PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Carter Shelton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chael Sonnen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Sonnen's choice of entrance music: My rap . Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Shelton
vs
Sonnen

183 cm
25
205 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

185 cm
21
225 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Carter Shelton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chael Sonnen!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Frank Dennis and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sonnen gets in close and instigates a clinch.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Sonnen has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Shelton.
Sonnen struggles to land a body shot inside as Shelton controls his hands.

Shelton has picked Sonnen up - he's going for a ride! Shelton dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
We've been hearing that Shelton has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Shelton wants to free his trapped foot but Sonnen is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Shelton is working hard here to advance position.
Sonnen is looking to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shelton throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Shelton missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Shelton thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sonnen's head.
Shelton trying to pass the guard but Sonnen defending well.
Shelton content to control rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen is staying active underneath Shelton, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Sonnen kicks Shelton off and gets back to his feet.

Shelton clinches.
Shelton tries for a takedown. No joy.
Sonnen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Shelton avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Sonnen is fighting off a takedown attempt but Shelton is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Sonnen to the mat. Sonnen regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Sonnen keeping full guard, as Shelton tries to pass.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Sonnen scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Shelton fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shelton lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Sonnen has managed to clinch.
Sonnen lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Shelton.
Shelton drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sonnen gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carter Shelton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sonnen lands a body punch.
Sonnen looking for a takedown.

Shelton turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Shelton manages to end up in side control.
Sonnen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sonnen defending against the ground and pound.
Sonnen regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen is trying to stand up here but Shelton is controlling him well.
Shelton throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Shelton is looking to advance position but Sonnen won't allow it.
Sonnen has his hands clasped together around Shelton's back. He's all about the action.
Shelton wants to pass to mount but Sonnen is defending the position.
Shelton trying to control from Sonnen's half guard. Sonnen has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Sonnen is looking to stand up but Shelton isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shelton trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Shelton wants to control from the top but Sonnen keeps moving.
Sonnen is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Shelton throwing strikes but missing.
Sonnen has his hands on Shelton's head, controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carter Shelton dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Shelton will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Shelton tries to clinch but Sonnen is having none of it.
Shelton shoots in but Sonnen avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Shelton.
Sonnen is looking for a sweep.
Shelton wants to control but Sonnen is keeping him busy.
Sonnen tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Shelton wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Sonnen sneaks out the side door and pushes Shelton away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

Sonnen scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shelton is trying is best to control the position here.
Shelton trying to control but Sonnen postures up.
Sonnen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Sonnen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shelton keeps working.
Sonnen trying to control from Shelton's half guard. Shelton has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Sonnen trying to control the position from guard on top but Shelton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sonnen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen lands a couple of digs.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shelton is on top in guard.
Shelton trying to control but Sonnen is working from the bottom.
Sonnen is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Shelton is controlling him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shelton sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Sonnen's guard.
Shelton throws a strike but Sonnen avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Sonnen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Shelton trying to control but Sonnen is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen keeping full guard, as Shelton tries to pass.
Shelton won't allow Sonnen to sweep him here.
Shelton wants to pass the guard but Sonnen is keeping the position.
Sonnen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Shelton throws a strike but Sonnen rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shelton wants to stand up but Sonnen is controlling him.
Sonnen stopping the sweep attempt from Shelton.
Sonnen chips away with some ground and pound.
Sonnen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sonnen working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Shelton's head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sonnen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sonnen landing some decent shots from guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sonnen is working Shelton over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chael Sonnen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sonnen connects with a body shot.
Shelton shoots for a takedown but Sonnen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Shelton tries to clinch there but Sonnen circles away.
Shelton connects with a right hand. Sonnen shakes it off.

Sonnen instigates a clinch.
Sonnen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sonnen can't get the takedown.
Sonnen lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Sonnen lands with a short shot to the head.

It looks like Carter Shelton has been cut.
Shelton blocking some punches.
Sonnen stops a takedown attempt from Shelton.
Sonnen holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Shelton tries for a takedown but Sonnen manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carter Shelton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shelton drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sonnen pulls his leg out and moves away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shelton is trying to drag Sonnen to the mat but Sonnen just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Sonnen lands a nice uppercut.
Sonnen lands a shot to the body.
Shelton stops a takedown attempt from Sonnen.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Sonnen leaning his opponent against the cage.
A short right from Sonnen on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen is pushing Shelton up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Shelton turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Sonnen can't do much from the bottom here.
Shelton trying to control the action but Sonnen is working from the bottom.
Shelton throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Sonnen works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Sonnen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shelton thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Shelton stalling away here and it's allowed Sonnen to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Shelton stopping the sweep attempt from Sonnen.
Shelton has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Shelton throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sonnen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sonnen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shelton accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shelton passes Sonnen's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shelton looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Shelton throwing shots but Sonnen is blocking nicely.
Shelton sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sonnen defending well though.
Sonnen gets full guard.
Shelton loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Shelton trying to control but Sonnen is working from the bottom.
Shelton pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sonnen is keeping the position for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sonnen is looking to stand up but Shelton isn't so interested in that idea.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Chael Sonnen just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Carter Shelton's cut.
That's time! Shelton's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sonnen looks for a takedown but Shelton sprawls well.
Shelton fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sonnen avoids it really well and circles away.
Sonnen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sonnen wants it to stay on the feet.
Shelton will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carter Shelton. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sonnen has Shelton up against the cage in a clinch.
Sonnen lands a left hand that snaps the head of Shelton backwards.
Sonnen gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Shelton.

Sonnen has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Shelton is trying to keep an underhook but Sonnen manages to get the takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shelton is looking to control Sonnen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Shelton avoid being mounted?
Sonnen is looking to take a break and control but Shelton is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sonnen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Shelton looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Sonnen with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Sonnen looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Shelton wants to control but Sonnen is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Shelton is trying to get back to full guard.
Sonnen working the head and body with strikes.
Sonnen trying to control the action but Shelton is working from the bottom.
Sonnen stalling.
Shelton on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sonnen is nestled in close to Shelton, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen wants to control but Shelton is keeping him busy.
Sonnen throwing shots but Shelton is blocking nicely.
Chael Sonnen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Shelton trying to hold on to Sonnen's head to control him but Sonnen postures up.
Shelton is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Sonnen scores with a couple of nice shots.
Sonnen drops an elbow to the side of Shelton's head.
Sonnen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Sonnen thows a huge punch but Shelton dodges it nicely.
Shelton avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sonnen.
Sonnen lands strikes from half guard.
Sonnen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Shelton taking some punishment here, with Sonnen in his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sonnen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Shelton does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sonnen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Sonnen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Shelton is rocked!
Sonnen drops an elbow to the side of Shelton's head.
Oh Shelton is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Sonnen keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Sonnen lands a big elbow - Shelton is out of it! He's waving his arms around but his eyes are closed and he's not intelligently defending himself - the ref has no choice but to jump in and stop the fight! This one is in the books! A TKO win for Sonnen!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:44 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Chael Sonnen!