PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Chambers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rich Thorburn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chambers comes into the arena with Ain't No Rest for the Wicked blaring out of the sound system. Thorburn comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Tears dont fall from Bullet For My Valentine kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Rich Thorburn acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Chambers
vs
Thorburn

175 cm
26
215 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

185 cm
24
219 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, John Chambers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rich Thorburn!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Alec Ball and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chambers finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Chambers misses with a wild combination.
Thorburn throws a hook but Chambers blocks it.
Thorburn throws a one two combo.
Chambers misses with a few strikes there.
Chambers has a takedown stuffed.
Chambers tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Thorburn was well out of range. Poor timing from Chambers.

Chambers moves into the clinch.
Chambers scores with a shot to the side of Thorburn's head.

Chambers drags the fight down to the ground.
Thorburn wants to stand but Chambers has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Thorburn must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Thorburn stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Chambers misses with a combination
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Thorburn looks to score with a jab to the body but Chambers is just out of range.
Chambers tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Thorburn swivels and escapes.
Thorburn tests Chambers's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Thorburn works the jab nicely.
Thorburn moves out of range of the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chambers rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Thorburn moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Thorburn lands with a right hand.
Thorburn throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Chambers throws a big shot that misses.
Thorburn throws a hook but Chambers avoids it easily.
Chambers throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Thorburn counters with a stiff right hand.

Chambers drives through and clinches with Thorburn against the cage.
Thorburn blocking some punches.
Chambers has a couple of punches blocked by Thorburn.
Thorburn takes a shot to the head.

Chambers has clasped his hands together around Thorburn's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Thorburn is looking for a sweep.

Chambers working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Chambers working the ground and pound but Thorburn is defending the strikes.
Thorburn defending against the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thorburn pushes Chambers away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Chambers gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Thorburn managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Chambers.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chambers cracks Thorburn with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Chambers is chipping away with strikes.
Chambers throws an elbow but Thorburn slips to the side and avoids it well.
Chambers lands some shots froms side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Chambers scores with a couple of short elbows.
Chambers working the ground and pound.
Chambers throws a strike aimed at the side of Thorburn's head but Thorburn avoids it well.
Chambers working the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Chambers grinds an elbow into Thorburn's temple.
Thorburn is looking for a sweep.
Chambers grinds an elbow into Thorburn's temple.
Chambers scores with punches from side control.
Chambers cracks Thorburn with a big elbow.
Sloppy strikes there by Chambers.
Chambers 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.
Chambers throws a strike aimed at the side of Thorburn's head but Thorburn avoids it well.
Chambers sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Thorburn is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorburn avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Chambers.
Thorburn isn't going anywhere.
Chambers misses with the ground and pound.
Thorburn is looking for a sweep.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Thorburn can do anything to dispel that myth.
Chambers misses with the ground and pound.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Thorburn goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Chambers buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Thorburn looks gassed!
Chambers lands with a straight right. Thorburn didn't see that one coming.
Thorburn slips a jab from Chambers.
Chambers misses with a wild body shot.
Thorburn takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Thorburn swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Thorburn throws a hook but Chambers avoids it easily.
A lazy left from Thorburn finds it's target.
Thorburn misses with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chambers throws out a loose jab but Thorburn uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thorburn moves out of range as Chambers throws a body kick.
Chambers tries for a takedown but Thorburn circles away easily
letting Thorburn counter with a right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Chambers. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chambers fails with a takedown attempt.
Chambers tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Chambers takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Thorburn ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Chambers moves away.
Chambers looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Chambers throws an overhand right that lands on Thorburn's shoulder, as Thorburn tries to avoid the shot.
Nice defenses there by Chambers.
Chambers misses with a double jab.
Thorburn has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thorburn blocks a leg kick.
Chambers paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Chambers is looking to score with low kicks.
Thorburn keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Chambers misses with a hook to the body
and Thorburn counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Thorburn uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Chambers.
Chambers misses with a few strikes there.
Thorburn scores with a nice right hand.
Chambers shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A big left from Chambers misses.
Chambers takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
A nice leg kick lands there from Chambers.
A combination from Chambers does no damage.
Chambers looks to land a combination but Thorburn avoids it well.
Chambers misses with a jab, cross combination.
Chambers ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Thorburn throws a good cross that connects.
Chambers misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Chambers has a takedown stuffed.
John Chambers seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Chambers tries to work over Thorburn's front leg with a kick but Thorburn checks it.
Thorburn throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Chambers shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Thorburn but Thorburn pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Danga de danga de dang - Thorburn scores with a four punch combination!
Rich Thorburn seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chambers thuds a left hand into Thorburn's body.

Chambers gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Chambers throws an elbow but it misses.
Thorburn blocking some punches.
Chambers blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Thorburn breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Chambers thuds his right hand into Thorburn's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A big left from Chambers misses.

Chambers moves into the clinch.
Thorburn dodges an elbow strike from Chambers.
Chambers misses with a punch on the inside.
Chambers lands an elbow inside that Thorburn shrugs off.
Chambers tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Chambers.
Thorburn is trying to break the clinch but Chambers is controlling him.
Chambers has Thorburn pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Thorburn manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Chambers. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chambers has Thorburn pressed against the cage, preventing Thorburn from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Thorburn takes an elbow to the temple.
Chambers misses with an elbow over the top.
Thorburn wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Chambers has him pressed against the cage.
Thorburn gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Chambers.
Chambers using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Thorburn has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chambers misses with a hook from the clinch.
Thorburn wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Thorburn blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Chambers misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Thorburn.
Chambers pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Thorburn trying to control the position but instead, Chambers has worked for underhooks and has pushed Thorburn into the cage.
Thorburn blocks the elbow strike.
A knee to the head by Chambers.
Thorburn tries to break free but Chambers pushes him back against the cage.
Thorburn throws a head punch that misses.

Thorburn's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
John Chambers is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A shot to the liver by Chambers. Beautiful body shot.
Thorburn lands with a nice body punch.
Chambers defending well as Thorburn loads up on a big left hand.
Chambers ducks under a wild hook from Thorburn.

Chambers shoots in and bounces Thorburn off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thorburn avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorburn wants to stand but Chambers is controlling the position.
Chambers trying to control the position from guard on top but Thorburn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Chambers stops Thorburn from standing up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Chambers accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Thorburn not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Chambers works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Thorburn keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A punch combination from Chambers misses.
Thorburn moves out of range of the body kick.

Chambers fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Thorburn, pushing him back against the cage.
Thorburn takes an elbow to the forehead.
Chambers lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Chambers lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Chambers wants a takedown.
Chambers has a couple of punches blocked by Thorburn.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thorburn is trying to break the clinch but Chambers has him pressed against the cage.
Chambers working aggressively here.
Chambers with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Chambers tries a knee to the head but Thorburn blocks it.
Thorburn is pressed up against the cage. Chambers has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Thorburn down to the mat. Thorburn avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Thorburn avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Thorburn throws a jab but it's blocked by Chambers.
Thorburn looks to land a combination. Chambers sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Thorburn takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Thorburn!
Thorburn swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Chambers looks to land a right hand but Thorburn moved out of range.
Chambers scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
A telegraphed right hand from Chambers misses the target.
Chambers is looking to clinch.
Rich Thorburn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Chambers misses with a jab, cross combination.
Thorburn swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Chambers.
Thorburn stuffs the takedown.
Thorburn throws a body punch but Chambers moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Chambers dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Chambers throws a left and a right that both miss
and Thorburn counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Chambers thinking.
Thorburn slips under a jab.
Thorburn moves away from the strike by Chambers.
Nice straight punches there by Thorburn. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Thorburn.
Thorburn stuffs the takedown attempt from Chambers. Chambers gets slowly back to his feet.
Chambers throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Chambers throws a lazy right hand but Thorburn sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Chambers is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Chambers scores with a punch to the head.
A swing and a miss from Chambers.
Thorburn throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Chambers on the side of the head.
Chambers ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Thorburn throws a right hand that Chambers ducks under and follows up with a left that Chambers also avoids with ease.
A left lands for Chambers.
Thorburn throws a body punch but Chambers moves out of range.

Chambers darts in and clinches Thorburn up against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Chambers.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short left from Chambers.
Thorburn takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Thorburn tries to circle away but Chambers has him pinned against the cage.
Chambers lands a right hand.
Chambers softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Chambers misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Thorburn.
Chambers comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Chambers keeps control of Thorburn as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Chambers lands an elbow that stopped Thorburn in his tracks for a moment.

Chambers decides to pull guard.

Chambers is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Thorburn is aware though and is defending well.
Thorburn is looking to stand up but Chambers won't let him.

Chambers looking for a guillotine here but Thorburn defends easily.
Thorburn trying to control the position from guard on top but Chambers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Thorburn got a little sloppy there for a moment and Chambers has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Thorburn has managed to get both his arms back between Chambers's legs - danger averted.
Chambers tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rich Thorburn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thorburn would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Chambers working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Thorburn doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Thorburn manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Thorburn trying to control but Chambers is working from the bottom.
Chambers has a closed guard, preventing Thorburn from standing up.

Chambers working for a triangle but Thorburn defends it easily.
Chambers looking for a sweep. Not yet Chambers, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chambers is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Thorburn not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Thorburn wants to get up but he can't break Chambers's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Chambers throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
John Chambers is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Chambers avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Chambers trying to keep a closed guard but Thorburn is proving a slippery customer.

Chambers looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Chambers is trying to keep Thorburn in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thorburn slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Chambers is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Thorburn slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Thorburn wants to get up but he can't break Chambers's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Thorburn being controlled here momentarily.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
John Chambers showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Chambers, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 William Peck scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Chambers!