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SSG 165 Thumb vs Sticks PBP Commentary |
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the super heavyweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of Los Angeles, with a TWGC record of 24 wins and 10 losses; Thom Thumb! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 5 wins and 5 losses; Fiddle Sticks!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Alec Ball and Steve Smith.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
Sticks closes the distance and clinches.
Sticks fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Sticks gets control of Thumb's arms and successfully pulls guard. Sticks will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Thumb trying to control the position from guard on top but Sticks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Our spies down at at Oblivion Gate inform us that Sticks has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Thumb tries to free his leg and advance position but Sticks is retaining full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thumb is working hard here to advance position.
Sticks has his foot on Thumb's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Thumb works his way back into a safe position though.
Thumb tries to free his leg and advance position but Sticks is retaining full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Thumb advances to half guard.
Thumb prevents Sticks from improving his position.
Thumb is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Sticks has managed to free his arm - good work.
Thumb with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Thumb stalling away here and it's allowed Sticks to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thumb pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sticks is keeping the position for now.
Thumb passes easily into side control. Nice work. Score +3 for passing guard: Thumb (3) vs (0) Sticks
Sticks prevents Thumb from improving position.
Thumb controls the position.
Thumb is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sticks is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Thumb is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sticks is trying to improve his position.
Thumb happy to just control the position for now.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thumb tries to move into full mount but can't pass Sticks's legs.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Sticks tries to improve position but can't.
A lull in the action here as Thumb stalls from top position.
Thumb trying to control the action but Sticks is working from the bottom.
Sticks is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Thumb is one step ahead and moves to full mount! Score +2 for reaching mount: Thumb (5) vs (0) Sticks
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Sticks slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Sticks works his way to full guard. Good work.
Thumb trying to control but Sticks is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sticks working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Thumb doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Thumb manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Thumb looking to pass the guard.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Sticks looking for a sweep. Not yet Sticks, not yet.
Thumb stands and throws Sticks's legs to the side, diving into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Thumb (8) vs (0) Sticks
Thumb moves into full mount! Score +2 for reaching mount: Thumb (10) vs (0) Sticks
Thumb controlling from mount.
Sticks keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Thumb tries to control but Sticks wriggling away.
Sticks is desperately trying to improve his position but Thumb has a good base and remains in mount.
Thumb swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Sticks is now in Thumb's guard. A big mistake from Thumb there, giving up the dominant position! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Thumb (10) vs (2) Sticks
Sticks postures up.
Sticks is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Thumb working a defensive guard here.
Thumb had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sticks defends it easily.
Thumb is trying to control the position from the bottom.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Thumb is on top in guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Thumb (12) vs (2) Sticks
Thumb trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Thumb is stalling in the full guard.
Thumb passes Sticks's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Thumb trying to pass the guard but Sticks defending well.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Thumb has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount. Score +3 for passing guard: Thumb (15) vs (2) Sticks
Thumb controlling the position easily from mount.
Sticks is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Sticks is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Thumb tries to take his opponent's back but Sticks turns with him and manages to move into guard on the top. Nice work. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Thumb (15) vs (4) Sticks
Thumb wants to improve his position but instead Sticks has moved into half guard.
Sticks perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Thumb gets back to full guard.
Thumb is controlling Sticks's posture.
Sticks controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sticks advances to half guard.
Thumb tries to get to full guard but Sticks has control of the leg.
Thumb works his way to full guard. Good work.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Sticks content to stall in guard here.
Sticks must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sticks stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Thumb swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Thumb looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sticks is one step ahead there.
Thumb is adopting a defensive guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Thumb takes the fight on points by 15 to 4.
Our winner, Thom Thumb, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans. |
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