PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Emanuel Thornton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jesse Crockett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Thornton
vs
Crockett

201 cm
20
177 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

177 cm
22
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Very confident

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Emanuel Thornton!
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, Jesse Crockett!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.

Thornton shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Crockett is trying to defend but Thornton finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Crockett wants to improve his position but Thornton is controlling well.
Thornton trying to control the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Crockett is trying to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Crockett is pressing down on Thornton's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thornton lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Thornton postures up in Crockett's guard and throws a big left but Crockett blocks it.
Crockett working a defensive guard here.
Crockett preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Crockett has a closed guard, preventing Thornton from standing up.
Thornton throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Crockett works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Crockett wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Thornton is now in half guard.
Crockett is trying to maintain the position but Thornton is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Crockett tries to roll over but Thornton keeps him under control.
Thornton tries to stand but can't do so whilst Crockett controls his leg.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Thornton throws a nice looking combination but Crockett bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Crockett is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Crockett closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Thornton's guard.
Crockett not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Thornton looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Crockett trying to control the position from guard on top but Thornton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thornton pulls Crockett in close to prevent any damage.
Thornton has a closed guard, preventing Crockett from standing up.
Crockett trying to control the position from guard on top but Thornton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Thornton has control of Crockett's left arm, preventing Crockett from doing any damage.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Crockett walks into a stiff left hand from Thornton.

That's four 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.
Crockett throws a lazy head kick

and Thornton counters with a takedown into side control.

Crockett sneaks out the side door and pushes Thornton away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Crockett looks winded!

Crockett feints and as Thornton raises his hands in defense, Crockett changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Crockett won't allow Thornton to sweep him here.
Crockett trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Crockett controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Thornton really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Crockett wants to control from the top but Thornton keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jesse Crockett will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Crockett looking to score a takedown here. Thornton is defending well but Crockett drives through and ends up in Thornton's guard.
Thornton has Crockett pulled in close to control his posture.
Crockett controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Thornton pulls Crockett in to control the position.
Crockett 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.
Thornton tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Crockett wants to control from the top but Thornton keeps moving.
Thornton will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Thornton controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Thornton scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Thornton thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Crockett is trying to maintain the position but Thornton is very close to passing his half guard.
Thornton missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Crockett is breathing heavily.
Crockett wants to improve his position but Thornton is controlling well.
Thornton missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thornton throws a strike but Crockett avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Crockett controlling the position.
Jesse Crockett has got the better of the ground game so far.
Thornton throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Crockett works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Thornton postures up in Crockett's guard and throws a big left but Crockett blocks it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Crockett looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Thornton holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Thornton wants to improve his position but Crockett is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crockett trying to control from half guard but Thornton is working away.

Crockett is looking for a kimura here.
Crockett trying to control from Thornton's half guard. Thornton has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Thornton looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Thornton pulls Crockett in close to prevent any damage.
Thornton keeping moving, preventing Crockett from controlling successfully.

Thornton manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Crockett shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Crockett is looking to take a break and control but Thornton is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Thornton is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Thornton flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Crockett is looking for a kimura here.
Thornton is concentrating on defense, preventing Crockett from advancing position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jesse Crockett will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Thornton gets a takedown into half guard.
Thornton performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Crockett trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Thornton in particular looking to stall.
Crockett is trying to maintain the position but Thornton is very close to passing his half guard.
Thornton thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Crockett's head.
Crockett tries to get to full guard but Thornton has control of the leg.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Crockett drives through with a takedown into Thornton's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Crockett takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crockett wants to control from the top but Thornton keeps moving.
Thornton pulls Crockett in close to his closed guard and prevents Crockett from doing any damage or advancing position.
Crockett trying to control the position from guard on top but Thornton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crockett being controlled here momentarily.
Crockett trying to control but Thornton is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Crockett shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Thornton manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Thornton has Crockett pulled in close to control his posture.
Crockett stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Thornton swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Thornton has his hands on Crockett's head, controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thornton keeping moving, preventing Crockett from controlling successfully.
Thornton bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Crockett's guard.

Thornton throwing strikes from guard but Crockett blocks nicely.
Crockett working a defensive guard but Thornton passes into half guard.
Emanuel Thornton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jesse Crockett is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Thornton working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

And that's the end of the fight!
Emanuel Thornton showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Crockett 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Jesse Crockett!