Bellator 192 live blog: Rampage Jackson vs. Chael Sonnen

This is the Bellator 192 live blog for Rampage Jackson vs. Chael Sonnen, a quarterfinal bout in Bellator’s heavyweight grand prix at Saturday night’s Bellator event at The Forum in Inglewood, California.

Jackson, the former UFC light heavyweight champion, will face Sonnen, a three-time UFC title challenger in the main event.

Check out the Bellator 192 live blog below.

Round 1: And the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix is underway! Sonnen comes out and takes the center of the cage, throwing overhand lefts from the outside, a few of which have landed. Jackson lands the first good combination of the round, catching Sonnen ducking in. Two minutes in and Sonnen forces his way into a clinch. Sonne throws a knee and Rampage catches it and dumps Sonnen with a vintage slam! Rampage lets Sonnen back up and now Rampage has the center of the cage. Sonnen leaps in with a flying knee that partially lands and then another left hand. Sonnen is having good success on the feet but it’s clear the power edge lies with Rampage. Sonnen comes in with a combo that lands and Jackson’s counters miss. Sonnen comes in with a combination and then changes level for a takedown and he gets it and has Rampage’s back up against the fence. Sonnen goes for a rear-naked choke but Rampage escapes and the round ends with Sonnen in a loose guillotine. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Sonnen.

Round 2: Jackson starts round two wining huge hooks that don’t land. Rampage clinches and forces Sonnen up against the fence but Sonnen reverses. Sonne is throwing small knees and Rampage is working punches but nothing significant is happening. Rampage reverses but Sonnen lands and inside trip and takes Rampage down in the center of the cage. Sonne postures up and is landing some decent shots here. Now Sonnen passes to half-guard and is looking for a kimura. Sonnen separates the arm and is now trying a straight armlock but mostly he is just grinding out the round in top position and Jackson isn’t even attempting to escape. The boo birds are now out in force and Sonnen and Jackson are showed in contempt as the round ends. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Sonnen (20-18 Sonnen).

Round 3: Jackson needs a big round to continue on in the Grand Prix and he comes out with a little pep in his step but Sonnen forces a clinch early. Rampage reverses the position against the fence and not much is happening. Rampage rips a couple of shots to the body when Sonnen grabs a Muay Thai grip and the grind continues. The referee finally separates them and Sonnen forces a clinch immediately but Rampage shucks Sonnen off and now Rampage is coming forward behind heavy shots. Jackson taps the floor to signal to Sonnen to trade with him but as Sonnen walks away Rampage gets frustrated and turns his back. Sonnen i in full retreat and then forces yet another clinch. Sonnen hits an inside trip and lands in Rampage’s full guard with less than a minute left. Nothing major happens and the referee stands them up with 10 seconds left. The rounds ends with Jackson desperately swinging. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Jackson (29-28 Sonnen).

OFFICIAL DECISION: Chael Sonnen defeats Quinton Jackson by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).