PBP Commentary

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.