PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Thiago (ranked 2767 p4p, 374 weight class) and Alex Minasian (ranked 5414 p4p, 602 weight class). Minasian has chosen Ara Gevorgyan - Artsakh as his entrance music. 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.

Thiago
vs
Minasian

193 cm
23
215 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

189 cm
21
208 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Thiago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alex Minasian!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thiago takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Thiago connects with a single shot there.
Thiago looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Thiago fails in his attempt to clinch.
Thiago jabs at Minasian's body.
Thiago moves out of range of the strikes.
Thiago throws a leg kick which misses Minasian's front leg but catches the back leg as Minasian tries to avoid it.
A telegraphed right hand from Minasian misses the target.
Minasian throws a jab when Thiago was well out of range.
Minasian turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Minasian moves out of range as Thiago throws a body kick.
Thiago Thiago seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thiago steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Minasian.
Minasian has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Thiago misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Thiago is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Thiago misses with a hook.
Thiago takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A looping hook to the body misses from Minasian. Thiago does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thiago throws a push kick but Minasian slaps the foot to one side.
Minasian looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nice uppercut there from Minasian.
Thiago scores with a hook to the body. Minasian takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Thiago looks for the body kick but Minasian saw that one coming.
Minasian appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Minasian throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Crunch! Thiago slams his shin into Minasian's torso.
Thiago walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Minasian checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Minasian let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Minasian blocks a head kick by Thiago.
Minasian checks the leg kick nicely there.
Minasian fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Thiago on the side of the head.
Thiago lands a nice leg kick that just misses Minasian's sensitive parts.
Minasian takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Thiago throws a head kick that misses.
Minasian only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Minasian misses the body punch

and Thiago holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Minasian swings wildly with an uppercut but Thiago uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thiago prevents a body shot from Minasian.
Minasian blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Thiago digs a right hand underneath Minasian's ribcage. Minasian let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Thiago tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Thiago goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Thiago.
Minasian is trying to break the clinch but Thiago is controlling him.
Minasian misses with a body punch.
Minasian swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Minasian doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Minasian lands with a right to the head.
Thiago swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Thiago struggles to land a body shot inside as Minasian controls his hands.
Minasian tries to work over Thiago's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Minasian misses with a hook to the ribs.
Thiago goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Thiago has Minasian pressed against the cage, preventing Minasian from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Thiago blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Minasian.
Thiago fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Thiago tries to work over Minasian's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Thiago lands an uppercut.
Minasian misses with some punches.
Minasian tries to work over Thiago's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Thiago lands a body punch.
Thiago lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A short uppercut from Minasian.
Thiago blocking some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Minasian.
Minasian scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Thiago throws a head punch that misses.
Minasian struggles to land a body shot inside as Thiago controls his hands.
Thiago working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Minasian misses with a punch on the inside.
Thiago blocking some punches.
Minasian is trying to break free.
Thiago tries to throw a body punch but Minasian avoids it by throwing Thiago back against the cage.
Minasian throws a punch but it's blocked by Thiago.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minasian fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thiago pushes off an throws an elbow but Minasian leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Thiago working aggressively here.
Minasian lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Minasian misses with a short punch on the inside.
Thiago goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Thiago struggles to land a body shot inside as Minasian controls his hands.
Thiago prevents a body shot from Minasian.
Thiago throws a punch but it's blocked by Minasian.
A short uppercut from Thiago.
Minasian blocking some punches.
Thiago blocking some punches.
Minasian tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Thiago swings wildly with an uppercut but Minasian uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thiago stalling.

Thiago pulls Minasian into guard.

Minasian decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Thiago tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Minasian was well out of range. Poor timing from Thiago.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Thiago Thiago will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Thiago tries to clinch there but Minasian circles away.
Thiago throws a leg kick that is checked
and Minasian connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Minasian missing with a left hand there. Thiago was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A quick step to the side and Thiago tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Thiago connects with a looping right hand.
Minasian throws the left hand but Thiago avoids the punch easily.
Thiago fails in his attempt to clinch.
Despite the aggression on Minasian's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Thiago drops his hands momentarily and Minasian takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Thiago turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Minasian closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Thiago bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Thiago darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thiago motions for Minasian to come forward. Thiago throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Minasian misses the shot to the body.
Thiago thumps Minasian with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thiago misses with a body kick.
Minasian uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thiago.
Minasian throws out a leg kick but Thiago moves out of range and Minasian only half commits.
Thiago misses with a body shot.
Minasian does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Thiago lands with a nice body punch.
Thiago moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Thiago looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Minasian throws a head kick that half lands.
Minasian misses with a series of wild punches.
Thiago lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thiago throws a low kick but it's checked well by Minasian.
Thiago misses with a body shot
and Minasian cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Thiago keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Minasian fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Thiago scores with a nice body kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Minasian displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Thiago throws out the jab.
Minasian only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Thiago tries to clinch but Minasian moves out of range.
Thiago blocks a low kick nicely.
Nice shot by Minasian.
Thiago throws a front kick that sends Minasian stumbling back into the cage.
Thiago moves out of range of the body kick.
Minasian on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Thiago. Thiago obviously looking to wear him down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minasian connects with a good right hand that stumbles Thiago. Thiago circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Thiago on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Thiago misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Minasian throws out a loose jab but Thiago uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thiago jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Minasian moves forwards but Thiago connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Thiago lunges at Minasian with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Minasian's hand.
Minasian misses with an uppercut. Thiago saw that one coming.
Thiago throws a body kick that misses.
Thiago throws a body punch but Minasian moves out of range.
Thiago scoring well with a low kick there.
Thiago Thiago is winning the standup battle so far.
Minasian throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Thiago takes a swing at Minasian's ribcage but misses.
Thiago is looking to wear down Minasian with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Minasian uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Thiago.
A big left from Thiago misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thiago swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Minasian! But no joy.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Minasian!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thiago scores with a spinning back kick!
Thiago connects with an inside leg kick.
Minasian ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Thiago moves away.
Minasian moves out of range of the body kick.
Minasian let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Thiago throws a quick inside leg kick.
Minasian throws out a leg kick but Thiago moves out of range and Minasian only half commits.
Minasian explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Thiago moves forwards but Minasian connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Thiago scoring well with a low kick there.
Thiago ducks under a wild hook from Minasian.
Minasian looks to land a combination but Thiago avoids it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alex Minasian will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Thiago checks the leg kick.
Thiago throws a leg kick but Minasian checks it.
Minasian takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Thiago lands a nice looking body kick.
Thiago misses with a kick to the body.
And Minasian responds with a good body kick, but Thiago manages to step out the way in time.
Minasian has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Thiago.
Thiago wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Thiago throws a low kick but Minasian avoids it.
Thiago fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Minasian checks it well.
Thiago pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thiago scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Thiago slips under a jab from Minasian.
Minasian throws a series of punches but Thiago moves out of range.
Minasian takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Minasian's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Minasian throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thiago walks into a left hand.
Minasian gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Minasian rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Thiago moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Thiago fakes the leg kick and cracks Minasian in the body.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Thiago.
Thiago misses with a body kick.
Thiago takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Minasian takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Minasian.
Thiago throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Thiago lands a leg kick that knocks Minasian off balance momentarily.
Thiago clobbers Minasian with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Minasian blocks the body kick.
Thiago delivers a nice body kick.
Minasian blocks a low kick nicely.
Thiago swings for the body but Minasian moves out of range.
A countering left hand to the body from Minasian misses.
Thiago throws a leg kick
and Minasian counters with a stiff right hand.
Minasian scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Thiago paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A nice combination there by Minasian.
Minasian lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Minasian looks to land a body kick but Thiago moved away.
Thiago fails in his attempt to clinch.
Minasian tries to land a front kick but Thiago steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Minasian tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Thiago.
Minasian on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Thiago wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Thiago moves away from the strike by Minasian.
Minasian throws a left and a right that both miss
and Thiago counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A big left from Minasian misses.
Minasian takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Minasian misses with a looping right.
Thiago misses with a wild body shot.
Minasian lands with a thumping leg kick.
Thiago throws a wild body kick that Minasian sees coming a mile off.
It seemed like Minasian was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Thiago tries to work over Minasian's front leg with a kick but Minasian checks it.
Thiago misses with a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minasian swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Minasian moves out of range of the strikes.
Minasian counters with a body kick.
Minasian is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Thiago.
Minasian throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Thiago counters with a leg kick.
Thiago throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Thiago blocks a head kick by Minasian.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Minasian cracks Thiago with a right hand to the side of the head.
Minasian moves out of range of the body kick from Thiago.
Thiago thumps Minasian with a low kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Minasian checks a leg kick.
Thiago lands with a good body shot.
Thiago bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Minasian's head backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thiago Thiago showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Thiago has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thiago Thiago!
During a confident post fight interview, Thiago Thiago thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.