PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Smif Thibodeaux (ranked 3373 p4p, 2764 weight class) and Liam McLennon (ranked 339 p4p, 280 weight class). Liam McLennon has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Smif Thibodeaux's chin.

Thibodeaux
vs
McLennon

160 cm
28
154
6 - 8 - 0

170 cm
26
144
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Decent knees
Heavy handed

BE Younick

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Smif Thibodeaux!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Liam McLennon!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, John Mangel and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McLennon closes the distance and clinches.
Thibodeaux tries to circle away but McLennon has him pinned against the cage.
McLennon lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
McLennon has Thibodeaux pressed against the cage, preventing Thibodeaux from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
McLennon has a couple of punches blocked by Thibodeaux.
McLennon is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Thibodeaux is keeping busy.
McLennon scores with a shot to the side of Thibodeaux's head.
McLennon tries to land a knee to the head but Thibodeaux blocks with his arms.
McLennon lands a good knee to the midsection. Thibodeaux won't want to take too many of those.

Thibodeaux breaks the clinch.

McLennon clinches.
McLennon scores with a shoulder strike.

Thibodeaux breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McLennon throws a jab when Thibodeaux was well out of range.
Thibodeaux is looking to counter punch.

McLennon rushes Thibodeaux and presses him up against the cage.
Thibodeaux has had enough of the clinch but McLennon keeps him there for the moment.
McLennon lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
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!
Thibodeaux wants to get back to striking at distance but McLennon won't allow it.
McLennon lands a knee to the body.
Thibodeaux is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
McLennon misses with a hook to the ribs.
McLennon working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLennon lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Thibodeaux backwards.
McLennon swings wildly with an uppercut but Thibodeaux uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short uppercut from McLennon.
McLennon landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Thibodeaux scores with a shoulder strike.
Thibodeaux wants to break free but McLennon has control.
A knee to the head by McLennon.
Knees to the body from McLennon.
McLennon misses with the head strike.
Thibodeaux tries to break the clinch but McLennon is controlling the position.
Thibodeaux blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McLennon tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Thibodeaux breaks from the clinch.

McLennon clinches up with Thibodeaux and pushes him back against the cage.

Thibodeaux pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Thibodeaux tries to move into range but McLennon moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

McLennon has taken the fight to the clinch.
Thibodeaux tries to circle away but McLennon has him pinned against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLennon is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Thibodeaux manages to break the clinch.
Liam McLennon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McLennon lands with an uppercut that bounces Thibodeaux off the cage and back into range.
Thibodeaux definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

McLennon rushes Thibodeaux and presses him up against the cage.

Thibodeaux pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McLennon tries to clinch up but Thibodeaux circles away and keeps his distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - McLennon looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Thibodeaux was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

McLennon moves into the clinch successfully.

Thibodeaux breaks the clinch.
McLennon is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Thibodeaux throwing a counter right hand but McLennon manages to avoid it.

McLennon has closed the distance and engaged Thibodeaux in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLennon lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Thibodeaux wants to get back to striking at distance but McLennon won't allow it.
Thibodeaux takes a knee to the side of the body.
McLennon lands with a left to the head.
Thibodeaux scores with a nice hook to the head.
McLennon tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Thibodeaux's elbow.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McLennon.

Thibodeaux manages to break the clinch.
McLennon tries to clinch there but Thibodeaux circles away.
Thibodeaux throws a counter high kick but McLennon was just alert enough to avoid it.
McLennon looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Thibodeaux tries to keep at a distance but McLennon has taken the fight into the clinch.
Thibodeaux tries to circle away but McLennon has him pinned against the cage.
McLennon throws a head punch that misses.
McLennon lands a nice knee to the body.
McLennon throws a punch but it's blocked by Thibodeaux.
Good body shot from McLennon.
McLennon working Thibodeaux over with knees to the body.
McLennon tries a knee to the head but Thibodeaux blocks it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McLennon has Thibodeaux pressed against the cage, preventing Thibodeaux from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
McLennon keeps control of Thibodeaux as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from McLennon.
McLennon landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
McLennon lands with a light punch inside.
Thibodeaux looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
McLennon lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
McLennon lands a body shot in the clinch.
McLennon tries a body shot but Thibodeaux blocks it.
McLennon with a knee to the head.
Thibodeaux is trying to break the clinch but McLennon has him pressed against the cage.
Thibodeaux is trying to push McLennon away but McLennon has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
McLennon throws a knee to the head but misses.
McLennon keeps control of Thibodeaux as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
McLennon lands a hook to the side of the head.
Thibodeaux is looking to break free of the clinch but McLennon has double underhooks.
McLennon scores with a shot to the side of Thibodeaux's head.
McLennon lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McLennon prevents Thibodeaux from breaking the clinch.
McLennon misses with some punches.
McLennon cracks Thibodeaux with a nice body shot.
McLennon lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Thibodeaux backwards.
Thibodeaux is trying to break the clinch but McLennon is controlling him.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Liam McLennon dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

McLennon connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Thibodeaux's hands.

McLennon moves into the clinch.

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

McLennon moves into the clinch.
Thibodeaux wants to break free but McLennon has control.
McLennon lands a nice knee to the body.
Thibodeaux tries to circle away but McLennon has him pinned against the cage.
McLennon misses with a hook from the clinch.
Thibodeaux blocks an uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from McLennon.

Thibodeaux breaks from the clinch.
A lazy left from McLennon finds it's target.
McLennon tries to clinch but Thibodeaux moves out of range.
McLennon is looking to clinch but Thibodeaux is avoiding it.
Thibodeaux throwing a counter right hand but McLennon manages to avoid it.
McLennon wants to clinch up but Thibodeaux keeps it at a distance.

McLennon rushes Thibodeaux and presses him up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

McLennon gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but McLennon has him pressed against the cage.
McLennon lands a shoulder strike.
McLennon scores a nice knee to the body.
McLennon misses with a hook from the clinch.
McLennon working Thibodeaux over with knees to the body.
McLennon throws a knee to the head but misses.
McLennon tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Knees to the body from McLennon.
Thibodeaux wants to get back to striking at distance but McLennon won't allow it.
McLennon tries to throw a body punch but Thibodeaux avoids it by throwing McLennon back against the cage.

Thibodeaux breaks from the clinch.
Thibodeaux on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

McLennon closes the distance and clinches.
McLennon swings wildly with an uppercut but Thibodeaux uses good head movement to avoid it.
McLennon misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thibodeaux is trying to force a seperation but McLennon has the dominant position.
Thibodeaux has had enough of the clinch but McLennon keeps him there for the moment.
McLennon scores with a shot to the side of Thibodeaux's head.
McLennon crunches a lovely knee into Thibodeaux's ribcage.
McLennon tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Thibodeaux's elbow.
Liam McLennon seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Thibodeaux wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but McLennon has him pressed against the cage.
Thibodeaux is trying to break free.
McLennon pushes Thibodeaux back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
McLennon putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Thibodeaux in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Thibodeaux's face as he tries to break the clinch.
McLennon misses with a knee strike.
McLennon keeps control of Thibodeaux as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Thibodeaux wants to break the clinch but can't.
Thibodeaux tries to circle away but McLennon has him pinned against the cage.
McLennon misses with a punch to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for McLennon.
A short body shot lands from McLennon as the two fighters clinch.
McLennon with a knee to the head.
McLennon prevents Thibodeaux from breaking the clinch.
Thibodeaux is looking to break free of the clinch but McLennon has double underhooks.
McLennon connects with a nasty looking knee right to Thibodeaux's face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLennon putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Thibodeaux in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
McLennon lands a knee to the head.
McLennon utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
McLennon scores with a nice hook to the head.
McLennon has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Thibodeaux can't break the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from McLennon fails to land.
Thibodeaux prevents a body shot from McLennon.
McLennon misses with a shot to the kidneys.
McLennon with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A knee to the head by McLennon.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, McLennon creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Thibodeaux wants to get back to striking at distance but McLennon won't allow it.

Thibodeaux breaks the clinch.
McLennon lands with an overhand left.

McLennon has taken the fight to the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McLennon pushes Thibodeaux back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McLennon misses with a short punch on the inside.
Thibodeaux blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Thibodeaux blocks a body shot from McLennon.
McLennon has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
McLennon landing some nice looking knees to the body.
McLennon makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A frustrated look appears on Thibodeaux's face as he tries to break the clinch.
McLennon scores with a shot to the side of Thibodeaux's head.
McLennon misses with a punch to the body.
Thibodeaux tries to break the clinch but McLennon is controlling the position.
McLennon has Thibodeaux pressed against the cage, preventing Thibodeaux from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Thibodeaux breaks from the clinch.

Thibodeaux tries to keep at a distance but McLennon has taken the fight into the clinch.
Thibodeaux blocks a punch to the side of the head.
McLennon lands a hook that snaps the head of Thibodeaux backwards.
Thibodeaux blocks a body shot from McLennon.
Thibodeaux wants to break free but McLennon has control.
McLennon throws a head punch that misses.
Thibodeaux wants to break free but McLennon has control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Liam McLennon 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!

McLennon lands a nice shot that snaps Thibodeaux's head back.
Thibodeaux moves forwards but McLennon connects with a nice, crisp jab.

McLennon closes the distance and clinches.
A short uppercut from Thibodeaux.
A short right from McLennon on the inside.
McLennon using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Thibodeaux has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
McLennon unloads a knee to the mid-section.
McLennon keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Thibodeaux's efforts to push away.
Thibodeaux letting McLennon take a breather here.
McLennon scores a nice knee to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by McLennon.
McLennon misses with a body punch.
McLennon swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McLennon misses with a punch on the inside.
Thibodeaux prevents a body shot from McLennon.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Thibodeaux manages to break the clinch.
McLennon is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
An attempted straight right counter from Thibodeaux misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLennon cracks Thibodeaux with an open hand slap.
Thibodeaux circles away from the clinch attempt.
Thibodeaux was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Thibodeaux avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McLennon misses with a lunging right hand
letting Thibodeaux counter with a right hand.

Thibodeaux tries to keep at a distance but McLennon has taken the fight into the clinch.
Thibodeaux can't break the clinch.
McLennon has Thibodeaux pressed against the cage, preventing Thibodeaux from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
McLennon connects with a knee to the head.
McLennon with an attempt at a knee that misses.
McLennon utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
McLennon tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Smif Thibodeaux has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Liam McLennon is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Thibodeaux breaks the clinch.

McLennon gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Thibodeaux tries to break the clinch but McLennon is controlling the position.
Thibodeaux wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but McLennon has him pressed against the cage.
McLennon struggles to land a body shot inside as Thibodeaux controls his hands.
Thibodeaux is trying to force a seperation but McLennon has the dominant position.
Thibodeaux has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Thibodeaux has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
McLennon keeps control of Thibodeaux as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
McLennon lands a shoulder strike.
McLennon misses with a punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux wants to break free but McLennon has control.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McLennon.
Thibodeaux wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but McLennon has him pressed against the cage.
Thibodeaux working hard to break the clinch.
Thibodeaux throws a blind hook that connects with the side of McLennons head.
Thibodeaux tries to circle away but McLennon has him pinned against the cage.
Thibodeaux is trying to push McLennon away but McLennon has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
McLennon blocking some punches.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. McLennon obliges.
Thibodeaux wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Thibodeaux is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Thibodeaux prevents a body shot from McLennon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McLennon lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
McLennon crunches a lovely knee into Thibodeaux's ribcage.
Thibodeaux wants to break the clinch but can't.
A frustrated look appears on Thibodeaux's face as he tries to break the clinch.
McLennon lands with a short head shot on the inside.
McLennon with a knee to the head.
Thibodeaux lands with a right to the head.
Thibodeaux is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A short uppercut from McLennon.
Thibodeaux wants to break the clinch but can't.
McLennon prevents Thibodeaux from breaking the clinch.
Thibodeaux is trying to break the clinch but McLennon has him pressed against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Liam McLennon comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got McLennon winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 26:30
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 26:30
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Liam McLennon!