PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bj Penn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Thunders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Penn
vs
Thunders

170 cm
22
195 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

186 cm
20
198 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bj Penn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Johnny Thunders!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thunders tries to close the distance and clinch up but Penn swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Penn feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Penn postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Thunders is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Penn, into his guard.
Thunders scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Thunders throws a big right hand that misses.
Thunders is looking to work some ground and pound but Penn has wrist control.
Thunders connects with a couple of short punches.
Thunders scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thunders working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Thunders accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Penn escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Thunders gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Thunders is in close to Penn's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Thunders postures up in Penn's guard and throws a big left but Penn blocks it.
Thunders trying to control but Penn is working from the bottom.

Penn looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thunders trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Penn has momentary wrist control but Thunders slips an elbow through the middle.
Thunders cracks Penn with a solid left hand.
Thunders postures up and lands a big shot to Penn's brow.

Penn has his foot on Thunders's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Thunders works his way back into a safe position though.
Thunders postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Penn really is a fat lump.
Thunders working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Penn's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Penn is breathing heavily.
Penn tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Thunders landing some decent shots from guard.
Thunders postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Thunders lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Thunders scoring with some ground and pound.
Thunders connects with a couple of short punches.
Thunders scoring with punches to the head and body.
Thunders postures up and lands a big shot to Penn's brow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Thunders avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thunders keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Penn's head.
Thunders scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Thunders working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Penn's head.
Thunders postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Penn might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Thunders got a little sloppy there for a moment and Penn has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Thunders has managed to get both his arms back between Penn's legs - danger averted.
Thunders makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Thunders must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Thunders content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Penn looking for a guillotine here but Thunders defends easily.
Thunders pushing down on Penn's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Thunders wants to take a breather but Penn is having none of it.
Thunders scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thunders takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Thunders lands strikes from half guard.
Thunders is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Thunders connects with a nice short shot to Penn's temple.
Penn has hold of Thunders's hands but Thunders slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Penn actively working from the bottom here.

Penn looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Penn is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Thunders scores with a couple of nice shots.
Thunders looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Penn with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Thunders is working for a kimura but Penn is defending it quite comfortably.

Penn looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thunders is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Penn is just riding it out for now. Thunders eventually gives up the hold.
Thunders is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Thunders with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Thunders is thwarting Penn's attempts to control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Thunders connects with a nice short shot to Penn's temple.
Penn on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Thunders lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Thunders misses with a takedown

and Penn counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Penn sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Thunders's guard.
Thunders is trying to stand.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Penn is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Thunders sees it coming and defends easily.
Thunders misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Thunders pushes Penn off and gets back to his feet.
Johnny Thunders seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thunders has his takedown stuffed

and Penn counters with a single leg into guard. Thunders didn't expect that.
Thunders looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Penn thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Thunders wants to sweep here but Penn controlling him for the moment.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thunders preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thunders looking for a sweep. Not yet Thunders, not yet.
Thunders manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Thunders landing strikes from the mount.
Penn wants to hold on but Thunders pushes him away.
Thunders putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Thunders working Penn over with strikes here.
Thunders dominating with strikes here.
Penn tries to hold on but Thunders postures up.
Thunders scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Thunders landing shots from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Thunders cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Thunders landing strikes from the mount and Penn is in trouble!
Thunders lands a big elbow.
Thunders landing punches.
Penn manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Penn has hold of Thunders's hands but Thunders slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Penn is looking for a sweep. Thunders is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Thunders takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Thunders landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Thunders thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Penn looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Penn actively working from the bottom here.
Thunders lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Penn has a takedown stuffed.
Thunders with a poor takedown

and Penn counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Bj Penn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Thunders.
Penn wants to control from the top but Thunders keeps moving.
Thunders manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Penn manages to get himself to full guard.
Thunders is working Penn over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Penn utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Penn has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Thunders can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Thunders lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Thunders with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Penn is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Thunders is aware though and is defending well.
Thunders stands up over Penn, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Thunders got a little sloppy there for a moment and Penn has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Thunders has managed to get both his arms back between Penn's legs - danger averted.
Thunders scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Thunders scoring with some ground and pound.
Thunders connects with a couple of short punches.
Penn avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Thunders throwing strikes from guard but Penn blocks nicely.
Thunders trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Thunders fails with the takedown.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Penn shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Penn showed some decent athleticism there.
Thunders makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Thunders.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bj Penn dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Thunders shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Thunders showed some decent athleticism there.
Thunders works his way into side control.
Thunders cracks Penn with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Penn is trying to get back to half guard.
Thunders scoring with punches and elbows.
Penn taking punishment in the form of punches.
Penn wants to get back to his feet but Thunders drags him back down.
Penn tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Penn can't do much from the bottom here.
Thunders landing a few strikes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thunders working the head and body with strikes.
Thunders connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Penn some visible discomfort.
Penn takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Penn is looking for a sweep.
Thunders in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Penn misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Thunders creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Thunders scores with a couple of short elbows.
Thunders is looking to take a break and control but Penn is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Thunders in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Penn taking a bit of punishment here - Thunders scoring with strikes.
The ground and pound from Thunders seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Penn takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Penn shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Thunders napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Penn tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Penn has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Penn misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Thunders is not content to let Penn control the position.
Thunders gets back to half guard.
Thunders is refusing to be controlled, as Penn sits in half guard.
Thunders gets full guard.
Thunders doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thunders is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Thunders is nestled in close to Penn, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Penn looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Thunders lands with a punch from half guard.

Penn looking for submissions off his back.
Thunders is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Thunders connects with a nice short shot to Penn's temple.

Penn looking for a kimura from the bottom but Thunders passes into side control!
Thunders working the ground and pound.
Penn is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thunders looks up at the clock and then as Penn takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Thunders smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Thunders lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Penn down.
Penn gets back to half guard.
Thunders slips a nice elbow through Penn's hands, connecting with Penn's forehead.
Nice strikes from Thunders there.

Penn looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Penn actively working from the bottom here.
Thunders working Penn over with strikes.
Thunders wants to lay and pray for a moment but Penn keeps working.
Ground and pound from Thunders.
Penn blocking the ground and pound attempt from Thunders.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny Thunders comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Thunders has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Thunders!