PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Omar Thugo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anton Christoforidis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Anton Christoforidis has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Thugo
vs
Christoforidis

183 cm
18
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

169 cm
22
135 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Omar Thugo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Anton Christoforidis!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Bruno Lombardi and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thugo fails with a takedown attempt.
Thugo shoots in for a takedown but Christoforidis shows good takedown defense.
Thugo throws a series of punches but Christoforidis moves out of range.
Christoforidis throws a jab when Thugo was well out of range.
Thugo throws a nice looking combination but Christoforidis bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Thugo shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Omar Thugo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Christoforidis thows a left - swing and a miss!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thugo fails with a takedown attempt.
Thugo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Christoforidis throws a jab but it's blocked by Thugo.
Christoforidis swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Thugo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Christoforidis but Christoforidis pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Christoforidis scores with a nice strike.
Thugo tries to clinch there but Christoforidis circles away.
A jab from Christoforidis misses.
Thugo shoots in but Christoforidis avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Thugo is breathing heavily.
Thugo staying out of range there.
Thugo shoots in for a takedown but Christoforidis shows good takedown defense.
Anton Christoforidis is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Christoforidis throws a looping overhand right but Thugo ducks down to avoid it.
Thugo throws a series of punches but Christoforidis avoids them all with ease.
Thugo really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Thugo moves out of range as Christoforidis strikes.
Thugo shoots in but no luck this time.
Thugo drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Thugo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Christoforidis but Christoforidis pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Thugo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Christoforidis but Christoforidis pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Christoforidis tests Thugo's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Thugo walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Christoforidis keeps the fight on the outside.
Thugo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Christoforidis keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Thugo takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Thugo staying out of range there.
Thugo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Christoforidis throws an overhand right that lands on Thugo's shoulder, as Thugo tries to avoid the shot.
Omar Thugo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Christoforidis avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Christoforidis avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Christoforidis throws out a powerful jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Thugo takes one on the button.
Thugo shoots in for a takedown but Christoforidis shows good takedown defense.
Christoforidis lands a jab to the nose.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Thugo.
Christoforidis loads up on a big right hand but Thugo slips the punch.
Thugo fails with the takedown.
Thugo shoots in looking for a takedown. Christoforidis tries to sprawl out of it but Thugo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Christoforidis manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Christoforidis scores with a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Christoforidis dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Christoforidis thuds his right hand into Thugo's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Thugo tries to clinch up.
Thugo closes the distance and clinches up with Christoforidis, looking for a takedown. Thugo pushes Christoforidis against the cage but Christoforidis circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Omar Thugo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thugo looks for a takedown but Christoforidis sprawls well.
Christoforidis throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Thugo fails with an attempt to clinch.
The fighters circling - Christoforidis throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Christoforidis loads up on a big right hand but Thugo slips the punch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thugo blocks a jab.
Christoforidis misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thugo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Christoforidis pinned against the cage. Christoforidis gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Omar Thugo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thugo slips a jab from Christoforidis.
Thugo shoots in looking for a takedown. Christoforidis tries to sprawl out of it but Thugo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Christoforidis manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Christoforidis might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Christoforidis lands with a cross.
Thugo is looking to clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Thugo.
Thugo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Christoforidis swivels and escapes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Thugo moves out of range of the strikes.
Thugo moves out of range as Christoforidis strikes.
Good standup being displayed there by Christoforidis as he connects with a hook.
Christoforidis misses with a hook. Thugo ducked under it nicely.
The fighters circle momentarily. Christoforidis darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Thugo on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Christoforidis's corner calls for a 1-2. Christoforidis obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Thugo ducks under a wild hook from Christoforidis.
Thugo shoots in and drives through. Christoforidis sprawls well.
Nice takedown defense from Christoforidis. No joy for Thugo on that attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Christoforidis getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Thugo closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Christoforidis's corner calls for a 1-2. Christoforidis obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Christoforidis moves into range and connects with a jab.
Thugo defending well as Christoforidis loads up on a big left hand.
Horrible takedown by Thugo or perhaps it was just good defense by Christoforidis which made him look bad.
Thugo shoots for a takedown but Christoforidis saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Christoforidis looks to land a right hand but Thugo moved out of range.
Christoforidis throws an overhand right that lands on Thugo's shoulder, as Thugo tries to avoid the shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
A big left from Christoforidis misses.
Thugo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Christoforidis throws out the jab.
The crowd cheers as Christoforidis lands an impressive looking overhand right. Thugo doesn't seem phased though.
Thugo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A jab from Christoforidis misses.
Thugo looks for a takedown but Christoforidis sprawls well.
Christoforidis connects with a looping right hand.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A jab from Christoforidis does it's job there.
Thugo misses with a takedown attempt - Christoforidis sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Christoforidis connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Christoforidis showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Christoforidis lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
A punch lands to the side of Thugo 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Thugo slips under a jab from Christoforidis.
Thugo moves out of range of the strikes.
Thugo closes this distance looking for a takedown but Christoforidis circles away.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Thugo. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Christoforidis checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Thugo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Christoforidis pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A jab from Christoforidis does it's job there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thugo defending well as Christoforidis loads up on a big left hand.
Horrible takedown by Thugo or perhaps it was just good defense by Christoforidis which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Omar Thugo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thugo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Christoforidis is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Thugo.
Christoforidis throws a hook but Thugo blocks it.
A left lands for Christoforidis.
Thugo is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Christoforidis scores with a sloppy right hand. Thugo should have avoided that one.
Thugo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Christoforidis pinned against the cage. Christoforidis gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Thugo defending well as Christoforidis loads up on a big left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Christoforidis connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Thugo's hands.
Thugo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Christoforidis pinned against the cage. Christoforidis gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Thugo looks for a takedown but Christoforidis sprawls well.
Christoforidis swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Thugo takes a jab right on the kisser.
Christoforidis misses with a straight left.
Thugo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Christoforidis waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Thugo.
A telegraphed right hand from Christoforidis misses the target.
Christoforidis stuffs the takedown.
A telegraphed right hand from Christoforidis misses the target.
Christoforidis throws the left hand but Thugo avoids the punch easily.
Thugo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Thugo on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Christoforidis lands with a right hand.
Thugo moves out of range of the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Thugo swings for the body but Christoforidis moves out of range.
Horrible takedown by Thugo or perhaps it was just good defense by Christoforidis which made him look bad.
Thugo tries to clinch up but Christoforidis circles away and keeps his distance.
Thugo shoots in for a double leg but Christoforidis sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Christoforidis lands with an overhand left.
Thugo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Christoforidis throws out the jab.
Thugo slips a jab from Christoforidis.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Christoforidis scores with a jab. Thugo acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Christoforidis thuds his right hand into Thugo's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anton Christoforidis comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Christoforidis 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anton Christoforidis!