PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Damien Thorn (ranked 253 p4p, 28 weight class) and Doyle Brunson (ranked 621 p4p, 73 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Thorn
vs
Brunson

196 cm
29
267 lbs
15 - 5 - 0

188 cm
35
260 lbs
26 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Bullet Proof System
Urban Fighter

Red Light Coffeeshop

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Damien Thorn!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Doyle Brunson!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thorn works over Brunson's head and body with a nice combination.
Thorn keeps the fight on the outside.
Thorn throws a poor cross that misses
and Brunson counters with a nice body shot.
Thorn lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Brunson throws a body shot but no joy.
Thorn throws a leg kick which misses Brunson's front leg but catches the back leg as Brunson tries to avoid it.
A head kick misses from Brunson.
Brunson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Thorn under the eye.
Thorn lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thorn throws a series of strikes that have Brunson backpedaling.
Brunson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Thorn. Thorn obviously looking to wear him down.
Brunson throws a body punch but Thorn moves out of range.
Brunson swings for the body but Thorn moves out of range.
Thorn looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Brunson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thorn is looking to counter punch.

Brunson darts in and clinches Thorn up against the cage.
Thorn misses with a punch to the body.
Brunson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Thorn tries to score a body lock takedown but Brunson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brunson pushes off an throws an elbow but Thorn leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Thorn throws a punch but it's blocked by Brunson.
Brunson has Thorn pressed against the cage, preventing Thorn from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Thorn's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Brunson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Thorn backwards.
Thorn tries to break free but Brunson pushes him back against the cage.
Brunson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Brunson throws an elbow but it misses.
Nice elbow from Brunson.

It looks like Damien Thorn has been cut.
Brunson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Brunson throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Thorn breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Doyle Brunson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Brunson closes the distance and pushes Thorn back into the cage.
Brunson misses with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brunson can't find room to land a body shot as Thorn controls the action.
Thorn tries to land knees in the clinch but Brunson avoids the damage to the body.
Brunson stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Thorn is looking for a takedown.
Brunson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Brunson lands an elbow inside that Thorn shrugs off.
With the fighters up against the cage, Thorn throws an elbow but misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thorn takes an elbow to the forehead.
Thorn blocks a body shot from Brunson.

Brunson is fighting off a takedown attempt but Thorn is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Brunson to the mat. Brunson regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Brunson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Brunson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Brunson wants to pass to mount but Thorn is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brunson looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Thorn looks like he's trying to stand up.
Brunson stalling.
Thorn is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Brunson trying to control the pace.
Thorn is trying to stand back up but Brunson is controlling him
Brunson is looking to pass Thorn's guard but actually Thorn recovers to full guard.
Thorn is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Doyle Brunson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Damien Thorn's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Thorn uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Brunson.
Brunson avoids the head kick by Thorn.
Brunson throws out a counter right but Thorn avoids it with no problem.
Thorn finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Thorn tests Brunson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Brunson misses with a looping right.
Brunson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Thorn dodges the punch combination from Brunson.
It looked like Thorn wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A thudding body kick lands there by Thorn!
Thorn darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Thorn shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Brunson pinned against the cage. Brunson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thorn uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Brunson.
Thorn cracks the inside of Brunson's front leg.
Brunson scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Brunson rushes Thorn and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Thorn struggles to land a body shot inside as Brunson controls his hands.
Brunson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Damien Thorn's cut is getting worse.
Brunson lands an uppercut.
Thorn avoids a wild elbow strike from Brunson.
Thorn tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Brunson avoids it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Brunson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Thorn takes an elbow to the temple.
Brunson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
A shot in the inside from Thorn.
Thorn is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Brunson is defending well.
Thorn goes for a takedown attempt but Brunson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damien Thorn. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thorn moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thorn scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Thorn gets a takedown into half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Brunson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Thorn wants to lay and pray for a moment but Brunson keeps working.
Brunson is doing well to control the position and prevent Thorn from advancing to side control.
Thorn throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Brunson works his way to full guard. Good work.
Brunson pulls Thorn in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brunson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thorn is one step ahead there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thorn controls from within his opponent's guard.
Brunson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Thorn.
Thorn landing some decent shots from guard.
Thorn is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Brunson trying to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Brunson looking for a sweep. Not yet Brunson, not yet.
Brunson looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Thorn closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Thorn throws a strike aimed at the side of Brunson's head but Brunson avoids it well.
Brunson trying to remain calm as Thorn controls from the top position.
Brunson holds on to Thorn's head and controls the position momentarily.
Thorn taking a breather here.
Thorn is looking to take a break and control but Brunson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Damien Thorn dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Damien Thorn's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Brunson lands a jab-cross combination.
A head kick misses from Brunson.
Thorn tries to land a leg kick but Brunson saw it coming and moves away.
A chopping leg kick lands by Thorn.
Thorn lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Thorn looks for a takedown but Brunson sprawls well.
Brunson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Thorn misses with a double jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice body punch from Thorn.
Thorn thows a left - swing and a miss!

Brunson lands a big head kick that sends Thorn tumbling to the mat! Brunson takes a step backwards and waves Thorn back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Thorn is rocked!
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!
Thorn shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Oh Thorn is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Thorn is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Thorn fails to land the takedown.
Thorn seems to have got his legs back now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brunson needs to keep his hands up - Thorn had a free shot at his head there.
Brunson tries to clinch up but Thorn circles away and keeps his distance.
Brunson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Thorn throws a body shot but no joy.
Brunson wants to clinch.
Brunson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Damien Thorn's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Brunson swings for the body but Thorn moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Brunson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brunson misses with an uppercut. Thorn saw that one coming.
Brunson wants to clinch.
Brunson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
A good leg kick by Thorn.
Brunson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Thorn swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Thorn slips a straight right by Brunson.
Brunson looks to throw the jab but Thorn is out of range.
Thorn appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Thorn lands a right hook to the body.
Thorn connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thorn fails with the takedown.
Brunson tries to counter by closing the distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damien Thorn. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brunson tries to clinch up but Thorn circles away and keeps his distance.
Thorn throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Brunson moves into range and clinches up with Thorn.
Brunson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Thorn.

Thorn manages to break the clinch.
Brunson closes the distance but Thorn moves to the side
and Thorn counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Thorn lands a high kick!
Thorn uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Brunson.
Brunson moves out of range as Thorn throws a body kick.
Brunson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Thorn throws a head kick that misses.
Thorn swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brunson misses with a looping left.
A nice leg kick lands there from Thorn.
Thorn feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Brunsons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Damien Thorn is winning the standup battle so far.
Brunson misses with a right hand
and Thorn counters with a nice low kick that buckles Brunson's knee momentarily.
Brunson fails to land with a series of punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A swing and a miss from Thorn.
Thorn tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Brunson is looking to clinch but Thorn is avoiding it.
Brunson misses the shot to the body.
Brunson cracks Thorn with an open hand slap.
Thorn misses with a low kick.
Brunson misses the shot to the body.
Thorn swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Thorn gets tackled into the cage by Brunson. Brunson maintains the clinch.
Brunson takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Doyle Brunson has been cut.
Brunson lands on the inside with an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Doyle Brunson just about did enough to take it.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Brunson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Thorn can pounce on him.
Brunson is looking to clinch.
Some bone on bone action there as Brunson checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Thorn takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Brunson missing with a left hand there. Thorn was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Brunson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Brunson tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Thorn connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Brunson moves in looking to clinch but Thorn pushes him off.
Brunson throws a hook but Thorn blocks it.
That kick from Thorn tenderised Brunson's leg. Brunson is trying to keep his angry face on.
A swing and a miss from Brunson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thorn keeps the fight on the outside.
Thorn tried to counter with a leg kick but Brunson avoided it.
Brunson misses with a hook.
Brunson lands a slapping body shot.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorn lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Brunson backwards.

Thorn breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Thorn misses with a looping left.
Brunson connects with a body shot that sends Thorn's belly button to the back.

Brunson clinches up with Thorn and pushes him back against the cage.
Brunson scores with a shoulder strike.

Thorn breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Thorn lands a nice hook to Brunson's body. Brunson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Brunson throws a big shot that misses.
A big left from Thorn misses.
Thorn connects with a solid leg kick.
A head kick misses from Brunson.
Brunson works Thorn's body with a nice hook.
Thorn throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brunson tries to clinch there but Thorn circles away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Brunson lands with a kick to the temple. Thorn shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Thorn throws a chopping leg kick but Brunson manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Brunson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Thorn moves out of range as Brunson strikes.
Thorn swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Brunson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Thorn.

Brunson rushes Thorn and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Thorn goes for a takedown in the clinch but Brunson prevents it.
Thorn swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Thorn avoids a wild elbow strike from Brunson.
Brunson pushes Thorn back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Thorn drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damien Thorn. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brunson misses with a body punch.
Brunson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Thorn breaks from the clinch.
Brunson swings for the body but Thorn moves out of range.
Brunson swings for the body but Thorn moves out of range.
Thorn paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Thorn 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 Brunson has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Brunson and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Brunson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Thorn avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Brunson misses with a wild body shot.

Thorn throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Brunson tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Thorn is in Brunson's guard.
Thorn trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thorn postures up and lands a big shot to Brunson's brow.
Brunson pulls Thorn in close to his closed guard and prevents Thorn from doing any damage or advancing position.
Thorn throwing strikes but missing.
Thorn postures up in Brunson's guard and throws a big left but Brunson blocks it.
Thorn working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Brunson's head.
Thorn missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Damien Thorn overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Thorn is looking to work some ground and pound but Brunson has wrist control.
Thorn scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Damien Thorn will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Brunson wants to clinch.
Brunson throws a sloppy head kick and Thorn moves out of range easily.
Thorn shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Brunson but Brunson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Thorn throws a nice inside leg kick.
Thorn feints and then cracks Brunson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Brunson down.
Brunson stuffs the takedown.
Brunson throws a big counter head kick but Thorn avoids it with no problem.
Brunson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brunson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Thorn throws a nice inside leg kick.
Brunson misses with an uppercut. Thorn saw that one coming.
Brunson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Thorn tests Brunson's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorn will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Thorn tests Brunson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Brunson misses with a body shot.
A head kick misses from Brunson.
Brunson paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Brunson throws a hook to the side of Thorn's head but Thorn sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Thorn attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Nice jab there from Brunson.
Thorn connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Brunson gets a clinch.
Brunson misses with a body punch.
Brunson can't find room to land a body shot as Thorn controls the action.
Brunson misses with an elbow over the top.
Brunson struggles to land a body shot inside as Thorn controls his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brunson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Brunson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Doyle Brunson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Brunson stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Brunson misses with an elbow over the top.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thorn prevents a body shot from Brunson.
Brunson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Thorn drops down looking for an ankle pick but Brunson pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damien Thorn. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thorn slips a straight right by Brunson.
Brunson swings for the body but Thorn moves out of range.
Thorn looks to score with a jab to the body but Brunson is just out of range.
Thorn blocks a jab.
Brunson slaps away a takedown attempt from Thorn, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorn doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Brunson darts in and clinches Thorn up against the cage.
Thorn misses with a body punch.
Brunson tries a body shot but Thorn blocks it.
Brunson throws an elbow but it misses.
Brunson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Thorn is looking for a takedown.
Thorn avoids a wild elbow strike from Brunson.
Brunson misses with an elbow strike.

Thorn breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Brunson misses with a wild body shot.
Thorn throws out a leg kick but Brunson moves out of range and Thorn only half commits.
Brunson takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Brunson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Thorn looks to land a left hand but Brunson moved out of range nicely.
Thorn steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Brunson.
Thorn misses with a looping right.
A cross from Thorn lands.
Brunson throws a lazy uppercut
and Thorn cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Thorn tries to bum rush Brunson with a series of wild strikes but Brunson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Brunson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Thorn throws a big counter combination but Brunson scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Brunson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Thorn avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Thorn defending well as Brunson loads up on a big left hand.
Thorn throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Brunson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Doyle Brunson.
I think Brunson 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 46:49
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 46:49
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 47:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Doyle Brunson!
Doyle Brunson is the new heavyweight champion!
A very excited looking Doyle Brunson rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.