PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ignatius Thistlewhite (ranked 1993 p4p, 203 weight class) and Wilner Fatiman (ranked 2716 p4p, 247 weight class). Fatiman has chosen Zion Train as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Thistlewhite
vs
Fatiman

175 cm
22
152 lbs
7 - 8 - 0

173 cm
24
147 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ignatius Thistlewhite!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wilner Fatiman!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Wagner Zegers and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thistlewhite circles away from the clinch attempt.
It looked like Thistlewhite was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Thistlewhite shoots in for a double leg but Fatiman sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Thistlewhite darts in looking for a takedown but Fatiman gets double underhooks and turns Thistlewhite into the cage.
Thistlewhite swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Thistlewhite has been working on his balance at Rabid Dog , so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Fatiman.
Thistlewhite tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Thistlewhite tries for a takedown but Fatiman manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ignatius Thistlewhite. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fatiman lands a nice knee to the body.
Fatiman avoiding damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thistlewhite is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fatiman is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Thistlewhite on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Thistlewhite goes for a takedown in the clinch but Fatiman prevents it.
Thistlewhite is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Thistlewhite is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Fatiman pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Thistlewhite tries for a takedown but Fatiman manages to get underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Thistlewhite is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Fatiman tries for a takedown. No joy.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Fatiman is pressed up against the cage. Thistlewhite has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Fatiman down to the mat. Fatiman avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Thistlewhite moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Fatiman gets a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thistlewhite drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Fatiman gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Thistlewhite breaks from the clinch.

Thistlewhite closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Fatiman avoiding damage.
Thistlewhite is trying to drag Fatiman to the mat but Fatiman just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's four 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.
Thistlewhite is trying to drag Fatiman to the mat but Fatiman just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Fatiman wants a takedown.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fatiman is pressed up against the cage. Thistlewhite has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Fatiman down to the mat. Fatiman avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Fatiman drives through and clinches with Thistlewhite against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wilner Fatiman dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Fatiman tries to clinch but Thistlewhite moves out of range.

Fatiman tries to keep at a distance but Thistlewhite has taken the fight into the clinch.

Thistlewhite's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Fatiman closes the distance and pushes Thistlewhite back into the cage.

Thistlewhite has Fatiman pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Thistlewhite pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Fatiman tumbling to the mat - Thistlewhite dives into Fatiman's guard.
Our spies down at at Tayne's 4d3d3d3 Gym inform us that Fatiman has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Fatiman keeping moving, preventing Thistlewhite from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thistlewhite wants to pass the guard but Fatiman is keeping the position.

Fatiman has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Thistlewhite can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Thistlewhite won't allow Fatiman to sweep him here.
Thistlewhite stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Fatiman swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thistlewhite throwing strikes but missing.

Fatiman working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Thistlewhite doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Thistlewhite manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thistlewhite keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Fatiman's head.
Fatiman keeping moving, preventing Thistlewhite from controlling successfully.
Thistlewhite pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fatiman is keeping the position for now.
Fatiman looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thistlewhite is one step ahead there.

Fatiman has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Thistlewhite can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Fatiman really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Thistlewhite. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Thistlewhite gets to his feet - Fatiman follows without any prompting.
Fatiman fails with the takedown

and Thistlewhite holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Fatiman is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Thistlewhite can't get the takedown.
Thistlewhite goes for a takedown attempt but Fatiman pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ignatius Thistlewhite. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fatiman is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Thistlewhite looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Thistlewhite misses with a two punch combination.
Sloppy strikes from Thistlewhite. Those never looked like landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fatiman shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Thistlewhite pinned against the cage. Thistlewhite gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Thistlewhite fails with the takedown.
Fatiman is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Thistlewhite fails with a takedown attempt.
Fatiman will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Thistlewhite misses with a wild combination.
Wilner Fatiman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fatiman shoots in and drives through. Thistlewhite sprawls well.
A head kick misses from Thistlewhite.
Thistlewhite fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice sprawl there from Thistlewhite as Fatiman shoots in.

Fatiman drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Fatiman controls the position.
Thistlewhite is not content to let Fatiman control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Fatiman is looking to take a break and control but Thistlewhite is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Fatiman working the ground and pound but Thistlewhite is defending the strikes.
Thistlewhite sneaks back into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fatiman wants to control but Thistlewhite is keeping him busy.

Fatiman seems to be looking for submissions.
Fatiman prevents Thistlewhite from improving his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thistlewhite misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Thistlewhite moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Thistlewhite is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ignatius Thistlewhite dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

A punch combination from Thistlewhite misses.
Fatiman tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Thistlewhite manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Fatiman pushes Thistlewhite up against the cage in a clinch.
Fatiman is trying to drag Thistlewhite to the mat but Thistlewhite just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Fatiman gets a trip takedown into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thistlewhite is holding on to half guard well.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Thistlewhite is looking for a sweep. Fatiman is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Thistlewhite looks like he's trying to stand up.
Thistlewhite keeping control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Fatiman there.
Thistlewhite is looking for a sweep. Fatiman is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ground and pound from Fatiman.
Thistlewhite has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Fatiman is working away from the top position though.

Fatiman wants to work for an arm triangle but Thistlewhite is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Thistlewhite trying to control but Fatiman postures up.
Fatiman is pressing down on Thistlewhite's thigh, looking to free his foot. Thistlewhite is holding on for now.

Thistlewhite looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Thistlewhite wants to get back to his feet.

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

Thistlewhite looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thistlewhite tries to get to full guard but Fatiman has control of the leg.

Thistlewhite kicks Fatiman off and gets back to his feet.

Fatiman closes the distance and clinches.

Thistlewhite has Fatiman pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Thistlewhite pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Fatiman tumbling to the mat - Thistlewhite dives into Fatiman's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fatiman tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Thistlewhite trying to control the position from guard on top but Fatiman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fatiman looking to control.
Thistlewhite passes Fatiman's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Fatiman tries to get to full guard but Thistlewhite has control of the leg.

Thistlewhite is looking for a kimura but Fatiman is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Thistlewhite to get the leverage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thistlewhite prevents Fatiman from improving his position.
Thistlewhite tries to pass the half guard into mount. Fatiman knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Thistlewhite landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Thistlewhite thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Fatiman is pressing down on Thistlewhite's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Fatiman keeping moving, preventing Thistlewhite from controlling successfully.
Thistlewhite preventing the sweep.
Fatiman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Thistlewhite.

Thistlewhite stands and steps away. Fatiman gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Fatiman is looking to clinch but Thistlewhite is avoiding it.
Thistlewhite throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Fatiman.

Fatiman closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Thistlewhite is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Fatiman pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fatiman is trying to drag Thistlewhite to the mat but Thistlewhite just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thistlewhite is trying to trip Fatiman. He has hold of a leg but Fatiman is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Thistlewhite persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Thistlewhite missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Fatiman looking to control.
Thistlewhite slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Thistlewhite tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Thistlewhite has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Thistlewhite is trying to get an arm triangle but Fatiman is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ignatius Thistlewhite showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Thistlewhite has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ignatius Thistlewhite!
Ignatius Thistlewhite seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.