PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pablo Maraçon (ranked 7 p4p, 1 weight class) and Dao Sonnen (ranked 68 p4p, 11 weight class). Maraçon comes to the cage accompanied by Pistolero. The crowd seem to be enjoying Sonnen's choice of entrance music: The Devil's Doorbell. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Maraçon
vs
Sonnen

186 cm
34
185 lbs
30 - 8 - 2

183 cm
33
188 lbs
26 - 11 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

HELLBENT
Urban Fighter

HGH Nutrients Q160 Tycoons Best Quality supps
Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 8 - 2, fighting out of London, Pablo Maraçon!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dao Sonnen!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maraçon throws a leg kick

and Sonnen counters with a nice double leg into side control. Maraçon won't be happy with that.

Maraçon throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Maraçon moves in looking to clinch but Sonnen pushes him off.
Sonnen has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Sonnen changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Sonnen needs to keep his hands up - Maraçon had a free shot at his head there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maraçon looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Maraçon takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Maraçon connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Maraçon has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Dr Hatsumi's Clinic in the buildup to the fight.
Sonnen misses the shot to the body.
Sonnen throws the kick towards the body but Maraçon avoids it.
Maraçon is looking to counter punch.
Maraçon keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Maraçon uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Sonnen has time to react.
Maraçon misses with a hook
and Sonnen counters with a nice uppercut.
Sonnen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sonnen looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sonnen.
Maraçon takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Maraçon tried to counter with a leg kick but Sonnen avoided it.
Sonnen paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen tries to score with a low kick but Maraçon moves his leg out of the way.
Maraçon pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Maraçon is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Sonnen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
It looked like Maraçon wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Sonnen connects with a nice looking jab.
Maraçon throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sonnen checks a leg kick nicely.
Sonnen motions for Maraçon to come forward. Sonnen throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sonnen throws a lazy right hand but Maraçon sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Maraçon moves away from the strike by Sonnen.
Sonnen misses with a straight left.
Maraçon fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Sonnen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sonnen looks to score with a jab to the body but Maraçon is just out of range.
Maraçon half committed to a counter leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maraçon. Sonnen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Maraçon throws a jab but it's blocked by Sonnen.
Maraçon throws a big shot that misses.
Sonnen feints a counter leg kick.
Sonnen thuds his shin into the meat of Maraçon's side.

Sonnen gets a takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maraçon won't allow Sonnen to pass to mount.
Maraçon wants to control but Sonnen is keeping busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maraçon is staying active underneath Sonnen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Sonnen is working for a kimura but Maraçon is defending it quite comfortably.
Sonnen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Maraçon is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Sonnen jumps into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Sonnen fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Maraçon is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Sonnen's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Maraçon desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Sonnen is trying to control. Maraçon wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Sonnen looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Maraçon trying to control here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Sonnen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Maraçon slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Maraçon has Sonnen pulled in close to control his posture.
Maraçon's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Sonnen tries to free his leg and advance position but Maraçon is retaining full guard.
Maraçon is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Sonnen trying to control but Maraçon is working from the bottom.
Maraçon looking for a sweep. Not yet Maraçon, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Dao Sonnen will probably get the nod.
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.

Sonnen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sonnen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sonnen changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Sonnen checks a leg kick.
Sonnen fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Maraçon has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Sonnen connects with a jab.
Maraçon misses with a body kick.
Sonnen smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Nice shot by Sonnen.
Sonnen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sonnen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Maraçon takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Sonnen misses with a hook. Maraçon ducked under it nicely.
Maraçon keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
And Maraçon counters with a quick kick to the body but Sonnen blocks it.
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!
Maraçon moves out of range as Sonnen throws a body kick.
Maraçon misses the shot to the body.
Sonnen appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen lands a two punch combo.
Maraçon throws a looping overhand right but Sonnen ducks down to avoid it.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Maraçon crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Sonnen - the referee stops the clock and Maraçon gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Sonnen. Maraçon manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
A jab from Sonnen misses.
Maraçon checks the leg kick.
Maraçon misses with a body kick.
Good leg kick by Sonnen there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Sonnen moves away from the strike by Maraçon.
Maraçon throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Maraçon instigates a clinch.
Sonnen lands a body punch in the clinch.
Sonnen tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Maraçon smiles and moves away.
Maraçon tests Sonnen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sonnen misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maraçon pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sonnen misses with a right hand
and Maraçon counters with a nice leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maraçon swinging wildly here.
Sonnen changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Maraçon misses with a low kick.
Sonnen changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Maraçon throws a shot from downtown. Sonnen moves away and avoids it.
Sonnen moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Sonnen misses with a straight right.
Maraçon swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sonnen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
That kick from Maraçon tenderised Sonnen's leg. Sonnen is trying to keep his angry face on.
Maraçon connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Maraçon.
Sonnen throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Maraçon counters with a nice uppercut.
Maraçon throws a head kick but Sonnen moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maraçon throws a leg kick
and Sonnen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maraçon. Sonnen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sonnen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Maraçon sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sonnen misses with a looping right.
Maraçon missing with a left hand there. Sonnen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sonnen thuds his right hand into Maraçon's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Good work by Sonnen as he checks the leg kick.
Sonnen looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Sonnen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A clash of legs there as Sonnen blocks the low kick.
Maraçon throws the kick towards the body but Sonnen avoids it.
Some bone on bone action there as Maraçon checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Sonnen throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Maraçon takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Sonnen.
Sonnen misses the shot to the body.
Sonnen uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Sonnen shoots in but no luck this time.
Pablo Maraçon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dao Sonnen.
The fighters circling - Sonnen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Maraçon swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maraçon throws a jab when Sonnen was well out of range.
And Sonnen responds with a good body kick, but Maraçon manages to step out the way in time.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sonnen. Maraçon does a little dance to reset his feet.
Maraçon takes a swing at Sonnen's ribcage but misses.
Maraçon stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Maraçon wants it to stay on the feet.
Dao Sonnen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Maraçon lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Maraçon throws a leg kick but Sonnen checks it.
Nice defenses there by Maraçon.
Sonnen lands with a good body shot.
Sonnen works Maraçon's body with a nice hook.
Sonnen misses with a straight right.
Sonnen moves out of range of the leg kick from Maraçon.
Maraçon fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dao Sonnen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Maraçon takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Maraçon throws the kick towards the body but Sonnen avoids it.
Good leg kick by Sonnen there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Sonnen uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Maraçon has time to react.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maraçon. Sonnen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Maraçon shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Sonnen cracks Maraçon with a good jab.
Maraçon will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Maraçon waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sonnen.
Sonnen stuns Maraçon with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Good leg kick by Sonnen there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Maraçon has managed to clinch.
Maraçon blocks a body shot from Sonnen.
Sonnen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Maraçon scores with a shot to the side of Sonnen's head.
Maraçon throws a punch but it's blocked by 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!
Maraçon is trying to maintain a safe position but Sonnen gets an underhook and turns Maraçon into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maraçon blocks a body shot from Sonnen.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Sonnen creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Sonnen lands a body shot in the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Maraçon misses with a punch to the body.
Nice body punch from Sonnen.
Maraçon can't find room to land a body shot as Sonnen controls the action.
Maraçon can't find room to land a body shot as Sonnen controls the action.
Sonnen tries to throw a body punch but Maraçon avoids it by throwing Sonnen back against the cage.
Sonnen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sonnen misses with the head strike.
Maraçon lands an uppercut.
Maraçon tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sonnen has Maraçon pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Maraçon manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Sonnen lands a nice shot to the body.
Maraçon tries to throw a body punch but Sonnen avoids it by throwing Maraçon back against the cage.
Maraçon lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Maraçon misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sonnen works on Maraçon's body with a couple of short punches.
Maraçon throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Sonnens head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Maraçon misses with a hook from the clinch.
Maraçon lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maraçon struggles to land a body shot inside as Sonnen controls his hands.
Maraçon misses with the head strike.
Sonnen has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Maraçon after a bit of a struggle.

Sonnen works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Maraçon wriggles free and stands up.
Sonnen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Sonnen throws a nice outside leg kick.
An inside leg kick from Maraçon misses.
Nice straight punches there by Maraçon. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Maraçon.
Maraçon looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Some bone on bone action there as Maraçon checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Maraçon throws a shot from downtown. Sonnen moves away and avoids it.
Maraçon takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen digs a good body shot into Maraçon's ribs.
Maraçon tries to land a leg kick but Sonnen saw it coming and moves away.
Sonnen drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Maraçon defends it well.
Sonnen darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sonnen.
Maraçon throws a lazy right hand but Sonnen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Pablo Maraçon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Maraçon wants to slow Sonnen down by chopping away at his legs.
A decent looking cross lands there for Sonnen.
Sonnen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Maraçon slips a jab from Sonnen.
Sonnen lands with a nice body kick.
Maraçon tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sonnen was well out of range. Poor timing from Maraçon.
Sonnen misses with a body kick.
Sonnen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Maraçon sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sonnen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Maraçon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Maraçon scores with the left hand. Sonnen knows he should have avoided that one.
Sonnen avoids a kick to the body.
Sonnen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sonnen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sonnen closes the distance and clinches up with Maraçon, looking for a takedown. Sonnen pushes Maraçon against the cage but Maraçon circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
An attempted straight right counter from Maraçon misses the target.
Pablo Maraçon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dao Sonnen.
Sonnen throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Sonnen moves out of range of the body kick.
Maraçon throws a lazy uppercut
and Sonnen makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Sonnen scores with a jab to the body.
A shot to the liver by Maraçon. Beautiful body shot.
Good leg kick by Sonnen there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Maraçon misses with an uppercut.
It seemed like Sonnen was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Sonnen moves out of range as Maraçon throws a body kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sonnen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Dao Sonnen just about did enough to take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Maraçon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Maraçon lands with a nice body punch.
Maraçon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Good leg kick by Maraçon there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Sonnen on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Maraçon looks to land a body kick but Sonnen moved away.
Sonnen is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Maraçon throws a half hearted mid kick.
Maraçon walks into a jab.
Maraçon lands the left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonnen feints and then cracks Maraçon's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Maraçon down.
Maraçon is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Maraçon tries to land a leg kick but Sonnen saw it coming and moves away.
Sonnen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice body kick from Maraçon.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maraçon displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Maraçon moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Maraçon throws a wild body kick that Sonnen sees coming a mile off.
Maraçon missing with a left hand there. Sonnen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sonnen checks a low kick from Maraçon.
Maraçon fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sonnen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Maraçon fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Maraçon is looking to clinch but Sonnen is avoiding it.
Maraçon lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A swing and a miss from Maraçon.
Sonnen keeps Maraçon at a distance using the push kick.
Maraçon takes one to the chin there.
Sonnen misses with a looping left.
Sonnen misses with a low kick as Maraçon jumps back.
Sonnen lands a leg kick that knocks Maraçon off balance momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sonnen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Maraçon manages to avoid it.
Maraçon connects with a nice looking jab.
Maraçon keeps Sonnen at a distance using the push kick.
Maraçon looks to score with a jab to the body but Sonnen is just out of range.
Maraçon throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sonnen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Maraçon steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Sonnen. That one must have hurt.
Maraçon throws a push kick but Sonnen slaps the foot to one side.
Sonnen is looking to slow Maraçon down with leg kicks.
Sonnen scores with a hook to the body. Maraçon takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Good exchange - Sonnen coming out on top.
Maraçon moves forwards but Sonnen connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A leg kick checked by Maraçon.
Sonnen slips a jab from Maraçon.
Maraçon connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Sonnen momentarily.
Maraçon checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maraçon swings widly with a right hand
and Sonnen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sonnen punishes Maraçon's body with a nice straight punch.
Maraçon turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Maraçon uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sonnen.
Nice defenses there by Maraçon.
Sonnen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Maraçon.
Sonnen wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Maraçon takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
An inside leg kick from Sonnen misses.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Sonnen. Maraçon shrugs it off though.
Maraçon fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sonnen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Sonnen tries to clinch but Maraçon moves out of range.
Maraçon displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sonnen throws out the jab.
Maraçon scores with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maraçon fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Good exchange - Maraçon coming out on top.
Maraçon steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sonnen.
Sonnen's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Maraçon lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sonnen tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Maraçon counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Sonnen thinking.
Maraçon throws a leg kick that is checked
and Sonnen counters with a thumping low kick.
Maraçon misses with a low kick as Sonnen jumps back.
Maraçon bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sonnen misses with a hook.
A little feinted left hand from Maraçon on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A lazy left from Sonnen finds it's target.
Sonnen slips under a jab from Maraçon.
Maraçon lands a really nice looking cross but Sonnen seems unphased.
Sonnen misses with a looping right.
Sonnen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pablo Maraçon had his way with Dao Sonnen in that round.
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!

Maraçon takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Sonnen ducks under a wild hook from Maraçon.
Sonnen slips a straight right by Maraçon.
A bone on bone clash there as Maraçon blocks the leg kick.
Sonnen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Maraçon will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Maraçon closes the distance but Sonnen moves to the side
and Sonnen counters with a nice leg kick.
Sonnen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Maraçon moves away.
Maraçon fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sonnen manages to avoid it.
Sonnen bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Maraçon's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maraçon with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Maraçon tries to land a leg kick but Sonnen saw it coming and moves away.
Maraçon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Maraçon connects with an inside leg kick.
Sonnen works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maraçon throws a looping overhand right but Sonnen ducks down to avoid it.
Maraçon scores with a nice right hand.
Sonnen has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Maraçon looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Sonnen misses with a hook. Maraçon ducked under it nicely.
Maraçon takes a swing at Sonnen's ribcage but misses.
Sonnen lands with a nice body punch.
Sonnen lands a really nice looking cross but Maraçon seems unphased.
A jab from Maraçon misses.
Maraçon loads up on a big right hand but Sonnen slips the punch.
Maraçon tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sonnen was well out of range. Poor timing from Maraçon.
Sonnen scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Sonnen defending well as Maraçon loads up on a big left hand.
Maraçon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sonnen moves away.
Sonnen counters with a body kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Sonnen darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Maraçon. That one must have hurt.
Maraçon throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Sonnen counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Maraçon thinking.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice uppercut lands for Sonnen. That snapped Maraçon's head back.
Pablo Maraçon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Maraçon walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sonnen checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A big right from Maraçon misses.
Sonnen misses with a right hand
and Maraçon connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sonnen throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Maraçon on the side of the head.
Maraçon takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Maraçon misses with a straight left.
Maraçon jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice defenses there by Maraçon.
Maraçon looks to land a left hand but Sonnen moved out of range nicely.
A slow jab from Sonnen misses its intended target.
Maraçon does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Maraçon slips a straight right by Sonnen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maraçon misses with a body kick.
Sonnen misses with a hook.
Sonnen moves out of range as Maraçon throws a body kick.
Maraçon throws a looping overhand right but Sonnen ducks down to avoid it.
Sonnen connects with a body shot.
Sonnen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Maraçon.
Sonnen cracks Maraçon with a good jab.
Sonnen will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Sonnen misses with an uppercut.
Maraçon moves into range and connects with a jab.
Sonnen lands with a thumping leg kick.
Maraçon misses with a straight right.
Sonnen on the wrong end of a nice jab.

It looks like Dao Sonnen has been cut.
Maraçon moves out of range of the body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maraçon scores with a body shot.
A bone on bone clash there as Maraçon blocks the leg kick.
Maraçon ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maraçon on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Sonnen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Maraçon misses with a few strikes there.
Maraçon throws an off balance right hand

and Sonnen moves into the clinch.
Sonnen misses with the head strike.
Sonnen goes for a takedown attempt but Maraçon pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Maraçon tries to clinch up but Sonnen circles away and keeps his distance.
Maraçon rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sonnen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Maraçon throws a leg kick that misses.
Maraçon misses with a hook.
Sonnen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Dao Sonnen.
I think Sonnen has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 49:46
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 46:49
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Dao Sonnen!
Dao Sonnen is the new middleweight champion!
An out of breath Dao Sonnen thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.