PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joseph OByrne (ranked 749 p4p, 84 weight class) and Thomas Power (ranked 1207 p4p, 136 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

OByrne
vs
Power

175 cm
27
159 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

168 cm
28
149 lbs
17 - 12 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

BuriedAlive// Fight Gear

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 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Joseph OByrne!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 12 - 1, fighting out of London, Thomas Power!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Felipe Paraventi and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Power drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Power checks the leg kick nicely there.
An inside leg kick from OByrne misses.
Power scores with a head kick.
Good shot there by OByrne.
OByrne throws a leg kick but Power sees it coming and checks it nicely.
OByrne throws a low kick but Power moves out of range easily.
OByrne misses with a low kick.
OByrne takes a swing at Power's ribcage but misses.
A low kick from OByrne misses
and Power counters with a nice uppercut.
OByrne thuds his right hand into Power's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A jab from Power does it's job there.
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!
A big left from Power misses.
OByrne throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Power counters with a straight right hand.
Power steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from OByrne. That one must have hurt.
OByrne looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
OByrne thuds his shin into the meat of Power's side.
A telegraphed right hand from Power misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OByrne throws a nice inside leg kick.
Power's coach down at Total Impact MMA/KT was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Power's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
OByrne misses with a right hand
and Power counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Joseph OByrne seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
OByrne will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Power uses good head movement to avoid the hook from OByrne.
Power tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
OByrne misses with a leg kick
and Power counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
OByrne fakes the leg kick and cracks Power in the body.
Power connects with a crisp jab.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Power is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. OByrne is defending well for now.
OByrne struggles to land a body shot inside as Power controls his hands.
OByrne cracks Power with a nice body shot.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, OByrne creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
OByrne tries a body shot but Power blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
OByrne is working Power over against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
OByrne looking to stall.
Power working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Power lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of OByrne backwards.
OByrne blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Power throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Power fails to land.
A head punch blocked on the inside by OByrne.
OByrne goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
OByrne blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Power lands a nice shot to the body.
Power misses with a knee to the head.
OByrne goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
OByrne lands a body shot.
Power prevents a body shot from OByrne.

OByrne's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
OByrne throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from OByrne misses.
OByrne lands an overhand right.
OByrne throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A low kick from OByrne misses
and Power counters with a series of strikes. OByrne will be more careful next time no doubt.
Power throws a quick inside leg kick.
Power on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Power's corner calls for a 1-2. Power obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Power throws a hook to the side of OByrne's head but OByrne sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
OByrne throws an off balance right hand
and Power counters with a straight right hand.
Power moves out of range of the leg kick from OByrne.
Good work by Power as he checks the leg kick.
Power throws a hook but OByrne avoids it easily.
Power takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Power takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
OByrne lands a nice leg kick that just misses Power's sensitive parts.
Power throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Power checks the leg kick.
OByrne misses with a straight right.
Power ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
OByrne swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Power.
OByrne throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
OByrne misses with a double jab.
Power is looking to slow OByrne down with leg kicks.

Power rushes OByrne and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
OByrne blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Power manages to break the clinch.
Power is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! OByrne had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
A chopping leg kick lands by Power.
Power walks into a straight right hand from OByrne.
Power checks a low kick from OByrne.
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 Joseph OByrne will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

OByrne misses with a looping right.
OByrne throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Power flicks out a counter leg kick but OByrne steps away.
Power throws a looping overhand right but OByrne ducks down to avoid it.
Jab from OByrne.
OByrne checks the leg kick nicely there.
OByrne misses with a wild body shot.
Power bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Power lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
OByrne moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
OByrne throws a combination that misses
and Power counters with a left to the body.
Power checks a low kick from OByrne.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
OByrne rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Power counter with a right hand.
OByrne uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Power.
A big left from OByrne misses.
OByrne throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Power.
Power feints a counter leg kick.
Power looks to land a left hand but OByrne moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OByrne scores with a jab.
Good work by Power as he checks the leg kick.
Good exchange - Power coming out on top.
OByrne connects with a solid leg kick.
OByrne throws a head kick but Power moves out of range.
Power throws out a counter right but OByrne avoids it with no problem.
OByrne takes a kick to the side of the head.
OByrne chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Power checks a leg kick nicely.
Power blocks a jab.
Power throws out a powerful jab.
Power throws a hook but OByrne blocks it.
Power uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from OByrne.
Power lands a slapping body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

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

OByrne is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Power uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from OByrne.
Oh OByrne is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Power lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

Power closes the distance and clinches.
Power creates some distance for himself and unleashes a massive uppercut that sends OByrne's eyes rolling into the back of his head! OByrne drops to his knees and Power pours it on with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:19 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Thomas Power!
In his post fight interview, Thomas Power started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.