PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between KO Thunder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and I Know Wrestling (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for KO Thunder has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Thunder
vs
Know Wrestling

200 cm
25
130 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

150 cm
27
130 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Olympic wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite 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 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, KO Thunder!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, I Know Wrestling!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Ren Mimura and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wrestling misses with a hook.
As Wrestling looks to move away, Thunder throws a big counter combo bu Wrestling just gets out of the way.
KO Thunder seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thunder fails with the takedown.
A countering left hand to the body from Wrestling misses.
Thunder fails in his attempt to clinch.
Thunder throws a push kick but Wrestling slaps the foot to one side.
Wrestling takes a swing at Thunder's ribcage but misses.
Wrestling lands with a cross.
Thunder shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Wrestling sprawls well. Wrestling wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Thunder gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wrestling displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Thunder.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for KO Thunder. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wrestling stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Wrestling wants it to stay on the feet.
A countering left hand to the body from Wrestling misses.
Wrestling swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wrestling dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Wrestling. Thunder does a little dance to reset his feet.
Thunder appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Thunder will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Wrestling misses with a body shot.
Thunder tries to clinch up.
Wrestling looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Thunder fails with a takedown attempt.
Wrestling is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Wrestling misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thunder will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Wrestling stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Wrestling wants it to stay on the feet.
It seemed like Wrestling was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Thunder is breathing heavily.
Thunder uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Wrestling.
Thunder tries for a takedown but Wrestling sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Wrestling has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Thunder wants to clinch but Wrestling slips to the side

and Wrestling counters with a single leg into guard. Thunder didn't expect that.
Wrestling works over Thunder with some ground and pound from guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Wrestling gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Nice sprawl there from Wrestling as Thunder shoots in.
Wrestling throws out a counter right but Thunder avoids it with no problem.
Wrestling misses the jab.
Thunder pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A little jabbing left from Wrestling on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Wrestling lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Thunder circles away quickly and effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thunder goes for a double leg but Wrestling avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the ropes as Wrestling continues to drive forward.
A looping hook to the body misses from Wrestling. Thunder does a little dance to reset his feet.

Thunder gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Wrestling to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Thunder has momentary wrist control but Wrestling slips an elbow through the middle.
Thunder wants to control the position but Wrestling says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Wrestling working over Thunder with some ground and pound. Thunder looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Wrestling postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Thunder to stand up.
Wrestling takes a swing at Thunder's ribcage but misses.
Wrestling jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Thunder shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Wrestling defends it nicely.
Wrestling swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Wrestling looking to score a takedown here. Thunder is defending well but Wrestling drives through and ends up in Thunder's guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Thunder is working an open guard so Wrestling takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Thunder slips under a jab from Wrestling.
Thunder wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Wrestling displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Thunder.
Wrestling doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Wrestling looks to land a combination but Thunder avoids it well.
Thunder showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Wrestling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Wrestling throws a hook but Thunder blocks it.
Thunder shoots in but no luck this time.
Wrestling displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Thunder.
Thunder shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Wrestling but Wrestling pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Wrestling swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for KO Thunder. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wrestling looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Thunder misses with a low kick as Wrestling jumps back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thunder fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thunder closes this distance looking for a takedown but Wrestling circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wrestling throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Thunder was covering up waiting for the punch and Wrestling finishes the takedown easily into guard.
I Know Wrestling has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wrestling scoring with some ground and pound.
Wrestling showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wrestling keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Thunder's head.
Thunder will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Wrestling gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Thunder lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Wrestling has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Wrestling and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Thunder throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Wrestling connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Wrestling throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Wrestling is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Thunder blocks a jab.
Wrestling swats away the attempt to clinch by Thunder.
Wrestling smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thunder fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Thunder tries to clinch but Wrestling moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Thunder looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Wrestling swings for the body but Thunder moves out of range.
Thunder throws out a powerful jab.
Thunder misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Wrestling looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wrestling dips to his left and cracks Thunder with an uppercut!
Wrestling has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Thunder tries to close the distance and clinch but Wrestling swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Wrestling swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Wrestling thows a left - swing and a miss!
Wrestling misses the jab.
Thunder shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Wrestling defends it nicely.
A little jabbing left from Wrestling on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A jab from Wrestling does it's job there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

I Know Wrestling 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. This is the final round!

Thunder uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Wrestling.

Thunder moves into the clinch.

Wrestling lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Wrestling connects with a nice short shot to Thunder's temple.

Wrestling stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Thunder to get to his feet.
Wrestling takes a swing at Thunder's ribcage but misses.
Thunder shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Wrestling as he avoids it easily.
Wrestling misses with a few strikes there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Wrestling shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Still in half guard, Wrestling seems content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wrestling stands up out of the half guard.
Thunder fails with the takedown.
Thunder really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wrestling stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Wrestling wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for KO Thunder. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thunder tries to clinch but Wrestling moves out of range.
Wrestling jabs Thunder to the body, keeping him at a distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Thunder.
Wrestling misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Thunder tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Wrestling manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A little jabbing left from Wrestling on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wrestling shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Wrestling was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Thunder takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Wrestling cracks Thunder with an elbow. That is naaassty.

Wrestling decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Thunder dives in for a single leg takedown but Wrestling sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.
Wrestling loads up on a big right hand but Thunder slips the punch.
Thunder avoids a punch combination nicely.
Thunder tries to counter with a takedown but Wrestling is quick to defend against it.
Wrestling throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Thunder drops down looking for a counter takedown but Wrestling sprawls and moves away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thunder with a poor takedown
and Wrestling counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thunder slips a jab from Wrestling.
Thunder displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Wrestling throws out the jab.
Thunder thinks about countering with a head kick.
Wrestling throws out a loose jab but Thunder uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wrestling connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Thunder's hands.
KO Thunder is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wrestling connects with a jab.
Wrestling misses with a wild body shot.
As Wrestling tries to get set, Thunder tries to push him back and clinch up but Wrestling manages to avoid the attempt.
Wrestling scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Thunder doesn't seem bothered though.
Thunder uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Wrestling.
Thunder ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wrestling lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Thunder circles away quickly and effectively.
Thunder ducks under a wild hook from Wrestling.
Thunder fails with the takedown.
Some wild striking there from Wrestling.
Wrestling throws a hook but Thunder blocks it.
Wrestling waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Thunder.
Thunder with a poor takedown
and Wrestling counters with a nice uppercut.
KO Thunder has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wrestling throws a right and a left that both miss.

And that's the end of the fight!
I Know Wrestling comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Wrestling winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for I Know Wrestling!
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for I Know Wrestling!
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for I Know Wrestling!

I Know Wrestling wins by unanimous decision!