PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Patrick Chaelsson (ranked 4377 p4p, 4492 weight class) and Fortune Thibodeaux (ranked 493 p4p, 505 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Chaelsson
vs
Thibodeaux

185 cm
41
270
43 - 19 - 2

210 cm
29
274
17 - 10 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 43 - 19 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Patrick Chaelsson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Fortune Thibodeaux!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Robert Twigg and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A low kick from Thibodeaux misses

and Chaelsson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Thibodeaux wants to stand back up but Chaelsson manages to pass into side control.
Chaelsson definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Thibodeaux wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Chaelsson decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Thibodeaux 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thibodeaux closes the distance looking to clinch

and Chaelsson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Chaelsson.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thibodeaux is working an open guard so Chaelsson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Thibodeaux throws an off balance right hand

and Chaelsson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Chaelsson stands up out of the half guard.
Thibodeaux with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Fortune Thibodeaux seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thibodeaux misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Chaelsson appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Fortune Thibodeaux is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thibodeaux looks to clinch

and Chaelsson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Thibodeaux's guard.
Thibodeaux is looking to stand back up but Chaelsson counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Thibodeaux.

Chaelsson decides to return to a standing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thibodeaux throws a right hand that misses

and Chaelsson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Thibodeaux is trying to escape back to his feet but Chaelsson uses the scramble to pass into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Chaelsson has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Thibodeaux catches Chaelsson with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A head kick misses from Thibodeaux.
Chaelsson drops down looking for a counter takedown but Thibodeaux sprawls and moves away.
Chaelsson steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Thibodeaux. That one must have hurt.
Thibodeaux ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Chaelsson moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Thibodeaux misses with a leg kick

and Chaelsson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Thibodeaux won't be happy with that.

Chaelsson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Thibodeaux to his feet.
Thibodeaux thows a leg kick but Chaelsson checks it

and Chaelsson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Chaelsson.

Chaelsson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Thibodeaux misses with a left hand

and Chaelsson counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Thibodeaux!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Chaelsson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Thibodeaux to his feet.
Thibodeaux misses with a left hand

and Chaelsson counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Chaelsson gets to his feet. Thibodeaux looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux swings for the body but Chaelsson moves out of range.
Thibodeaux scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Chaelsson slips a straight right by Thibodeaux.
Chaelsson appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Thibodeaux swings widly with a right hand

and Chaelsson counters with a shoot takedown. Thibodeaux fights it but they end up in guard.

Chaelsson gets to his feet - Thibodeaux follows without any prompting.
Thibodeaux tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Chaelsson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Thibodeaux's guard.
Chaelsson is standing up over Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux looks to escape but Chaelsson dives into side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Patrick Chaelsson dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Thibodeaux throws a lazy head kick

and Chaelsson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Chaelsson is standing up over Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux looks to escape but Chaelsson dives into side control.

Chaelsson stands up.
A low kick from Thibodeaux misses

and Chaelsson counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Thibodeaux!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Chaelsson stands up.
Thibodeaux misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Chaelsson tries to counter with a takedown but Thibodeaux is quick to defend against it.
Thibodeaux throws a lazy head kick

so Chaelsson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Thibodeaux is looking to stand back up but Chaelsson counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Thibodeaux.
Chaelsson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Thibodeaux can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Chaelsson stands up from half guard.
Thibodeaux throws a lazy head kick

and Chaelsson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Chaelsson is standing up over Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux looks to escape but Chaelsson dives into side control.

Chaelsson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Thibodeaux to his feet.
Thibodeaux throws a lazy head kick

and Chaelsson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Chaelsson.
Thibodeaux is wriggling around but Chaelsson manages to pass to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Chaelsson gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Thibodeaux misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Chaelsson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Thibodeaux is wriggling around but Chaelsson manages to pass to half guard.

Chaelsson decides to stand and escape the position.
Thibodeaux scores with a spinning back kick!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux throws a sloppy head kick

and Chaelsson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Thibodeaux wants to get back to his feet but Chaelsson passes into half guard.

Chaelsson postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Thibodeaux to stand up.
Thibodeaux misses with a left hand

and Chaelsson counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Thibodeaux!

Chaelsson decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Thibodeaux throws a sloppy body shot

and Chaelsson counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Thibodeaux!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Chaelsson stands up and beckons Thibodeaux to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux misses with a leg kick

and Chaelsson counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Thibodeaux!

Chaelsson stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Thibodeaux swings away with a body shot that misses

and Chaelsson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Thibodeaux's guard.
Thibodeaux is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Chaelsson dives into side control.

Chaelsson stands up and beckons Thibodeaux to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thibodeaux misses with a body punch

and Chaelsson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Thibodeaux won't be happy with that.

Chaelsson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Thibodeaux to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Patrick Chaelsson dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Thibodeaux tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Chaelsson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Chaelsson.
Thibodeaux is wriggling around but Chaelsson manages to pass to half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Thibodeaux can do anything to dispel that myth.

Chaelsson stands up from half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thibodeaux throws a body kick that misses

and Chaelsson counters with a single leg into guard. Thibodeaux didn't expect that.
Thibodeaux is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Chaelsson dives into side control.

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Chaelsson stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thibodeaux throws a head kick that misses

and Chaelsson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Chaelsson.
Chaelsson is standing up over Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux looks to escape but Chaelsson dives into side control.

Patrick Chaelsson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Chaelsson decides to stand back up.
Chaelsson tries to move into range but Thibodeaux moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Thibodeaux throws a lazy head kick

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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!

Chaelsson decides to stand and escape the position.
Patrick Chaelsson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thibodeaux misses with a left hand

and Chaelsson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Chaelsson.

Chaelsson gets to his feet. Thibodeaux looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Thibodeaux throws a lazy head kick

so Chaelsson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Thibodeaux is looking to stand back up but Chaelsson counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Chaelsson decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux misses with a right hand

so Chaelsson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Chaelsson stands up from Thibodeaux's guard - Chaelsson perhaps looking for a knockout.
Thibodeaux looks to land a right hand but Chaelsson moved out of range.
Thibodeaux misses with a kick to the body

and Chaelsson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Thibodeaux won't be happy with that.
Fortune Thibodeaux has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thibodeaux wants to get back to his feet.

Chaelsson decides to stand back up. Chaelsson steps back and let's Thibodeaux get back to his feet.
Thibodeaux misses with a hook to the body

and Chaelsson counters with a single leg into guard. Thibodeaux didn't expect that.
Thibodeaux is looking to stand back up but Chaelsson counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Thibodeaux.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Chaelsson postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Thibodeaux to stand up.
Thibodeaux throws a body kick that misses

and Chaelsson counters with a single leg into guard. Thibodeaux didn't expect that.
Thibodeaux is wriggling around but Chaelsson manages to pass to half guard.

Chaelsson decides to stand and escape the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Patrick Chaelsson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Chaelsson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Patrick Chaelsson!
Patrick Chaelsson retains his heavyweight title!
A relieved looking Patrick Chaelsson thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.