Flair 89 PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a light heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Righteous Crusader (ranked 23431 p4p, 23507 weight class) and James Braddock (ranked 678 p4p, 654 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Crusader
vs
Braddock

182 cm
32
200
8 - 24 - 1

180 cm
25
208
6 - 34 - 1

Excellent boxer
Very strong

Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 24 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Righteous Crusader !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 34 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Braddock!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Chris Downing and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Crusader on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Crusader tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Braddock manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Crusader swings for the body but Braddock moves out of range.
Crusader lands with a nice body punch.
Braddock scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Braddock fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Crusader looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Crusader lands a jab to the head.
Crusader takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Crusader tries to clinch
and Braddock counters with a left to the body.
Braddock scores with a nice head shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Crusader tries to close the distance and clinch but Braddock swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Crusader on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Crusader digs a good hook to Braddock's body.
Braddock misses with a jab, cross combination.
Crusader just misses with a punch to the body.
Braddock is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Crusader with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A left and a right from Braddock both land. Nice combination.
Nice jab there from Braddock.
Crusader definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Braddock lands with a nice body punch.
Crusader takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Braddock scores with a one two! Crusader had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Braddock connects with a crisp jab.
Braddock scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Braddock moves into range and connects with a jab.
Braddock throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Crusader .
Crusader throws a combination. Braddock tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

It looks like James Braddock has been cut.
Crusader doesn't manage to clinch there - Braddock circles away.
Braddock lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Crusader fails in his attempt to clinch.
Crusader stalks Braddock and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Braddock's face. Braddock staggers backwards, shaken.
Braddock throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crusader bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Braddock's head backwards.
Braddock 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.
Braddock changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Braddock swinging wildly here.
Crusader misses with a double jab
and Braddock counters with a right hand to the body.
Crusader fails in his attempt to clinch.
Crusader looks to land a combination but Braddock avoids it well.
Crusader sets himself, and Braddock steps forward looking for the clinch! Crusader avoids it this time.
Braddock misses with a double jab.
Crusader appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Crusader . Braddock does a little dance to reset his feet.
Braddock scores with a jab to the body.
Crusader throws a hook but Braddock avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Braddock throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Braddock moves out of range as Crusader strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Crusader . Braddock does a little dance to reset his feet.
Some wild striking there from Braddock.
Crusader throws a big counter combination but Braddock scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Braddock connects with a crisp jab.
Crusader is looking to wear down Braddock with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
A looping hook to the body misses from Crusader . Braddock does a little dance to reset his feet.
Crusader throws a nice looking combination but Braddock bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Braddock doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Crusader lands a jab-cross combination.
Crusader looks to clinch
and Braddock counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Braddock scores with a hook to the body. Crusader takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
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!
A punch lands to the side of Crusader 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crusader gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Crusader walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Crusader falls off balance throwing a combination
and Braddock counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Braddock cracks Crusader with an open hand slap.
Braddock fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Crusader looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Braddock is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Crusader had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Braddock fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Crusader looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Braddock clips Crusader with a right and a left that makes him do the chicken dance for a couple of seconds. He touched his left hand down on the canvas so the referee steps between the fighters to give Crusader a standing 8 count before we can continue the bout.
Braddock digs a good hook to Crusader 's body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Braddock lands a right and a left and another right! Crusader goes down! Oh, he's in big, big trouble! 3,4,5,6,7,8... he's up to one knee... 9,10! He can't beat the count - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:52 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). James Braddock!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
75%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a light heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Sebastian Burger (ranked 23698 p4p, 23662 weight class) and Major Pain (ranked 668 p4p, 671 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Burger
vs
Pain

190 cm
32
220
21 - 10 - 1

187 cm
32
216
13 - 23 - 1

Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sebastian Burger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 23 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Major Pain!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Gwen Towbar and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab lands there for Pain.

Pain closes the distance and pushes Burger back into the ropes.
Pain looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Pain stalls.
A bit of stalling here from Pain.
Pain receives a warning from the referee for stalling.

Pain breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Burger moves away from the strike by Pain.
Burger swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Pain takes the fight into the clinch.
Burger tries to circle away but Pain has him pinned against the ropes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pain stalling the fight.

Pain pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pain moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Pain takes the fight into the clinch.
Pain keeps control of Burger as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Pain keeps control of Burger as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Pain is stalling here.

Pain breaks the clinch.

Pain forces Burger back against the ropes and clinches.

Pain breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burger scores with a crisp jab that stopped Pain in his tracks.
Pain throws a sloppy head kick and Burger moves out of range easily.

Pain drives through and clinches with Burger against the ropes.
Burger looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Pain throws an elbow but it misses.

Pain escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Pain clinches with his opponent.
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!

Pain breaks the clinch.

Pain gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Burger is trying to break free.

Pain breaks from the clinch.
Burger plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pain stalks Burger and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Burger's face. Burger staggers backwards, shaken.
Burger pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Despite the aggression on Pain's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Pain takes the fight into the clinch.
Pain displaying some good clinch control by pressing Burger up against the ropes.
Burger definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Pain breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pain throws a sloppy head kick and Burger moves out of range easily.
Pain misses with a wild combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pain forces Burger back against the ropes and clinches.
A left hand lands to the body for Pain.
A head punch on the inside from Burger fails to land.
Pain stalling against the ropes.

Pain breaks from the clinch.
Pain throws a head kick that misses.

Burger tries to keep at a distance but Pain has taken the fight into the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Pain breaks from the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Major Pain dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Pain misses with a leg kick
and Burger counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Pain.
Burger throws a quick counter kick to the body but Pain avoids it.

Pain closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Pain has Burger pressed against the ropes, preventing Burger from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Pain has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Pain breaks the clinch.
Major Pain is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A nice combination there by Pain.
Nice body kick there by Burger.

Pain has closed the distance and engaged Burger in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pain slowing the pace effectively.

Pain manages to break the clinch.

Pain has taken the fight to the clinch.

Pain breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pain closes the distance and clinches.
A right hand to the body from Pain.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Pain.

Pain pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Burger scores with a jab to the head.
Burger throws a head kick that misses
and Pain counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Burger throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Pain closes the distance and pushes Burger back into the ropes.

Pain breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pain throws a head kick but Burger moves out of range.

Pain moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pain throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Burger wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Pain has him pressed against the ropes.

Pain breaks the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pain lands a jab to Burger's midsection.
Pain throws a sloppy head kick and Burger moves out of range easily.

Pain closes the distance and pushes Burger back into the ropes.

Pain pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Burger throws out a loose jab but Pain uses good head movement to avoid it.
Burger throws a head kick that misses.
Pain throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Burger counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Pain is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Burger throws a sloppy head kick and Pain moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pain walks forward, straight into a front kick from Burger.
Pain throws a head kick that misses.
Pain misses with a double jab
and Burger counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Pain jabs at Burger's body.
Burger jabs Pain right on the nose. Pain blinks but takes it well.
Burger loads up on a big right hand but Pain slips the punch.
Pain misses with a combination
and Burger counters with a nice kick to the body.
Major Pain seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Burger throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Pain's head.
Pain misses with a low kick.

Pain closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Pain.
Pain has Burger pressed against the ropes, preventing Burger from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Burger is looking to break free of the clinch but Pain has double underhooks.
Burger wants to break free but Pain has control.
A short uppercut from Pain.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Burger wants to break free but Pain has control.
A frustrated look appears on Burger's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Burger tries to throw a body punch but Pain avoids it by throwing Burger back against the ropes.
Burger is trying to break free.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Major Pain showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

Pain has closed the distance and engaged Burger in a clinch.

Pain breaks from the clinch.
Burger blocks a head kick by Pain.
As Pain backs away, Burger returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.

Pain instigates a clinch.

Pain breaks the clinch.

Pain has taken the fight to the clinch.
Pain tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Burger avoids it.
Major Pain seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Burger avoiding damage as Pain throws knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The referee is keeping an eye on Pain - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Burger wants to get back to striking at distance but Pain won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pain doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Pain breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Pain has taken the fight to the clinch.

Pain breaks the clinch.

Pain has managed to clinch.
Pain lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Pain escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Pain looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Pain clinches up against the ropes.

Pain pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pain tries to land a front kick but Burger steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pain clinches with his opponent.
Burger is trying to break the clinch but Pain has him pressed against the ropes.

Pain breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sebastian Burger is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pain tries a head kick but it misses.
Burger tries a head kick but it misses.
Burger connects with a body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pain uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Burger.

Pain rushes Burger and presses him up against the ropes.
Burger has had enough of the clinch but Pain keeps him there for the moment.

Pain breaks from the clinch.
A right-left combo lands from Pain.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pain moves into the clinch successfully.

Pain's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Pain fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Burger, pushing him back against the ropes.

Pain escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Major Pain seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Pain clinches up with Burger and pushes him back against the ropes.
Burger is trying to break the clinch but Pain is controlling him.
Pain slowing the pace effectively.
Pain misses with a hook to the ribs.
Pain stalls.
Pain leaning his opponent against the ropes.
The crowd are getting on Pain's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burger tries to circle away but Pain has him pinned against the ropes.
Burger wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Pain as the two fighters clinch.
Burger avoids a wild elbow strike from Pain.
A short left from Pain.

Pain breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sebastian Burger has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Major Pain is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Burger throws a head kick that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Major Pain comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Pain 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Major Pain!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
47%

Main event

Coming up we have a super heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Jax Thomas (ranked 18691 p4p, 3096 weight class) and Frank Shewmaker (ranked 288 p4p, 114 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Frank Shewmaker was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Thomas
vs
Shewmaker

175 cm
44
211
53 - 32 - 0

190 cm
35
213
19 - 11 - 0

Excellent boxer
KO power

World class MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 53 - 32 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jax Thomas!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Frank Shewmaker!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Cecil Peabody and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shewmaker throws a head kick but Thomas moves out of range.
Thomas doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Shewmaker connects with a single shot there.

It looks like Jax Thomas has been cut.
Shewmaker 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.
Thomas throws a head kick but Shewmaker moves out of range.

Thomas has managed to clinch.
Shewmaker lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A shot in the inside from Shewmaker.
Thomas takes a knee right on the jaw!
Shewmaker misses with a hook to the ribs.
Thomas definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Shewmaker has his opponent in a tight Thai clinch and unloads with a massive knee that drops Thomas to the canvas! Can Thomas beat the count? 3,4,5,6 and he's up... is he? Yes, he's up! The referee is taking a long look at him and he's waved off the fight! He didn't think Thomas was in a fit state to continue so this fight is over! Shewmaker is your winner!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:40 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Knee). Frank Shewmaker! Frank Shewmaker retains his super heavyweight title!
A very excited looking Frank Shewmaker made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.