PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dave Handerson (ranked 309 p4p, 868 weight class) and Marcel Thibodeaux (ranked 39 p4p, 104 weight class). Handerson comes to the cage accompanied by America - A Horse With No Name. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Handerson
vs
Thibodeaux

198 cm
27
255
17 - 4 - 0

194 cm
29
284
14 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Conviction
© Trap House

Wrestler Wayfare

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 17 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dave Handerson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Marcel Thibodeaux!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Alec Ball and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thibodeaux tries a head kick but it misses.
Thibodeaux throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Handerson throwing a counter right hand but Thibodeaux manages to avoid it.
Thibodeaux throws a lazy head kick

and Handerson counters with a shoot takedown. Thibodeaux fights it but they end up in guard.
Handerson trying to control the position from guard on top but Thibodeaux is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Handerson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Handerson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Handerson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Handerson controlling the position.
Handerson cracks Thibodeaux with a big elbow.

Handerson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Thibodeaux prevents Handerson from moving into mount.
Handerson sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Thibodeaux is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Handerson working the head and body with strikes.
Thibodeaux is looking for a sweep.
Handerson scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Thibodeaux to see if he's OK.
Handerson landing strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thibodeaux tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Handerson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Thibodeaux keeps working.
Handerson working the head with strikes.
Thibodeaux throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
Handerson lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Thibodeaux down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux is looking to regain half guard here but Handerson keeps moving and retains side control.

Handerson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Thibodeaux knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Handerson looks up at the clock and then as Thibodeaux takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Handerson smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Handerson works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Handerson lands a nice forearm strike.
Handerson scoring with punches and elbows.
Handerson scores with punches from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thibodeaux takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Handerson is putting a hurting on Thibodeaux here, landing some big shots from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Handerson is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Thibodeaux is trying to escape and Handerson transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Thibodeaux is forced to tap! Nice work there by Handerson! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:26 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Dave Handerson!
Dave Handerson retains his heavyweight title!
Our winner, Dave Handerson, 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.