PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mack Sphinx (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fredrik Thordendal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thordendal has chosen Meshuggah - Shed as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sphinx
vs
Thordendal

180 cm
21
192 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

195 cm
20
198 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc

Fenrir Fightgear - Steel Penn
Steel Penn's Laundry 93%

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mack Sphinx!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Fredrik Thordendal!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Jorge Garcia and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thordendal shoots in but no luck this time.
Thordendal lands a nice hook to Sphinx's body. Sphinx takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Thordendal ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sphinx moves away.
Thordendal throws out a powerful jab.
Fredrik Thordendal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sphinx ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
The fighters circle momentarily. Thordendal darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Sphinx tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Thordendal paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sphinx scores with a nice right hand.
Sphinx bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Thordendal takes a swing at Sphinx's ribcage but misses.
Good shot there by Thordendal.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thordendal. Sphinx does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sphinx misses with a series of wild punches.
Thordendal walks into a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sphinx tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nice jab there from Sphinx.
Thordendal misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab by Thordendal.
Thordendal throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sphinx stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Thordendal digs a good hook to Sphinx's body.
A shot to the liver by Thordendal. Beautiful body shot.
Thordendal swings for the body but Sphinx moves out of range.
Sphinx fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thordendal manages to avoid it.
Sphinx connects with a nice looking jab.
Thordendal misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Sphinx counters with a stiff right hand.

Thordendal clinches up with Sphinx and pushes him back against the cage.
Sphinx goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sphinx taking a breather.
A right hand to the body from Sphinx.
Sphinx working aggressively here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Thordendal breaks from the clinch.
Sphinx tries to close the distance and clinch but Thordendal swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Sphinx gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Thordendal wants to control from the top but Sphinx keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thordendal might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Sphinx kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Sphinx is looking to stand up but Thordendal isn't so interested in that idea.
Thordendal trying to control the position from guard on top but Sphinx is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Fredrik Thordendal hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Thordendal smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Thordendal misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sphinx.
Thordendal lands a nice shot that snaps Sphinx's head back.
Thordendal misses with a wild body shot.
Sphinx needs to keep his hands up - Thordendal had a free shot at his head there.
Sphinx moves into range and connects with a jab.
Sphinx avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Thordendal has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A combination from Thordendal does no damage.
Sphinx tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Thordendal paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sphinx just misses with a punch to the body.
Thordendal swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Thordendal throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Thordendal digs a good body shot into Sphinx's ribs.
Mack Sphinx is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sphinx waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Thordendal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sphinx tries to clinch there but Thordendal circles away.
Sphinx feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Thordendals jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Sphinx steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Thordendal.
Sphinx avoids the body shot from Thordendal.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sphinx on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Sphinx is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Sphinx throws a right hand that Thordendal ducks under and follows up with a left that Thordendal also avoids with ease.
Thordendal swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Thordendal is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Sphinx rather than just go for the knockout.
Thordendal misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Thordendal with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sphinx fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thordendal manages to avoid it.
Sphinx uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thordendal.
Sphinx throws a lazy right hand but Thordendal sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thordendal digs a good hook to Sphinx's body.
The crowd cheers as Thordendal lands an impressive looking overhand right. Sphinx doesn't seem phased though.
Thordendal ducks under a wild hook from Sphinx.
Sphinx attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Fredrik Thordendal will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Thordendal gets a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Thordendal.
Sphinx swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Thordendal blocks a body shot from Sphinx.
Thordendal is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sphinx gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Sphinx misses with a hook from the clinch.
Thordendal blocking some punches.
Sphinx is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Thordendal misses with a punch on the inside.
Thordendal tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Sphinx creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sphinx.
Thordendal working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Sphinx lands a shoulder strike.
Sphinx doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Thordendal lands with a light punch inside.
Thordendal misses with a punch on the inside.
Sphinx misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sphinx lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Thordendal misses with a punch to the body.
Sphinx swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sphinx misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Thordendal.
Thordendal lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sphinx backwards.
Thordendal lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Sphinx.
Thordendal misses with the head strike.
Thordendal blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Thordendal misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Thordendal pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sphinx. Thordendal does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sphinx throws a low kick but Thordendal avoids it.
Thordendal connects with a body shot.
A slow jab from Thordendal misses its intended target.
Thordendal's corner calls for a 1-2. Thordendal obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Sphinx is looking to score with low kicks.
Sphinx tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thordendal scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Sphinx looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Sphinx lands a two punch combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sphinx uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thordendal.
Thordendal with a nice cross.

Sphinx closes the distance and clinches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Sphinx.
Thordendal lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Sphinx backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Sphinx fails to land.
Thordendal misses with a body punch.
Mack Sphinx has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A head punch on the inside from Thordendal fails to land.
Thordendal misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Thordendal.
Sphinx lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Thordendal backwards.
Thordendal blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Thordendal struggles to land a body shot inside as Sphinx controls his hands.
Thordendal throws a head punch that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sphinx working aggressively here.
Thordendal blocks a body shot from Sphinx.
Thordendal lands a body shot.
A nice left hand lands by Sphinx.
Thordendal throws a punch but it's blocked by Sphinx.
Sphinx blocks a body shot from Thordendal.
Sphinx swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Sphinx fails to land.
Thordendal misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sphinx swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sphinx is working Thordendal over against the cage.
Thordendal struggles to land a body shot inside as Sphinx controls his hands.
Thordendal can't get the takedown.
Thordendal has a couple of punches blocked by Sphinx.
Thordendal has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sphinx is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Mack Sphinx has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fredrik Thordendal.
Sphinx lands a shoulder strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thordendal misses with the head strike.
Thordendal prevents a body shot from Sphinx.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sphinx tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Thordendal's elbow.
Thordendal tries to throw a body punch but Sphinx avoids it by throwing Thordendal back against the cage.
Thordendal lands a nice uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Sphinx.
Sphinx slowing the pace effectively.
Thordendal is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Thordendal blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Thordendal works on Sphinx's body with a couple of short punches.

Thordendal breaks from the clinch.
Sphinx ducks under a wild hook from Thordendal.
Thordendal scores with the left hand. Sphinx knows he should have avoided that one.
Thordendal avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sphinx scores with a one two! Thordendal had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sphinx fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Thordendal looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Thordendal throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Fredrik Thordendal will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Nice defenses there by Sphinx.
Fredrik Thordendal seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jab from Thordendal.
Thordendal shoots in and drives through. Sphinx sprawls well.
Thordendal lands a jab to the head.
Sphinx throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Thordendal jabs Sphinx right on the nose. Sphinx blinks but takes it well.
Thordendal swats away the attempt to clinch by Sphinx.
Thordendal ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sphinx moves away.
Thordendal misses the shot to the body.
Sphinx throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sphinx throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Thordendal is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

Thordendal tries to keep at a distance but Sphinx has taken the fight into the clinch.
Thordendal fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sphinx scores with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sphinx lands with a right to the head.
Sphinx misses with a short punch on the inside.
A right hook to the body lands for Sphinx.
Thordendal doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sphinx stalling in the clinch but Thordendal improves position.
Thordendal misses with a punch on the inside.
Sphinx throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Thordendal fails to land.
Sphinx misses with a punch to the body.
Sphinx gets through Thordendal's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Thordendal misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nice body punch from Sphinx - that landed with a thud.
Thordendal doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sphinx lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Sphinx misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sphinx lands with a short shot to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thordendal lands with a light punch inside.
Sphinx misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thordendal doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Thordendal tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Thordendal misses with some punches.
Thordendal fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Thordendal tries a body shot but Sphinx blocks it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Sphinx.
Thordendal prevents a body shot from Sphinx.
Sphinx lands a left hand that snaps the head of Thordendal backwards.
Thordendal goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Good body shot from Sphinx.
Thordendal is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sphinx pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Still in the clinch, Sphinx scores with a nice short uppercut.
Sphinx lands a body punch.
Thordendal takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sphinx throws a punch but it's blocked by Thordendal.
Sphinx is leaning against Thordendal and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Thordendal doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Thordendal tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Thordendal misses with a short punch on the inside.
Fredrik Thordendal is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sphinx tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Thordendal's elbow.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sphinx.
Sphinx misses with the head strike.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Sphinx.
Sphinx misses with a punch on the inside.
Sphinx throws a head punch that misses.
Mack Sphinx has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Sphinx lands with a short shot to the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Sphinx.
Sphinx holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Sphinx scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thordendal misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sphinx misses with a short punch on the inside.
Thordendal tries to throw a body punch but Sphinx avoids it by throwing Thordendal back against the cage.
Thordendal tries to throw a body punch but Sphinx avoids it by throwing Thordendal back against the cage.
Sphinx stalling the fight.
Sphinx misses with the head strike.
Sphinx softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Sphinx tries to throw a body punch but Thordendal avoids it by throwing Sphinx back against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thordendal throws a punch but it's blocked by Sphinx.
Thordendal blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sphinx lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Sphinx.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sphinx.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mack Sphinx showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Thordendal has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fredrik Thordendal!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Fredrik Thordendal waved his t-shirt featuring Steel Penn's Laundry 93%'s logo in front of the cameras.