PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shang Tsung (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hunter Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tsung's entrance music is Mortal Kombat Theme Remix. A fine choice. 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.

Tsung
vs
Thompson

186 cm
30
199 lbs
14 - 10 - 0

190 cm
27
195 lbs
16 - 10 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

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 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shang Tsung!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hunter Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Stewart Dunkirk and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tsung clinches with his opponent.
A short left from Tsung.
Thompson tries for a takedown. No joy.

Tsung pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Tsung swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Thompson misses with a leg kick
and Tsung counters with a head kick.
A jab from Thompson misses.
Thompson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsung is looking for a sweep.
Tsung holds on to Thompson's head and controls the position momentarily.
Tsung struggling a bit here.
Thompson trying to control the position but Tsung is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thompson in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Tsung is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Tsung wants to control but Thompson postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tsung is looking to reverse the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A head kick by Thompson misses

and Tsung counters with a single leg into guard. Thompson didn't expect that.
Thompson wants to stand up but Tsung is controlling him.
Tsung is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Thompson wants to get back to his feet but Tsung is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Tsung tries to stand but Thompson is controlling from the bottom.
Tsung sitting in guard here, content to control.

We're going to have a standup here because Shang Tsung wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Tsung avoids the head kick by Thompson.

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.
A head kick by Thompson misses
and Tsung counters with a head kick.
Thompson throws a leg kick

and Tsung counters with a takedown into side control.
Thompson can't do much from the bottom here.
Thompson is trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shang Tsung dominated that round.
That's time! Tsung's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nice body kick from Thompson.
Tsung chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Thompson can pounce on him.
Tsung with a lazy takedown attempt
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson throws a head kick that misses

and Tsung counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Tsung.
Tsung preventing the sweep.
Tsung is looking to stand up but Thompson won't let him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsung's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Thompson wants to stand but Tsung is controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Shang Tsung wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Thompson leaves Tsung with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Tsung darts in and clinches Thompson up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Tsung manages to break the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Tsung. No joy for Thompson on that attempt.
Thompson misses with a double jab

and Tsung counters with a nice double leg into side control. Thompson won't be happy with that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsung prevents Thompson from escaping the position.
Thompson is looking for a sweep.
Thompson wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Tsung content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Thompson is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Tsung is controlling him well.
You can see the frustration on Thompson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Tsung tries to advance to mount but Thompson denies him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Thompson is trying to buck Tsung off.
A lull in the action here as Tsung stalls from top position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Thompson goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Tsung gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

Tsung moves into the clinch successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tsung is looking to control Thompson's arms but Thompson gets an underhook and turns him. Now Tsung has his back to the cage.
Thompson is trying to break the clinch but Tsung is controlling him.

Thompson manages to break the clinch.
Thompson throws a front kick aimed at Tsung's knee but Tsung avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tsung looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Shang Tsung overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tsung tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Tsung prevents Thompson from improving his position.
Tsung content to control rather than advance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Thompson wants to control but Tsung is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Shang Tsung just wasn't active enough.
Thompson with a poor takedown

and Tsung counters with a takedown into side control.
Thompson is trying to control Tsung's posture but Tsung avoids it.

Thompson throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Tsung shoots and misses
and Thompson counters with a nice kick to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A thudding body kick lands there by Thompson!
Shang Tsung is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Thompson explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Tsung shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Thompson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Tsung won't be happy with that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shang Tsung. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thompson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Tsung to his feet.
Thompson throws a lazy head kick

so Tsung counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Thompson wants to stand but Tsung is controlling the position.
Hunter Thompson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tsung scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
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!
Thompson being controlled here, momentarily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shang Tsung showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tsung, 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shang Tsung!