PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Chael Sonnen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anderson Spider (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chael Sonnen has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Sonnen
vs
Spider

180 cm
25
185 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

190 cm
23
190 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Chael Sonnen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Anderson Spider!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Chris Saunders and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spider circles away from the clinch attempt.
Spider throws a right and a left that Sonnen avoids nicely.
Spider changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Sonnen walks into a jab.
Sonnen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Spider.
Anderson Spider seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sonnen takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Spider slips under a jab from Sonnen.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Nice uppercut lands for Spider. That snapped Sonnen's head back.
Spider scores with a three punch combo!
Sloppy strikes from Spider. Those never looked like landing.
Spider keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sonnen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Spider swinging wildly here.
Sonnen throws the left hand but Spider avoids the punch easily.
Spider throws a right hand that Sonnen ducks under and follows up with a left that Sonnen also avoids with ease.
Spider throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spider stuffs the takedown.
Spider misses with a wild body shot.

Sonnen fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Spider sprawls well initially but Sonnen persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Sonnen looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Spider with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Sonnen connects with a nice short shot to Spider's temple.
Sonnen scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Spider tries to roll over but Sonnen keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen lands with a punch from half guard.

Spider looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sonnen is controlling the pace.
Sonnen looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Spider with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Sonnen trying to control the pace.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sonnen blocks the strikes from Spider.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sonnen scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Sonnen looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Sonnen scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Ground and pound from Sonnen.
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.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Spider lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Sonnen will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Sonnen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Spider slips under a jab from Sonnen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spider throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sonnen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Spider.
Spider connects with a single shot there.
Sonnen swings widly with a right hand
and Spider counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Sonnen throws a right and a left that Spider avoids nicely.
Nice defenses there by Sonnen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spider checks the leg kick nicely there.
Sonnen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Spider connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Sonnen's hands.
The fighters circling - Sonnen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A nice leg kick lands there from Spider.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen moves away from the strike by Spider.
Sonnen throws an overhand right that lands on Spider's shoulder, as Spider tries to avoid the shot.
Sonnen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Spider was well out of range. Poor timing from Sonnen.
Sonnen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Spider paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spider moves away from the strike by Sonnen.
Sonnen slips under a jab.
A swing and a miss from Sonnen.
Nice jab there from Spider.
Sonnen tries to clinch up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anderson Spider showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Sonnen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Spider ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Anderson Spider is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Spider closes the distance and lands a one-two.

It looks like Chael Sonnen has been cut.
Anderson Spider seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Spider digs a good hook to Sonnen's body.
Sonnen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Sonnen scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spider takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Sonnen lands a few punches from side control.
Spider taking a bit of punishment here - Sonnen scoring with strikes.
Sonnen trying to control the action but Spider is working from the bottom.
Spider trying to remain calm as Sonnen controls from the top position.
Sonnen scores with punches from side control.
Sonnen scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Spider to see if he's OK.
Sonnen slows the pace down.
Sonnen wants to control but Spider is keeping him busy.
Spider sneaks back into half guard.
Sonnen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Spider does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Spider wants to control but Sonnen is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Sonnen there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sonnen winds up and cracks Spider with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Spider looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Spider is looking to improve his position.
Spider takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Spider on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Spider looking for submissions off his back.
Sonnen looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Spider with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Spider punching from the bottom.
Sonnen winds up and cracks Spider with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Sonnen is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Spider actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Sonnen in particular looking to stall.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sonnen lands a nice short elbow.
Sonnen lands with a punch from half guard.
Chael Sonnen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sonnen scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Sonnen winds up and cracks Spider with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Spider is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sonnen pulls his head out easily.
Spider has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sonnen is working away from the top position though.
Sonnen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sonnen working Spider over with strikes.
Sonnen is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spider wants to get back to his feet.
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 with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Chael Sonnen just wasn't active enough.
Sonnen moves out of range of the leg kick from Spider.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chael Sonnen showed his dominance in that final round.
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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 29:28
Judge Josh West scores the fight 29:28

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