PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gero Thusland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Derek Trotter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Thusland
vs
Trotter

200 cm
20
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Gero Thusland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Derek Trotter!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Steve Erwin and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Thusland changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Trotter looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
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.
Trotter tries to improve position but can't.
Trotter can't do much from the bottom here.
Trotter is trying to improve his position.
Thusland wants to lay and pray for a moment but Trotter keeps working.
Thusland happy to just control the position for now.
Trotter wants to control but Thusland postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Thusland shoots in but no luck this time.
Thusland slips a jab and a cross from Trotter.
Gero Thusland seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Thusland is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Trotter's half guard.
Trotter 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.

Thusland is working for a kimura but Trotter is defending it quite comfortably.
Thusland wants to pass to mount but Trotter is defending the position.

Thusland stands up from half guard.
Thusland misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Trotter drives through with a takedown into guard.
Thusland is pulling down on Trotter's head to control his posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thusland controls Trotter momentarily but Trotter frees himself.
Trotter tries to free his leg and advance position but Thusland is retaining full guard.
Trotter slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Trotter stands up from guard. Let's bang!
A looping hook to the body misses from Trotter. Thusland does a little dance to reset his feet.
Thusland circles away from the clinch attempt.

Thusland darts in and clinches Trotter up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trotter prevents a takedown attempt there.
Trotter is working for takedown but Thusland is calmly controlling the position for now.
Stalling in the clinch from Trotter.

Trotter breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Thusland lands a jab to Trotter's midsection.
Trotter looks gassed!

Thusland shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Thusland wants to control from the top but Trotter keeps moving.

Trotter is working an open guard so Thusland takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Trotter fakes the leg kick and cracks Thusland in the body.
Trotter fails with the takedown.
Thusland keeps the fight on the outside.

Thusland closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trotter stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Thusland jumps guard and drags Trotter to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Thusland pushes Trotter off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Trotter gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Thusland wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gero Thusland. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thusland jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Trotter walks away with a smile on his face. Thusland gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Trotter closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Trotter lands in his opponent's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Trotter is in close to Thusland's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Thusland has his feet on Trotter's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gero Thusland dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Trotter scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Trotter wants to lay and pray for a moment but Thusland keeps working.
Thusland tries to roll over but Trotter keeps him under control.
Trotter works his foot free and advances to mount.
Trotter prevents Thusland from getting the reversal.
Trotter trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thusland is looking to improve his position but Trotter isn't that keen on the idea.
Trotter is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Thusland is in real trouble.
Can Thusland hold on?! Trotter is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.

Trotter has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Thusland has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Thusland rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Trotter is thwarting Thusland's attempts to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Trotter not doing much here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thusland trying to hold on to Trotter's head to control him but Trotter postures up.
Thusland manages to get to full guard.
Trotter trying to control but Thusland is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Trotter got a little sloppy there for a moment and Thusland has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Trotter has managed to get both his arms back between Thusland's legs - danger averted.
Trotter pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Thusland is keeping the position for now.
Gero Thusland overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Trotter seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Trotter wants to stand but Thusland is controlling his posture from full guard.
Trotter slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Thusland wants to sweep here but Trotter controlling him for the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thusland controls Trotter momentarily but Trotter frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Derek Trotter showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Thusland doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Trotter counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Thusland fails with the takedown
and Trotter counters with a head kick.
Trotter shoots and misses

and Thusland decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Trotter's guard.
Trotter 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.
Thusland trying to control but Trotter is working from the bottom.
Thusland throwing strikes from guard but Trotter blocks nicely.
Trotter looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thusland is one step ahead there.

Thusland is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Trotter is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Trotter has escaped and now he's on top!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trotter missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Trotter must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Thusland thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Trotter trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Thusland trying to control the position.
Trotter postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Thusland is working an open guard so Trotter takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Trotter shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Thusland is trying to defend but Trotter finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Trotter is looking to take a break and control but Thusland is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Thusland tries to get to full guard but Trotter has control of the leg.
Trotter wants to free his trapped foot but Thusland is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Thusland has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Trotter is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thusland is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Trotter wants to stand up but Thusland has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Trotter thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Trotter loads up on a big right hand but Thusland slips the punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Thusland closes the distance and clinches.

Thusland has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Trotter clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Thusland slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.

Thusland is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Trotter is defending well though. Thusland let's go of the attempt for now.
Trotter controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Thusland avoiding Trotter 's attempts to control his hands.
Thusland looking to soften up his opponent with punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Derek Trotter.
I think Trotter has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Derek Trotter!