PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sora Izanagi (ranked 291 p4p, 691 weight class) and Patrick Thomas (ranked 41 p4p, 103 weight class). Thomas has chosen LUNIZ -- I GOT 5 ON IT as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Izanagi
vs
Thomas

190 cm
24
210
13 - 4 - 0

195 cm
29
215
17 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sora Izanagi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Patrick Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thomas takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Thomas tries to keep at a distance but Izanagi has taken the fight into the clinch.
Thomas tries to circle away but Izanagi has him pinned against the cage.
Thomas looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Izanagi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Izanagi tries to score with a low kick but Thomas moves his leg out of the way.
Izanagi thuds his shin into the meat of Thomas's side.
Izanagi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thomas manages to avoid it.
Thomas shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thomas throws a big shot that misses.
Izanagi tried to counter with a leg kick but Thomas avoided it.
Izanagi throws a head kick but Thomas moves out of range.
Thomas takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Izanagi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Izanagi looks to land a right hand but Thomas moved out of range.
It seemed like Thomas was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Izanagi has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Izanagi scoring well with a low kick there.
Izanagi throws a leg kick which misses Thomas's front leg but catches the back leg as Thomas tries to avoid it.
Izanagi lands a jab.
Izanagi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Izanagi tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Thomas manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Izanagi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A good leg kick by Izanagi.
A thudding body kick lands there by Izanagi!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Izanagi throws a push kick but Thomas slaps the foot to one side.
Thomas looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Izanagi tries to score with a low kick but Thomas moves his leg out of the way.
A little jabbing left from Thomas on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Thomas checks a low kick from Izanagi.
A little jabbing left from Thomas on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Izanagi takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Izanagi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Izanagi.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A chopping leg kick lands by Izanagi.
Izanagi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thomas shapes to counter with a head kick.
Izanagi misses with a left hand
and Thomas counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Izanagi looks to score with a jab to the body but Thomas is just out of range.

Izanagi takes the fight into the clinch.
Thomas can't break the clinch.
Thomas has had enough of the clinch but Izanagi keeps him there for the moment.
A frustrated look appears on Thomas's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Izanagi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Izanagi scores with a shoulder strike.
Izanagi misses with a hook from the clinch.

Thomas manages to break the clinch.
A jab from Izanagi finds it's way through Thomas's defenses.
Thomas moves out of range as Izanagi strikes.
Thomas now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Izanagi pivots, looking for a leg kick but Thomas is out of range and Izanagi settles back down.
Thomas misses with a hook. Izanagi ducked under it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas moves out of range as Izanagi throws a body kick.
It seemed like Thomas was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Thomas steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Izanagi. That one must have hurt.
Izanagi throws a good cross that connects.
A bone on bone clash there as Thomas blocks the leg kick.
Izanagi lands with a shot to the body.
Izanagi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Thomas's sensitive parts.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thomas gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Izanagi throws a head kick that half lands.
Thomas stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Izanagi.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sora Izanagi dominated that round.
That's time! Izanagi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Thomas looks to land a combination but Izanagi avoids it well.
Izanagi cracks Thomas with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Izanagi tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Thomas manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Thomas looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Sora Izanagi is winning the standup battle so far.
Izanagi connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Thomas momentarily.
Izanagi tries to clinch but Thomas is having none of it.
Thomas throws out a counter right but Izanagi avoids it with no problem.
Izanagi throws a nice inside leg kick.
Thomas throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thomas avoids the body shot from Izanagi.
Thomas throws out a counter right but Izanagi avoids it with no problem.
Izanagi throws a hook but Thomas avoids it easily.
Thomas was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Izanagi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Thomas's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Izanagi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Thomas takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Thomas misses with a left hand
and Izanagi counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Izanagi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Thomas sees it coming and avoids it easily.
It seemed like Thomas was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Izanagi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Thomas.
Izanagi swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Thomas ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Izanagi lands with a shot to the body.
Izanagi misses with a leg kick
and Thomas counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Izanagi throws a hook but Thomas avoids it easily.
Thomas is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Izanagi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Thomas was well out of range. Poor timing from Izanagi.
Thomas throws out a counter right but Izanagi avoids it with no problem.
The fight stays on the outside here - Izanagi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Thomas! But no joy.
Izanagi falls off balance throwing a combination
and Thomas counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Izanagi thinking.
Izanagi throws a jab when Thomas was well out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Izanagi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Thomas lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Thomas avoids the head kick by Izanagi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Izanagi misses the shot to the body.
Thomas now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Thomas throws a right hand that misses
and Izanagi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A cross from Thomas lands.
Izanagi wants to slow Thomas down by chopping away at his legs.
Izanagi looks to throw the jab but Thomas is out of range.
A swing and a miss from Thomas.
Izanagi feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Thomass jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Thomas takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Izanagi connects with a body shot that sends Thomas's belly button to the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Izanagi thuds a left hand into Thomas's body.

Thomas tries to keep at a distance but Izanagi has taken the fight into the clinch.
Thomas blocks an uppercut.
Izanagi with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Thomas is trying to push Izanagi away but Izanagi has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Thomas can't break the clinch.

Thomas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
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!
Izanagi walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Thomas checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Izanagi misses with a low kick as Thomas jumps back.
Thomas swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Izanagi with a nice calf kick.
No joy there for Izanagi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Thomas! But no joy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sora Izanagi dominated that second round.
That's time! Izanagi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Izanagi drives through and clinches with Thomas against the cage.
Thomas working hard to break the clinch.
Izanagi throws a head punch that misses.
Thomas is trying to break free.
Izanagi lands a shoulder strike.
Izanagi lands a left hand.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Izanagi.

Izanagi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Izanagi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Thomas looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Thomas throws a jab but it's blocked by Izanagi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice defenses there by Thomas.
A little jabbing left from Thomas on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Izanagi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A little jabbing left from Thomas on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas swings for the body but Izanagi moves out of range.
Thomas misses with a shot to the body
and Izanagi counters with a straight right hand.

Izanagi has closed the distance and engaged Thomas in a clinch.
Izanagi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Izanagi has Thomas pressed against the cage, preventing Thomas from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Thomas breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Izanagi lands a nice hook to Thomas's body. Thomas takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A low kick lands for Izanagi.
Izanagi avoids the head kick by Thomas.
A little feinted left hand from Izanagi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A slapping body kick lands there for Izanagi.
Izanagi wants to clinch up but Thomas keeps it at a distance.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Thomas! But no joy.
Sora Izanagi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Izanagi works the jab nicely.
Izanagi tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Thomas is able to avoid easily.
Thomas throws a fast counter high kick but Izanagi manages to duck under it in time.
Izanagi lands a glancing blow to the side of Thomas's head.
Izanagi bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Izanagi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Thomas was well out of range. Poor timing from Izanagi.
Izanagi buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Izanagi with a nice calf kick.
Izanagi connects with a right hand. Thomas shakes it off.
Izanagi throws a big shot that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Izanagi ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Izanagi throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A little jabbing left from Thomas on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Izanagi misses with a head kick.
A little jabbing left from Thomas on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Izanagi throws a sloppy head kick and Thomas moves out of range easily.
Thomas let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Patrick Thomas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Izanagi lands with a hook. Thomas tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Izanagi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Izanagi throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Sora Izanagi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Izanagi misses with a low kick.
Thomas throws out a counter right but Izanagi avoids it with no problem.
Izanagi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Thomas can do to turn this around?

Izanagi moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thomas breaks the clinch.
Thomas slips a jab from Izanagi.
Izanagi is looking to clinch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Thomas! But no joy.

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

Thomas breaks from the clinch.
Izanagi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Izanagi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Izanagi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Thomas.
Thomas looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Izanagi scores with a shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sora Izanagi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Izanagi 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sora Izanagi!
During a confident post fight interview, Sora Izanagi thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.