PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rich Thorburn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ma Chao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thorburn comes to the cage accompanied by Tears dont fall from Bullet For My Valentine. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Thorburn
vs
Chao

185 cm
24
219 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

180 cm
21
210 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Lethal high kicks
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rich Thorburn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ma Chao!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Steve Smith and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thorburn lands with a thumping leg kick.
Thorburn scores with a nice strike.
Chao pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Chao takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Thorburn will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Chao misses with an uppercut.
Thorburn scores with a shot to the body.

Thorburn ducks straight into an uppercut from Chao and tumbles to the canvas! It’s a flash knockdown though - Thorburn manages to regain guard straight away.

It looks like Rich Thorburn has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thorburn wants to stand and escape but Chao is having none of it.
Thorburn on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Thorburn tries to get out of the position.
Chao stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Thorburn swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Thorburn is looking to stand up but Chao isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorburn is pulling down on Chao's head to control his posture.
Chao looking to pass the guard.
Thorburn working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Chao.
Thorburn is looking to stand up but Chao isn't so interested in that idea.
Thorburn pulls Chao in close to prevent any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Rich Thorburn just wasn't active enough.
Thorburn throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Thorburn throws the left hand but Chao avoids the punch easily.
Thorburn scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Thorburn scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Thorburn takes a swing at Chao's ribcage but misses.

That's two 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.
Chao uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thorburn.
Thorburn lands a lovely overhand right.
Thorburn looks to score with a jab to the body but Chao is just out of range.
Thorburn connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Chao's hands.
Thorburn looks to land a combination but Chao avoids it well.
Thorburn connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Thorburn lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Thorburn, as that shot connected.
Thorburn changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Thorburn connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Thorburn fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Chao.
Chao throws a lazy right hand but Thorburn sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice cross by Thorburn.
Thorburn fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorburn throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Thorburn throws a combination. Chao tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Chao falls off balance throwing a combination
and Thorburn counters with a three punch combo that has Chao backing up. Chao nods at Thorburn to acknowledge the strikes.
Thorburn looks to land a combination. Chao sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Thorburn swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Chao counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Thorburn connects with a looping right hand.
Thorburn misses with a body shot.
Thorburn throws a quick inside leg kick.
Chao takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Thorburn throws a shot to the body.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Thorburn. Chao shrugs it off though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thorburn lands with a nice combination. Chao backs away looking to recover.
Chao walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Chao wants to clinch up but Thorburn keeps it at a distance.
Thorburn throws a body punch but Chao moves out of range.
Thorburn throws a leg kick which misses Chao's front leg but catches the back leg as Chao tries to avoid it.
Thorburn misses the shot to the body.
Chao takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Chao tries to clinch
and Thorburn counters with a big head kick but Chao shrugs it off.
A telegraphed right hand from Thorburn misses the target.
Thorburn with a body punch. A glancing blow.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thorburn takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Chao steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Thorburn.
Thorburn lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ma Chao will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Rich Thorburn's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Thorburn fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Chao manages to avoid it.
Thorburn lands with a slapping head kick.
Thorburn scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Thorburn throws a head kick that misses.
Thorburn is looking to wear down Chao with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Chao keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rich Thorburn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thorburn pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Chao walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Thorburn throws a nice inside leg kick.
Rich Thorburn is winning the standup battle so far.
Thorburn goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Chao on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Chao throws a big shot that misses.
Thorburn lands a nice shot to the body.
Chao misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorburn delivers a nice body kick.
Thorburn bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A slapping body kick lands there for Thorburn.
Thorburn lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Thorburn on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Chao displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Thorburn throws out the jab.
Thorburn fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Chao has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Chao slips a jab and a cross from Thorburn.
Thorburn connects with a looping right hand.
Chao has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Chao takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Thorburn throws a head kick that Chao semi-blocks.
Thorburn throws a sloppy head kick and Chao moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thorburn scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Thorburn throws a body punch but Chao moves out of range.
Thorburn swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Chao.
Chao ducks under a wild hook from Thorburn.
Thorburn throws a shot to the body.
Thorburn throws a right hand that Chao ducks under and follows up with a left that Chao also avoids with ease.
Chao takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Chao drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Thorburn getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Chao misses with a body shot
and Thorburn counters with a slapping leg kick.
Chao throws a hook to the side of Thorburn's head but Thorburn sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Thorburn throws out a powerful jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Thorburn there.
Thorburn scores with a jab. Chao acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Chao throws a jab when Thorburn was well out of range.
Chao throws a lazy right hand but Thorburn sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Thorburn lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Thorburn.
Thorburn lands a nice looking body kick.
Chao misses with a straight right.
Chao showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Thorburn.
Thorburn lands a nice leg kick that just misses Chao's sensitive parts.
Chao throws a right and a left that both miss.
Thorburn cracks Chao with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thorburn throws a nice outside leg kick.
Chao avoids a punch combination nicely.
Chao has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Thorburn.
Thorburn fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Chao manages to avoid it.
Thorburn misses with a jab, cross combination.
Thorburn moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Thorburn dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Chao. That did some damage!
Chao on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Thorburn. Thorburn obviously looking to wear him down.
Thorburn misses with a looping right.
Thorburn lands with a slapping head kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Chao takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Thorburn lands a glancing blow to the side of Chao's head.
Thorburn keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rich Thorburn dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rich Thorburn's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Thorburn thuds a left hand into Chao's body.
Thorburn connects with a right hand. Chao shakes it off.
Chao on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Thorburn scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Chao takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Thorburn bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Chao's head.
Chao might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Chao looks to throw the jab but Thorburn is out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Thorburn.
Chao takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Chao throws a jab but it's blocked by Thorburn.
Thorburn lands a head kick. Chao smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Thorburn catches Chao with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Thorburn thuds his right hand into Chao's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorburn feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Chao's calf.
Thorburn throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A slow jab from Chao misses its intended target.
Chao slips under a jab.
Thorburn throws a lazy right hand but Chao sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Chao takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Thorburn falls off balance throwing a combination
and Chao cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Chao keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Thorburn.
Thorburn misses the shot to the body.
Thorburn throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Thorburn scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Chao doesn't seem bothered though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Thorburn.
Thorburn slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Thorburn cracks Chao with a good jab.
Chao throws an overhand right that lands on Thorburn's shoulder, as Thorburn tries to avoid the shot.
Thorburn scores with a leg kick.
Chao closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Thorburn wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Thorburn lands a jab.
Chao's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Thorburn, as that shot connected.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thorburn misses with a looping left.
Thorburn thows a body shot but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Thorburn.
A big right from Chao misses.
Chao walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Thorburn connects with a leg kick. Chao looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Chao jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Thorburn throws a right and a left that Chao avoids nicely.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Thorburn!
Thorburn ducks under a wild hook from Chao.
Thorburn lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Chao throws a right and a left that Thorburn avoids nicely.
Thorburn swings for the body but Chao moves out of range.
Thorburn misses with an uppercut. Chao saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chao takes a shot right to the bread basket.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Thorburn.
Thorburn catches Chao with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Thorburn throws a looping overhand right but Chao ducks down to avoid it.
Thorburn throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Thorburn lands with a right hand.
Thorburn tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Chao was well out of range. Poor timing from Thorburn.
Thorburn misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Thorburn bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thorburn looks to throw the jab but Chao is out of range.
Thorburn changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Thorburn stuns Chao with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rich Thorburn clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Rich Thorburn's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Chao chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Thorburn can pounce on him.
Thorburn delivers a nice body kick.
Thorburn's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Thorburn duly obliges.
Thorburn missing with a left hand there. Chao was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Thorburn swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Thorburn.
Thorburn bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Thorburn connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Thorburn scores with a punch to the head.
The fighters circling - Thorburn throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Thorburn swinging wildly here.
Chao throws a big shot that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chao uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Thorburn.
A nice leg kick lands there from Thorburn.
Chao throws a looping overhand right but Thorburn ducks down to avoid it.
Thorburn wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Chao throws a hook but Thorburn avoids it easily.
A head kick misses from Thorburn.
Nice body punch from Thorburn.
Chao keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Thorburn throws a hook but Chao blocks it.
Thorburn misses the body punch
and Chao counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Thorburn works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thorburn throws a lazy right hand but Chao sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Chao closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Thorburn throws a nice head kick!
The fighters circle momentarily. Thorburn darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Thorburn loads up on a big right hand but Chao slips the punch.
Thorburn uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Chao.
Chao throws out a loose jab but Thorburn uses good head movement to avoid it.
A combination from Thorburn does no damage.
Thorburn scores with a leg kick.
Thorburn cracks Chao with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Thorburn moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Chao avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorburn throws a hook to the side of Chao's head but Chao sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Chao tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Thorburn slips a jab from Chao.
Nice shot by Thorburn.
Thorburn steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Chao.
Thorburn uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Chao.
Thorburn just misses with a punch to the body.
Thorburn throws a predictable looking body shot
and Chao counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thorburn. Chao does a little dance to reset his feet.
A jab from Thorburn finds it's way through Chao's defenses.
Thorburn throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Chao cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thorburn throws a left and a right that both miss

and Chao counters with a left hand that sends Thorburn to the canvas!

Thorburn is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Chao prevents Thorburn from getting back to his feet.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Chao throws a big right hand that misses.
Thorburn 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.
Chao trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Chao throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Chao working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Thorburn is adopting a defensive guard.
Thorburn is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Chao trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Chao pushing down on Thorburn's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ma Chao dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Rich Thorburn's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Chao on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Chao takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Chao lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Thorburn misses with a straight left.
Chao takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Thorburn throws a push kick but Chao slaps the foot to one side.
Nice body kick there by Thorburn.
Chao has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Thorburn.
Chao misses with a hook. Thorburn ducked under it nicely.
A nice inside leg kick there by Thorburn. That's going to slow Chao down.
Thorburn lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Thorburn swings for the body but Chao moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorburn throws a series of punches but Chao moves out of range.
Thorburn ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Chao moves away.
Thorburn connects with a good right hand that stumbles Chao. Chao circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Thorburn moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Thorburn pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Thorburn throws a leg kick which misses Chao's front leg but catches the back leg as Chao tries to avoid it.
Thorburn misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Chao.
Chao misses with a straight left.
Thorburn swings for the body but Chao moves out of range.
Chao fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thorburn manages to avoid it.
Thorburn lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Thorburn lands with a kick to the temple. Chao shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Thorburn throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

Chao catches Thorburn napping and connects with a big right hand that sends Thorburn to the canvas!
Oh Thorburn is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
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.

Thorburn has his feet on Chao's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Thorburn seems to have got his legs back now.
Chao blocks a head kick by Thorburn.
Thorburn ducks under a wild hook from Chao.
Thorburn scores with a decent looking hook.
Thorburn throws a hook but Chao blocks it.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Thorburn.
Thorburn swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Chao throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Thorburn swings for the body but Chao moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chao defending well as Thorburn loads up on a big left hand.
Chao keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Thorburn misses with a looping left.
Chao defending well as Thorburn loads up on a big left hand.
Thorburn ducks under a wild hook from Chao.
Thorburn scores with a leg kick.
A head kick from Thorburn lands but Chao takes it in his stride.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thorburn. Chao does a little dance to reset his feet.
Thorburn throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Nice defenses there by Chao.
Thorburn connects with a nice looking jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Thorburn misses with a hook to the body
and Chao counters with a series of strikes that practically lifts Thorburn off his feet! He tumbles backwards, his head bouncing off the mat - Chao follows up with more strikes before the ref can step in but Thorburn was out before he hit the floor.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:07 of round 5, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Ma Chao!