PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Danny Sonnen (ranked 4540 p4p, 5911 weight class) and Thomas The Tank Engine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The Tank Engine has chosen Thomas The Tank Engine as his entrance music. Thomas The Tank Engine has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sonnen
vs
The Tank Engine

170 cm
25
200
3 - 1 - 0

175 cm
24
185
0 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Very strong

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Powerful

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Danny Sonnen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Thomas The Tank Engine!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Skip Squint and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sonnen fails with the takedown
and The Tank Engine counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sonnen tries to score a power double leg takedown but The Tank Engine sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sonnen somewhat.
Sonnen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. The Tank Engine defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Danny Sonnen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sonnen shoots and misses
enabling The Tank Engine to counter with a crisp jab.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sonnen is defended easily by The Tank Engine.
It seemed like The Tank Engine was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonnen fails with the takedown.
Sonnen tries for a takedown but The Tank Engine circles away easily
and The Tank Engine counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
The Tank Engine looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Sonnen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Sonnen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sonnen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and The Tank Engine counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sonnen misses with a takedown
and The Tank Engine cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sonnen misses with a takedown attempt
and The Tank Engine cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sonnen doesn't succeed with the takedown
and The Tank Engine counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sonnen is breathing heavily.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sonnen or perhaps it was just good defense by The Tank Engine, which made it look bad.
Sonnen has a takedown stuffed.
The Tank Engine looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen shoots in looking for a takedown. The Tank Engine tries to sprawl out of it but Sonnen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. The Tank Engine manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
The Tank Engine swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Sonnen doesn't succeed with the takedown
and The Tank Engine counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sonnen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Thomas The Tank Engine is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sonnen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and The Tank Engine cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
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 dives in and grabs The Tank Engine's left leg, looking for a takedown. The Tank Engine pushes down on Sonnen's head and hops out.
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as The Tank Engine sprawls well. The Tank Engine wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sonnen gets slowly back to his feet.
The Tank Engine looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen fails with the takedown
and The Tank Engine counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sonnen tries for a takedown but The Tank Engine circles away easily
and The Tank Engine counters with a straight right hand.
Sonnen goes for a double leg but The Tank Engine avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as The Tank Engine continues to drive forward.
Sonnen with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling The Tank Engine to counter with a crisp jab.
Sonnen goes for a double leg but The Tank Engine avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as The Tank Engine continues to drive forward.
The Tank Engine swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Sonnen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and The Tank Engine counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sonnen fails with the takedown
and The Tank Engine counters with a stiff right hand.
Sonnen fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
The Tank Engine swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Sonnen tries for a takedown but The Tank Engine circles away easily
and The Tank Engine counters with a nice uppercut.
We've been informed that The Tank Engine has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and The Tank Engine counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Horrible takedown attempt by Sonnen or perhaps it was just good defense by The Tank Engine, which made it look bad.
The Tank Engine looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Sonnen dives in for a single leg takedown but The Tank Engine sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sonnen with a poor takedown
and The Tank Engine counters with a straight right hand.
Sonnen shoots and misses
and The Tank Engine cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sonnen.
The Tank Engine throws out a counter right but Sonnen avoids it with no problem.
Sonnen tries for a takedown but The Tank Engine circles away easily
and The Tank Engine counters with a nice uppercut.
Sonnen with a lazy takedown attempt
and The Tank Engine counters with a straight right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas The Tank Engine dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sonnen misses with a takedown
enabling The Tank Engine to counter with a crisp jab.
Sonnen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting The Tank Engine counter with a right hand.
Sonnen has a takedown stuffed.
The Tank Engine looks like he wants to counter punch here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Danny Sonnen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sonnen with a poor takedown
and The Tank Engine connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sonnen tries to score a power double leg takedown but The Tank Engine sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sonnen somewhat.
The Tank Engine looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
The Tank Engine might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonnen looks for a takedown but The Tank Engine sprawls well.
A little jabbing left from The Tank Engine on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Danny Sonnen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sonnen closes the distance and clinches up with The Tank Engine, looking for a takedown. Sonnen pushes The Tank Engine against the cage but The Tank Engine circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
The Tank Engine looks like he wants to counter punch here.
The Tank Engine leaves Sonnen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
The Tank Engine looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen with a poor takedown
and Sonnen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sonnen shoots and misses
and The Tank Engine counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sonnen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and The Tank Engine counters with a straight right hand.
Sonnen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has The Tank Engine pinned against the cage. The Tank Engine gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
It seemed like The Tank Engine was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Sonnen shoots in but The Tank Engine avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The Tank Engine swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Sonnen with a poor takedown
and The Tank Engine counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The Tank Engine slaps away a takedown attempt from Sonnen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
The Tank Engine looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Sonnen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and The Tank Engine counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen has his takedown stuffed
and The Tank Engine counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Danny Sonnen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sonnen has his takedown stuffed
and The Tank Engine counters with a stiff right hand.
Sonnen fails with the takedown
and The Tank Engine counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sonnen shoots in looking for a takedown. The Tank Engine tries to sprawl out of it but Sonnen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. The Tank Engine manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sonnen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and The Tank Engine counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sonnen misses with a takedown attempt
and The Tank Engine counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen shoots in but no luck this time.
The Tank Engine looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Sonnen shoots for a double leg takedown but The Tank Engine sprawls well. He's pushed Sonnen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
The Tank Engine swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says The Tank Engine as he avoids it easily.
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.
Sonnen dives in and grabs The Tank Engine's left leg, looking for a takedown. The Tank Engine pushes down on Sonnen's head and hops out.
Sonnen fails with the takedown
and The Tank Engine counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sonnen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has The Tank Engine pinned against the cage. The Tank Engine gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sonnen misses with a takedown attempt
and The Tank Engine counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The Tank Engine stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and The Tank Engine wants it to stay on the feet.
A little jabbing left from The Tank Engine on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
The Tank Engine slaps away a takedown attempt from Sonnen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from The Tank Engine! But no joy.
Sonnen closes this distance looking for a takedown but The Tank Engine circles away.
The Tank Engine looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and The Tank Engine connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sonnen doesn't succeed with the takedown
and The Tank Engine counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sonnen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling The Tank Engine to counter with a crisp jab.
Sonnen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Horrible takedown attempt by Sonnen or perhaps it was just good defense by The Tank Engine, which made it look bad.
A little jabbing left from The Tank Engine on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Sonnen is trying hard to land a takedown here. The Tank Engine sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sonnen misses with a takedown
and The Tank Engine counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sonnen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas The Tank Engine showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Sonnen doesn't succeed with the takedown
and The Tank Engine connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown but The Tank Engine shows good takedown defense.
Sonnen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. The Tank Engine tries to avoid it but Sonnen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag The Tank Engine to the ground. The Tank Engine escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
The Tank Engine looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Danny Sonnen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sonnen darts in looking for a takedown but The Tank Engine gets double underhooks and turns Sonnen into the cage.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from The Tank Engine! But no joy.
Sonnen with a poor takedown
and The Tank Engine counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
No luck for Sonnen with that takedown attempt.
The Tank Engine throws out a counter right but Sonnen avoids it with no problem.
Sonnen shoots in and drives through. The Tank Engine sprawls well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The Tank Engine stuffs the takedown attempt from Sonnen. Sonnen gets slowly back to his feet.
The Tank Engine keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sonnen shoots in but no luck this time.
A little jabbing left from The Tank Engine on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown but The Tank Engine shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
The Tank Engine stuffs the takedown attempt from Sonnen. Sonnen gets slowly back to his feet.
The Tank Engine throws out a counter right but Sonnen avoids it with no problem.
Sonnen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sonnen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from The Tank Engine! But no joy.
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.
Sonnen has his takedown stuffed
and The Tank Engine cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sonnen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A little jabbing left from The Tank Engine on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Sonnen fails with the takedown
and The Tank Engine counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sonnen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen shoots and misses
and The Tank Engine counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sonnen shoots and misses
and The Tank Engine counters with a straight right hand.
Sonnen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and The Tank Engine counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sonnen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but The Tank Engine swivels and escapes.
The Tank Engine looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Sonnen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and The Tank Engine connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The Tank Engine slaps away a takedown attempt from Sonnen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
The Tank Engine throws out a counter right but Sonnen avoids it with no problem.
Sonnen looks for a takedown but The Tank Engine sprawls well.
Sonnen shoots and misses
and The Tank Engine counters with a stiff right hand.
Sonnen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around The Tank Engine's waist but The Tank Engine gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sonnen off to one side.
Sonnen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. The Tank Engine defends it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has The Tank Engine pinned against the cage. The Tank Engine gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
The Tank Engine looks like he wants to counter punch here.
The Tank Engine slaps away a takedown attempt from Sonnen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sonnen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and The Tank Engine counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sonnen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around The Tank Engine's waist but The Tank Engine gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sonnen off to one side.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Sonnen might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Sonnen fails to land the takedown.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from The Tank Engine! But no joy.
Sonnen fails with the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen misses with a takedown attempt
and Sonnen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sonnen doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting The Tank Engine counter with a right hand.
Sonnen with a poor takedown
and The Tank Engine counters with a straight right hand.
Sonnen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
The Tank Engine looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Thomas The Tank Engine is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sonnen shoots in but The Tank Engine avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The Tank Engine looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Sonnen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and The Tank Engine cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sonnen misses with a takedown attempt - The Tank Engine sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
The Tank Engine throws out a counter right but Sonnen avoids it with no problem.
Danny Sonnen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sonnen throws a body kick that misses
and The Tank Engine counters with a nice uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas The Tank Engine comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well The Tank Engine has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 24:30
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 24:30
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas The Tank Engine!