PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ray Munch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Thunder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Munch
vs
Thunder

185 cm
22
265 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

220 cm
30
257 lbs
15 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Ray Munch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Johnny Thunder!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, James Ackerman and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Munch ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
No joy there for Munch, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Munch takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Thunder is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Thunder throws a hook but Munch blocks it.
Jab, jab by Thunder - just one landing.
Munch loads up on a big right hand but Thunder slips the punch.
Munch takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Munch throws an overhand right that lands on Thunder's shoulder, as Thunder tries to avoid the shot.
Munch steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Thunder.
Munch cracks Thunder with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Munch shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Thunder napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Thunder tries to improve position but can't.
Munch throws a strike aimed at the side of Thunder's head but Thunder avoids it well.
Munch looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Thunder is avoiding damage well.
Munch in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Thunder is looking for a sweep.
Thunder dodges the ground and pound from Munch.
Thunder wants to control but Munch postures up.
Munch fails to land a wild elbow strike.
The strikes coming from Munch are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Thunder is not content to let Munch control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Munch decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Thunder misses with a hook
and Munch counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Munch uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Thunder.
Munch with a jab.
Thunder throws a body punch but Munch moves out of range.
Thunder throws a head kick but Munch moves out of range.
Thunder throws a right hand that misses

and Munch counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Thunder!
Thunder tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Munch controlling from mount.
Thunder wants to control but Munch is having none of it.
Thunder is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Munch dominating with strikes here.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thunder tries to hold on but Munch postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thunder is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Thunder blocking the ground and pound.
Munch landing shots from mount.
Thunder in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Thunder can't escape the position.
Munch with a couple of short strikes.
Munch lands with some strikes.
Thunder regains half guard.
Thunder is trying to get back to full guard.
Munch thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Thunder's head.
Thunder blocking the ground and pound attempt from Munch.
Munch missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Munch looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Munch not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thunder tries to roll over but Munch keeps him under control.
Thunder keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Thunder trying to control from the bottom.
Thunder tries to roll over but Munch keeps him under control.
The fighters are battling for position here. Thunder manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Munch trying to control but Thunder is working from the bottom.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Thunder holds on and takes a little breather.
Munch missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Thunder working a defensive guard but Munch manages to pass into side control anyway.

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.
Munch wants to stand but Thunder is controlling his arm.
Munch fails to land a wild elbow strike.
A lull in the action here.
Munch tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Munch throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Munch working the ground and pound but Thunder is defending the strikes.
Thunder sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Munch wants to stand up but Thunder has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Munch tries to pass to full mount but Thunder defends it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Munch throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Thunder keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Munch thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Munch dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Thunder swings widly with a right hand
letting Munch counter with a right hand.
Thunder moves out of range of the strikes.
Thunder misses with a lunging right hand
and Munch makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Thunder swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Thunder throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Munch throws a lazy head kick
and Thunder counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Munch misses the jab.

Munch closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Thunder to the mat! Thunder manages to get full guard.
Thunder is trying to keep Munch in close.
Munch missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Munch throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Munch tries to stand but Thunder is controlling from the bottom.
Thunder manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Munch can't escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Munch is controlling an arm, preventing Thunder from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Thunder tries to control but Munch wriggling away.

Thunder is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Munch has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Munch!
Munch forces his way into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Munch thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Thunder's head.
Thunder is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ray Munch overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Thunder is pressing down on Munch's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Munch trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Munch working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Munch thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Munch postures up in Thunder's guard and throws a big left but Thunder blocks it.
Thunder controlling Munch's posture.
Thunder trying to control the position.
Munch tries to stand but Thunder is controlling from the bottom.
Thunder keeping full guard, as Munch tries to pass.
Thunder avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Thunder lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Munch!
Thunder avoids the attempt from Munch to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thunder trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Munch holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Thunder tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Munch tries to hold on but Thunder postures up.
Thunder trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Munch might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Thunder jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Munch is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Munch and Thunder has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Thunder postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Thunder working the ground and pound but Munch is defending the strikes.
Thunder throws an elbow but Munch slips to the side and avoids it well.

Thunder wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Munch, who protects the arm well.
Thunder trying to control the action but Munch is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Munch dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

A big left from Munch misses.
Munch takes a jab right on the kisser.
Thunder displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Munch throws out the jab.
Munch throws a right hand that Thunder ducks under and follows up with a left that Thunder also avoids with ease.
Thunder on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Thunder lands a jab to Munch's midsection.
Munch misses with an uppercut.
Good standup being displayed there by Thunder as he connects with a hook.
Munch cracks Thunder with an open hand slap.
Munch lands a jab to the head.
Munch displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Thunder.
Munch fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Thunder lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Munch blocks a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thunder slaps away a takedown attempt from Munch, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Munch lands with a good body shot.
A slow jab from Munch misses its intended target.
Munch misses with a takedown
and Thunder counters with a stiff right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ray Munch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thunder throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Munch sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Thunder just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice sprawl there from Munch as Thunder shoots in.
Thunder ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Munch moves away.
Munch misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Thunder keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Munch.
Munch tries for a takedown but Thunder sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Munch lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Munch slips a jab and a cross from Thunder.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thunder misses with a right hand
and Munch counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A telegraphed right hand from Thunder misses the target.
Thunder misses with a lunging right hand
and Munch counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Thunder misses with a left hand
and Munch counters with a left to the body.
Thunder takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Munch swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Munch throws a series of punches but Thunder avoids them all with ease.
Munch misses with a takedown attempt - Thunder sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Munch falls off balance throwing a combination

and Thunder counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Thunder is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Munch doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Thunder.
Munch keeping control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Munch pushes Thunder off looking to stand but Thunder dives back in and keeps control.

Thunder seems to be looking for submissions.

Thunder seems to be looking for submissions.
Thunder prevents Munch from standing back up.
Thunder trying to mount his opponent but Munch defends it.
Thunder stalling away here and it's allowed Munch to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

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.
Munch wants to sweep but no luck.
Thunder wants to control from the top but Munch keeps moving.
Thunder is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Thunder drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Munch dives on top into guard.

Thunder has his foot on Munch's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Munch works his way back into a safe position though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Munch pushes down on Thunder's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Munch thows a huge punch but Thunder dodges it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Ray Munch did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Munch connects with a good right hand that stumbles Thunder. Thunder circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Munch connects with a jab.
A big left from Munch misses.
Thunder throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Thunder swings widly with a right hand
and Munch cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Munch is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Munch throws a combination that misses
letting Thunder counter with a right hand.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Munch.
A big right from Munch misses.
Thunder thows a body shot but no joy.
Munch shoots in for a takedown but Thunder shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A combination from Munch does no damage.
Thunder throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Ray Munch is winning the standup battle so far.
Munch misses with an uppercut.
A head kick misses from Munch.
Thunder swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Munch throws a head kick but Thunder moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Munch lands with a shot to the body.
Munch pivots, looking for a leg kick but Thunder is out of range and Munch settles back down.
Munch throws a leg kick but Thunder moved away.
Thunder misses with a few strikes there.
Thunder looks to score with a jab to the body but Munch is just out of range.
Munch cracks Thunder with a good jab.
Thunder moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Munch lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Munch keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Thunder.
A punch combination from Munch misses.
A lazy left from Munch finds it's target.
Munch throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Thunder with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Thunder tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Munch is able to avoid easily.
Thunder takes a jab right on the kisser.
Thunder walks into a stiff left hand from Munch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Thunder dodges the punch combination from Munch.
Thunder moves away from the strike by Munch.
Thunder throws a lazy right hand but Munch sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Munch. Thunder does a little dance to reset his feet.
Thunder throws a poor cross that misses
and Munch counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Thunder is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Thunder swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Munch counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Thunder throws a poor cross that misses
and Munch counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Munch throws a right and a left that both miss.
Munch tries to bum rush Thunder with a series of wild strikes but Thunder uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Jab from Munch.
Munch lands a nice looking body shot.

Munch drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Thunder is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Thunder manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Munch missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Munch thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Thunder's head.
Thunder tries to get to full guard but Munch has control of the leg.
Munch is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Thunder trying to control from the bottom.
Thunder tries to get to full guard but Munch has control of the leg.
Thunder avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Munch.
Munch looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Thunder with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thunder tries to get to full guard but Munch has control of the leg.
Munch thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Munch is looking to take a break and control but Thunder is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Munch throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Munch is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Thunder can do to turn this around?
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Munch lands a nice short elbow.
Munch is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Thunder trying to hold on to Munch's head to control him but Munch postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Munch missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Munch is trying to control. Thunder wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Munch looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Munch had his way with Johnny Thunder in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Munch lands with a good body shot.
Thunder checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Munch will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Munch throws a shot to the body.
Thunder drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Munch throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Thunder rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Munch cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Munch uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thunder.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Munch.

Munch closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Munch lands in his opponent's guard.
Munch trying to control the position from guard on top but Thunder is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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.
Munch tries to stand but Thunder is controlling from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thunder looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Thunder is trying to keep Munch in close.
Thunder bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Munch's guard.

Thunder drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Munch manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Thunder has Munch in his guard.
Munch trying to control the position from guard on top but Thunder is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thunder 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.
Ray Munch is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Munch is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Munch trying to control the position from guard on top but Thunder is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thunder thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Munch trying to control but Thunder is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ray Munch wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Thunder takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Thunder misses with a looping left.
Munch displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Munch avoids the body shot from Thunder.
Munch slips a straight right by Thunder.
Munch lands a jab to Thunder's midsection.
Munch cracks Thunder with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Munch bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Thunder wants to control but Munch postures up.
Munch working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Thunder tries to improve position but can't.
Munch landing strikes.
Thunder dodges the ground and pound from Munch.

Munch has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Munch feints a jab promting Thunder to slip. Munch then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Thunder slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Thunder has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Munch throws a hook to the side of Thunder's head but Thunder sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Johnny Thunder has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Munch tests Thunder's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Munch lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Munch will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thunder throws a lazy uppercut
and Munch counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Thunder staying out of range there.
Munch cracks Thunder with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Munch clobbers Thunder with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Thunder is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Munch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A jab lands there for Munch.
Thunder slips under a jab from Munch.
Thunder is looking to clinch but Munch is avoiding it.
Munch scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Thunder misses with a left hand
letting Munch counter with a right hand.
Munch misses with a double jab.
Munch with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Thunder to score with a decent uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thunder misses with an uppercut

and Munch counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Thunder's guard now.
Munch trying to control the position from guard on top but Thunder is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Munch sitting in guard here, content to control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ray Munch showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Munch has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight for Ray Munch!
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight for Ray Munch!
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight for Ray Munch!

Ray Munch wins by unanimous decision!