PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Claude Norton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Christopher Tidus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Christopher Tidus has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Claude Norton's chin.

Norton
vs
Tidus

216 cm
20
278 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

193 cm
24
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Claude Norton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Christopher Tidus!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Norton tries to clinch but Tidus is having none of it.
Norton looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Tidus gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Norton lands an elbow inside that Tidus shrugs off.
Norton is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Tidus pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Tidus fails to pull guard.
Tidus lands with a short punch from the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Tidus - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Norton keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Tidus's efforts to push away.

Tidus successfully pulls guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Norton wants to control from the top but Tidus keeps moving.
Norton is looking to stand up but Tidus won't let him.
Tidus really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Norton. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Norton loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Norton wants to control from the top but Tidus keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tidus is trying to keep Norton in close.
Tidus is looking to stand up but Norton isn't so interested in that idea.
Tidus is trying to control the position but Norton postures up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Tidus lands a jab to Norton's midsection.
Horrible takedown by Tidus or perhaps it was just good defense by Norton which made him look bad.
Tidus throws a nice looking combination but Norton bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Norton with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Claude Norton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Norton misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Norton moves into the clinch.
Tidus wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Norton has him pressed against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Norton's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Tidus decides to pull guard.
Norton not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Norton trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norton passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
Tidus tries to get to full guard but Norton has control of the leg.
Tidus trying to hold on to Norton's head to control him but Norton postures up.

Tidus looking for submissions off his back.
Tidus looks like he's trying to stand up.
Tidus punching from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Norton stands up and beckons Tidus to join him on the feet.
Horrible takedown by Tidus or perhaps it was just good defense by Norton which made him look bad.

Tidus has taken the fight to the clinch.
Norton tries to pull guard but Tidus forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Tidus has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Norton is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Tidus looks winded!

Norton has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Tidus uses from the top position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Norton working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tidus doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tidus manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Norton is on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Christopher Tidus will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tidus moves into the clinch successfully.
Norton tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Norton has Tidus pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Tidus manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Norton trying to control the position but instead, Tidus has worked for underhooks and has pushed Norton into the cage.
Tidus tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Norton just stands there and leans against the cage.
Norton wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Tidus's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Tidus is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Norton is defending well.
Tidus is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tidus wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Norton is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Norton manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Norton looking for a guillotine here but Tidus defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tidus won't allow Norton to sweep him here.
Norton is working hard here to advance position.
Norton wants to stand up but Tidus is controlling him.
Tidus is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Norton manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Tidus manages to get himself to full guard.
Tidus not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Norton pushes down on Tidus's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Tidus tries to kick Norton off but Norton keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Tidus tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Norton has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Tidus is desperately trying to improve his position but Norton has a good base and remains in mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tidus has given up his back here.
Norton thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Tidus covering up well under a series of strikes from Norton.
Tidus trying to control the hands but Norton won't let him.
Tidus is really stuck here.
Norton biding his time, controlling Tidus.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tidus defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Norton tries to keep control of the position but Tidus is staying busy.

Tidus defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Norton avoiding Tidus 's attempts to control his hands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Claude Norton dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Tidus pushes Norton up against the cage in a clinch.
Tidus is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Norton pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Norton misses with a body punch.
Tidus drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Norton gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Norton prevents Tidus from breaking the clinch.
Tidus fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Claude Norton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Christopher Tidus.
Tidus wants a takedown.
Norton is trying to pull guard but Tidus turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Tidus has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Norton avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Norton wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tidus has him pressed against the cage.

Norton escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Norton wants to clinch up but Tidus keeps it at a distance.
Norton is looking to clinch.
Norton dives in for a single leg takedown but Tidus sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Tidus drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Norton gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Tidus takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tidus has Norton pressed against the cage.

Norton's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tidus shoots in but no luck this time.
A combination from Tidus does no damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tidus tries to close the distance and clinch but Norton swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Norton looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Tidus closes the distance and clinches up with Norton, looking for a takedown. Tidus pushes Norton against the cage but Norton circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Norton throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Tidus.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tidus looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Norton throws a body punch but Tidus moves out of range.

Norton gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Tidus has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Norton is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
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!

Norton manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norton shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Tidus pinned against the cage. Tidus gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Norton shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tidus defends it nicely.
Tidus throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Norton's waist but Norton gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tidus off to one side.
Norton is looking to clinch.
Tidus looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Norton is fending him off so far but Tidus persists. Nope, Norton circles away and we're back to standing.
Norton shoots in for a takedown but Tidus shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Norton shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tidus defends it nicely.
Norton doesn't manage to clinch there - Tidus circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tidus shoots in and drives through. Norton sprawls well.
Norton goes for a double leg but Tidus avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Tidus continues to drive forward.
Norton fails to pull guard.
Tidus is trying to pull guard but Norton has him pressed against the cage.
Norton tries to throw a body punch but Tidus avoids it by throwing Norton back against the cage.
Norton can't get the takedown.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Norton tries to pull guard but Tidus forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Norton avoiding damage as Tidus throws knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Claude Norton showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Norton has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Claude Norton!