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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Cheik Imbula (ranked 126 p4p, 17 weight class) and Dao Sonnen (ranked 219 p4p, 27 weight class). Imbula comes to the cage accompanied by ~Apache~. Sonnen has chosen The Devil's Doorbell as his entrance music. Dao Sonnen has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
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| 185 cm
32
180 lbs
26 - 13 - 2 |
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183 cm
35
173 lbs
30 - 14 - 1 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
26 - 13 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cheik Imbula!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
30 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dao Sonnen!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and .
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sonnen misses the shot to the body.
Sonnen misses with an uppercut. Imbula saw that one coming.
Imbula misses with a hook
and Sonnen counters with an inside leg kick.
Imbula throws a leg kick but Sonnen sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Sonnen jabs at Imbula's body.
Imbula misses with a hook
and Imbula takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sonnen thumps Imbula with a low kick.
Imbula defending well as Sonnen loads up on a big left hand.
Imbula throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A clash of legs there as Imbula blocks the low kick.
A little feinted left hand from Imbula on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Imbula throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Sonnen thumps Imbula with a low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonnen misses with a looping right.
Imbula scores with a jab.
Imbula on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Imbula throws a leg kick that is checked
and Sonnen counters with a single leg into guard. Imbula didn't expect that.
We've been hearing good reports from Imbula's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
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 passes Imbula's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Sonnen tries to pass the half guard into mount. Imbula knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen is looking for a kimura but Imbula is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sonnen to get the leverage.
Imbula wants to improve his position but Sonnen is controlling well.
Imbula won't allow Sonnen to pass to mount.
Sonnen trying to control from half guard but Imbula is working away.
Imbula gets full guard.
Sonnen is looking to advance position but Imbula has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Imbula tries to control but Sonnen wriggling away.
Sonnen is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen is still trying to improve position.
Imbula trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Sonnen is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Imbula trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Sonnen can't escape the position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Imbula with the ground and pound from mount.
Sonnen is desperately trying to improve his position but Imbula has a good base and remains in mount.
Imbula is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Sonnen to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Sonnen shrugs it off.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Imbula looking for a guillotine here but Sonnen defends easily.
Imbula escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sonnen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sonnen wants to control from the top but Imbula keeps moving.
Sonnen might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Imbula haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen wants to pass the guard but Imbula is keeping the position.
Sonnen wants to control from the top but Imbula keeps moving.
Imbula lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Sonnen keeping moving, preventing Imbula from controlling successfully.
Imbula trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Imbula passes into half guard.
Sonnen is looking for a sweep. Imbula is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
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.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Imbula is looking to land body kicks.
Sonnen throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Sonnen tries for a takedown but Imbula sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Imbula connects with a nice looking jab.
A good leg kick by Imbula.
A jab from Sonnen misses.
Sonnen throws a body kick that misses.
Imbula lands with a good body shot.
Sonnen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Imbula. Imbula obviously looking to wear him down.
Imbula swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Sonnen moves out of range of the strikes.
Imbula misses with an uppercut. Sonnen saw that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sonnen misses with a kick to the body
and Imbula counters with a nice double leg into side control. Sonnen won't be happy with that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sonnen regains half guard.
Sonnen is concentrating on defense, preventing Imbula from advancing position.
Imbula tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sonnen knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sonnen is trying to maintain the position but Imbula is very close to passing his half guard.
Imbula moves into full mount! Sonnen won't be happy about that!
Imbula has hold of Sonnen's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Sonnen manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Sonnen is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Sonnen is looking to get to half guard.
Imbula raining down shots from the mount!
Sonnen is desperately trying to improve his position but Imbula has a good base and remains in mount.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen regains half guard.
Imbula is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Sonnen gets full guard.
Sonnen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Imbula doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Imbula manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sonnen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Cheik Imbula overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sonnen is looking for a triangle but Imbula pushes his legs off easily.
Imbula trying to control the position from guard on top but Sonnen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imbula looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Sonnen manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Imbula manages to get himself to full guard.
Imbula has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sonnen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Imbula not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sonnen is pushing down on Imbula's leg trying to pass to half guard. Imbula is fighting to maintain full guard but Sonnen has managed to sneak the leg through.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen seems to be looking for submissions.
Imbula is looking for a sweep. Sonnen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Imbula has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sonnen is working away from the top position though.
Imbula looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Imbula makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Imbula.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sonnen stands and throws Imbula's legs to the side, diving into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Cheik Imbula dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!
Sonnen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Imbula. Imbula obviously looking to wear him down.
Imbula moves out of range as Sonnen strikes.
Imbula is looking to counter punch.
Sonnen scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Sonnen lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Sonnen uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Imbula has time to react.
Sonnen motions for Imbula to come forward. Sonnen throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A leg kick checked by Imbula.
Sonnen throws out a powerful jab.
Imbula scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sonnen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Sonnen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Imbula lands an overhand right.
Nice defenses there by Sonnen.
Good leg kick by Imbula there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sonnen throws a series of punches but Imbula moves out of range.
Sonnen darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Imbula buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Imbula looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Cheik Imbula is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Imbula avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sonnen moves out of range of the leg kick from Imbula.
Imbula rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Sonnen counter with a right hand.
Imbula pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sonnen drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Imbula defends it well.
Sonnen throws a low kick but it's checked well by Imbula.
Sonnen slips a straight right by Imbula.
Sonnen throws out a powerful jab.
Sonnen fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Imbula checks it well.
Imbula misses with a straight left.
A lazy left from Imbula finds it's target.
Sonnen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Imbula walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sonnen checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Dao Sonnen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Imbula thows a body kick. Sonnen tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Imbula takes one to the chin there.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen motions for Imbula to come forward. Sonnen throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sonnen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Imbula.
Imbula connects with a right hand. Sonnen shakes it off.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice jab there from Sonnen.
Imbula gets caught napping as Sonnen dives in and scores a takedown. Imbula manages to retain guard.
Imbula trying to keep a closed guard but Sonnen is proving a slippery customer.
Sonnen controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Imbula lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Imbula stands up over Sonnen, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Imbula is pushing down on Sonnen's leg trying to pass to half guard. Sonnen is fighting to maintain full guard but Imbula has managed to sneak the leg through.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sonnen is trying to maintain the position but Imbula is very close to passing his half guard.
Sonnen tries to get to full guard but Imbula has control of the leg.
Sonnen is in trouble now - Imbula has advanced to mount!
Sonnen can't escape the position.
Sonnen slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Sonnen is looking to improve his position.
Imbula working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Imbula is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Imbula is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Sonnen wants to get back to full guard.
Imbula trying to control the action but Sonnen is working from the bottom.
Sonnen moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Imbula showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Imbula trying to control the position from guard on top but Sonnen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Cheik Imbula.
I think Imbula 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dao Sonnen!
An intense looking Dao Sonnen took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: 'Hunting lizards!! Now let's get that pay Cheik and clean this stinking division OUT, so I can get back to choking middleweights. Gun or no Gun...mano 'o' mano with who's at the top. I'll take him or her. I took Gun 1st time and was smashing him in the 2nd fight. A win is a win, so 3rd fight decides '.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
45% |
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