PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Josh Bernardes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rich Thorburn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bernardes comes to the ring accompanied by vermilion. Thorburn has chosen Tears dont fall from Bullet For My Valentine as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Bernardes
vs
Thorburn

182 cm
26
212 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

185 cm
25
219 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Heavy handed

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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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Josh Bernardes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rich Thorburn!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Steve Smith and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thorburn throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Thorburn tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bernardes was well out of range. Poor timing from Thorburn.
Thorburn misses with a few strikes there.
Bernardes tries to score a power double leg takedown but Thorburn sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bernardes somewhat.

Bernardes closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Thorburn to the mat! Thorburn manages to get full guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

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

Bernardes thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Bernardes stopping the sweep attempt from Thorburn.
Bernardes stops Thorburn from standing up.

Bernardes drops back looking for a leg! Thorburn is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Thorburn manages to kick Bernardes off! Bernardes jumps back into Thorburn's guard.
Thorburn trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorburn is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bernardes is controlling him.

Bernardes drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Thorburn dives on top into guard.
Thorburn trying to control the position from guard on top but Bernardes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bernardes 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.
Bernardes controls Thorburn momentarily but Thorburn frees himself.

Bernardes 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.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

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.
Thorburn wants to control from the top but Bernardes keeps moving.
Bernardes trying to control the position.

Bernardes looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Thorburn passes into side control.
Bernardes is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Thorburn's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorburn is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Thorburn has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Bernardes works to full guard.
Thorburn trying to control but Bernardes is working from the bottom.
Thorburn stopping the sweep attempt from Bernardes.
Thorburn is looking to stand up but Bernardes won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Thorburn wants to control from the top but Bernardes keeps moving.
Thorburn has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Bernardes is proving hard to escape from.
Thorburn trying to control the position from guard on top but Bernardes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Rich Thorburn.
A cross from Thorburn lands.

Bernardes bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Bernardes looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Bernardes tries for a kimura but Thorburn is defending well.
Thorburn tries to escape but Bernardes is in control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Bernardes dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Thorburn throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Bernardes on the side of the head.
Bernardes misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Thorburn connects with a crisp jab.
Thorburn throws a jab but it's blocked by Bernardes.
Bernardes staying out of range there.
Bernardes blocks a head kick by Thorburn.

Bernardes closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Thorburn quickly recovers to half guard.
Thorburn wants to get back to his feet.

Bernardes wants to work for an arm triangle but Thorburn is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Bernardes is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Thorburn doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Bernardes.
Thorburn wants to control but Bernardes is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bernardes wants to work for an arm triangle but Thorburn is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Bernardes moves into full mount! Thorburn won't be happy about that!

Bernardes is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Thorburn can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Bernardes working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Thorburn tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Bernardes looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Thorburn defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Bernardes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bernardes is working for a guillotine from mount but Thorburn frees his head quite easily.
Thorburn wants to try and get back to his feet.

Bernardes wants to finish this one by submission but Thorburn is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Bernardes.

Bernardes looking for a guillotine from mount but Thorburn is having none of it.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bernardes is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Thorburn is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Bernardes is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Thorburn has escaped the position, nice work there.
Thorburn tries to bench press Bernardes off him but Bernardes keeps the position.

Bernardes is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Thorburn knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Thorburn is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but Bernardes has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bernardes swings around for an armbar but Thorburn sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Bernardes's guard.
Bernardes lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Thorburn!

Bernardes looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Bernardes goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Thorburn is on top in guard.
Thorburn trying to stand up but can't free himself from Bernardes's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bernardes is on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Bernardes dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

No joy there for Thorburn, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bernardes will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Thorburn misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bernardes.
Thorburn misses with a double jab.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bernardes.
Thorburn throws a nice looking combination but Bernardes bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bernardes shoots in and drives through. Thorburn sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Bernardes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bernardes avoids the body shot from Thorburn.
Bernardes throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Thorburn's waist but Thorburn gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bernardes off to one side.
Nice uppercut lands for Thorburn. That snapped Bernardes's head back.
Thorburn just misses with a punch to the body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bernardes is defended easily by Thorburn.
Thorburn lunges at Bernardes with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Bernardes's hand.
Bernardes fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rich Thorburn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bernardes shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Thorburn sprawls well. Thorburn wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bernardes gets slowly back to his feet.
The crowd cheers as Thorburn lands an impressive looking overhand right. Bernardes doesn't seem phased though.
Thorburn swings for the body but Bernardes moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorburn cracks Bernardes with a right hand to the side of the head.
Thorburn lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bernardes circles away quickly and effectively.
Bernardes on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Rich Thorburn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Bernardes shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Thorburn is looking to escape.
Thorburn takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Bernardes is working for a submission of some sort.
Bernardes prevents Thorburn from standing back up.

Bernardes is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Bernardes looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Rich Thorburn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Josh Bernardes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bernardes trying to control the action but Thorburn is working from the bottom.
Thorburn is trying to stand up here but Bernardes is controlling him well.
Thorburn really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bernardes. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Bernardes keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Thorburn wants to get back to his feet.

Bernardes seems to be working for a kimura but Thorburn defends the submission attempt.
Bernardes controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorburn wants to get back to his feet.

Bernardes wants to work for an arm triangle but Thorburn is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Thorburn pushes Bernardes off but Bernardes dives into side control.
The referee asks Bernardes politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Bernardes prefers to stall for the moment though.

Bernardes thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Bernardes controls the position.
Thorburn wants to get back to his feet but Bernardes drags him back down.

Bernardes wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Thorburn, who protects the arm well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bernardes tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Bernardes has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Bernardes thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Bernardes tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Bernardes trying to control the position but Thorburn is working away.
Thorburn wants to control but Bernardes postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josh Bernardes showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bernardes, 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh Bernardes!