi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A jab from Sonnenberg misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnenberg throws a series of punches but Negi moves out of range.
Sonnenberg ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Negi moves away.
Negi slips a jab and a cross from Sonnenberg.
Sonnenberg keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Negi walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sonnenberg checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Negi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sonnenberg's waist but Sonnenberg gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Negi off to one side.
Sonnenberg loads up on a big right hand but Negi slips the punch.
Negi throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sonnenberg wants to counter with a clinch but Negi pushes him away.

Sonnenberg moves into the clinch successfully.
Sonnenberg is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Sonnenberg leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Negi fails to pull guard.
Negi has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sonnenberg avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Negi being controlled against the cage.
Sonnenberg slowing the pace effectively.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Negi.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Negi blocking some punches.
Negi tries to pull guard but Sonnenberg won't allow it.
Sonnenberg is pushing Negi up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Chael Sonnenberg showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

A head kick misses from Negi.
Sonnenberg tries to counter by closing the distance.
Sonnenberg misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Negi.

Sonnenberg clinches up with Negi and pushes him back against the cage.
Sonnenberg'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.
Negi prevents a body shot from Sonnenberg.
Sonnenberg swings wildly with an uppercut but Negi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sonnenberg content to slow the pace in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonnenberg scores with a hook to the body.
Negi misses with a punch on the inside.
Negi fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Sonnenberg misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnenberg lands a nice uppercut.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Negi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Sonnenberg.
Sonnenberg swings wildly with an uppercut but Negi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Negi blocks an uppercut.
Chael Sonnenberg seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sonnenberg.
Negi is looking for a takedown.
Negi blocks a body shot from Sonnenberg.
Sonnenberg misses with the head strike.
Sonnenberg swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnenberg lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Sonnenberg effectively controlling the action here.
Negi tries to break the clinch but Sonnenberg is controlling the position.
Negi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Negi tries to pull guard but Sonnenberg won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anirudh Negi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Negi is trying to pull guard but Sonnenberg turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sonnenberg throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Negi blocks it with crossed arms.
Sonnenberg has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Negi misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sonnenberg.
Sonnenberg throws a head punch that misses.
Sonnenberg taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Negi blocks an uppercut.
Negi changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sonnenberg fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sonnenberg gets a clinch.

Negi gets control of Sonnenberg's arms and successfully pulls guard. Negi will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Sonnenberg trying to control the position from guard on top but Negi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Negi wants to sweep here but Sonnenberg controlling him for the moment.
Sonnenberg cracks Negi with a solid left hand.
Negi wants to sweep but no luck.
Sonnenberg postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnenberg lands a couple of elbows.
Sonnenberg 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Negi wants to stand and escape but Sonnenberg is having none of it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sonnenberg defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Negi.

Sonnenberg clinches up against the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sonnenberg misses with a body punch.
A head punch on the inside from Sonnenberg fails to land.
Anirudh Negi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Chael Sonnenberg is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sonnenberg misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sonnenberg blocks an uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chael Sonnenberg comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sonnenberg 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 26:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 26:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chael Sonnenberg!