PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chael Sonnen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jon Zavarelli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zavarelli has chosen Won't Back Down- Eminem ft. Pink as his entrance music. 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
Zavarelli

182 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
22
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, 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 New York, Jon Zavarelli !
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Russell Pearce and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sonnen looks for a takedown but Zavarelli sprawls well.

Zavarelli has managed to clinch.
Zavarelli is trying to break the clinch but Sonnen is controlling him.

Zavarelli breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Zavarelli but Zavarelli pushes him off and we're back to square one.
No luck for Sonnen with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chael Sonnen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice sprawl there from Zavarelli as Sonnen shoots in.
Left hook, right uppercut from Zavarelli .
A right-left combo lands from Zavarelli .

It looks like Chael Sonnen has been cut.
Zavarelli stuffs the takedown attempt from Sonnen. Sonnen gets slowly back to his feet.
Sonnen is breathing heavily.
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Zavarelli sprawls well. Zavarelli wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sonnen gets slowly back to his feet.
Zavarelli closes the distance and lands a one-two.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zavarelli swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Sonnen.
Zavarelli scores with a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zavarelli jabs at Sonnen's body.
Sonnen walks into a straight right hand from Zavarelli .
Zavarelli connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Zavarelli rushes Sonnen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Zavarelli working hard to break the clinch.
Zavarelli wants a takedown but no success here.
Sonnen prevents Zavarelli from breaking the clinch.
Sonnen keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Zavarelli 's efforts to push away.

Zavarelli escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Sonnen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Zavarelli sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sonnen shoots in looking for a takedown. Zavarelli tries to sprawl out of it but Sonnen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Zavarelli manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Zavarelli goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A combination from Zavarelli does no damage.
Nice shot lands for Zavarelli .
Zavarelli with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A jab from Zavarelli finds it's way through Sonnen's defenses.
Zavarelli clobbers Sonnen with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Zavarelli lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sonnen backs up against the cage.
Sonnen with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Zavarelli to score with a decent uppercut.
Zavarelli 's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Zavarelli duly obliges.
Danga de danga de dang - Zavarelli scores with a four punch combination!

Chael Sonnen's cut is getting worse.
Zavarelli is working the combinations to good effect here.
Zavarelli scores with a nice head shot.

Zavarelli moves into the clinch successfully.

Zavarelli has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Sonnen uses from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zavarelli wants to get back to his feet but Sonnen is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Zavarelli wriggles free and stands up.
Zavarelli lands a nice hook to Sonnen's body. Sonnen takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Sonnen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Zavarelli swivels and escapes.
Sonnen takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Zavarelli closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Zavarelli lands a slapping body shot.
Sonnen takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Zavarelli forces Sonnen back against the cage and clinches.
Sonnen prevents a takedown attempt there.
Sonnen gets underhooks to prevent Zavarelli 's takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Zavarelli gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sonnen looking for a takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Zavarelli dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Chael Sonnen's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Zavarelli throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Sonnen on the side of the head.
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zavarelli as he avoids it easily.
Sonnen fails with a takedown attempt.
Zavarelli has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sonnen shoots in but Zavarelli avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chael Sonnen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zavarelli misses with the combination.
Sonnen shoots in looking for a takedown. Zavarelli tries to sprawl out of it but Sonnen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Zavarelli manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sonnen takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Zavarelli cracks a nice hook into Sonnen's ribs.
Zavarelli lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sonnen backs up against the cage.
Zavarelli tests Sonnen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sonnen takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Zavarelli scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sonnen looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zavarelli digs a good body shot into Sonnen's ribs.
Zavarelli lands a with a good body shot.
Zavarelli lands with a nice combination. Sonnen backs away looking to recover.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zavarelli scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Zavarelli scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Zavarelli scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Jon Zavarelli is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zavarelli scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Sonnen doesn't seem bothered though.
Zavarelli scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Zavarelli fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sonnen, pushing him back against the cage.

Zavarelli 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Sonnen. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Zavarelli ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Zavarelli lands a two punch combo.
Zavarelli lands a two punch combo.
Zavarelli digs a good hook to Sonnen's body.
Zavarelli digs a good hook to Sonnen's body.
Zavarelli lands with a shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Zavarelli rushes Sonnen and presses him up against the cage.
Zavarelli has had enough of the clinch but Sonnen keeps him there for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen keeps control of Zavarelli as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Zavarelli manages to break the clinch.
Zavarelli scores with a nice right hand.
Zavarelli lands a jab to the head.
Zavarelli 's corner calls for a 1-2. Zavarelli obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Zavarelli stuffs the takedown.
Zavarelli cracks a nice hook into Sonnen's ribs.
Zavarelli scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Sonnen walks into a straight right hand from Zavarelli .
Zavarelli scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Zavarelli cracks Sonnen with an open hand slap.
Sonnen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sonnen takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Zavarelli throws a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zavarelli lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Zavarelli throws a one two combo.
Zavarelli 's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Zavarelli duly obliges.
Zavarelli clobbers Sonnen with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Zavarelli connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Sonnen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Zavarelli sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Zavarelli lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Zavarelli lands a slapping body shot.
Jon Zavarelli is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A nice combination there by Zavarelli .
Sonnen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Zavarelli pinned against the cage. Zavarelli gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Zavarelli jabs at Sonnen's body.
No joy there for Zavarelli , who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sonnen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Zavarelli moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown but Zavarelli shows good takedown defense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zavarelli stuns Sonnen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown but Zavarelli shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Zavarelli lands a two punch combo.
Zavarelli is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Sonnen rather than just go for the knockout.

Zavarelli closes the distance and pushes Sonnen back into the cage.
Sonnen tries to score a body lock takedown but Zavarelli shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Zavarelli drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zavarelli is pressed up against the cage. Sonnen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Zavarelli down to the mat. Zavarelli avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Zavarelli showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Chael Sonnen's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Sonnen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zavarelli misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zavarelli lands a slapping body shot.
Nice sprawl there from Zavarelli as Sonnen shoots in.
Some wild striking there from Zavarelli .
Sonnen shoots for a takedown but Zavarelli saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chael Sonnen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sonnen looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Zavarelli dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A shot to de liver by Zavarelli . Beautiful body shot.
Zavarelli scores with a one two! Sonnen had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Jon Zavarelli seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zavarelli slaps away a takedown attempt from Sonnen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Zavarelli lands a nice looking body shot.
Zavarelli fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Sonnen takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sonnen takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Zavarelli throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zavarelli closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Zavarelli lands a two punch combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zavarelli moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Zavarelli misses with a series of wild punches.
Sonnen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Zavarelli swivels and escapes.
Zavarelli misses with a double jab.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sonnen.
Zavarelli lands a two punch combo.
Zavarelli tries to bum rush Sonnen with a series of wild strikes but Sonnen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Zavarelli scores with a jab to the body.
Zavarelli lands a two punch combo.
Zavarelli misses with the combination.

Sonnen changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Zavarelli looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Zavarelli is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Sonnen is controlling him well.
Zavarelli avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Sonnen.
Zavarelli is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zavarelli takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Zavarelli wants to get back to his feet but Sonnen drags him back down.
An elbow from Sonnen crashes against the mat.
Zavarelli parries the strikes from Sonnen easily there. Sonnen is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Zavarelli to escape.
Sonnen working the strikes but Zavarelli uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Zavarelli gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sonnen is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sonnen is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Zavarelli gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Zavarelli goes for a takedown attempt but Sonnen pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sonnen shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sonnen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sonnen throwing strikes from guard but Zavarelli blocks nicely.
Zavarelli is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Sonnen connects with a couple of short punches.
Sonnen prevents Zavarelli from getting back to his feet.
Sonnen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jon Zavarelli is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sonnen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zavarelli 's waist but Zavarelli gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sonnen off to one side.
No luck for Sonnen with that takedown attempt.
Zavarelli tries to bum rush Sonnen with a series of wild strikes but Sonnen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Danga de danga de dang - Zavarelli scores with a four punch combination!

Sonnen shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Zavarelli manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Sonnen throws a big right hand that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sonnen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sonnen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zavarelli works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sonnen throws and elbow that misses. Zavarelli uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sonnen's guard. Nice move by Zavarelli !
Chael Sonnen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Sonnen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Zavarelli gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jon Zavarelli .
I've got Zavarelli winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 25:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 25:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jon Zavarelli !