PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between David Hanson (ranked 2261 p4p, 3091 weight class) and Pyay Thuta (ranked 317 p4p, 433 weight class). Pyay Thuta is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Hanson
vs
Thuta

189 cm
20
214
2 - 0 - 0

195 cm
20
214
2 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Self confident

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
New Standard

Bondi MMA ðŸï¸
Hoarse Pills

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, David Hanson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Pyay Thuta!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Paul Aken and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thuta misses with a hook. Hanson ducked under it nicely.
Hanson looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Thuta scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Hanson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Thuta steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Thuta misses the shot to the body.
Hanson attempts a counter takedown but Thuta avoids it well and moves away.
Pyay Thuta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thuta misses with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hanson drives through with a takedown into Thuta's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Hanson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Thuta works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hanson throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thuta utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hanson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Thuta's guard.
Hanson is pressing down on Thuta's thigh, looking to free his foot. Thuta is holding on for now.

Hanson is trying to work for a kimura but Thuta is defending well.
Hanson works his way into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hanson in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Thuta is trying to get back to half guard.
Thuta looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Hanson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The strikes coming from Hanson are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thuta tries to escape but Hanson is in control.

Hanson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Thuta, who protects the arm well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hanson with the ground and pound but Thuta regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Hanson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hanson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Hanson is looking for a kimura but Thuta is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hanson to get the leverage.
Hanson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Hanson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Thuta defending well though.

Hanson seems to be looking for submissions.
Thuta is trying to stand up here but Hanson is controlling him well.
Thuta is looking to control Hanson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Thuta avoid being mounted?
Thuta tries to get to full guard but Hanson has control of the leg.

Hanson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Thuta defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hanson is working for a submission of some sort.

Hanson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Thuta has managed to free his arm - good work.
Thuta pushes Hanson off looking to stand but Hanson dives back in and keeps control.

Thuta is defending against the submission attempts here by Hanson.
Thuta wants to get back to his feet.
Thuta wants to improve his position but Hanson is controlling well.
Hanson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Thuta tries to get to full guard but Hanson has control of the leg.
Hanson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Thuta defending well though.

Hanson seems to be working for a kimura but Thuta defends the submission attempt.
Hanson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Thuta is trying to control but can't.

Hanson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Hanson tries to pass to full mount but Thuta defends it.
Hanson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Thuta defending well though.
Hanson prevents Thuta from improving his position.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Hanson is working for a submission of some sort.
Hanson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Thuta avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hanson.
Hanson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Hanson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Hanson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Thuta doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hanson.
Thuta trying to control but Hanson postures up.
Hanson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Thuta defending well though.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Thuta blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hanson.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Thuta can do anything to dispel that myth.
Hanson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Thuta really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hanson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The fighters are battling for position here. Thuta manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Thuta is looking to stand up but Hanson isn't so interested in that idea.
Thuta preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hanson throws an elbow that misses. Thuta uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hanson's guard. Nice move by Thuta!

Hanson throws his legs up looking for a submission but Thuta uses it to pass to side control.
Hanson is looking for a sweep.
Hanson takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Thuta wants to stand but Hanson has his arm trapped.
Hanson tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Hanson gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Hanson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Thuta pulls his head out easily.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Hanson gets full guard.
Thuta trying to control but Hanson is working from the bottom.
Thuta would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Hanson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Thuta defends well.

Hanson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Thuta landing some decent shots from guard.

Hanson working for submissions but it's allowed Thuta to get to half guard.

Hanson actively working from the bottom here.

Hanson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Hanson is looking to improve his position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Thuta in particular looking to stall.
Hanson is looking to improve his position.
Hanson is working hard here to advance position.

Hanson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Thuta prevents Hanson from improving his position.
Thuta is controlling the pace.
Hanson is looking to improve his position.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Thuta stands up out of the half guard.
Hanson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Thuta ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hanson moves away.
Thuta throws the kick towards the body but Hanson avoids it.
Hanson drops down looking for a counter takedown but Thuta sprawls and moves away.
Hanson tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hanson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Thuta leaves Hanson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

David Hanson dominated that round.
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. This is the final round!

Hanson throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Thuta tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Hanson is in Thuta's guard.
Hanson postures up.
Hanson passes into half guard.
Thuta keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Hanson seems to be looking for submissions.
Thuta has his hands clasped together around Hanson's back. He's all about the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thuta makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Thuta.
Thuta avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
David Hanson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hanson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thuta is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Thuta not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Thuta seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Thuta seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hanson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Hanson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Thuta wants to stand up but Hanson is controlling the position.
Thuta scoring with strikes to the body and head.
It looks like Thuta is going to stand back up.
Hanson is looking for a sweep. Thuta is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Thuta wants to take a breather but Hanson is having none of it.

Hanson actively working from the bottom here.

Hanson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thuta trying to control from half guard but Hanson is working away.

Hanson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Thuta pulls his head out easily.
Thuta not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hanson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Hanson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Thuta pulls his head out easily.
Thuta slips a nice elbow through Hanson's hands, connecting with Hanson's forehead.
Hanson punching from the bottom.
Hanson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Thuta.
Thuta throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Hanson looking for submissions off his back.
Thuta missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thuta decides to stand and escape the position.
Hanson shoots in but no luck this time.
Thuta pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hanson is out of range and Thuta settles back down.
Hanson feinted with a counter takedown.
Thuta fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hanson.
Hanson slips under a jab from Thuta.
Hanson drops down looking for a counter takedown but Thuta sprawls and moves away.
A left lands for Thuta.
Thuta pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hanson is out of range and Thuta settles back down.

Thuta gets a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thuta lands with a light punch inside.

Hanson pulls guard effortlessly.
Thuta trying to control the position from guard on top but Hanson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thuta is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Hanson tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Hanson throws his legs up looking for a submission but Thuta uses it to pass to side control.
Hanson gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Hanson actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thuta is nestled in close to Hanson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
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!
Hanson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Thuta looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Thuta wants to get up but he can't break Hanson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Hanson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Hanson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Thuta sees it coming and defends easily.
Hanson stops Thuta from getting back to his feet.

Hanson is trying to work for a kimura but Thuta is defending well.
Thuta regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Hanson.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Thuta looking for a sweep. Not yet Thuta, not yet.

Hanson drops back looking for a leg! Thuta is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Thuta manages to kick Hanson off! Hanson jumps back into Thuta's guard.
Thuta wants to stand but Hanson is controlling the position.
Hanson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Thuta works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hanson throws a big right hand that misses.
Hanson won't allow Thuta to get back to his feet.
Thuta working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hanson.
Hanson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Thuta is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hanson is controlling him.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Thuta is trying to control the position but Hanson postures up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Hanson fails with a takedown attempt.
Hanson shoots for a takedown but Thuta saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for David Hanson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thuta ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Thuta swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Pyay Thuta has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Hanson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Thuta doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Thuta throws a head kick but Hanson moves out of range.
Hanson drops down looking for a counter takedown but Thuta sprawls and moves away.
A jab from Thuta misses.
Thuta looks to throw the jab but Hanson is out of range.
Hanson attempts a counter takedown but Thuta avoids it well and moves away.
Thuta with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hanson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Thuta connects with a looping right hand.
Thuta thuds a left hand into Hanson's body.
Hanson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thuta.
Thuta misses with a body kick.
Pyay Thuta seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A decent looking cross lands there for Thuta.
David Hanson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hanson moves out of range of the body kick from Thuta.
Hanson attempts a counter takedown but Thuta avoids it well and moves away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pyay Thuta comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 19:19
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 19:19
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 19:19

The fight is ruled a draw!
David Hanson retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!