PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Israel Kirzner (ranked 3594 p4p, 5882 weight class) and Cheap Thrills (ranked 338 p4p, 448 weight class). 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.

Kirzner
vs
Thrills

170 cm
20
143
2 - 0 - 0

163 cm
20
140
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Israel Kirzner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cheap Thrills!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Wesley Smith and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kirzner blocks a jab.
Kirzner appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Thrills just misses with a punch to the body.
Kirzner slips a straight right by Thrills.
Thrills fails to land with a series of punches.
Kirzner tries to counter by clinching up but Thrills breaks away and moves out of range.
Thrills moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Thrills dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kirzner misses with a jab, cross combination.
Thrills looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
It appears Kirzner was looking to counter with a kick there.
Nice uppercut there from Thrills.
Kirzner uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thrills.
Kirzner uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Thrills.
Kirzner was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Thrills lands a jab to the nose.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thrills swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Kirzner counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirzner ducks under a wild hook from Thrills.
Kirzner is looking to counter the offense by Thrills and move into the clinch.
Kirzner slips a straight right by Thrills.
Thrills jabs Kirzner right on the nose. Kirzner blinks but takes it well.
Thrills throws a right and a left that Kirzner avoids nicely.
Thrills ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Thrills lands a really nice looking cross but Kirzner seems unphased.
Thrills throws a predictable looking body shot
and Kirzner counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Thrills misses with a two punch combination.
An attempted straight right counter from Kirzner misses the target.
Kirzner swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Thrills! But no joy.
Thrills throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kirzner sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kirzner avoids a punch combination nicely.
Thrills misses with a right hand
and Kirzner counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kirzner takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thrills throws a jab but it's blocked by Kirzner.
Thrills rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kirzner moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kirzner appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Thrills fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kirzner manages to avoid it.
No joy there for Thrills, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Thrills ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kirzner moves away.
It looked like Kirzner was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Thrills.
Thrills thows a left - swing and a miss!
Thrills throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kirzner swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Thrills lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Kirzner backs up against the cage.
A shot to the body from Kirzner misses
and Thrills counters with a right hand to the body.
A punch combination from Thrills misses.
Kirzner connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kirzner shoots in looking for a takedown. Thrills tries to sprawl out of it but Kirzner keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Thrills manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Thrills lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirzner gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kirzner ducks under a wild hook from Thrills.
Kirzner walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Thrills throws a right and a left that Kirzner avoids nicely.
Kirzner uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Thrills.
Kirzner is looking to counter punch.
We've been informed that Thrills has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Thrills bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Thrills.
Kirzner scores with a hook.
Kirzner is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Kirzner dodges the punch combination from Thrills.
It looked like Kirzner wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirzner misses with a head kick.
Good exchange - Kirzner coming out on top.
Thrills is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Kirzner had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thrills misses with a straight left.
Kirzner slips under a jab from Thrills.
Kirzner swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Thrills looks to throw the jab but Kirzner is out of range.
Thrills misses with a hook
and Kirzner counters with a right hand to the body.
Kirzner walks into a stiff left hand from Thrills.
Thrills throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Kirzner to counter with a crisp jab.
It looks like Kirzner has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Nice defenses there by Kirzner.
Kirzner went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Thrills throws a lazy uppercut
and Kirzner counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kirzner staying out of range there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cheap Thrills dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kirzner showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Thrills.
Thrills misses with a right hand
and Kirzner counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Thrills avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Thrills has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Thrills scores with a decent looking hook.
Thrills misses with an uppercut.
Kirzner is looking to counter punch.
Thrills looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
An attempted straight right counter from Kirzner misses the target.
Kirzner fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Kirzner throws out a leg kick but Thrills moves out of range and Kirzner only half commits.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thrills scores with a hook.
Thrills swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kirzner feinted with a counter takedown.
Thrills misses with a left hand
and Kirzner counters with a stiff right hand.
Kirzner takes a swing at Thrills's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thrills punishes Kirzner's body with a nice straight punch.
Thrills is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kirzner.
Thrills just misses with a punch to the body.
Kirzner is looking to counter the offense by Thrills and move into the clinch.
Kirzner goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kirzner blocks a jab.
Kirzner is looking for a counter combo.
Thrills scores with a jab to the body.
Thrills misses with an uppercut
and Kirzner counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kirzner moves forwards but Thrills connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kirzner slips a jab and a cross from Thrills.
Thrills lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Thrills throws a right hand that misses
and Kirzner counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Thrills takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thrills misses with a hook.
Kirzner half committed to a counter leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thrills swings widly with a right hand
and Kirzner cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Thrills rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kirzner counters with a right hand to the body.
Thrills lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
A right-left combo lands from Thrills.
Thrills swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Thrills misses with an uppercut. Kirzner saw that one coming.
Thrills scores with a nice strike.

Kirzner is rocked!
Kirzner tries a head kick but it misses.
Thrills lands a jab-cross combination.
Oh Kirzner is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Thrills in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Kirzner takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kirzner swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cheap Thrills seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thrills is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kirzner.
Kirzner seems to have got his legs back now.
Thrills throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kirzner.
Israel Kirzner is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kirzner misses with a hook.
Thrills lands with an uppercut that bounces Kirzner off the cage and back into range.
Kirzner slips under a jab.
Kirzner looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Kirzner uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Thrills.
Kirzner tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kirzner ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Thrills misses with a wild body shot.
Thrills misses with a hook
and Kirzner counters with a stiff right hand.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kirzner.
Despite the aggression on Thrills's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thrills thuds a left hand into Kirzner's body.
Thrills misses the shot to the body.
A jab from Thrills does it's job there.
Thrills lands a nice shot to the body.
Thrills pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kirzner uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Thrills.
Kirzner lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Kirzner lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Thrills lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Thrills punishes Kirzner's body with a nice straight punch.
Thrills with a body punch. A glancing blow.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cheap Thrills showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Kirzner's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kirzner blocks a jab.
Thrills takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
A shot to the body from Thrills misses
and Kirzner counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kirzner uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Thrills.
Kirzner is looking to counter punch.
Thrills misses with a right hand
and Kirzner counters with a nice uppercut.
Thrills scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Thrills throws a jab but it's blocked by Kirzner.
Thrills lands a jab to the nose.
A big right from Thrills misses.
A quick step to the side and Kirzner tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thrills swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kirzner counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Thrills looks to land a left hand but Kirzner moved out of range nicely.
Thrills throws a one two combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thrills throws a hook to the side of Kirzner's head but Kirzner sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thrills throws a jab when Kirzner was well out of range.
Kirzner cracks Thrills with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Thrills throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kirzner was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Thrills throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kirzner was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Thrills misses with a hook
and Kirzner cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Thrills swings widly with a right hand
and Kirzner counters with a left to the body.
Thrills misses with a wild body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kirzner. Thrills does a little dance to reset his feet.
Thrills avoids the body shot from Kirzner.
The fighters circling - Thrills throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kirzner throws a big counter combination but Thrills scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Cheap Thrills seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kirzner throws a body shot but no joy.
Thrills looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thrills connects with a nice looking jab.
Kirzner takes one to the side of the head.
Thrills swings away with a body shot that misses
and Kirzner connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thrills lunges at Kirzner with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kirzner's hand.
The fighters circling - Thrills throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kirzner misses with a low kick.
Thrills looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kirzner takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kirzner keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kirzner is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Thrills misses with a lunging right hand
and Kirzner counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Kirzner takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Thrills looks to score with a jab to the body but Kirzner is just out of range.
A counter left hand to the body from Kirzner misses its target.
Nice defenses there by Kirzner.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Thrills checks a leg kick.
Thrills swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kirzner counters with a nice body shot.
Thrills takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Thrills rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kirzner counters with a nice uppercut.
Thrills misses with a few strikes there.
Thrills misses with an uppercut
enabling Kirzner to counter with a crisp jab.
Thrills on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Thrills misses with a combination
and Thrills takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Thrills throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kirzner sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Thrills on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kirzner looks to land a left hand but Thrills moved out of range nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thrills scores with a punch to the head.
Thrills throws a hook but Kirzner blocks it.
Kirzner appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Kirzner wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kirzner throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Thrills throws an overhand right that lands on Kirzner's shoulder, as Kirzner tries to avoid the shot.
Kirzner keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Thrills.
Cheap Thrills is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Thrills's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kirzner connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Thrills scrambles back to his feet.
Thrills looks to land a left hand but Kirzner moved out of range nicely.
Kirzner is looking to counter the offense by Thrills and move into the clinch.
Thrills waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kirzner.
Kirzner attempts a counter takedown but Thrills avoids it well and moves away.
Thrills jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kirzner slips a straight right by Thrills.
Israel Kirzner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thrills throws a big shot that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Cheap Thrills.
Well Thrills has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cheap Thrills!