PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Johnathon Harrington (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Thigpen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Harrington
vs
Thigpen

208 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 3 - 1

165 cm
18
135 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 bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Johnathon Harrington!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Michael Thigpen!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Matheus Silva and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thigpen fails with the takedown

and Harrington counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Harrington wants to break the clinch but can't.
Harrington can't break the clinch.
Harrington is trying to force a seperation but Thigpen has the dominant position.
Harrington manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Thigpen pulls Harrington into guard.
Harrington throws a big right hand that misses.
Thigpen trying to strike off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Harrington got a little sloppy there for a moment and Thigpen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Harrington has managed to get both his arms back between Thigpen's legs - danger averted.
Thigpen is trying to control the position but Harrington postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Harrington is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Harrington postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Harrington postures up.

Harrington postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Thigpen is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Harrington, into his guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thigpen passes Harrington's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Thigpen trying to control the action but Harrington is working from the bottom.
Thigpen looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Harrington really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harrington wants to get back to his feet.
Thigpen trying to mount his opponent but Harrington defends it.
Thigpen controlling the pace.
Thigpen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Thigpen is thwarting Harrington's attempts to control the position.
Harrington blocking the ground and pound attempt from Thigpen.

Harrington kicks off Thigpen and gets to his feet.
Thigpen shoots for a double leg takedown but Harrington sprawls well. He's pushed Thigpen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thigpen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Harrington counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Johnathon Harrington has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Thigpen.
Thigpen misses with a punch to the body.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Harrington is looking for a takedown.

Thigpen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Thigpen has Harrington up against the cage in a clinch.
Harrington is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Thigpen to keep the fight standing.
A frustrated look appears on Harrington's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Thigpen stalling in the clinch but Harrington improves position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Harrington is pressed up against the cage. Thigpen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Harrington down to the mat. Harrington avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thigpen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Harrington defends it nicely.
Thigpen looks winded!
Harrington avoids the head kick by Thigpen.

Harrington has managed to clinch.
Thigpen drops down looking for an ankle pick but Harrington pulls his leg out and moves away.
Harrington throws a wild body kick that Thigpen sees coming a mile off.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Thigpen darts in and clinches Harrington up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Michael Thigpen will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Thigpen shoots in and drives through. Harrington sprawls well.
Thigpen throws a sloppy head kick and Harrington moves out of range easily.

Thigpen moves into range and clinches up with Harrington.

Thigpen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Harrington drives through with a takedown into Thigpen's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Harrington wants to control from the top but Thigpen keeps moving.
Harrington controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Harrington thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harrington controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Harrington lands a couple of elbows.
Thigpen is trying to control the position but Harrington postures up.

Thigpen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Thigpen is breathing heavily.

Thigpen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Harrington defends well.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Harrington changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Thigpen tries to avoid it but Harrington manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Thigpen to the ground. Thigpen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Thigpen doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Harrington counters by moving into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harrington avoiding damage.
Harrington tries to pull guard but Thigpen won't allow it.
Thigpen tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Harrington just stands there and leans against the cage.
Johnathon Harrington has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Thigpen.

Harrington pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Thigpen rushes Harrington and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Thigpen gets underhooks to prevent Harrington's takedown attempt.
Harrington tries to break free but Thigpen pushes him back against the cage.
Harrington gets underhooks to prevent Thigpen's takedown attempt.
Thigpen looking to stall.
Thigpen gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Harrington.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harrington looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Harrington tries to break the clinch but Thigpen is controlling the position.
Thigpen is trying to drag Harrington to the mat but Harrington just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Thigpen.
Harrington fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Thigpen breaks from the clinch.
Thigpen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Thigpen doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Harrington counters by moving into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Harrington gets control of Thigpen's arms and successfully pulls guard. Harrington will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Harrington has Thigpen pulled in close to control his posture.
Harrington will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Thigpen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Thigpen would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Harrington is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Harrington looking for a guillotine here but Thigpen defends easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Harrington is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnathon Harrington dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Harrington clinches up against the cage.
Johnathon Harrington has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Thigpen tries for a takedown but Harrington manages to get underhooks.
Harrington is defending well against a takedown attempt.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Harrington tries to pull guard but Thigpen holds him up against the cage and eventually Harrington drops back down to his feet.
Thigpen displaying some good clinch control by pressing Harrington up against the cage.

Thigpen manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harrington shoots in for a double leg but Thigpen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Thigpen misses with the combination.

Thigpen fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Harrington, pushing him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thigpen tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Harrington just stands there and leans against the cage.
Johnathon Harrington has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Thigpen.
Thigpen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Harrington tries for a takedown. No joy.
Thigpen jumps guard but Harrington stands there with Thigpen around his waist. Thigpen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Thigpen is pressed up against the cage. Harrington has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Thigpen down to the mat. Thigpen avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Harrington shoots for a double leg takedown but Thigpen sprawls well. He's pushed Harrington's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Thigpen instigates a clinch.
Thigpen misses with a punch to the body.

Harrington manages to pull guard.
Thigpen throwing strikes from guard but Harrington blocks nicely.
Harrington trying to keep a closed guard but Thigpen is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harrington keeping moving, preventing Thigpen from controlling successfully.
Thigpen postures up.
Harrington keeping moving, preventing Thigpen from controlling successfully.
Harrington is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Thigpen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Harrington has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Thigpen has managed to get both his arms back between Harrington's legs - danger averted.
Harrington managing to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Harrington is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Harrington is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Thigpen is controlling him.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Michael Thigpen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thigpen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Harrington counters by clinching up.

Thigpen ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Thigpen no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Harrington trying to control the position from guard on top but Thigpen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thigpen wants to improve his position but instead Harrington has moved into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thigpen kicks Harrington off and gets back to his feet.

Thigpen clinches up against the cage.
Harrington is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Harrington is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Thigpen to keep the fight standing.
Thigpen tries for a takedown but Harrington manages to get underhooks.
Harrington wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Harrington has Thigpen pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Thigpen manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Harrington has had enough of the clinch but Thigpen keeps him there for the moment.

Harrington's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Thigpen shoots and misses

and Harrington counters by clinching up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Thigpen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Thigpen 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 29:29
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:29
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!