PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Theophile Bonnet (ranked 6122 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wen Chou (ranked 6121 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Bonnet
vs
Chou

168 cm
20
191 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
21
192 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Theophile Bonnet!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Wen Chou!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Bart Greer and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bonnet drives through and clinches with Chou against the cage.
Chou tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Bonnet smiles and moves away.

Bonnet pushes Chou up against the cage in a clinch.
Bonnet just leaning against Chou, taking a breather.
Bonnet tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Bonnet has Chou pushed against the cage.
Bonnet really is a fat lump.
Chou tries for a takedown but Bonnet manages to get underhooks.
Bonnet tries to pull guard but Chou won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bonnet is trying to break the clinch but Chou has him pressed against the cage.

Chou pulls Bonnet into guard.
Bonnet is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bonnet stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Chou swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bonnet stands and throws Chou's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Bonnet stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Bonnet stuffs the takedown.
Theophile Bonnet has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wen Chou.
Bonnet throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bonnet tries to bum rush Chou with a series of wild strikes but Chou uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Chou changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Chou lands a high kick!

It looks like Theophile Bonnet has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chou shoots in for a takedown but Bonnet shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Bonnet gets caught flat footed, as Chou shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Bonnet pushes Chou off and scrambles back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bonnet doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Chou shoots in for a takedown but Bonnet shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Chou.
Bonnet takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Bonnet tries for a takedown but Chou sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Bonnet manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Chou on his heels. He'll look to pass Chou's guard now, I'm sure.
Chou has momentary wrist control but Bonnet slips an elbow through the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bonnet decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Bonnet fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Chou tries a quick counter leg kick but Bonnet is wise to it.
Chou scores with a head kick. Bonnet tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Chou jabs Bonnet to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Bonnet tries to clinch but Chou is having none of it.
Chou keeps Bonnet at a distance using the push kick.

Chou has managed to clinch.
Bonnet looking for a takedown.
Bonnet wants a takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for Chou to work.
Chou tries to score a body lock takedown but Bonnet shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Chou is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Bonnet pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Chou tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Chou is trying to break the clinch but Bonnet is controlling him.

Chou's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bonnet circles away from the clinch attempt.
Chou shoots in but Bonnet avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Chou closes the distance and clinches up with Bonnet, looking for a takedown. Chou pushes Bonnet against the cage but Bonnet circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Chou tries to clinch but Bonnet moves away
and Bonnet counters with a left to the body.
Chou looks winded!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Bonnet shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Chou wants to get back to his feet but Bonnet passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Theophile Bonnet dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Theophile Bonnet's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Chou is defended easily by Bonnet.
Bonnet fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Bonnet shoots in and drives through. Chou sprawls well.
Bonnet shoots for a takedown but Chou saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Theophile Bonnet. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chou throws a right hand that Bonnet ducks under and follows up with a left that Bonnet also avoids with ease.
As Chou tries to get set, Bonnet tries to push him back and clinch up but Chou manages to avoid the attempt.

Chou tries to keep at a distance but Bonnet has taken the fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Chou escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bonnet misses the jab.
Chou shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Chou drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Bonnet throws Chou to one side and escapes!
Theophile Bonnet is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Chou tries to close the distance and clinch but Bonnet swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bonnet is looking to counter the offense by Chou and move into the clinch.
Chou changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bonnet tries to avoid it but Chou manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bonnet to the ground. Bonnet escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Chou lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Chou is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bonnet throws a head kick but Chou moves out of range.

Chou tries to sprawl but Bonnet drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Well, if Bonnet is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Bonnet trying to mount his opponent but Chou defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chou wants to get back to full guard.
Chou is pressing down on Bonnet's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Bonnet stays in close to Chou's body and controls the position.

Chou has an active guard here but Bonnet has managed to pass into half guard.
Still in half guard, Bonnet seems content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonnet's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Bonnet gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Nice takedown defense from Bonnet. No joy for Chou on that attempt.
An attempted straight right counter from Bonnet misses the target.
A nice leg kick lands there from Chou.
Bonnet throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bonnet avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Chou gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Bonnet to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Bonnet advances to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Bonnet is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Bonnet decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Chou scores with a jab. Bonnet acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Chou keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Bonnet throws a right and a left that both miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Theophile Bonnet dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Theophile Bonnet's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Bonnet drives through with a takedown into guard.

Bonnet decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Chou, up you get!

Chou clinches with his opponent.
Chou jumps guard but Bonnet turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Bonnet is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Chou can do to turn this around?
Chou being controlled against the cage.

Chou breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chou fails to land the takedown.
Wen Chou seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bonnet misses with a wild body shot.
Chou is looking for the big counter here.

Bonnet rushes Chou and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Bonnet is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chou prevents the takedown attempt.

Chou drags the fight down to the ground.

Chou looking for a guillotine here but Bonnet defends easily.
Bonnet sitting in guard here, content to control.

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.
Bonnet seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Chou for as long as he can get away with.
Chou working a defensive guard but Bonnet passes into half guard.
Bonnet landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Bonnet in particular looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bonnet is working for a submission of some sort.
Theophile Bonnet overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bonnet wants to pass the guard but Chou is defending well.
Bonnet seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

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.

Bonnet gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Chou is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Chou closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bonnet circles away.
Theophile Bonnet has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wen Chou.
Bonnet shoots in looking for a takedown. Chou tries to sprawl out of it but Bonnet keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Chou manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Bonnet misses with a takedown attempt
and Chou counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Bonnet fails with a takedown attempt.
Wen Chou has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Theophile Bonnet is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Chou goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Theophile Bonnet.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bonnet, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 David Hoff scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Theophile Bonnet!