PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Imagine Thibodeaux (ranked 5305 p4p, 2487 weight class) and Quireem Xavier (ranked 528 p4p, 0 weight class). Imagine Thibodeaux has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Thibodeaux
vs
Xavier

218 cm
19
274
9 - 2 - 0

212 cm
25
283
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

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 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Imagine Thibodeaux!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Quireem Xavier!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Chris Downing and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Thibodeaux manages to break the clinch.
Xavier throws a head kick but Thibodeaux moves out of range.
Thibodeaux misses with a head kick.
Thibodeaux avoids a kick to the body.
Xavier misses with a low kick.
Thibodeaux checks the leg kick.
Xavier displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Thibodeaux throws out the jab.
Xavier motions for Thibodeaux to come forward. Xavier throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Thibodeaux definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Xavier has closed the distance and engaged Thibodeaux in a clinch.

Thibodeaux escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Thibodeaux blocks a head kick by Xavier.
Xavier uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters circle momentarily. Thibodeaux darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Thibodeaux dips to his left and cracks Xavier with an uppercut!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thibodeaux avoids a kick to the body.
Thibodeaux lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Thibodeaux throws a lazy right hand but Xavier sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A little jabbing left from Xavier on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Xavier throws a chopping leg kick but Thibodeaux manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Thibodeaux tried to counter with a leg kick but Xavier avoided it.
Xavier lands a nice looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thibodeaux tries to keep at a distance but Xavier has taken the fight into the clinch.

Thibodeaux's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Xavier on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux obviously looking to wear him down.
Xavier throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Thibodeaux throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Xavier's head.

Xavier gets a clinch.
Xavier tries to land knees in the clinch but Thibodeaux avoids the damage to the body.
Xavier lands a good knee to the midsection. Thibodeaux won't want to take too many of those.
Thibodeaux is breathing heavily.
Xavier throws a knee to the head but misses.

Thibodeaux breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Xavier connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Thibodeaux misses the shot to the body.
Thibodeaux pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Xavier fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Thibodeaux, pushing him back against the cage.

Xavier breaks from the clinch.
Thibodeaux throws out a loose jab but Xavier uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thibodeaux misses with a body shot.
Thibodeaux lands with an uppercut that bounces Xavier off the cage and back into range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xavier throws a leg kick but Thibodeaux sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Thibodeaux throws a quick counter head kick but Xavier was just out of range.
Thibodeaux lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Xavier tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thibodeaux takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Xavier throws a hook to the side of Thibodeaux's head but Thibodeaux sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Thibodeaux takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nice cross by Thibodeaux.
Xavier misses with a head kick.
Xavier throws a leg kick
and Thibodeaux connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Thibodeaux walks forward, straight into a front kick from Xavier.

Xavier has closed the distance and engaged Thibodeaux in a clinch.
Thibodeaux avoiding damage as Xavier throws knees to the body.

Xavier breaks the clinch.
Xavier slips under a jab from Thibodeaux.
Xavier lands with a kick to the temple. Thibodeaux shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Thibodeaux misses with a head kick.

Xavier closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Thibodeaux breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Xavier has taken the fight to the clinch.
Xavier lands a good knee to the midsection. Thibodeaux won't want to take too many of those.
Xavier with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Xavier is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Thibodeaux is defending well for now.
Xavier using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Thibodeaux has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Thibodeaux pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Xavier tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick misses from Xavier.
Thibodeaux throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Xavier fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thibodeaux manages to avoid it.

Xavier gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Thibodeaux pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Xavier pushes Thibodeaux up against the cage in a clinch.
Thibodeaux on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Xavier lands an elbow just above Thibodeaux 's eye.
Xavier lands a nice knee to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Xavier creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Thibodeaux's defenses.

Imagine Thibodeaux's cut is getting worse.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thibodeaux breaks the clinch.
Xavier throws a low kick but Thibodeaux moves out of range easily.
Xavier misses with a head kick.
Thibodeaux throws an overhand right that lands on Xavier's shoulder, as Xavier tries to avoid the shot.
Xavier fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Thibodeaux is out of range.

Xavier gets a clinch.
Xavier is stalling here.
Thibodeaux on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Xavier.

Thibodeaux's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Thibodeaux throws a nice head kick!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thibodeaux checks a low kick from Xavier.

Xavier moves into the clinch successfully.
Thibodeaux managing to block the knees to the body from Xavier.

Thibodeaux manages to break the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Quireem Xavier dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Imagine Thibodeaux's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Xavier instigates a clinch.
Xavier with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Xavier tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Thibodeaux avoids it.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Xavier just misses with a elbow thrown towards Thibodeaux's brow.
Xavier throws a knee to the head but misses.

Xavier breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Xavier fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Thibodeaux, pushing him back against the cage.

Thibodeaux pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Thibodeaux lands a head kick!
Thibodeaux will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Thibodeaux throws a head kick that misses.
Xavier looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Thibodeaux scoring well with a low kick there.
Xavier has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Xavier closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Thibodeaux avoiding damage as Xavier throws knees to the body.

Thibodeaux manages to break the clinch.
Xavier blocks a head kick by Thibodeaux.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Xavier throws a leg kick but Thibodeaux sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Thibodeaux throws a sloppy head kick and Xavier moves out of range easily.
Xavier looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Xavier darts in and clinches Thibodeaux up against the cage.
Xavier missing with knees to the body.
Thibodeaux blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Thibodeaux manages to break the clinch.

Xavier drives through and clinches with Thibodeaux against the cage.
Xavier throws an elbow that misses.

Thibodeaux's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Xavier misses with a leg kick.
Thibodeaux defending well as Xavier loads up on a big left hand.
Thibodeaux throws a jab when Xavier was well out of range.
Xavier takes a jab right on the kisser.

Xavier closes the distance and pushes Thibodeaux back into the cage.
Thibodeaux avoids the elbow strike from Xavier, against the cage.
Xavier lands an elbow inside.
Thibodeaux blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Xavier with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Xavier trying to land knees to the body.

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!

Thibodeaux escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Xavier tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Thibodeaux manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Xavier throws a body kick that misses
and Thibodeaux counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Xavier throws a sloppy head kick and Thibodeaux moves out of range easily.
It looked like Thibodeaux was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Xavier.
Xavier wants to clinch up but Thibodeaux keeps it at a distance.
Xavier moves in looking to clinch but Thibodeaux pushes him off.
Thibodeaux misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick misses from Thibodeaux.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thibodeaux. Xavier does a little dance to reset his feet.
Xavier misses with a low kick.
Thibodeaux lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Xavier darts in and clinches Thibodeaux up against the cage.
Thibodeaux avoiding damage as Xavier throws knees to the body.
Xavier lands an elbow that stopped Thibodeaux in his tracks for a moment.

Imagine Thibodeaux's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.

Thibodeaux breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Thibodeaux uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Thibodeaux misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Xavier closes the distance and clinches.
Xavier misses with a knee to the head.

Thibodeaux escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Xavier moves into the clinch successfully.

Thibodeaux breaks from the clinch.
Xavier throws a leg kick but Thibodeaux moved away.

Thibodeaux gets tackled into the cage by Xavier. Xavier maintains the clinch.
Xavier missing with knees to the body.
Xavier tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Thibodeaux avoids it.

Thibodeaux breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Xavier gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Thibodeaux breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Xavier forces Thibodeaux back against the cage and clinches.

Thibodeaux manages to break the clinch.
Thibodeaux goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
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!
Xavier slips a straight right by Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux moves out of range of the body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xavier throws a leg kick but Thibodeaux sees it coming and moves out of range.
A leg kick checked by Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux jabs at Xavier's body.
A head kick misses from Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux scores with a head kick.

Xavier fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Thibodeaux, pushing him back against the cage.

Thibodeaux's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Xavier swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Thibodeaux avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Thibodeaux throws out a loose jab but Xavier uses good head movement to avoid it.

Xavier moves into the clinch successfully.
Xavier scores with a knee to the head.
Xavier scores with a knee to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Xavier tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Xavier breaks from the clinch.
Xavier takes one on the button.

Xavier moves into the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Quireem Xavier will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Imagine Thibodeaux's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Thibodeaux checks a leg kick.
Imagine Thibodeaux is winning the standup battle so far.
Thibodeaux lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

Xavier takes the fight into the clinch.

Thibodeaux breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Xavier throws a body kick that misses.
Thibodeaux moves out of range as Xavier throws a body kick.
The crowd cheers as Thibodeaux lands an impressive looking overhand right. Xavier doesn't seem phased though.

Thibodeaux tries to keep at a distance but Xavier has taken the fight into the clinch.
Xavier lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Thibodeaux breaks the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thibodeaux misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Xavier ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Thibodeaux moves away.
Xavier walks into a left hand.
Xavier tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Thibodeaux manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Xavier uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Thibodeaux.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thibodeaux misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thibodeaux pushes Xavier away with a front kick.
Xavier motions for Thibodeaux to come forward. Xavier throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Xavier misses with a body kick.
Xavier throws a head kick but Thibodeaux moves out of range.
A jab from Thibodeaux misses.
Thibodeaux throws a sloppy head kick and Xavier moves out of range easily.
Thibodeaux scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Xavier doesn't seem bothered though.
Thibodeaux with a nice cross.
Xavier walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Xavier has taken the fight to the clinch.
Knees to the body from Xavier.
Xavier using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Thibodeaux has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Thibodeaux managing to block the knees to the body from Xavier.
Xavier misses with a knee to the head.

Thibodeaux breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thibodeaux changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xavier throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Nice defenses there by Xavier.
Quireem Xavier is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A bone on bone clash there as Thibodeaux blocks the leg kick.
Xavier moves to clinch but Thibodeaux breaks away
and Thibodeaux connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Thibodeaux lands a nice shot that snaps Xavier's head back.
Thibodeaux throws a head kick that misses.
Xavier misses with an attempted mid kick.
Xavier tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thibodeaux scores with a leg kick.
Thibodeaux connects with the punch.
Thibodeaux tries to land a front kick but Xavier steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Xavier was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Thibodeaux throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Xavier's head.

Xavier gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Xavier tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Thibodeaux pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux throws a front kick that sends Xavier stumbling back into the cage.

Xavier clinches with his opponent.

Xavier escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Xavier closes the distance and pushes Thibodeaux back into the cage.

Thibodeaux breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Thibodeaux misses with a head kick.
Xavier throws a sloppy head kick and Thibodeaux moves out of range easily.
Thibodeaux throws a shot from downtown. Xavier moves away and avoids it.
Imagine Thibodeaux has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Xavier misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Thibodeaux throws a hook but Xavier blocks it.
Xavier misses with a head kick.
Thibodeaux throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Thibodeaux lands with a kick to the temple. Xavier shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Xavier tried to score with a low kick but Thibodeaux checks it.
Thibodeaux moves out of range as Xavier throws a body kick.
Thibodeaux throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux lands a lovely overhand right.
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!
Xavier scores with a head kick.
Thibodeaux throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Xavier misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Xavier tries to work over Thibodeaux's front leg with a kick but Thibodeaux checks it.
Thibodeaux throws a quick counter head kick but Xavier was just out of range.
Xavier is looking to chop away at Thibodeaux's legs.

Xavier clinches with his opponent.
Knees in the clinch landing for Xavier.

Thibodeaux's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Thibodeaux throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Xavier tries a low kick but Thibodeaux avoids it.
Xavier moves out of range of the body kick from Thibodeaux.

Xavier darts in and clinches Thibodeaux up against the cage.
Xavier tries to land knees in the clinch but Thibodeaux avoids the damage to the body.
Thibodeaux working aggressively here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Imagine Thibodeaux showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Xavier has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Quireem Xavier!
Quireem Xavier thanked the fans post fight for their support.