PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between CJ Hallinan (ranked 3859 p4p, 21530 weight class) and Casey Thunderbird (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hallinan
vs
Thunderbird

190 cm
22
165
2 - 1 - 0

177 cm
18
174
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, CJ Hallinan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Casey Thunderbird!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shigeki Sano and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thunderbird fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Hallinan works over Thunderbird's head and body with a nice combination.
Thunderbird fails with a takedown attempt.
Hallinan looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Thunderbird is fending him off so far but Hallinan persists. Nope, Thunderbird circles away and we're back to standing.
Hallinan keeps the fight on the outside.
Thunderbird lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Thunderbird scores with a shot to the body.
Thunderbird throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Hallinan closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Thunderbird kicks Hallinan off and gets back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thunderbird scores with a hook to the body. Hallinan takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Thunderbird shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hallinan but Hallinan pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hallinan fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Thunderbird takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thunderbird throws a sloppy body shot
and Hallinan counters with a left and a right that stings Thunderbird.
Thunderbird throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hallinan half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Hallinan really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Thunderbird throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hallinan changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Thunderbird misses the shot to the body.
Hallinan fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for CJ Hallinan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hallinan is breathing heavily.
Thunderbird lands with an overhand left.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Hallinan.
Thunderbird is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hallinan rather than just go for the knockout.
Hallinan looks for a takedown but Thunderbird sprawls well.
Hallinan takes one to the chin there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thunderbird swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hallinan.
Hallinan leaves Thunderbird with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A right-left combo lands from Hallinan.
Thunderbird misses with an uppercut. Hallinan saw that one coming.
Hallinan tries to counter by clinching up but Thunderbird breaks away and moves out of range.
Hallinan lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Hallinan shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Thunderbird defends it nicely.
Thunderbird throws a lazy right hand but Hallinan sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Thunderbird tries for a takedown but Hallinan sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
As Thunderbird looks to move away, Hallinan throws a big counter combo but Thunderbird just gets out of the way.
Hallinan lands with an uppercut that bounces Thunderbird off the cage and back into range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hallinan shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Thunderbird manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thunderbird not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hallinan stays in close to Thunderbird's body and controls the position.
Hallinan passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Thunderbird is trying to control Hallinan's posture but Hallinan avoids it.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Thunderbird can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hallinan advances to mount.
Hallinan looking to finish Thunderbird with some ground and pound. This is bad for Thunderbird!
Thunderbird is working to get back to half guard.
Thunderbird tries to hold on but Hallinan pushes him away.

Hallinan is working to isolate an arm here. It's a telegraphed submission attempt but he's gone for it anyway - and he's got it! Hallinan extends the arm and Thunderbird is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). CJ Hallinan!