PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Imagine Thibodeaux (ranked 4981 p4p, 4275 weight class) and Sacha Saganov (ranked 529 p4p, 477 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.

Thibodeaux
vs
Saganov

218 cm
18
274
3 - 0 - 0

197 cm
25
245
1 - 2 - 0

Excellent MT
Cuts easily

Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Imagine Thibodeaux!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Sacha Saganov!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Winston Alpacca and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Thibodeaux.
Saganov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Saganov throws a series of punches but Thibodeaux moves out of range.
Saganov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux misses with a body kick.
Saganov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Thibodeaux swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Saganov is looking to clinch but Thibodeaux is avoiding it.
Saganov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Thibodeaux throws a sloppy head kick and Saganov moves out of range easily.
Saganov tries to close the distance and clinch but Thibodeaux swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Thibodeaux plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

It looks like Sacha Saganov has been cut.
Thibodeaux definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saganov throws a head kick but Thibodeaux moves out of range.
Thibodeaux throws a counter high kick but Saganov was just alert enough to avoid it.
Thibodeaux thows a body kick. Saganov tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Thibodeaux scores with a spinning back kick!
Imagine Thibodeaux seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick from Thibodeaux lands but Saganov takes it in his stride.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Good work by Saganov as he checks the leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saganov avoids the head kick by Thibodeaux.
Saganov wants to counter with a clinch but Thibodeaux pushes him away.
Saganov tries to close the distance and clinch but Thibodeaux swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Saganov is looking to clinch but Thibodeaux is avoiding it.
An attempted straight right counter from Thibodeaux misses the target.
Saganov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Saganov tries to clinch there but Thibodeaux circles away.
Saganov throws a leg kick that is checked
and Thibodeaux connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Thibodeaux lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The fight stays on the outside here - Saganov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Thibodeaux lands a front kick.
Thibodeaux buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Saganov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Thibodeaux finds it's way round the side to connect with Saganov's head.
Saganov misses with a head kick.
Thibodeaux circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux blocks a head kick by Saganov.
Thibodeaux throws a head kick but Saganov moves out of range.
Thibodeaux pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Thibodeaux is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Saganov tries to close the distance and clinch but Thibodeaux swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Saganov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've been informed that Saganov has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Saganov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saganov throws a wild body kick that Thibodeaux sees coming a mile off.
Imagine Thibodeaux is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A head kick misses from Thibodeaux.
Saganov tries a quick counter leg kick but Thibodeaux is wise to it.
Saganov moves in looking to clinch but Thibodeaux pushes him off.
Saganov takes a kick to the side of the head.
Saganov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Thibodeaux scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Saganov fails with an attempt to clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Imagine Thibodeaux dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sacha Saganov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Saganov tries to close the distance and clinch but Thibodeaux swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Thibodeaux looks to throw a body kick
and Saganov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Thibodeaux thinking.
A looping hook to the body misses from Saganov. Thibodeaux does a little dance to reset his feet.
Saganov tries to move into range but Thibodeaux moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Saganov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Thibodeaux paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thibodeaux fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Thibodeaux showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Saganov.
Saganov doesn't manage to clinch there - Thibodeaux circles away.
Saganov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saganov doesn't manage to clinch there - Thibodeaux circles away.
Thibodeaux listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Thibodeaux goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Saganov moves in looking to clinch but Thibodeaux pushes him off.
Saganov swings for the body but Thibodeaux moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thibodeaux lands with a kick to the temple. Saganov shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Thibodeaux is looking to slow Saganov down with leg kicks.
A head kick misses from Saganov.
Good shot there by Thibodeaux.
Saganov blocks a jab.
Thibodeaux misses with a head kick.
Saganov is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Thibodeaux is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Saganov can do to turn this around?
Thibodeaux swats away the attempt to clinch by Saganov.
Nice shot lands for Thibodeaux.
Saganov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Thibodeaux.
Saganov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Saganov tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Thibodeaux manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Thibodeaux misses with a head kick.
Saganov is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Thibodeaux with a body shot.
Saganov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux throws a half hearted mid kick.
Thibodeaux sets himself, and Saganov steps forward looking for the clinch! Thibodeaux avoids it this time.
No joy there for Saganov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Thibodeaux scores with a head kick. Saganov tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Thibodeaux moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Thibodeaux lands with a right hand.
Saganov throws a shot from downtown. Thibodeaux moves away and avoids it.
Thibodeaux is looking to counter with head kicks.
Saganov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sacha Saganov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thibodeaux connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Saganov works Thibodeaux's body with a nice hook.
Saganov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Thibodeaux swats him away and circles back towards the center.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Imagine Thibodeaux dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Sacha Saganov's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Thibodeaux scores with a sloppy right hand. Saganov should have avoided that one.
Thibodeaux throws a head kick but Saganov moves out of range.
Saganov with the inside leg kick.
Thibodeaux misses with a head kick.
Saganov tries to counter with a clinch but Thibodeaux shakes him off and moves away.
Thibodeaux avoids a punch combination nicely.
Saganov tries to clinch but Thibodeaux moves out of range.
Saganov doesn't manage to clinch there - Thibodeaux circles away.
Thibodeaux is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Thibodeaux avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saganov throws a sloppy head kick
and Thibodeaux makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Saganov really felt that one!
Thibodeaux is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Danga de danga de dang - Saganov scores with a four punch combination!
Saganov's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Thibodeaux connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Saganov scrambles back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thibodeaux avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Thibodeaux pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thibodeaux scores with a jab to the head.
Thibodeaux circles away from the clinch attempt.
Thibodeaux lands a head kick. Saganov smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Saganov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Thibodeaux lands a high kick!
Thibodeaux tries a head kick but it misses.
Saganov looks to score with a jab to the body but Thibodeaux is just out of range.
Imagine Thibodeaux is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Saganov is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Thibodeaux rather than just go for the knockout.
Saganov avoids the head kick by Thibodeaux.
Saganov blocks a head kick by Thibodeaux.
Saganov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Saganov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Thibodeaux throws a counter high kick but Saganov was just alert enough to avoid it.
Nice shot by Thibodeaux.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thibodeaux lands with a hook. Saganov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Saganov doesn't manage to clinch there - Thibodeaux circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Saganov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Thibodeaux pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Thibodeaux checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A swing and a miss from Thibodeaux.
A jab lands there for Thibodeaux.
Saganov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thibodeaux connects with a looping right hand.
Thibodeaux misses with a head kick.
Saganov scores with a decent looking hook.
Sacha Saganov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Saganov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thibodeaux.

And that's the end of the fight!
Imagine Thibodeaux showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Thibodeaux 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 Michael Johnstone scores the fight 30:27
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 30:27
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Imagine Thibodeaux!
An out of breath Imagine Thibodeaux thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.