Flair 92 PBP Commentary

Co-main event

Coming up we have a heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Craig Long Lang (ranked 23406 p4p, 23052 weight class) and Fortune Thibodeaux (ranked 543 p4p, 518 weight class). Fortune Thibodeaux will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Lang
vs
Thibodeaux

183 cm
26
225
10 - 28 - 0

210 cm
34
274
26 - 17 - 1

Brawler
Very strong

Great elbows
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 28 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Craig Long Lang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Fortune Thibodeaux!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Wesley Smith and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thibodeaux throws a head kick that half lands.
Thibodeaux lands a jab to Lang's midsection.
Lang tries to clinch there but Thibodeaux circles away.
Lang wants to clinch but Thibodeaux slips to the side
and Thibodeaux counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Lang moves to clinch but Thibodeaux breaks away
and Thibodeaux counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nice body kick from Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Thibodeaux throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Lang's head.
Thibodeaux scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Lang takes a head kick and keeps coming.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Thibodeaux, as that shot connected.
Thibodeaux circles away from the clinch attempt
and Thibodeaux counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lang definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Lang drops his hands momentarily and Thibodeaux takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Lang takes one to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thibodeaux lands a front kick.

Thibodeaux moves into the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Thibodeaux gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

It looks like Craig Long Lang has been cut.
Thibodeaux lands an elbow that stopped Lang in his tracks for a moment.
Thibodeaux working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Lang takes an elbow to the temple.
Thibodeaux lands a shoulder strike.
Thibodeaux lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Lang looking to stall.
Thibodeaux stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A shot in the inside from Thibodeaux.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thibodeaux lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lang backwards.
Lang is trying to stall.
Thibodeaux lands an elbow that stopped Lang in his tracks for a moment.
Nice elbow from Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Lang takes an elbow to the forehead.

Thibodeaux creates a bit of space and cracks Lang with an uppercut that drops him to the canvas! Lang is wobbled and seems to be struggling to get back to his feet. 3,4,5. He's up! Phew, his manager will be relieved but they're no doubt wondering whether he'll be able to recover properly and get back in the fight!
Lang darts in trying to clinch
and Thibodeaux counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Thibodeaux has taken the fight to the clinch.

Thibodeaux knocks Lang to the floor with a big elbow! Not sure whether that caught him more off guard or if he's really hurt. He's beaten the count so we'll continue the fight.
Thibodeaux paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Lang is rocked!
Thibodeaux moves out of range of the body kick from Lang.
Lang takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thibodeaux takes the fight into the clinch.
Thibodeaux scores with a shoulder strike.
Thibodeaux has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Nice elbow from Thibodeaux.
Lang is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Thibodeaux lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Thibodeaux lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lang backwards.
Thibodeaux lands an elbow inside that Lang shrugs off.
Thibodeaux comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Oh Lang is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Craig Long Lang's cut is getting worse.
Lang is trying to push Thibodeaux away but Thibodeaux has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Lang seems to have got his legs back now.
Lang takes a shot to the head.
Lang tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Thibodeaux's elbow.
Lang tries to stall but Thibodeaux uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Thibodeaux lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thibodeaux lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Lang has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Lang dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the ropes.
Lang is trying to push Thibodeaux away but Thibodeaux has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Thibodeaux scores with a hook to the body.
Thibodeaux lands an elbow that stopped Lang in his tracks for a moment.
Thibodeaux lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Craig Long Lang's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
A short left from Thibodeaux.
Lang takes an elbow to the forehead.
Thibodeaux gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Thibodeaux comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thibodeaux cracks Lang with an upwards elbow that sends him tumbling backwards, out cold! Lang is rigid against the ropes, staring into space! Ouch, that was brutal, what a finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Elbow). Fortune Thibodeaux!
A victorious Fortune Thibodeaux thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
74%

Main event

Coming up we have a super heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Tommy Gunn (ranked 22939 p4p, 23395 weight class) and Curtis Tate Iii (ranked 355 p4p, 343 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Gunn
vs
Tate Iii

182 cm
32
217
14 - 24 - 0

185 cm
26
215
44 - 13 - 0

Great elbows
Cardio machine

Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tommy Gunn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 44 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Curtis Tate Iii!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Frank Dennis and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tate Iii lands a nice hook to Gunn's body. Gunn takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Tate Iii misses with a two punch combination.
Tate Iii throws a combination that misses
and Gunn counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Gunn has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Cozad MMA Las Vegas in the buildup to the fight.
Gunn tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tate Iii was well out of range. Poor timing from Gunn.
Tate Iii displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

It looks like Tommy Gunn has been cut.
Tate Iii throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gunn rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tate Iii moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tate Iii fails to land with a series of punches.
Gunn is looking to counter punch.
Tate Iii looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gunn misses with a combination
and Tate Iii counters with a stiff right hand.
Tate Iii rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gunn moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gunn tries to bum rush Tate Iii with a series of wild strikes but Tate Iii uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tate Iii throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A quick step to the side and Gunn tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gunn misses with a kick to the body

and Tate Iii counters by clinching up.
A left hand lands to the body for Tate Iii.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tate Iii keeps control of Gunn as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Gunn tries to stall but Tate Iii uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Tate Iii working hard to break the clinch.
Gunn tries to break free but Tate Iii pushes him back against the ropes.
Gunn has Tate Iii pressed against the ropes, preventing Tate Iii from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Tate Iii is trying to force a seperation but Gunn has the dominant position.
Tate Iii lands a knee to the head.
Gunn trying to stall but Tate Iii improves his position.
Tate Iii has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Tate Iii is trying to break the clinch but Gunn has him pressed against the ropes.
A bit of stalling here from Tate Iii.
Tate Iii is trying to break free.
Tate Iii lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunn is trying to push Tate Iii away but Tate Iii has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Knees to the body from Tate Iii.
Tate Iii blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gunn prevents Tate Iii from breaking the clinch.
Gunn pushes off an throws an elbow but Tate Iii leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Gunn misses with a hook to the ribs.
A frustrated look appears on Gunn's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Tate Iii taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Tate Iii lands a right hand that snaps the head of Gunn backwards.
Tate Iii controlling the action here for a moment.
Tate Iii wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gunn letting Tate Iii take a breather here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tate Iii tries to circle away but Gunn has him pinned against the ropes.
Gunn looking to stall.
Tate Iii lands an elbow just above Gunn 's eye.

Tommy Gunn's cut is getting worse.
Tate Iii prevents Gunn from breaking the clinch.
Tate Iii is trying to break the clinch but Gunn is controlling him.
Gunn throws an elbow that misses.
Tate Iii with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Tommy Gunn's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Tate Iii can't break the clinch.
Gunn is looking to break free of the clinch but Tate Iii has double underhooks.
Gunn takes a knee to the side of the body.
Gunn wants to get back to striking at distance but Tate Iii won't allow it.
Tate Iii scores with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Tate Iii wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gunn has him pressed against the ropes.
A right hook to the body lands for Tate Iii.
Gunn is looking to break free of the clinch but Tate Iii has double underhooks.
Tate Iii tries to break the clinch but Gunn is controlling the position.
Tate Iii is trying to push Gunn away but Gunn has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Tate Iii holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
Tate Iii holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
Tate Iii continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.

Gunn escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gunn tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Tate Iii is able to avoid easily.
Tate Iii avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Curtis Tate Iii dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gunn lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Tate Iii takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Tate Iii throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gunn.
A shot to the body from Tate Iii misses
and Gunn counters with a head kick. That will keep Tate Iii thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Tate Iii works Gunn's body with a nice hook.
Gunn lands a head kick. Tate Iii smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Tate Iii moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tate Iii throws a right and a left that Gunn avoids nicely.
Tate Iii staggers Gunn with a jab and knocks him down with a follow up straight! Gunn looks in trouble, will he beat the count?! The count has reached 5 and he's only back to 1 knee - it's going to be close! 6,7,8 - he's up! No! He's back down again! 9...10 - he's can't beat the count and Tate Iii is victorious!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:41 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Curtis Tate Iii!