PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Fou Rthihovsky (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Henry Morgan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rthihovsky kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is That Smell - Lynyrd Skynyrd. Morgan is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: No Easy Way Out. 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.

Rthihovsky
vs
Morgan

165 cm
28
135 lbs
14 - 3 - 1

170 cm
31
141 lbs
14 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Black Hand Fight Gear & Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Fou Rthihovsky!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Henry Morgan!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Skip Squint and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rthihovsky shoots in and gets a takedown into Morgan's guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Morgan manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rthihovsky regains half guard.
Morgan passes to full mount!
Morgan has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Rthihovsky's face.

Morgan looking for a guillotine from mount but Rthihovsky is having none of it.
Morgan avoids the attempt from Rthihovsky to control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rthihovsky is desperately trying to improve his position but Morgan has a good base and remains in mount.
Rthihovsky gets back to half guard.
Rthihovsky on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rthihovsky is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Morgan is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Rthihovsky as he works his way to full guard.
Morgan is fighting to break Rthihovsky's control of his arms but Rthihovsky is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Morgan stopping the sweep attempt from Rthihovsky.
Morgan is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Morgan wants to control from the top but Rthihovsky keeps moving.
Rthihovsky looking for a sweep. Not yet Rthihovsky, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Morgan avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Morgan advances position into side control!
Rthihovsky tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Morgan lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Morgan wants to control but Rthihovsky is keeping him busy.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rthihovsky takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Rthihovsky is trying to get back to half guard.
Morgan fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Check out the look on Morgan's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Morgan cracks Rthihovsky with an elbow. That is naaassty.

Morgan is trying to get an arm triangle but Rthihovsky is defending well.
Morgan creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Rthihovsky sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Morgan is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Rthihovsky is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Morgan working away.
Morgan trying to control the position but Rthihovsky is working away.
Rthihovsky manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Morgan works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Morgan has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Rthihovsky is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Morgan.
Morgan is looking for a sweep.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Morgan has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rthihovsky wants to lay and pray for a moment but Morgan keeps working.
Rthihovsky moves into full mount!
Morgan sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Rthihovsky is working for a kimura but Morgan is defending it quite comfortably.
Morgan moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Henry Morgan dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Morgan throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rthihovsky will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rthihovsky misses with a wild body shot.
Rthihovsky shoots for a takedown but Morgan saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Rthihovsky throws a half hearted mid kick.
A jab from Morgan misses.
Rthihovsky throws a hook to the side of Morgan's head but Morgan sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rthihovsky shoots in for a takedown but Morgan shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fou Rthihovsky. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rthihovsky shoots in looking for a takedown. Morgan tries to sprawl out of it but Rthihovsky keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Morgan manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Morgan lands with an overhand left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rthihovsky just misses with a punch to the body.
Morgan looks to score with a jab to the body but Rthihovsky is just out of range.
Rthihovsky scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Morgan doesn't seem bothered though.
Rthihovsky throws a shot to the body.
Morgan shoots in looking for a takedown. Rthihovsky tries to sprawl out of it but Morgan keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rthihovsky manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rthihovsky lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Morgan circles away quickly and effectively.
Morgan throws a head kick that misses.
Morgan connects with a crisp jab.
Rthihovsky ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Morgan moves away.
Rthihovsky misses with a body shot.
Rthihovsky throws the left hand but Morgan avoids the punch easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morgan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Morgan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Morgan scores with a sloppy right hand. Rthihovsky should have avoided that one.
Morgan just misses with a punch to the body.
Morgan throws a hook but Rthihovsky avoids it easily.
Rthihovsky doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Morgan counters with an outside leg kick.
Rthihovsky misses with a looping right.
Rthihovsky misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Morgan.
Henry Morgan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Morgan thows a body shot but no joy.
Rthihovsky checks a low kick from Morgan.
Rthihovsky avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lazy left from Rthihovsky finds it's target.
Morgan throws a lazy right hand but Rthihovsky sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A shot to the body from Rthihovsky misses
and Morgan counters with a right hand to the body.
Morgan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rthihovsky.

Rthihovsky changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Morgan looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Morgan gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Morgan punching from the bottom.
Morgan wants to improve his position but Rthihovsky is controlling well.
Morgan is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Morgan wants to get back to full guard but Rthihovsky has mounted him!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morgan is trying to escape the mount.
Morgan throwing hammer fists to the chest of Rthihovsky. What's that going to do exactly?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Morgan is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
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!
Rthihovsky wants to control the pace but Morgan is squirming around nicely.
Rthihovsky controlling the pace for now.
Morgan can't escape the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Morgan has given up his back here. Will Rthihovsky look for the submission or keep pounding away?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Henry Morgan will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Rthihovsky avoids the body shot from Morgan.
Morgan stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Morgan wants it to stay on the feet.
Rthihovsky moves out of range of the strikes.
Henry Morgan seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rthihovsky ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Morgan moves away.
Morgan fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rthihovsky connects with a body shot.
A big left from Morgan misses.
Morgan with a jab.
Rthihovsky fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Morgan manages to avoid it.
Morgan throws a right hand that misses
and Rthihovsky counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rthihovsky moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rthihovsky fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Morgan wants to land a leg kick but Rthihovsky is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morgan throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Rthihovsky.
Rthihovsky staying out of range there.
Rthihovsky fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Rthihovsky scores with a shot to the body.
Morgan tries for a takedown but Rthihovsky sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Morgan fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Morgan throws the kick towards the body but Rthihovsky avoids it.
Morgan shoots in for a takedown but Rthihovsky shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Morgan lands with a kick to the temple. Rthihovsky shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Rthihovsky scores with a jab.
Morgan swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Rthihovsky counters with a straight right hand.
Rthihovsky takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Morgan takes a swing at Rthihovsky's ribcage but misses.
Morgan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Fou Rthihovsky has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Henry Morgan.
Morgan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rthihovsky with a jab.
Rthihovsky throws a body punch but Morgan moves out of range.
Rthihovsky thows a body shot but no joy.
Rthihovsky looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Morgan is fending him off so far but Rthihovsky persists. Nope, Morgan circles away and we're back to standing.
Rthihovsky throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Morgan's waist but Morgan gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rthihovsky off to one side.
Nice takedown defense from Rthihovsky. No joy for Morgan on that attempt.
Morgan with a hook.
Morgan throws a head kick but Rthihovsky moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morgan misses with an uppercut.
Morgan misses with a body kick.
Rthihovsky shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Rthihovsky scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Morgan keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Morgan.
Rthihovsky is looking to wear down Morgan with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Rthihovsky thows a body shot but no joy.
Rthihovsky bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Morgan cracks Rthihovsky with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Morgan works Rthihovsky's body with a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rthihovsky misses with a hook.
Morgan takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Rthihovsky misses with a wild body shot.
Morgan throws a hook but Rthihovsky blocks it.
Rthihovsky turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Morgan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rthihovsky.
Rthihovsky misses the shot to the body.
Morgan dips to his left and cracks Rthihovsky with an uppercut!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice shot by Rthihovsky.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rthihovsky throws a big shot that misses.
Morgan shoots and misses
and Rthihovsky connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Henry Morgan really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A solid body kick from Morgan.
Good leg kick by Rthihovsky there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Morgan scores with the left hand. Rthihovsky knows he should have avoided that one.
Morgan pivots, looking for a leg kick but Rthihovsky is out of range and Morgan settles back down.
Rthihovsky shoots in but no luck this time.
Morgan uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Morgan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nice takedown defense from Morgan. No joy for Rthihovsky on that attempt.
Morgan connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Morgan shoots in for a takedown but Rthihovsky shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rthihovsky misses with a body punch
and Morgan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Morgan throws a hook but Rthihovsky blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morgan misses with a left hand
and Rthihovsky counters with a slapping leg kick.
Rthihovsky stuns Morgan with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Rthihovsky jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rthihovsky takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Morgan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rthihovsky jabs Morgan to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Morgan tries a head kick but it misses.
Morgan is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Rthihovsky shoots in but Morgan avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fou Rthihovsky. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Decent striking displayed by Rthihovsky there.
Rthihovsky looks for a takedown but Morgan sprawls well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morgan feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Rthihovskys jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Morgan takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Morgan avoids the body shot from Rthihovsky.
Morgan defending well as Rthihovsky loads up on a big left hand.
Rthihovsky throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Morgan uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Morgan throws a quick inside leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rthihovsky takes a swing at Morgan's ribcage but misses.
Rthihovsky swings for the body but Morgan moves out of range.
Morgan scores with a jab. Rthihovsky acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A big right from Rthihovsky misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rthihovsky lands with a nice body punch.
Morgan tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rthihovsky swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Morgan lands a nice hook to Rthihovsky's body. Rthihovsky takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Morgan throws a series of punches but Rthihovsky moves out of range.
Rthihovsky lands with a hook. Morgan tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Rthihovsky on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Rthihovsky misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Morgan.
Rthihovsky throws a body punch but Morgan moves out of range.
Rthihovsky misses with a series of wild punches.
A big right from Rthihovsky misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rthihovsky shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Morgan as he avoids it easily.
Rthihovsky tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Morgan swivels and escapes.
Rthihovsky misses with a jab to the body
enabling Morgan to counter with a crisp jab.
Rthihovsky thows a body shot but no joy.

Morgan shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Morgan 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.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Morgan is looking for a kimura but Rthihovsky is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Morgan to get the leverage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Henry Morgan dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Rthihovsky defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Morgan.
Morgan misses the shot to the body.

Rthihovsky scores with a takedown into Morgan's guard.
Morgan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rthihovsky is in close to Morgan's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Morgan keeping moving, preventing Rthihovsky from controlling successfully.
Rthihovsky has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rthihovsky loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rthihovsky preventing the sweep.
Rthihovsky trying to control the position from guard on top but Morgan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Morgan has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Rthihovsky should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Morgan has tightened it up now! Rthihovsky should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:55 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Henry Morgan!
Henry Morgan is the new bantamweight champion!