PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kaiden Thibodeaux (ranked 301 p4p, 1302 weight class) and Guy Bernier (ranked 18 p4p, 82 weight class). Thibodeaux comes to the cage accompanied by Scotty x D4L. Bernier is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Stranglehold/ Ted Nugent. Guy Bernier has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Thibodeaux
vs
Bernier

150 cm
27
140
9 - 1 - 0

160 cm
28
147
7 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kaiden Thibodeaux!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Guy Bernier!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Phil Schofield and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thibodeaux wants to clinch up but Bernier keeps it at a distance.

Thibodeaux moves into range and clinches up with Bernier.
Bernier takes a shot to the head.
Thibodeaux misses with a short punch on the inside.
Bernier tries to pull guard but Thibodeaux forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Thibodeaux lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Bernier or not.
Thibodeaux misses with a punch on the inside.
Thibodeaux lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Bernier trying to control the position but instead, Thibodeaux has worked for underhooks and has pushed Bernier into the cage.
Bernier blocking some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bernier blocks an uppercut.
Thibodeaux lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thibodeaux avoids the elbow strike from Bernier, against the cage.
Thibodeaux lands a hook that snaps the head of Bernier backwards.
Thibodeaux swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nice body punch from Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux is working Bernier over against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Thibodeaux lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Bernier blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Thibodeaux goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Bernier is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Thibodeaux is keeping busy.
A right hand to the body from Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux misses with some punches.
Thibodeaux misses with some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Thibodeaux.
Bernier blocks an uppercut.
Thibodeaux throws a head punch that misses.
Thibodeaux working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Thibodeaux tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thibodeaux misses with a short punch on the inside.
Thibodeaux doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bernier blocking some punches.
Thibodeaux has a couple of punches blocked by Bernier.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bernier backwards.
Thibodeaux scores with a shot to the side of Bernier's head.
Thibodeaux digs a right hand into Bernier's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Bernier's gas tank.
A head punch on the inside from Thibodeaux fails to land.
Thibodeaux cracks Bernier with a nice body shot.
Thibodeaux throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Thibodeaux tries a body shot but Bernier blocks it.
Thibodeaux lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Thibodeaux misses with a punch to the body.
Thibodeaux lands a body punch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bernier.
Thibodeaux lands a left hand that snaps the head of Bernier backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bernier looking to stall.
Thibodeaux throws a head punch that misses.
A shot in the inside from Thibodeaux.
Bernier drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Thibodeaux lands a hook to the side of the head.
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 has a couple of punches blocked by Bernier.
Thibodeaux tries to throw a body punch but Bernier avoids it by throwing Thibodeaux back against the cage.
Bernier blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bernier tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kaiden Thibodeaux has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Guy Bernier.
Thibodeaux tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kaiden Thibodeaux dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Thibodeaux slips a straight right by Bernier.
Thibodeaux tries to clinch up.
Thibodeaux slips under a jab from Bernier.
Thibodeaux wants to clinch up but Bernier keeps it at a distance.

Thibodeaux rushes Bernier and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Thibodeaux misses with a short punch on the inside.
Thibodeaux throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Thibodeaux has a couple of punches blocked by Bernier.
Thibodeaux misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Thibodeaux is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bernier can do to turn this around?
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bernier.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thibodeaux misses with a short punch on the inside.
Thibodeaux lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Thibodeaux lands with a right to the head.

It looks like Guy Bernier has been cut.
Thibodeaux misses with some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thibodeaux gets through Bernier's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Bernier escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Thibodeaux tries to clinch but Bernier is having none of it.
Bernier misses with a straight left.

Thibodeaux clinches.
Thibodeaux lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Bernier or not.
Bernier is breathing heavily.
Bernier blocking some punches.
Thibodeaux scores with a hook to the body.
Bernier tries to pull guard but Thibodeaux holds him up against the cage and eventually Bernier drops back down to his feet.
Bernier blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bernier.
Thibodeaux makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux can't find room to land a body shot as Bernier controls the action.
Bernier wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Thibodeaux has him pressed against the cage.
Thibodeaux tries to work over Bernier's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Bernier blocking some punches.
Thibodeaux stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Thibodeaux lands a body shot.
Thibodeaux misses with a short punch on the inside.
Bernier's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
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 misses with a body punch.
Bernier goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bernier blocks an uppercut.
Bernier looking to slow down the pace here.
Kaiden Thibodeaux has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A shot in the inside from Thibodeaux.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bernier's elbow.
Bernier lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Thibodeaux backwards.
Bernier wants to get back to striking at distance but Thibodeaux won't allow it.
Thibodeaux misses with a punch to the body.
Thibodeaux misses with some punches.
Nice body punch from Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux is working Bernier over against the cage.
Thibodeaux keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bernier's efforts to push away.
A head punch on the inside from Thibodeaux fails to land.
Bernier blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux working aggressively here.
Thibodeaux throws a punch but it's blocked by Bernier.
A short body shot lands from Thibodeaux as the two fighters clinch.
A shot in the inside from Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Thibodeaux pushes Bernier back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Thibodeaux scores with a hook to the body.
Bernier has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Thibodeaux seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Bernier can turn it around.
Bernier's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Bernier blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Thibodeaux misses with a body punch.
Thibodeaux misses with the head strike.
Thibodeaux misses with a body punch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kaiden Thibodeaux dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Guy Bernier's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Thibodeaux gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A hook to the body from Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux tries a body shot but Bernier blocks it.
Bernier blocks an uppercut.
Thibodeaux fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Thibodeaux lands a right hand.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux misses with a punch on the inside.
Thibodeaux goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thibodeaux lands a body shot in the clinch.
Thibodeaux presses Bernier against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Bernier taking a breather.
Thibodeaux lands with a right to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thibodeaux lands a right hand.
A body shot lands from Thibodeaux.
Bernier takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Thibodeaux tries to throw a body punch but Bernier avoids it by throwing Thibodeaux back against the cage.
Bernier prevents a body shot from Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux misses with a short punch on the inside.
Thibodeaux tries a body shot but Bernier blocks it.
Still in the clinch, Thibodeaux scores with a nice short uppercut.
Thibodeaux lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Thibodeaux tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Thibodeaux tries to throw a body punch but Bernier avoids it by throwing Thibodeaux back against the cage.
Thibodeaux swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Thibodeaux swings wildly with an uppercut but Bernier uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Thibodeaux as Bernier tries to tie him up.
Bernier blocking some punches.
Thibodeaux tries to work over Bernier's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Thibodeaux swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Thibodeaux tries to work over Bernier's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Thibodeaux tries to throw a body punch but Bernier avoids it by throwing Thibodeaux back against the cage.
Thibodeaux throws a punch but it's blocked by Bernier.
Thibodeaux fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Thibodeaux throws a punch but it's blocked by Bernier.
Thibodeaux swings wildly with an uppercut but Bernier uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Thibodeaux misses with some punches.
Thibodeaux gets through Bernier's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Thibodeaux scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bernier wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Bernier trying to control the position but instead, Thibodeaux has worked for underhooks and has pushed Bernier into the cage.
Thibodeaux working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Thibodeaux misses with a punch to the body.
Thibodeaux misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux misses with a short punch on the inside.
Thibodeaux is working Bernier over against the cage.
Thibodeaux tries to throw a body punch but Bernier avoids it by throwing Thibodeaux back against the cage.
Thibodeaux tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Thibodeaux fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short left from Thibodeaux.
Nice body punch from Thibodeaux - that landed with a thud.
Thibodeaux fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Thibodeaux misses with a punch on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Thibodeaux creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
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!
Bernier blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Thibodeaux lands a shoulder strike.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kaiden Thibodeaux clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Guy Bernier's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Thibodeaux darts in and clinches Bernier up against the cage.
Bernier is trying to break free.

Bernier lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Bernier seems to be working for a kimura but Thibodeaux defends the submission attempt.

Bernier is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Thibodeaux is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Bernier's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Bernier's back!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thibodeaux controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bernier trying to control the position but Thibodeaux manages to sink in the hooks.
Bernier tries to break free.
Bernier is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Thibodeaux knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Bernier on the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Thibodeaux gets his hands free as Bernier looks to control.
Thibodeaux has the hooks in. Bernier is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Bernier keeps trying to improve his position.
Thibodeaux keeps control of the position easily here as Bernier tries to buck him off.
Bernier is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux is not going to allow Bernier to sit and survive in this position.
Good control from Thibodeaux.
Bernier tries to break free.
Bernier tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Bernier is trying desperately to improve position.
Bernier wants to control but Thibodeaux is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bernier keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Thibodeaux controlling the position easily from mount.
Bernier is trying desperately to improve position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kaiden Thibodeaux had his way with Guy Bernier in that round.
The cut man is working on Guy Bernier's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Bernier misses with an uppercut. Thibodeaux saw that one coming.

Thibodeaux takes the fight into the clinch.
Thibodeaux lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Thibodeaux lands a right hand.
A right hook to the body lands for Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux misses with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thibodeaux digs a right hand underneath Bernier's ribcage. Bernier let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Bernier is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Bernier misses with a body punch.
Thibodeaux misses with a hook to the ribs.
Thibodeaux has a couple of punches blocked by Bernier.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bernier takes a shot to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Thibodeaux.
Nice body punch from Thibodeaux - that landed with a thud.
Thibodeaux lands an uppercut.
Thibodeaux working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Thibodeaux lands a left hand.
Thibodeaux lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short left from Thibodeaux.
Bernier blocks an uppercut.
Bernier tries to break free but Thibodeaux pushes him back against the cage.
Thibodeaux misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux avoids the elbow strike from Bernier, against the cage.
Thibodeaux lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A short right from Thibodeaux on the inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thibodeaux lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bernier backwards.
Thibodeaux lands a nice uppercut.
Thibodeaux makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Bernier is rocked!
Thibodeaux tries a body shot but Bernier blocks it.
Bernier drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Thibodeaux gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Thibodeaux lands a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux misses with the head strike.
Thibodeaux misses with a short punch on the inside.
Thibodeaux misses with a punch to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Bernier just misses with a elbow thrown towards Thibodeaux's brow.
Still in the clinch, Thibodeaux scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Thibodeaux.
A head punch on the inside from Thibodeaux fails to land.
Thibodeaux tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Thibodeaux goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bernier is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Thibodeaux is keeping busy.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Thibodeaux.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bernier fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Bernier tries to land knees in the clinch but Thibodeaux avoids the damage to the body.
Guy Bernier has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thibodeaux lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bernier backwards.
Thibodeaux blocking some punches.
Thibodeaux lands with a short shot to the head.
Thibodeaux works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Bernier throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Thibodeaux tries to work over Bernier's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Thibodeaux lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A nice left hand lands by Thibodeaux.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thibodeaux throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Thibodeaux creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kaiden Thibodeaux is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thibodeaux on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kaiden Thibodeaux showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Thibodeaux, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 50:42
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 50:42
Judge William Gold scores the fight 50:42

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