PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Chael Sonnen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryu Takeshi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sonnen
vs
Takeshi

185 cm
25
189 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
183 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Tends to cut

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 Sydney, Chael Sonnen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryu Takeshi!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Hirohito Nitta and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takeshi throws a sloppy head kick and Sonnen moves out of range easily.
Takeshi scores with a head kick.
Takeshi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Takeshi lands a head kick. Sonnen smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

It looks like Chael Sonnen has been cut.
Chael Sonnen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Takeshi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sonnen.
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!
Sonnen shoots in looking for a takedown. Takeshi tries to sprawl out of it but Sonnen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Takeshi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sonnen tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Sonnen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sonnen closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sonnen lands in his opponent's guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Sonnen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Takeshi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sonnen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Takeshi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sonnen is one step ahead there.
Sonnen sitting in guard here, content to control.
Sonnen tries to free his leg and advance position but Takeshi is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sonnen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Takeshi is trying to maintain the position but Sonnen is very close to passing his half guard.

Sonnen is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Takeshi is just riding it out for now. Sonnen eventually gives up the hold.
Sonnen performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Takeshi can do anything to dispel that myth.

Sonnen is working for a submission of some sort.
Takeshi is trying to get back to full guard.
Sonnen trying to control from half guard but Takeshi is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takeshi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sonnen trying to control the action but Takeshi is working from the bottom.
Sonnen is pressing down on Takeshi's thigh, looking to free his foot. Takeshi is holding on for now.
Sonnen is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sonnen takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
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 Chael Sonnen will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Chael Sonnen's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Takeshi fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Sonnen on the side of the head.
Takeshi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sonnen shoots in for a double leg but Takeshi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Takeshi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Takeshi scores with a one two! Sonnen had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Sonnen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Takeshi swivels and escapes.

Sonnen looking to score a takedown here. Takeshi is defending well but Sonnen drives through and ends up in Takeshi's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takeshi is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sonnen is controlling him.
Takeshi has Sonnen pulled in close to control his posture.
Sonnen wants to control from the top but Takeshi keeps moving.
Sonnen looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Takeshi keeping full guard, as Sonnen tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Chael Sonnen.
Takeshi misses with a jab, cross combination.

Sonnen clinches with his opponent.

Takeshi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A combination from Takeshi does no damage.
Sonnen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Takeshi avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chael Sonnen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sonnen dives in and grabs Takeshi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Takeshi pushes down on Sonnen's head and hops out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sonnen is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Takeshi's half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sonnen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Takeshi holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

Sonnen seems to be looking for submissions.

Sonnen seems to be looking for submissions.
Sonnen is trying to control. Takeshi wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takeshi wants to get back to full guard.
Takeshi trying to control but Sonnen postures up.

Sonnen gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Takeshi darts in and clinches Sonnen up against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sonnen throws a head punch that misses.

Takeshi breaks the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Chael Sonnen will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Chael Sonnen's cut.
That's time! Sonnen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Takeshi throws a head kick that misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sonnen is defended easily by Takeshi.

Takeshi rushes Sonnen and presses him up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Takeshi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Takeshi connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Sonnen momentarily.
Takeshi throws a sloppy head kick and Sonnen moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takeshi slaps away a takedown attempt from Sonnen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Takeshi throws a sloppy head kick and Sonnen moves out of range easily.
Takeshi tries to clinch there but Sonnen circles away.
Ryu Takeshi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Takeshi misses with a double jab.
A nice inside leg kick there by Takeshi. That's going to slow Sonnen down.
Sonnen fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chael Sonnen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen dives in and grabs Takeshi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Takeshi pushes down on Sonnen's head and hops out.
Takeshi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sonnen avoids the head kick by Takeshi.
Takeshi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Takeshi lands with a slapping head kick.
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Takeshi as he jumps to the side.
Ryu Takeshi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takeshi throws the kick towards the body but Sonnen avoids it.
Takeshi misses with the combination.
Takeshi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Takeshi throws a head kick but Sonnen moves out of range.

Takeshi forces Sonnen back against the cage and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Takeshi breaks from the clinch.
Sonnen avoids the head kick by Takeshi.
Sonnen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Takeshi defends it nicely.
Ryu Takeshi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Takeshi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Takeshi tries to bum rush Sonnen with a series of wild strikes but Sonnen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nice takedown defense from Takeshi. No joy for Sonnen on that attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryu Takeshi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sonnen has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!