PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Craig Thornton (ranked 4540 p4p, 6721 weight class) and Reece Kipper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Reece Kipper looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Thornton
vs
Kipper

186 cm
18
176
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
25
170
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Bondi MMA

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Craig Thornton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Reece Kipper!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kipper walks into a straight right hand from Thornton.
Kipper ducks under a wild hook from Thornton.
Thornton keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kipper.
Thornton throws a big counter combination but Kipper scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Thornton tries a head kick but it misses.
Thornton tries to land a body kick

and Kipper counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Thornton!
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Kipper working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

Kipper decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Thornton lands a jab.
A punch lands to the side of Kipper 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Thornton looks to land a body kick but Kipper moved away.
Thornton scores with the left hand. Kipper knows he should have avoided that one.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thornton lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Thornton connects with a jab.
A big right from Thornton misses.
Thornton feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kippers jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kipper looks winded!
Thornton tests Kipper's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kipper ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kipper wants to counter the offense by Thornton and move into the clinch position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thornton wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kipper pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Thornton misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kipper looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kipper or perhaps it was just good defense by Thornton, which made it look bad.
Kipper closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kipper is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Thornton misses with a double jab.
Craig Thornton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kipper takes one on the button.
Kipper keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Thornton.
Thornton works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Thornton lands a nice shot to the body.
Craig Thornton is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kipper takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Thornton changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kipper tries to avoid it but Thornton manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kipper to the ground. Kipper escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Some wild striking there from Thornton.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Thornton scores with a jab to the jaw.
Thornton is looking to slow Kipper down with leg kicks.
Thornton throws a series of punches but Kipper moves out of range.
Thornton throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kipper stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Thornton throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kipper wants to counter the offense by Thornton and move into the clinch position.
Sloppy strikes from Thornton. Those never looked like landing.
Kipper checks a leg kick nicely.
A punch combination from Thornton misses.
Thornton lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Thornton cracks a nice hook into Kipper's ribs.
Thornton lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kipper circles away quickly and effectively.
Thornton throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Thornton misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kipper moves out of range of the body kick.
Kipper is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Nice jab there from Thornton.
Kipper ducks under a wild hook from Thornton.
Thornton throws a right and a left that Kipper avoids nicely.
Thornton paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Thornton throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Thornton clobbers Kipper with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
The fighters circle momentarily. Thornton darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kipper is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Thornton.
Thornton swinging wildly here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Thornton throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kipper is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Thornton looks to land a combination. Kipper sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Thornton is looking to chop away at Kipper's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thornton misses with a looping right.
Thornton lands a really nice looking cross but Kipper seems unphased.
Thornton avoids the head kick by Kipper.
Thornton looks to score with a jab to the body but Kipper is just out of range.
Kipper moves out of range of the body kick from Thornton.
Kipper doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Thornton throws out a loose jab but Kipper uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sloppy strikes from Thornton. Those never looked like landing.
Thornton jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Thornton is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Kipper tries to move into range but Thornton moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Thornton misses with a straight left.
Kipper has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Thornton connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Thornton is working the combinations to good effect here.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kipper.
Kipper moves out of range of the body kick.
Thornton shoots in looking for a takedown. Kipper tries to sprawl out of it but Thornton keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kipper manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Thornton dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Thornton pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Thornton pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Kipper back to the cage. Thornton follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Thornton scores with a punch to the head.
A bone on bone clash there as Kipper blocks the leg kick.
Kipper ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kipper tries to counter with a clinch but Thornton shakes him off and moves away.
Thornton cracks Kipper with an open hand slap.
Craig Thornton is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thornton throws a left and a right that both miss

and Kipper moves into the clinch.
Thornton is trying to push Kipper away but Kipper has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kipper tries for a takedown. No joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A shot in the inside from Thornton.
Kipper is breathing heavily.
Thornton wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Kipper has picked Thornton up - he's going for a ride! Kipper dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thornton kicks Kipper off and gets back to his feet.
Kipper walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A combination from Thornton does no damage.
Thornton ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Thornton throws a series of strikes that have Kipper backpedaling.
Thornton is looking to land body kicks.
Thornton bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Thornton looks to land a combination but Kipper avoids it well.
Kipper takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thornton digs a good hook to Kipper's body.
Kipper on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Thornton is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kipper can do to turn this around?
Thornton scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Thornton scores with a decent looking hook.
Thornton fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Thornton.
Thornton bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Thornton with a hook.
Thornton scores with a shot to the body.
Thornton stalks Kipper and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kipper's face. Kipper staggers backwards, shaken.
Thornton fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Thornton throws a hook but Kipper avoids it easily.
Thornton throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Thornton throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A nice combination there by Thornton.
Kipper on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kipper moves forwards but Thornton connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Thornton tries to bum rush Kipper with a series of wild strikes but Kipper uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Thornton misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Thornton!
Thornton throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Thornton bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kipper avoids a punch combination nicely.
Thornton scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Thornton throws a wild body kick that Kipper sees coming a mile off.
Kipper moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A combination from Thornton does no damage.
Craig Thornton is winning the standup battle so far.
Thornton throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kipper.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thornton fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kipper looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Thornton displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Thornton scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kipper on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Kipper on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Thornton throws a series of punches but Kipper moves out of range.
Thornton throws a chopping leg kick but Kipper manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kipper is looking for the big counter here.
Thornton throws a right and a left that Kipper avoids nicely.
Sloppy strikes from Thornton. Those never looked like landing.
Kipper dodges the punch combination from Thornton.
Thornton just misses with a punch to the body.
Kipper takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thornton works the jab nicely.
Thornton scores with a nice right hand.
Kipper showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Thornton.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Thornton dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Kipper takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Thornton fails to land with a series of punches.
Thornton misses with a two punch combination.
Kipper takes one to the chin there.
Kipper just misses with a punch to the body.
Kipper looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Thornton looks to land a combination. Kipper sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
A shot to the liver by Thornton. Beautiful body shot.
Thornton throws a front kick aimed at Kipper's knee but Kipper avoids it well.
Thornton works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Kipper tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Thornton paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thornton paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kipper takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
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!
Decent striking displayed by Thornton there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thornton scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A combination from Thornton does no damage.
Kipper tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Thornton manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Thornton tries to land a leg kick but Kipper saw it coming and moves away.
Thornton scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Kipper slips a jab and a cross from Thornton.
Thornton misses with a double jab.
Thornton throws a leg kick

and Kipper counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kipper.
Kipper prevents Thornton from getting back to his feet.
Thornton keeping full guard, as Kipper tries to pass.
Kipper stops Thornton from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kipper controlling from the top position.
Kipper won't allow Thornton to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
The crowd cheers as Thornton lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kipper doesn't seem phased though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thornton lands a really nice looking cross but Kipper seems unphased.
Thornton throws a leg kick that misses.
Kipper takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Thornton throws a leg kick that misses.
Despite the aggression on Kipper's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Good standup being displayed there by Thornton as he connects with a hook.
Thornton scores with a jab to the body.
Thornton lands a nice shot that snaps Kipper's head back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thornton scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Kipper ducks right into an uppercut from Thornton.
Kipper has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Thornton.
A jab from Thornton finds it's way through Kipper's defenses.
Thornton fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kipper is out of range.
Thornton throws a body punch but Kipper moves out of range.
Thornton throws a combination. Kipper tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Thornton misses the shot to the body.
Kipper walks into a jab.
Thornton lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Thornton looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thornton fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kipper manages to avoid it.
Thornton throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Thornton lands a glancing blow to the side of Kipper's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Thornton.
Thornton cracks Kipper with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Thornton looks to score with a jab to the body but Kipper is just out of range.
Thornton cracks a nice hook into Kipper's ribs.
Thornton lands a slapping body shot.
Thornton lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Kipper checks a low kick from Thornton.
Thornton digs a good body shot into Kipper's ribs.
Thornton lands a really nice looking cross but Kipper seems unphased.
Thornton connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kipper. Kipper circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
No joy there for Thornton, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Thornton fails to land with a series of punches.
Reece Kipper has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Craig Thornton is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kipper moves out of range as Thornton throws a body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Craig Thornton showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Thornton, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:25
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:25
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Craig Thornton!
Craig Thornton managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Bondi MMA, into his post fight interview.
In defeat, Reece Kipper stepped up to the mic, saying 'i tired my hardest, i will get back in the gym and be back.'.