PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Pornthonglek Sitsongrit (ranked 708 p4p, 1144 weight class) and James King (ranked 56 p4p, 89 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sitsongrit
vs
King

173 cm
24
146
7 - 3 - 0

170 cm
39
146
35 - 22 - 2

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

NARCOS
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Pornthonglek Sitsongrit!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 22 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, James King!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sitsongrit misses with a hook.
Sitsongrit throws a body kick that misses.
King scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

King gets a clinch.
King lands a body shot.
Sitsongrit misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sitsongrit working aggressively here.
Sitsongrit misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sitsongrit stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Sitsongrit blocks an uppercut.
Sitsongrit tries to throw a body punch but King avoids it by throwing Sitsongrit back against the cage.
Sitsongrit lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
King tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Sitsongrit avoids it.
King lands a left hand.
Sitsongrit lands with a right to the head.
Sitsongrit working aggressively here.
King swings wildly with an uppercut but Sitsongrit uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
King lands a hook to the side of the head.
King blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sitsongrit misses with a short punch on the inside.
King lands a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King misses with a knee strike.
Sitsongrit fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sitsongrit lands with a right to the head.
King prevents a body shot from Sitsongrit.
Nice body punch from King.
Sitsongrit tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
King softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short right from Sitsongrit.
King prevents a body shot from Sitsongrit.
Sitsongrit misses with some punches.
Sitsongrit lands a left hand.
King working aggressively here.
I was talking to Sitsongrit's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

Sitsongrit breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The fighters circle momentarily. Sitsongrit darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
King ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
King fails in his attempt to clinch.

King has closed the distance and engaged Sitsongrit in a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
King blocks a body shot from Sitsongrit.
Sitsongrit throws a head punch that misses.
King working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
King is working Sitsongrit over against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from King.
A short right from King.
King with a knee to the head.
A body shot lands from Sitsongrit.
King lands with a short shot to the head.
Sitsongrit swings wildly with an uppercut but King uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sitsongrit tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
King with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Sitsongrit avoiding damage as King throws knees to the body.
King with a knee to the head.
Sitsongrit struggles to land a body shot inside as King controls his hands.
Sitsongrit misses with a punch to the body.
Good body shot from King.
King blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sitsongrit can't find room to land a body shot as King controls the action.
Sitsongrit tries to work over King's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A knee to the head by King.
King tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Sitsongrit lands a body shot in the clinch.
Sitsongrit doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit tries to work over King's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sitsongrit tries to work over King's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Sitsongrit creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Sitsongrit misses with a punch on the inside.
Sitsongrit tries to throw a body punch but King avoids it by throwing Sitsongrit back against the cage.
Sitsongrit lands a nice uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sitsongrit.
King lands a shot to the body.
King lands a knee to the head.
Sitsongrit takes a knee to the side of the body.
Sitsongrit goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
King with a knee to the head.

It looks like Pornthonglek Sitsongrit has been cut.
A short right from Sitsongrit on the inside.
King tries to land a knee to the head but Sitsongrit blocks with his arms.
King misses with some punches.
King using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sitsongrit has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
King utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Sitsongrit.
Sitsongrit scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit misses with a punch on the inside.
King misses with a body punch.
A right hook to the body lands for King.
King tries to work over Sitsongrit's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
King scores with a knee to the head.
Sitsongrit pushes King back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sitsongrit goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sitsongrit lands a shoulder strike.
Sitsongrit is leaning against King and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Sitsongrit scores with a shoulder strike.
Sitsongrit has a couple of punches blocked by King.
A shot in the inside from Sitsongrit.
Sitsongrit misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sitsongrit misses with the head strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sitsongrit tries a body shot but King blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by King.
King tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sitsongrit working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
King tries to work over Sitsongrit's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but James King will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Pornthonglek Sitsongrit's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sitsongrit misses with a straight left.
King pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
King tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sitsongrit manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A swing and a miss from King.
Nice straight punches there by King. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of King.
A telegraphed right hand from Sitsongrit misses the target.
Sitsongrit throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling King to counter with a crisp jab.
Some bone on bone action there as King checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Sitsongrit throws a body shot but no joy.
King misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
King pulls out of a head kick attempt.
King tries to land a leg kick but Sitsongrit saw it coming and moves away.
King misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
King checks a leg kick nicely.
King circles away from the clinch attempt.
A good leg kick by King.
Sitsongrit circles away from the clinch attempt.
King misses with a kick to the body
and Sitsongrit counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
King pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sitsongrit throws an overhand right that lands on King's shoulder, as King tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King lands a head kick!
King lands a leg kick that knocks Sitsongrit off balance momentarily.
King throws a body kick that misses.
King checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
King clobbers Sitsongrit with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
King throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sitsongrit sees it coming and avoids it easily.
King checks the leg kick.
King throws a nice head kick!
Sitsongrit throws a low kick but it's checked well by King.
King moves in looking to clinch but Sitsongrit pushes him off.
Sitsongrit with a hook.
Sitsongrit fakes high and swings low for a body shot but King manages to avoid it.
King blocks a jab.
King tries to counter with a clinch but Sitsongrit shakes him off and moves away.
King does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Sitsongrit misses with an attempted mid kick.
James King seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sitsongrit scores with a jab to the body.
King moves out of range as Sitsongrit throws a body kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sitsongrit pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
King throws a hook but Sitsongrit avoids it easily.
Sitsongrit will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
King works the jab nicely.
Sitsongrit thuds a left hand into King's body.
Sitsongrit scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
King fakes the leg kick and cracks Sitsongrit in the body.
King throws a big shot that misses.
A counter left hand to the body from Sitsongrit misses its target.
Sitsongrit connects with a looping right hand.
Sitsongrit lands with a hook. King tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
King throws a leg kick but Sitsongrit sees it coming and moves out of range.
King pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sitsongrit steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from King. That one must have hurt.
King takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Sitsongrit connects with a body shot that sends King's belly button to the back.
Sitsongrit lands with a nice body kick.
Sitsongrit displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as King throws out the jab.
King tries to clinch but Sitsongrit moves out of range.
King goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Pornthonglek Sitsongrit seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit clobbers King with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Nice uppercut lands for King. That snapped Sitsongrit's head back.

King forces Sitsongrit back against the cage and clinches.
Sitsongrit digs a right hand into King's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on King's gas tank.
Sitsongrit tries to throw a body punch but King avoids it by throwing Sitsongrit back against the cage.
Sitsongrit tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Sitsongrit misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sitsongrit tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sitsongrit misses with a punch to the body.
King tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
King trying to land knees to the body.
Sitsongrit swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sitsongrit scores with a shoulder strike.
A short left from Sitsongrit.
Sitsongrit tries to throw a body punch but King avoids it by throwing Sitsongrit back against the cage.
Sitsongrit gets through King's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Sitsongrit tries a body shot but King blocks it.
A nice left hand lands by Sitsongrit.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
King throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
King tries to land a knee to the head but Sitsongrit blocks with his arms.
Sitsongrit avoiding damage as King throws knees to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Sitsongrit creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Sitsongrit lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sitsongrit misses with a shot to the kidneys.
King takes a shot to the head.
Pornthonglek Sitsongrit has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Sitsongrit misses with a body punch.
King tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sitsongrit's elbow.
Sitsongrit can't find room to land a body shot as King controls the action.
King blocking some punches.
King tries to throw a body punch but Sitsongrit avoids it by throwing King back against the cage.
Sitsongrit misses with a punch on the inside.
King lands a nice knee to the body.
King lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
King doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
King digs a right hand into Sitsongrit's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Sitsongrit's gas tank.
King struggles to land a body shot inside as Sitsongrit controls his hands.
King looking to throw knees to the head but Sitsongrit is blocking nicely.
King tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sitsongrit.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Pornthonglek Sitsongrit will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Pornthonglek Sitsongrit's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

King avoids the body shot from Sitsongrit.
King follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
King misses with a body shot.
Sitsongrit throws a jab but it's blocked by King.
King throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
King defending well as Sitsongrit loads up on a big left hand.
Sitsongrit wants to land a leg kick but King is out of range.
Sitsongrit lands a nice shot to the body.
King misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sitsongrit.
Sitsongrit throws a big shot that misses.
Sitsongrit takes a shot to the body in his stride.
King fails in his attempt to clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sitsongrit. King does a little dance to reset his feet.
King feints and then cracks Sitsongrit's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Sitsongrit down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
King uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sitsongrit.
A slow jab from Sitsongrit misses its intended target.
King scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
King cracks Sitsongrit with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Sitsongrit jabbing away but nothing is landing.
King fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
King dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sitsongrit. That did some damage!
King throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sitsongrit was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Sitsongrit dips to his left and cracks King with an uppercut!
Sitsongrit swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by King.

King has Sitsongrit up against the cage in a clinch.
Sitsongrit lands a right hand.
King throws a knee to the head but misses.
Sitsongrit makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Sitsongrit throws a punch but it's blocked by King.
King goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sitsongrit lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Sitsongrit tries to work over King's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
King trying to land knees to the body.
King throws a head punch that misses.
Sitsongrit misses with a hook to the ribs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
King throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sitsongrit blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
King scores with a shot to the side of Sitsongrit's head.
King tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Sitsongrit tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
King lands a nice shot to the body.
Sitsongrit misses with a punch on the inside.
Sitsongrit lands a body punch.
King blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sitsongrit tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sitsongrit lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down King.
King prevents a body shot from Sitsongrit.
King connects with a nasty looking knee right to Sitsongrit's face.
King blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A right handed body shot lands from King.
King tries to work over Sitsongrit's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
King swings wildly with an uppercut but Sitsongrit uses good head movement to avoid it.
King missing with knees to the body.
Sitsongrit lands with a right to the head.
A hook to the body from King.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Sitsongrit.

Sitsongrit escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sitsongrit attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
King misses with a hook. Sitsongrit ducked under it nicely.
Sitsongrit swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sitsongrit uses good head movement to avoid the hook from King.
King throws a head kick that misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Sitsongrit misses the target.
Sitsongrit rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and King counters with a nice uppercut.
Sitsongrit just misses with a punch to the body.
Jab from Sitsongrit.
Sitsongrit misses with a looping right.
Jab by King.
King tries to clinch but Sitsongrit moves out of range.
Sitsongrit misses with a wild body shot.
King is looking to slow Sitsongrit down with leg kicks.
Nice shot lands for Sitsongrit.
Sitsongrit misses with a hook.
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!
King misses with a looping right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
King keeps Sitsongrit at a distance using the push kick.
Sitsongrit throws the left hand but King avoids the punch easily.
Sitsongrit swings and misses with a hook to the body.
King takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Sitsongrit keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from King.
King misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sitsongrit throws an overhand right that lands on King's shoulder, as King tries to avoid the shot.
Sitsongrit pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
King looks to land a left hand but Sitsongrit moved out of range nicely.
King throws out a loose jab but Sitsongrit uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sitsongrit feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Sitsongrit throws a hook to the side of King's head but King sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sitsongrit throws out a leg kick but King moves out of range and Sitsongrit only half commits.
King dips to his left and cracks Sitsongrit with an uppercut!
Sitsongrit lands a nice leg kick that just misses King's sensitive parts.
King scores with a nice body kick.
Sitsongrit throws a body shot but no joy.
King comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to James King.
I think King 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... James King!
James King made sure to mention his sponsor, HELLBENT in his post fight interview.