PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Danielson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Keith Thornton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Danielson comes into the arena with Cult of Personality blaring out of the sound system. On his way into the cage it seems that Johnny Danielson has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Johnny Danielson seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Danielson
vs
Thornton

190 cm
26
192 lbs
7 - 4 - 1

185 cm
25
200 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Johnny Danielson !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Keith Thornton!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Robert Douchet and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thornton darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Thornton misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Danielson counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Thornton throws a leg kick
and Danielson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Thornton with a poor takedown

and Danielson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Nice body punch from Danielson .
A short body shot lands from Danielson as the two fighters clinch.
Danielson gets underhooks to prevent Thornton's takedown attempt.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Danielson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Danielson manages to break the clinch.
Danielson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thornton.
Thornton swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Danielson looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Danielson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thornton.
Danielson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Danielson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Thornton. That did some damage!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thornton shoots in and gets a takedown into Danielson 's guard.
Danielson wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Danielson keeping moving, preventing Thornton from controlling successfully.
Thornton postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Danielson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Danielson pulls Thornton in to control the position.
Thornton stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Danielson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Thornton is looking to work some ground and pound but Danielson has wrist control.
Thornton chips away with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thornton postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Danielson is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Thornton landing with the ground and pound.
Thornton scoring with some ground and pound.
Danielson working a defensive guard here.
Thornton trying to control the position from guard on top but Danielson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thornton is looking to work some ground and pound but Danielson has wrist control.
Thornton has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Thornton sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Danielson 's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thornton missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Danielson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Thornton scores with a couple of nice shots.
Thornton not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Thornton drops an elbow to the side of Danielson 's head.
Danielson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Danielson tries to get out of the position.
Thornton looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Thornton missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Danielson is staying active underneath Thornton, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Thornton working the head and body with strikes.
Thornton working Danielson over with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Danielson tries to get to full guard but Thornton has control of the leg.
Thornton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Danielson keeps working.
Danielson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Thornton on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Danielson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thornton.
Danielson trying to control here.
Thornton throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Thornton drops an elbow to the side of Danielson 's head.
Thornton throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Thornton wants to take a breather but Danielson is having none of it.
Thornton throwing shots but Danielson is blocking nicely.
Thornton scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Thornton missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Danielson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Thornton scoring with strikes to the body and head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keith Thornton dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Thornton connects with the punch.
Danielson connects with a single shot there.
Thornton swings widly with a right hand
and Danielson counters with a right hand to the body.
Nice defenses there by Danielson .
Thornton has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Thornton drops his hands momentarily and Danielson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Thornton shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Danielson pushes Thornton away with a front kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thornton throws a poor cross that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Thornton takes a jab right on the kisser.
Danielson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Danielson lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Danielson slips a jab from Thornton.
Thornton swings for the body but Danielson moves out of range.
Danielson tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Thornton manages to circle out of the way.

Danielson instigates a clinch.
Thornton goes for a takedown in the clinch but Danielson prevents it.
Danielson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Thornton backwards.

Danielson 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Danielson misses with a straight right.
Thornton throws an off balance right hand
enabling Danielson to counter with a crisp jab.

It looks like Keith Thornton has been cut.
Thornton misses with a left hand
and Danielson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thornton moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A good leg kick by Danielson .
Thornton throws a body punch but Danielson moves out of range.
Thornton shoots in but no luck this time.
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!
Danielson wants to clinch.
Danielson lands a glancing blow to the side of Thornton's head.
Johnny Danielson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Danielson scores with a crisp jab that stopped Thornton in his tracks.
Thornton takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Danielson slips a straight right by Thornton.
Danielson lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Danielson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Thornton tries to score with a low kick but Danielson moves his leg out of the way.
A big left from Thornton misses.
Danielson is looking to clinch.
Danielson lands with an uppercut that bounces Thornton off the cage and back into range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thornton misses with a wild body shot.
Danielson moves out of range as Thornton strikes.
Danielson lands with a right hand.
Thornton misses with a looping left.
Thornton tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Danielson fails in his attempt to clinch.
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!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Thornton.
Thornton scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Danielson misses with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Danielson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Keith Thornton's cut.
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.

Danielson scores with a crisp jab that stopped Thornton in his tracks.
Danielson scores with a jab. Thornton acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Thornton throws an off balance right hand
and Danielson counters with a leg kick.
Danielson connects with a solid leg kick.
Thornton moves away from the strike by Danielson .
Johnny Danielson is winning the standup battle so far.
Thornton throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Thornton changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Danielson tries to avoid it but Thornton manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Danielson to the ground. Danielson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thornton misses with a wild body shot.
Danielson throwing a counter right hand but Thornton manages to avoid it.
That kick from Danielson tenderised Thornton's leg. Thornton is trying to keep his angry face on.
Danielson misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Danielson lands with an uppercut that bounces Thornton off the cage and back into range.
Danielson checks a leg kick.
Thornton throws a chopping leg kick but Danielson manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
An attempted straight right counter from Danielson misses the target.
Danielson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Thornton.

Thornton fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Danielson to the ground. Thornton is now in Danielson 's guard.
Danielson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Thornton chips away with some ground and pound.
Danielson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Thornton postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thornton is in close to Danielson 's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Danielson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Thornton trying to control but Danielson is working from the bottom.
Danielson working a defensive guard here.
Thornton throws a big elbow that misses.
Thornton is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Thornton makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Thornton being controlled here momentarily.
Danielson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thornton with a flurry of punches that miss.
Thornton wants to control from the top but Danielson keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Thornton throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Danielson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Thornton looks to land a left hand but Danielson moved out of range nicely.
Thornton fails with the takedown.
Danielson is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Thornton.
Thornton misses with a hook
and Danielson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Danielson blocks a low kick nicely.
A quick step to the side and Danielson tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Danielson tries to clinch up but Thornton circles away and keeps his distance.
Thornton drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Danielson defends it well.
Thornton circles away from the clinch attempt.
Danielson throws a leg kick but Thornton sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Danielson thows a left - swing and a miss!

Thornton gets tackled into the cage by Danielson . Danielson maintains the clinch.
Thornton jumps guard but Danielson stands there with Thornton around his waist. Thornton gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Johnny Danielson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keith Thornton.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Danielson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Danielson cracks Thornton with a nice body shot.
Thornton wants a takedown but no success here.
Danielson lands a hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Danielson clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Keith Thornton's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Thornton throws a hook to the side of Danielson 's head but Danielson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Danielson throws a body shot but no joy.
Thornton uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Danielson .
Danielson tests Thornton's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Thornton misses with a body shot
and Danielson counters with an inside leg kick.
Good leg kick by Danielson there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Danielson throws out a powerful jab.

Thornton shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Danielson 's guard.

Danielson kicks Thornton off and gets to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thornton misses with a body punch
and Danielson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Thornton's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thornton thows a left - swing and a miss!
Thornton misses with a jab to the body
and Danielson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Danielson ducks under a wild hook from Thornton.
As Thornton tries to get set, Danielson tries to push him back and clinch up but Thornton manages to avoid the attempt.
Keith Thornton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thornton has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Thornton there as he acknowledges the shot.
Danielson lands a jab to the nose.
Thornton displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Danielson throws out the jab.
Danielson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Thornton misses with a takedown attempt - Danielson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Danielson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Danielson lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Danielson scores with a nice head shot.
Thornton swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Danielson missing with a left hand there. Thornton was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Thornton with the counter takedown but Danielson avoids it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thornton walks into a stiff left hand from Danielson .
Thornton just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Danielson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Thornton misses with a looping left.
Thornton tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Danielson was well out of range. Poor timing from Thornton.
Thornton steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Danielson . That one must have hurt.
Horrible takedown attempt by Thornton or perhaps it was just good defense by Danielson , which made it look bad.
Danielson throwing a counter right hand but Thornton manages to avoid it.
Thornton fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Danielson wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Johnny Danielson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keith Thornton.
Thornton is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Thornton doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Danielson counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Danielson throws a nice outside leg kick.
Thornton shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Danielson counters with a left to the body.
Danielson chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Thornton is looking to score with low kicks.
A decent looking cross lands there for Danielson .

Danielson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Thornton is trying to drag Danielson to the mat but Danielson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Thornton is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Danielson is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Danielson had his way with Keith Thornton in that round.
The cut man is working on Keith Thornton's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Danielson lands a leg kick that knocks Thornton off balance momentarily.
Thornton scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Danielson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Thornton misses with a wild body shot.
Thornton lands the left hand.

Thornton tries to keep at a distance but Danielson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Danielson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Thornton can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thornton drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Danielson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Thornton tries to pull guard but Danielson won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Danielson just leaning against Thornton, taking a breather.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Danielson .
Danielson throws a punch but it's blocked by Thornton.
Thornton has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Thornton tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Danielson smiles and moves away.
Johnny Danielson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keith Thornton.
Danielson lands a right hook to the body.
Thornton throws a predictable looking body shot
and Danielson counters with a nice uppercut.
Danielson tests Thornton's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A jab lands there for Danielson .
Keith Thornton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Danielson slips under a jab.
Danielson throwing a counter right hand but Thornton manages to avoid it.
Thornton misses with a hook.
Danielson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Thornton feints the counter takedown.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thornton. Danielson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Danielson slips a jab from Thornton.
Thornton throws a body kick that misses
and Danielson makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Danielson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Johnny Danielson has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Thornton is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Danielson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Thornton tries to score a body lock takedown but Danielson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Danielson .
Thornton is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Danielson digs a right hand underneath Thornton's ribcage. Thornton let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Danielson gets through Thornton's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Danielson works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Danielson stalling the fight.
Danielson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Danielson lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Johnny Danielson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Danielson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Thornton jumps guard but Danielson turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

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

Danielson pushes Thornton up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thornton drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Thornton tries for a takedown. No joy.
Danielson is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Danielson 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Thornton misses the jab.
Danielson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Thornton misses with a looping right.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thornton connects with a body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny Danielson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Danielson 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 49:46
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 49:46
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Danielson !
Johnny Danielson was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.