PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Chad Figueroa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vandor Thive (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Figueroa
vs
Thive

170 cm
18
177 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

173 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Chad Figueroa!
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, Vandor Thive!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Thive darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Thive with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Figueroa is looking to improve his position.

Figueroa pushes Thive off and gets back to his feet.
Thive works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Figueroa.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Figueroa shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Thive's guard.
Figueroa postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Figueroa working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Figueroa lands a couple of digs.
Thive seems keen to control Figueroa's posture.
Figueroa could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Thive trying to control the position.

Figueroa stands up from Thive's guard - Figueroa perhaps looking for a knockout.

Thive gets a double leg takedown into Figueroa's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thive pushing down on Figueroa's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Figueroa regains full guard. Nicely done.
Thive working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Figueroa working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Thive.
Thive trying to control the position from guard on top but Figueroa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thive missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thive is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Vandor Thive was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Thive rushes Figueroa and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Figueroa misses with a punch on the inside.
Thive avoiding damage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Figueroa.

Thive pulls Figueroa into guard.
Figueroa with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Figueroa keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Thive's head.
Figueroa has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Figueroa cracks Thive with a solid left hand.
Thive pulls Figueroa in to control the position.
Figueroa would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Thive wants to stand up but Figueroa is controlling him.
Thive controls Figueroa momentarily but Figueroa frees himself.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Vandor Thive hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Thive misses with a double jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Figueroa gets caught flat footed, as Thive shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Figueroa keeping full guard, as Thive tries to pass.
Figueroa wants to get back to his feet but Thive is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Thive works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Figueroa moves into full guard.
Figueroa 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.
Vandor Thive has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Figueroa is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Thive is controlling him.
Thive trying to control the position from guard on top but Figueroa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thive sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Thive must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two 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.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Vandor Thive hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Good leg kick by Thive there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Thive throws a head kick that misses.
Thive keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Thive scoring well with a low kick there.

Thive scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Thive goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Figueroa rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Thive's guard! Nice work there by Figueroa!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Figueroa content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Figueroa stands and steps away. Thive gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Thive shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Thive is breathing heavily.

Figueroa actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Figueroa tries to get to full guard but Thive has control of the leg.
Thive passes the guard and advances to mount!
Thive trying to control but Figueroa is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vandor Thive showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Thive shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Thive was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Thive throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Figueroa is looking to regain half guard here but Thive keeps moving and retains side control.

Thive decides to stand back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thive has closed the distance and engaged Figueroa in a clinch.

Thive gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Thive content to stall in guard here.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Vandor Thive was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Thive closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Figueroa's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thive loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Figueroa manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Figueroa raining down shots from the mount!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Figueroa scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Figueroa working the ground and pound effectively.
Figueroa tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Figueroa avoids the attempt from Thive to control.
Figueroa lands with some strikes.
Thive takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Thive is trying to escape the mount.
Figueroa lands a big shot there that rocks Thive but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Figueroa lands a big elbow.

Figueroa goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Thive turns into him and now he's in Figueroa's guard.
Thive looking to sit in guard and control but Figueroa gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thive is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Figueroa is controlling him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thive is trying to control the position but Figueroa postures up.
Chad Figueroa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vandor Thive is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Figueroa throws a big right hand that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vandor Thive comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Thive has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vandor Thive!