PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wilson McGruder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Billy Thornton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

McGruder
vs
Thornton

191 cm
22
230 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

193 cm
22
273 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

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 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Wilson McGruder!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Billy Thornton!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Franklyn Lucas and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGruder throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
McGruder sizes up Thornton with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

It looks like Billy Thornton has been cut.
Thornton dodges the punch combination from McGruder.
McGruder throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Thornton.

Thornton moves into the clinch.

Thornton has hold of one of McGruder's legs. McGruder is fighting the takedown attempt but Thornton gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McGruder throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Thornton looking to pass the guard.
Thornton wants to control from the top but McGruder keeps moving.
McGruder trying to strike off his back.
McGruder on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if McGruder tries to get out of the position.
McGruder will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
McGruder has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
McGruder looking for a sweep. Not yet McGruder, not yet.
McGruder doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A combination from McGruder does no damage.
McGruder misses with a hook. Thornton ducked under it nicely.
McGruder misses with a double jab.
A left lands for McGruder.

Thornton scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Thornton should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
McGruder throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McGruder is letting Thornton control him for a moment.
Thornton avoids the strikes from the bottom by McGruder.
McGruder throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
Thornton is putting a hurting on McGruder here, landing some big shots from side control.
McGruder is breathing heavily.
Thornton working the ground and pound but McGruder is defending the strikes.
Thornton scores with punches from side control.
McGruder throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Thornton happy to just control the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGruder is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Thornton asserts his dominance and retains side control.
McGruder is looking to reverse the position.
Thornton in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Thornton tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
A lull in the action here.
McGruder is not content to let Thornton control the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Thornton moves into range and clinches up with McGruder.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGruder drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Knees to the body from Thornton.
McGruder stops a takedown attempt from Thornton.
A knee to the head by Thornton.
Thornton is pressed up against the cage. McGruder has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Thornton down to the mat. Thornton avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Thornton shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Nice strikes from Thornton there.
Thornton is controlling the pace.
Thornton really doesn't want to stay on the ground with McGruder. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Thornton lands with a punch from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGruder is trying to stand up here but Thornton is controlling him well.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Thornton connects with a nice short shot to McGruder's temple.
Thornton keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Thornton scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Thornton winds up and cracks McGruder with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Thornton is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
McGruder throwing hammer fists to the chest of Thornton. What's that going to do exactly?
McGruder keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thornton trying to control but McGruder is having none of it.
Thornton blocks McGruder's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Billy Thornton will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Billy Thornton's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Thornton decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Thornton prevents McGruder from improving his position.
McGruder landing a few short strikes.
McGruder wants to get back to full guard.
McGruder is staying active underneath Thornton, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
McGruder flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Thornton is trying to control the action in half guard but McGruder is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
McGruder is trying to stand.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Thornton is defended easily by McGruder.
McGruder throws a looping overhand right but Thornton ducks down to avoid it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thornton decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
McGruder punching from the bottom.
Thornton blocks the strikes from McGruder.
McGruder manages to get to full guard.
Thornton working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Thornton must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
McGruder wants to get back to his feet but Thornton is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
McGruder doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
McGruder trying to strike off his back.
Thornton trying to control but McGruder is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Thornton feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGruder throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
McGruder throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
McGruder is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Thornton is controlling him.
McGruder trying to strike off his back.
McGruder striking off his back but it's not causing Thornton any problems.
McGruder keeping moving, preventing Thornton from controlling successfully.
McGruder tries to strike from the bottom.
Thornton is in close to McGruder's body, working some short punches and elbows.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
McGruder shoots and misses

and Thornton counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
McGruder keeping moving, preventing Thornton from controlling successfully.
McGruder is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGruder lands with a heel strike from the guard.
Thornton stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McGruder swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Thornton preventing the sweep.
Thornton wants to control from the top but McGruder keeps moving.
Thornton pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McGruder is keeping the position for now.
Thornton scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by McGruder!
A punch combination from McGruder misses.
McGruder misses with the combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Thornton misses with a takedown
and McGruder cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Thornton shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has McGruder pinned against the cage. McGruder gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Wilson McGruder has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Billy Thornton.
McGruder looks to land a right hand but Thornton moved out of range.
McGruder throws a hook to the side of Thornton's head but Thornton sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McGruder swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Thornton shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

McGruder has his feet on Thornton's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Wilson McGruder is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

McGruder shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than McGruder was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
McGruder sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Thornton showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Billy Thornton's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

McGruder throws a hook to the side of Thornton's head but Thornton sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McGruder has his takedown stuffed

and Thornton counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
McGruder tries to get to full guard but Thornton has control of the leg.
Thornton blocks the strikes from McGruder.
Thornton blocks the strikes from McGruder.
Thornton lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Thornton seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but McGruder does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thornton winds up and cracks McGruder with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Thornton trying to control the action but McGruder is working from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
McGruder jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McGruder gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Thornton to score an easy takedown into full guard.
McGruder throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

McGruder has his feet on Thornton's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Thornton avoids a punch combination nicely.
McGruder misses with a jab, cross combination.
McGruder with a poor takedown

and Thornton counters by clinching up.

Thornton has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics McGruder uses from the top position.
Thornton utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McGruder thows a big elbow that misses.
Thornton looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thornton utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Thornton is controlling McGruder's posture.
McGruder throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Billy Thornton has got the better of the ground game so far.
Thornton not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
McGruder throwing strikes but missing.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
McGruder shoots and misses

and Thornton counters with a single leg into guard. McGruder didn't expect that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wilson McGruder. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thornton tries to free his leg and advance position but McGruder is retaining full guard.
McGruder striking off his back but it's not causing Thornton any problems.
Thornton trying to control but McGruder is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGruder thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Thornton won't allow McGruder to sweep him here.
McGruder throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
McGruder throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
McGruder shoots in for a takedown but Thornton shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
McGruder looks to land a combination but Thornton avoids it well.
Thornton shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McGruder as he avoids it easily.
Thornton shoots in looking for a takedown. McGruder tries to sprawl out of it but Thornton keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McGruder manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
McGruder misses with a hook.

Thornton looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
McGruder is refusing to be controlled, as Thornton sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGruder tries to get to full guard but Thornton has control of the leg.
McGruder flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Thornton blocks the strikes from McGruder.
McGruder is looking to escape.
McGruder throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Wilson McGruder has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thornton wants to take a breather but McGruder is having none of it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McGruder shoots and misses

and Thornton counters with a single leg into guard. McGruder didn't expect that.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.
Thornton stops McGruder from standing up.
Billy Thornton is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thornton trying to control the position from guard on top but McGruder is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
Billy Thornton comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Thornton 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Billy Thornton!