PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tai Stick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Thai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stick kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Samoa Island National Anthem. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Stick
vs
Thai

189 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

192 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Inexperienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

XTREME PWNAGE
Australian Xtreme - 159 Energy + Stamina!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tai Stick!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Thai!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Hugh Johnson and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A leg kick checked by Thai.
Thai moves out of range of the leg kick from Stick.
Thai misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stick tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Thai manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stick tries to close the distance and clinch up but Thai swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Stick throws a series of punches but Thai avoids them all with ease.
Stick throws a leg kick but Thai moved away.
Thai tries a head kick but it misses.
Thai lands with a kick to the temple. Stick shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Thai circles away from the clinch attempt.
Stick throws a leg kick that misses.
Stick fails in his attempt to clinch.
Stick tries to clinch up but Thai circles away and keeps his distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thai throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Thai circles away from the clinch attempt.
Thai throws a head kick that misses.
An inside leg kick from Stick misses.
Some bone on bone action there as Thai checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Stick doesn't manage to clinch there - Thai circles away.
Tai Stick seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thai misses with a head kick.
Stick tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Thai throws a head kick that misses.
Thai scores with a head kick. Stick tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Thai checks a low kick from Stick.
Stick tries to clinch but Thai is having none of it.
Stick tries to clinch but Thai moves out of range.
Stick looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Thai circles away from the clinch attempt.
Stick tries to clinch up but Thai circles away and keeps his distance.
Stick tried to score with a low kick but Thai checks it.
Thai stuffs the takedown.
Stick wants to land a leg kick but Thai is out of range.
Thai keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stick looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Thai keeps the fight on the outside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stick shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Thai defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tai Stick. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stick shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Stick changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Thai tries to avoid it but Stick manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Thai to the ground. Thai escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stick takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Thai slips a jab and a cross from Stick.
Stick shoots in but Thai avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Thai throws a nice inside leg kick.
Thai showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Stick.
Stick tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Thai paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thai is looking to slow Stick down with leg kicks.
Stick is breathing heavily.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Thai.
Stick tries to clinch but Thai is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thai goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Thai scores a takedown into full mount!
Thai controlling the position easily from mount.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Mike Thai.
Thai avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stick chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Thai can pounce on him.
Stick throws a leg kick
and Thai counters with a head kick. That will keep Stick thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

Thai shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Thai was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
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!
Thai sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Let's hope that Thai has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Stick 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.
Thai controlling from the full mount.
Stick is working to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Thai dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Stick fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Thai has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Stick looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Stick drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Stick jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Thai has control of Stick's left arm, preventing Stick from doing any damage.
Stick preventing the sweep.
Thai pulls Stick in close to prevent any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Stick thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Stick thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Thai pulls Stick in to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mike Thai has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Thai lands a leg kick that knocks Stick off balance momentarily.
Tai Stick is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stick throws a leg kick

and Thai decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Stick's guard.

Stick had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Thai defends it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thai stays in close to Stick's body and controls the position.

Stick working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Thai doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Thai manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Thai is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Stick escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Thai gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Thai is stalling in the full guard.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Mike Thai wasn't active enough on the ground.
A solid leg kick lands there for Thai.
Stick steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Thai. That one must have hurt.
Stick throws a leg kick

so Thai counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Thai controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thai looking to pass the guard.
Stick being controlled here, momentarily.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Mike Thai hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Thai throws a head kick that Stick semi-blocks.
Thai lands a high kick!
A low kick from Stick is predictable there
and Thai counters with an inside leg kick.
Thai buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Stick tries to clinch up
and Thai counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Stick is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Stick darts in trying to clinch

and Thai counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Thai.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stick is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thai looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Thai got a little sloppy there for a moment and Stick has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Thai has managed to get both his arms back between Stick's legs - danger averted.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thai is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Mike Thai has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Stick enables Thai to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Stick manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Thai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Stick's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Thai connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Stick throws a leg kick
and Thai counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
A low kick from Stick is predictable there

and Thai counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Stick had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Thai defends it easily.

Thai got a little sloppy there for a moment and Stick has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Thai has managed to get both his arms back between Stick's legs - danger averted.
Thai is stalling in the full guard.
Thai trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Thai controls from within his opponent's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
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!
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Mike Thai wasn't active enough on the ground.
Stick tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Thai counters with a flying knee. Nice.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stick throws a leg kick that is checked
and Thai counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Stick is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Stick wants to clinch

and Thai counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Thai wants to pass to mount but Stick is defending the position.
Thai slows the pace down in half guard.

Stick actively working from the bottom here.
Thai takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Stick is looking for a sweep. Thai is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Thai sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Stick looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Thai is pressing down on Stick's thigh, looking to free his foot. Stick is holding on for now.
Tai Stick has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thai trying to control the pace.
Thai really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Stick. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Mike Thai has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Stick misses with a leg kick

and Thai counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Thai.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Thai got a little sloppy there for a moment and Stick has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Thai has managed to get both his arms back between Stick's legs - danger averted.
Thai's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Stick escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Thai gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Thai is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thai has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Mike Thai wasn't active enough on the ground.
Stick misses with a leg kick
and Thai finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Thai connects with a leg kick. Stick looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Mike Thai seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stick thows a leg kick but Thai checks it
and Thai counters with a slapping leg kick.
Thai goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Stick is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Stick tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Thai counters with a head kick. That will keep Stick thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

Thai closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Thai lands in his opponent's guard.

Stick working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Thai doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Thai manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Thai passes into half guard.
Thai slows the pace down in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stick is looking to improve his position.
Thai looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Mike Thai has got the better of the ground game so far.
Thai slows the pace down in half guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Thai's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Mike Thai wasn't active enough on the ground.
Thai throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Mike Thai is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stick tries to clinch up
and Thai counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Thai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Thai has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 26:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 26:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Thai!