PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kanbei Shimada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenny Thorn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shimada's entrance music is Party and Bullshit. A fine choice. The crowd seem to be enjoying Thorn's choice of entrance music: Sarga House. Kanbei Shimada has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Shimada
vs
Thorn

182 cm
22
183 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

180 cm
24
185 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

•‡• LION Clothing •‡•
Bare Knuckle Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kanbei Shimada!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenny Thorn!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yuuki Gou and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thorn tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Shimada swivels and escapes.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Shimada.
Thorn sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Shimada thows a huge punch but Thorn dodges it nicely.
Thorn wants to control but Shimada is keeping busy.
Thorn has hold of Shimada's hands but Shimada slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Thorn moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Shimada thows a big elbow that misses.
Shimada postures up and lands a big shot to Thorn's brow.

Thorn looking for a guillotine here but Shimada defends easily.

Shimada got a little sloppy there for a moment and Thorn has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Shimada has managed to get both his arms back between Thorn's legs - danger averted.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Shimada's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shimada working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Thorn escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Shimada gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Shimada trying to control the position from guard on top but Thorn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shimada content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Shimada loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Thorn has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Shimada can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shimada working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Shimada cracks Thorn with a solid left hand.
Shimada postures up and lands a big shot to Thorn's brow.

Thorn is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Shimada defends well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thorn looks gassed!
Shimada wants to control from the top but Thorn keeps moving.
Shimada is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thorn working for a triangle but Shimada defends it easily.
Shimada slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Shimada working the head with strikes.
Shimada working away.
Shimada working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Shimada connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Thorn some visible discomfort.
Thorn is looking for a sweep.
Shimada lands a nice forearm strike.
Shimada working the ground and pound.
Thorn is looking to regain half guard here but Shimada keeps moving and retains side control.
Shimada scores with a couple of short elbows.
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!
Shimada lands a nice forearm strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shimada creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Thorn is trying to improve his position.
Shimada is looking to take a break and control but Thorn is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Thorn is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Thorn takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Thorn taking punishment in the form of punches.
Shimada lands a few punches from side control.
Shimada working the body and head with strikes.
Thorn takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Thorn takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Shimada trying to control the action but Thorn is working from the bottom.
Shimada 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.
Check out the look on Shimada's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thorn is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Shimada creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Thorn is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Shimada's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Shimada lands strikes from half guard.
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. Shimada connects with a nice short shot to Thorn's temple.
Shimada thows a huge punch but Thorn dodges it nicely.

Thorn actively working from the bottom here.

Thorn is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Shimada pulls his head out easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thorn has hold of Shimada's hands but Shimada slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shimada takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Shimada is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kanbei Shimada dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Thorn takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Shimada fails with a takedown attempt.

Shimada 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.

Thorn escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Shimada gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Shimada lands a couple of elbows.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shimada accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shimada postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Thorn keeping moving, preventing Shimada from controlling successfully.
Shimada lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Shimada trying to control the position from guard on top but Thorn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shimada lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Shimada postures up and lands a big shot to Thorn's brow.

Thorn is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Thorn is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thorn is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Shimada lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Thorn working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Shimada doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Shimada manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Shimada lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Shimada stays in close to Thorn's body and controls the position.
Shimada postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Thorn had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Shimada defends it easily.
Shimada postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Shimada throwing strikes but missing.
Shimada wants to control from the top but Thorn keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shimada working some strikes from top position.
Shimada wants to control from the top but Thorn keeps moving.
Shimada working some strikes from top position.
Shimada throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Thorn works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Thorn has momentary wrist control but Shimada slips an elbow through the middle.
Shimada thows a big elbow that misses.

Thorn working for a triangle but Shimada defends it easily.
Shimada loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Shimada working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Thorn's head.
Thorn is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Shimada scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thorn is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Thorn has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Shimada can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Shimada scoring with punches to the head and body.
Shimada scoring with punches to the head and body.
Thorn looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shimada is one step ahead there.
Shimada connects with a couple of short punches.
Kanbei Shimada overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Shimada drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shimada jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Shimada's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Shimada pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Thorn is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Shimada throwing strikes from guard but Thorn blocks nicely.
Shimada slips nicely into half guard.
Shimada lands with a punch from half guard.
Thorn is looking for a sweep. Shimada is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Thorn is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Shimada pulls his head out easily.
Shimada drops an elbow to the side of Thorn's head.
Shimada drops an elbow to the side of Thorn's head.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Shimada is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Shimada looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Thorn has hold of Shimada's hands but Shimada slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Shimada is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Thorn defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kanbei Shimada dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Thorn misses with a takedown attempt

and Shimada counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Shimada.
Shimada trying to control the position from guard on top but Thorn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Thorn throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Shimada working some strikes from top position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Shimada's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Shimada is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Thorn has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Shimada can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Thorn is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Thorn keeping moving, preventing Shimada from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shimada landing with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shimada connects with a couple of short punches.
Shimada landing some decent shots from guard.
Shimada missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Shimada trying to control but Thorn is working from the bottom.
Shimada cracks Thorn with a solid left hand.
Shimada throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Thorn works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Shimada with a flurry of punches that miss.

Thorn is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Shimada content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Thorn looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Shimada postures up and lands a big shot to Thorn's brow.
Shimada scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shimada distracts Thorn with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Shimada is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Shimada landing some decent shots from guard.

Thorn is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Shimada is aware though and is defending well.
Shimada postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Shimada wants to control from the top but Thorn keeps moving.
Shimada is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Thorn looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Shimada is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Shimada trying to control but Thorn is working from the bottom.
Shimada postures up in Thorn's guard and throws a big left but Thorn blocks it.

Thorn is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Shimada is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorn has momentary wrist control but Shimada slips an elbow through the middle.
Shimada is working Thorn over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Shimada throwing strikes from guard but Thorn blocks nicely.

Thorn is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Shimada lands a couple of digs.

Thorn is looking for a triangle but Shimada pushes his legs off easily.
Shimada lands a couple of digs.
Shimada lands a couple of elbows.
Shimada working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Thorn had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Shimada defends it easily.
Shimada postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Shimada scoring with some ground and pound.
Thorn working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shimada.
Shimada cracks Thorn with a solid left hand.

Thorn working for a triangle but Shimada defends it easily.
Shimada connects with a couple of short punches.
Shimada lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Thorn throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Shimada's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kanbei Shimada clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Shimada bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Thorn can't do much from the bottom here.
Thorn is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Shimada's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Shimada working Thorn over with strikes.

Thorn actively working from the bottom here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Shimada lands a nice short elbow.
Thorn taking some punishment here, with Shimada in his half guard.
Thorn tries to get to full guard but Shimada has control of the leg.
Shimada working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Thorn is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Shimada pulls his head out easily.
Shimada looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Shimada is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thorn actively working from the bottom here.
Shimada lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Shimada slips a nice elbow through Thorn's hands, connecting with Thorn's forehead.
Shimada lands with a punch from half guard.
Shimada wants to control but Thorn is keeping him busy.

Thorn looking for submissions off his back.
Shimada winds up and cracks Thorn with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Thorn actively working from the bottom here.
Thorn on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Shimada lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Shimada is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Thorn!
Shimada in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Thorn in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Thorn is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Shimada scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Thorn?
Shimada lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Shimada lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Shimada landing shots from mount.
Shimada scoring with strikes but Thorn is staying in there.

Shimada looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Shimada thowing shots but they're missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorn is in a horrible position here. Shimada smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Thorn tries to hold on but Shimada postures up.
Thorn is trying to escape the mount.
Thorn tries to lock up and control but Shimada gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Shimada pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Thorn taking shots to the head.
A nice elbow there by Shimada.
Thorn is trying to escape the mount.
Shimada lands a big shot there that rocks Thorn but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Shimada landing strikes from the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shimada working the ground and pound effectively.
Thorn manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Thorn is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Shimada pulls his head out easily.
Shimada looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Thorn with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Thorn is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Shimada pulls his head out easily.
Shimada drops an elbow to the side of Thorn's head.
Shimada trying to control from half guard but Thorn is working away.
Shimada scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Shimada passes to side control.
Shimada works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Shimada landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kanbei Shimada had his way with Kenny Thorn in that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Thorn defending well as Shimada loads up on a big left hand.
Thorn shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Shimada counter with a right hand.

Shimada fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Thorn sprawls well initially but Shimada persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Shimada missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Thorn is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Shimada's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Shimada's back!
Shimada rolls, trying to escape but Thorn keeps control of the position.
Thorn struggling to keep hold of the position.
Shimada looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Shimada is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Thorn can do to turn this around?

Thorn is looking for the choke from the back position but Shimada is controlling his hands well.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Thorn doesn't have the hooks in and Shimada manages to turn into his guard.

Thorn has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Shimada can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Shimada connects with a couple of short punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thorn escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Shimada gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Shimada with a nice head shot there.

Thorn has his foot on Shimada's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Shimada works his way back into a safe position though.

Thorn is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Shimada is aware though and is defending well.
Shimada works over Thorn with some ground and pound from guard.

Shimada drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shimada jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Thorn doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Shimada counters with a shoot takedown. Thorn fights it but they end up in guard.

Thorn looking for a guillotine here but Shimada defends easily.

Thorn working for a triangle but Shimada defends it easily.

Thorn looking for a guillotine here but Shimada defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shimada cracks Thorn with a solid left hand.
Shimada trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Shimada cracks Thorn with a solid left hand.
Shimada chips away with some ground and pound.
Shimada wants to control from the top but Thorn keeps moving.

Thorn working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Shimada has passed into half guard!
Thorn is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Shimada scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thorn looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Shimada landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Shimada lands strikes from half guard.

Shimada is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Thorn has managed to free his arm - good work.
Shimada throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Thorn is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Shimada scores with a couple of nice shots.
Shimada sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Thorn defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Shimada landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Thorn shoots and misses

and Shimada counters with a single leg into guard. Thorn didn't expect that.
Kanbei Shimada has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kenny Thorn.
Shimada scoring with punches to the head and body.
Shimada content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kanbei Shimada is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shimada trying to control the position from guard on top but Thorn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shimada is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Thorn is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Shimada pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Thorn is keeping the position for now.
Thorn working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shimada.

Thorn is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Shimada has his hands clasped together but Thorn extends an breaks Shimada's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Thorn.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Kenny Thorn!
Kenny Thorn is the new middleweight champion!