PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Luzhin (ranked 1164 p4p, 154 weight class) and Terrence Thornton (ranked 1349 p4p, 179 weight class). Luzhin's entrance music is The time has come.... A fine choice. Thornton is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Pusha T - Exodus 23:1. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Luzhin
vs
Thornton

181 cm
39
174 lbs
33 - 17 - 3

187 cm
39
178 lbs
23 - 9 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

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 33 - 17 - 3, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nikolai Luzhin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Terrence Thornton!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Luzhin drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Thornton has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
A swing and a miss from Luzhin.
A low kick from Thornton is predictable there
and Luzhin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Thornton misses with a body shot.
Luzhin wants to clinch up but Thornton keeps it at a distance.
Thornton tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thornton misses with a hook.
Luzhin misses with a body shot.
Thornton misses with an uppercut.
Luzhin misses with a head kick.
Thornton let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Luzhin throws a hook but Thornton avoids it easily.
Decent striking displayed by Thornton there.
Luzhin misses with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thornton lands a jab to the head.
Thornton throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Luzhin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Thornton misses with a wild body shot.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Luzhin - that will leave a mark!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Luzhin thuds his shin into the meat of Thornton's side.
Thornton digs a good hook to Luzhin's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thornton on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Thornton avoids the body shot from Luzhin.
Thornton lands a nice hook to Luzhin's body. Luzhin takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Luzhin lands with a thumping leg kick.
Luzhin scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Thornton goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Thornton looks to land a right hand but Luzhin moved out of range.
Luzhin jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Terrence Thornton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Luzhin throws a wild body kick that Thornton sees coming a mile off.
Luzhin throws an overhand right that lands on Thornton's shoulder, as Thornton tries to avoid the shot.
Luzhin moves out of range of the strikes.
Luzhin looks to land a body kick but Thornton moved away.
Thornton throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Luzhin looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Luzhin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Thornton was well out of range. Poor timing from Luzhin.
A countering left hand to the body from Thornton misses.
Luzhin misses the shot to the body.
Thornton swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Thornton scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luzhin steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Thornton.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A jab lands there for Thornton.

Thornton shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Luzhin is trying to defend but Thornton finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Thornton is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Thornton is working for a kimura but Luzhin is defending it quite comfortably.
Luzhin is staying active underneath Thornton, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thornton is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Luzhin wants to control but Thornton is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Thornton winds up and cracks Luzhin with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Thornton missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Thornton trying to control the action but Luzhin is working from the bottom.
Thornton thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Luzhin's head.
Thornton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Luzhin keeps working.
Thornton missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Luzhin is holding on to half guard well.
Thornton is trying to control. Luzhin wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Thornton is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Luzhin defends it well.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Thornton sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Luzhin defending well though.
Thornton thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Luzhin's head.
Thornton working over Luzhin with some ground and pound. Luzhin looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Thornton is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Luzhin defends it well.
Thornton thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Luzhin's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Thornton misses with a wild body shot.
Thornton throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Thornton throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Luzhin throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Thornton stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Luzhin drops his hands momentarily and Thornton takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Thornton staying out of range there.
Luzhin is looking to wear down Thornton with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Luzhin tries to clinch but Thornton is having none of it.
A shot to the liver by Thornton. Beautiful body shot.
Luzhin looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Thornton with the counter takedown but Luzhin avoids it easily.
Thornton throws a jab but it's blocked by Luzhin.
A counter left hand to the body from Luzhin misses its target.
Luzhin slips under a jab from Thornton.
Luzhin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Thornton.
Luzhin appears to be looking for a big counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luzhin moves out of range of the strikes.
Thornton throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Thornton jabs Luzhin to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Thornton looks to land a right hand but Luzhin moved out of range.
Luzhin misses the shot to the body.
Nikolai Luzhin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thornton lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Thornton shoots in but no luck this time.
Thornton swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Luzhin.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Thornton.
Luzhin misses with a wild body shot.
Thornton connects with a body shot.
Luzhin's corner calls for a 1-2. Luzhin obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Luzhin missing with a left hand there. Thornton was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Luzhin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thornton.
Luzhin doesn't manage to clinch there - Thornton circles away.
Thornton looks to land a body kick but Luzhin moved away.
Luzhin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Thornton.
Luzhin throws a shot from downtown. Thornton moves away and avoids it.
Thornton dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Thornton takes one on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thornton takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Luzhin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Thornton.
Thornton lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Luzhin at a distance.
Thornton dives in for a single leg takedown but Luzhin sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Nikolai Luzhin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Terrence Thornton.
Thornton lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Luzhin throws a leg kick that is checked
and Thornton counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Thornton takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Luzhin lands with a hook. Thornton tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Thornton throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Thornton just misses with a punch to the body.
Luzhin lands a jab to the head.
Luzhin moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Thornton pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Luzhin stuffs the takedown attempt from Thornton. Thornton gets slowly back to his feet.
Luzhin was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Luzhin swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luzhin tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Terrence Thornton seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Thornton connects with a body shot that sends Luzhin's belly button to the back.
Nice takedown defense from Luzhin. No joy for Thornton on that attempt.
Thornton uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Luzhin.
Thornton keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Luzhin.
Thornton misses with a looping left.
Thornton slips a jab from Luzhin.
Thornton fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Luzhin on the side of the head.
Luzhin misses with a body kick.
Luzhin throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Luzhin misses with a body shot.
Thornton takes a kick to the side of the head.
Luzhin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thornton.
Thornton throws a body punch but Luzhin moves out of range.
Thornton jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Luzhin throws a quick counter kick to the body but Thornton avoids it.
Luzhin takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thornton tries to close the distance and clinch up but Luzhin swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Luzhin blocks the body kick.
Luzhin throws a big shot that misses.
Luzhin tries to clinch up.
Luzhin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thornton fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Luzhin manages to avoid it.
Thornton looks to score with a jab to the body but Luzhin is just out of range.
Luzhin takes a swing at Thornton's ribcage but misses.
A cross from Thornton lands.
Thornton connects with a good right hand that stumbles Luzhin. Luzhin circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Luzhin thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Thornton if he has to take too many more of those.
Thornton looks to score with a jab to the body but Luzhin is just out of range.
Thornton swings for the body but Luzhin moves out of range.
Thornton takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Thornton keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Terrence Thornton will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Thornton tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Luzhin defends well and Thornton ends up having to push Luzhin into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
It looked like Luzhin wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Luzhin keeps Thornton at a distance using the push kick.
Luzhin's jab looks to have found its range, popping Thornton under the eye.
The fighters circling - Luzhin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Thornton misses with a straight right.
Thornton tests Luzhin's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Thornton punishes Luzhin's body with a nice straight punch.
Thornton throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Luzhin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Luzhin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Luzhin lands with a kick to the ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luzhin throws a low kick, looking for Thornton's leg but Thornton calmly moves out of range.
Thornton tries for a takedown but Luzhin circles away easily
and Luzhin counters with a nice uppercut.
Thornton takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
A big right from Thornton misses.
Thornton has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Luzhin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luzhin dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Luzhin lands a leg kick that knocks Thornton off balance momentarily.
Thornton misses with a straight left.
A big right from Luzhin misses.
Thornton throws a hook but Luzhin avoids it easily.
Thornton rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Thornton takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Luzhin jabs at Thornton's body.
Luzhin is looking to land body kicks.
Thornton on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A telegraphed right hand from Luzhin misses the target.
Thornton thuds a left hand into Luzhin's body.
Thornton throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Luzhin stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Luzhin lands with a thumping leg kick.
Luzhin wants to clinch up but Thornton keeps it at a distance.
Thornton jabs Luzhin to the body, keeping him at a distance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Thornton.
Nikolai Luzhin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Terrence Thornton.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luzhin misses with a body shot.
It seemed like Thornton was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Thornton throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Luzhin avoids the body shot from Thornton.
It looked like Luzhin wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Thornton connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Thornton moves out of range of the body kick from Luzhin.
Thornton looks to land a left hand but Luzhin moved out of range nicely.
Luzhin cracks the inside of Thornton's front leg.
Luzhin scores with a sloppy right hand. Thornton should have avoided that one.
Thornton jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Thornton misses the shot to the body.
Thornton misses with a wild body shot.
Luzhin throws a nice inside leg kick.
Luzhin steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Thornton.
Luzhin lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thornton fails with a takedown attempt.
Luzhin is looking to counter with a body kick.
Nice straight punches there by Thornton. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Thornton.
Luzhin lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Luzhin scores with a jab to the body.
Nikolai Luzhin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Luzhin lands with a good body shot.
Thornton swings for the body but Luzhin moves out of range.
Thornton closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Luzhin takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Luzhin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Thornton.
Thornton looks to land a right hand but Luzhin moved out of range.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Luzhin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thornton moves out of range as Luzhin throws a body kick.
Luzhin misses with an uppercut.
Luzhin tests Thornton's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Thornton throws a front kick aimed at Luzhin's knee but Luzhin avoids it well.
Thornton takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Luzhin takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Luzhin throws a wild body kick that Thornton sees coming a mile off.
Thornton swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A jab from Thornton misses.
Thornton takes a swing at Luzhin's ribcage but misses.
A thudding body kick lands there by Luzhin!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Luzhin.
Thornton fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thornton. Luzhin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Luzhin lands with a nice body kick.
Terrence Thornton is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Thornton clinches up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolai Luzhin showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Thornton 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Terrence Thornton!
Terrence Thornton decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.