PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Iranian Hulk (ranked 1580 p4p, 1294 weight class) and Alexei Thorgard (ranked 192 p4p, 157 weight class). Iranian Hulk has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hulk
vs
Thorgard

207 cm
21
286
6 - 3 - 0

195 cm
21
280
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Heavy handed

Silverback Sweatshop
Stoner's Killer Apparel

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Champion Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Iranian Hulk!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alexei Thorgard!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Trevor Gratis and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.

Hulk throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Thorgard tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Hulk is in Thorgard's guard.
Thorgard looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hulk trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hulk trying to control but Thorgard is working from the bottom.
Hulk throwing strikes but missing.
Hulk won't allow Thorgard to sweep him here.
Hulk 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.
Hulk throws a big elbow that misses.
Hulk throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thorgard looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Hulk puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Hulk throwing shots but Thorgard is blocking nicely.
Hulk sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Thorgard defending well though.
Hulk wants to pass the guard but Thorgard is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hulk throwing shots but Thorgard is blocking nicely.
Thorgard is staying active underneath Hulk, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Thorgard keeps control of the position for the meantime.

Hulk is looking for a kimura here.
Hulk moves nicely into side control.
Sloppy strikes there by Hulk.

That's two 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.
Hulk working the ground and pound but Thorgard is defending the strikes.
Hulk working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Hulk trying to control the action but Thorgard is working from the bottom.
Thorgard tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hulk wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Thorgard struggling a bit here.
Hulk fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Hulk will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Thorgard regains half guard, as Hulk was trying to land strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hulk is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Thorgard sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorgard is looking for a sweep. Hulk is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hulk throwing shots but Thorgard is blocking nicely.
Hulk not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Hulk looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hulk trying to control from Thorgard's half guard. Thorgard has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Thorgard working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hulk.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hulk trying to control the position from guard on top but Thorgard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hulk trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hulk throwing strikes from guard but Thorgard blocks nicely.
Hulk throwing strikes but missing.
Hulk working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Thorgard keeping moving, preventing Hulk from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hulk accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Iranian Hulk dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Thorgard displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hulk.
A little jabbing left from Thorgard on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Hulk looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Hulk shoots in for a takedown but Thorgard shows good takedown defense.
Thorgard looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Hulk shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Thorgard pinned against the cage. Thorgard gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Iranian Hulk. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thorgard stuffs the takedown.
Thorgard looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Hulk shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Thorgard pinned against the cage. Thorgard gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Thorgard looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hulk.
Thorgard looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Nice sprawl there from Thorgard as Hulk shoots in.
Hulk closes the distance and clinches up with Thorgard, looking for a takedown. Hulk pushes Thorgard against the cage but Thorgard circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Thorgard swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Hulk closes this distance looking for a takedown but Thorgard circles away.
Thorgard looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Hulk shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Thorgard's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hulk distracts Thorgard with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hulk missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hulk is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Thorgard can do to turn this around?
Hulk throwing strikes but missing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hulk accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hulk wants to control from the top but Thorgard keeps moving.
Thorgard working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hulk.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Thorgard is on top in guard.

Hulk is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thorgard sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Thorgard trying to control the position from guard on top but Hulk is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thorgard engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Hulk is trying to control the position but Thorgard postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Hulk throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Thorgard escapes and throws Hulk's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Iranian Hulk overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hulk is not content to let Thorgard control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Alexei Thorgard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Horrible takedown attempt by Hulk or perhaps it was just good defense by Thorgard, which made it look bad.
It seemed like Thorgard was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Thorgard leaves Hulk with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Thorgard throws out a counter right but Hulk avoids it with no problem.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hulk darts in looking for a takedown but Thorgard gets double underhooks and turns Hulk into the cage.
It seemed like Thorgard was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Iranian Hulk. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thorgard prevents the takedown attempt.
Thorgard lands a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Thorgard - that landed with a thud.
Hulk tries for a takedown. No joy.
Thorgard misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hulk goes for a takedown attempt but Thorgard pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Hulk tries to score a power double leg takedown but Thorgard sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hulk somewhat.
Hulk tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Thorgard connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

It looks like Iranian Hulk has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hulk tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Thorgard swivels and escapes.
Thorgard stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Thorgard wants it to stay on the feet.
Thorgard looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
No luck for Hulk with that takedown attempt.
Hulk tries for a takedown but Thorgard sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hulk shoots in for a double leg but Thorgard sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Hulk tries for a takedown but Thorgard sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Thorgard looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Thorgard displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hulk.
It seemed like Thorgard was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Hulk gets a takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hulk is trying to control the action in half guard but Thorgard is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Hulk lands strikes from half guard.
Hulk wants to free his trapped foot but Thorgard is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Hulk is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Hulk is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Thorgard has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Alexei Thorgard really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Iranian Hulk's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hulk misses with a takedown attempt - Thorgard sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Thorgard looks like he wants to counter punch here.

Hulk closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Thorgard to the mat! Thorgard manages to get full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hulk working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hulk stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Thorgard swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hulk with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorgard is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Thorgard trying to control the position.
Thorgard is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Hulk throwing strikes but missing.
Thorgard keeping moving, preventing Hulk from controlling successfully.
Hulk pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Thorgard is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hulk trying to control but Thorgard is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hulk will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A little jabbing left from Thorgard on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Hulk throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Thorgard's waist but Thorgard gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hulk off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Iranian Hulk. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hulk misses with a takedown
and Thorgard counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Alexei Thorgard seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hulk shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Thorgard defends it nicely.
Thorgard looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Hulk shoots in looking for a takedown but Thorgard manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hulk's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Thorgard throws out a counter right but Hulk avoids it with no problem.
Hulk with a lazy takedown attempt

and Thorgard counters with a crisp right hand that drops Hulk! Thorgard lets Hulk back up to his feet, looking for a finish!

Hulk is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hulk shoots in for a takedown but Thorgard shows good takedown defense.
Thorgard throws out a counter right but Hulk avoids it with no problem.
Oh Hulk is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hulk fails with a takedown attempt.
Thorgard looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Hulk seems to have got his legs back now.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hulk is defended easily by Thorgard.
Thorgard throws out a counter right but Hulk avoids it with no problem.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Alexei Thorgard dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Iranian Hulk's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Hulk tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Thorgard swivels and escapes.
Iranian Hulk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hulk darts in looking for a takedown but Thorgard gets double underhooks and turns Hulk into the cage.
Hulk wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Iranian Hulk. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thorgard prevents a takedown attempt there.
Hulk tries for a takedown but Thorgard manages to get underhooks.
Hulk fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Thorgard struggles to land a body shot inside as Hulk controls his hands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Thorgard breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hulk shoots for a double leg takedown but Thorgard sprawls well. He's pushed Hulk's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hulk misses with a takedown

and Thorgard counters with a crisp right hand that drops Hulk! Thorgard lets Hulk back up to his feet, looking for a finish!
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Hulk fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Thorgard avoids it really well and circles away.
It seemed like Thorgard was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Alexei Thorgard is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hulk with a poor takedown
and Thorgard counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hulk tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Thorgard defends well and Hulk ends up having to push Thorgard into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Thorgard looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Thorgard gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hulk.
Thorgard prevents a takedown attempt there.
Thorgard is pressed up against the cage. Hulk has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Thorgard down to the mat. Thorgard avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Hulk shoots in for a double leg but Thorgard sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Thorgard looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hulk shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Thorgard defends it nicely.
Hulk shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Thorgard but Thorgard pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Thorgard throws out a counter right but Hulk avoids it with no problem.
Iranian Hulk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Thorgard displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hulk.
A little jabbing left from Thorgard on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Hulk throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Thorgard counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hulk misses with a takedown
and Thorgard counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexei Thorgard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Thorgard has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 45:49
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 45:49
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 45:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexei Thorgard!
Alexei Thorgard is the new heavyweight champion!
A less than humble Alexei Thorgard misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.