PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Aaron Thornton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aaron Thornton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Thornton
vs
Thornton

225 cm
24
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
25
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Aaron Thornton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Aaron Thornton!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aaron Thornton tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Aaron Thornton counters with a nice body kick.

Aaron Thornton tries to sprawl but Aaron Thornton drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Aaron Thornton postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Aaron Thornton to stand up.
Aaron Thornton wants to clinch

and Aaron Thornton counters with a takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Aaron Thornton's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Aaron Thornton tries to bench press Aaron Thornton off him but Aaron Thornton keeps the position.
Aaron Thornton can't do much from the bottom here.
Aaron Thornton will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Aaron Thornton keeping his opponent close.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aaron Thornton is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Aaron Thornton's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aaron Thornton is trying to control. Aaron Thornton wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Aaron Thornton wants to improve his position but Aaron Thornton is controlling well.
Aaron Thornton has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Aaron Thornton is working away from the top position though.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Aaron Thornton forces Aaron Thornton back against the cage and clinches.
Aaron Thornton tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Aaron Thornton just stands there and leans against the cage.
Aaron Thornton drops down looking for an ankle pick but Aaron Thornton pulls his leg out and moves away.

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.
Aaron Thornton misses with a takedown

and Aaron Thornton decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Aaron Thornton's guard.
Aaron Thornton wants to sweep but no luck.
Aaron Thornton controls from within his opponent's guard.
Aaron Thornton has a closed guard, preventing Aaron Thornton from standing up.
Aaron Thornton is fighting to break Aaron Thornton's control of his arms but Aaron Thornton is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Aaron Thornton wants to control from the top but Aaron Thornton keeps moving.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

We're going to have a standup here because Aaron Thornton wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Aaron Thornton fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Aaron Thornton avoids it really well and circles away.
Aaron Thornton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aaron Thornton.
Aaron Thornton looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aaron Thornton gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Aaron Thornton fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Aaron Thornton drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Aaron Thornton fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Aaron Thornton breaks from the clinch.
Aaron Thornton shoots for a takedown but Aaron Thornton saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Aaron Thornton moves to clinch but Aaron Thornton breaks away

and Aaron Thornton counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Aaron Thornton breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aaron Thornton tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Aaron Thornton swivels and escapes.
Aaron Thornton shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Aaron Thornton counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Aaron Thornton!
Aaron Thornton avoids the attempt from Aaron Thornton to control.
Aaron Thornton throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Aaron Thornton content just to control the position here.
Aaron Thornton lands a big shot there that rocks Aaron Thornton but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Aaron Thornton really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Aaron Thornton tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Aaron Thornton will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Aaron Thornton clinches up against the cage.

Aaron Thornton jumps into guard, dragging Aaron Thornton to the mat.
Aaron Thornton being controlled here momentarily.
Aaron Thornton keeping full guard, as Aaron Thornton tries to pass.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aaron Thornton trying to control but Aaron Thornton is working from the bottom.

Aaron Thornton working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Aaron Thornton doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Aaron Thornton manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aaron Thornton not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Aaron Thornton trying to stand up but can't free himself from Aaron Thornton's guard.
Aaron Thornton passes Aaron Thornton's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Aaron Thornton thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Aaron Thornton's head.
Aaron Thornton thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Aaron Thornton's head.
Aaron Thornton is taking a breather. Aaron Thornton says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Aaron Thornton on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Aaron Thornton tries to get out of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Aaron Thornton is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Aaron Thornton moves into full mount! Aaron Thornton won't be happy about that!
Aaron Thornton tries to control but Aaron Thornton wriggling away.
Aaron Thornton is working to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aaron Thornton lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Aaron Thornton is looking to improve his position but Aaron Thornton isn't that keen on the idea.
Aaron Thornton in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Aaron Thornton tries to lock up and control but Aaron Thornton gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Aaron Thornton is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Aaron Thornton is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Aaron Thornton looking to secure an arm triangle but Aaron Thornton defends it well.
Aaron Thornton is breathing heavily.
Aaron Thornton tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Aaron Thornton is working hard here to advance position.
Aaron Thornton tries to hold on but Aaron Thornton postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aaron Thornton prevents Aaron Thornton from getting the reversal.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Aaron Thornton throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Aaron Thornton is squirming around, avoiding Aaron Thornton's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aaron Thornton showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Aaron Thornton closes the distance looking to clinch

and Aaron Thornton counters with a nice double leg into side control. Aaron Thornton won't be happy with that.

Aaron Thornton stands up and beckons Aaron Thornton to his feet.
Aaron Thornton tries for a takedown but Aaron Thornton circles away easily
and Aaron Thornton counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Aaron Thornton misses with a leg kick

and Aaron Thornton counters with a nice double leg into side control. Aaron Thornton won't be happy with that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Aaron Thornton tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Aaron Thornton wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Aaron Thornton decides to stand back up. Aaron Thornton steps back and let's Aaron Thornton get back to his feet.
Good work by Aaron Thornton as he checks the leg kick.

Aaron Thornton closes the distance and pushes Aaron Thornton back into the cage.
Aaron Thornton can't break the clinch.
Aaron Thornton takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Aaron Thornton wants to get back to striking at distance but Aaron Thornton won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aaron Thornton is pressed up against the cage. Aaron Thornton has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Aaron Thornton down to the mat. Aaron Thornton avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Aaron Thornton throws the kick towards the body but Aaron Thornton avoids it.
Aaron Thornton misses with a takedown
and Aaron Thornton counters with a body kick that stops Aaron Thornton in his tracks momentarily.
Aaron Thornton takes a swing at Aaron Thornton's ribcage but misses.
Aaron Thornton throws a lazy head kick

and Aaron Thornton counters by clinching up.

Aaron Thornton has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Aaron Thornton uses from the top position.
Aaron Thornton wants to sweep here but Aaron Thornton controlling him for the moment.
Aaron Thornton wants to stand and escape but instead Aaron Thornton has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Aaron Thornton wants to control from the top but Aaron Thornton keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aaron Thornton is adopting a defensive guard.
Aaron Thornton wants to stand but Aaron Thornton has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Aaron Thornton is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Aaron Thornton is controlling him.
Aaron Thornton trying to control the position from guard on top but Aaron Thornton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aaron Thornton preventing the sweep.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Aaron Thornton.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Aaron Thornton.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aaron Thornton. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Aaron Thornton gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Aaron Thornton has Aaron Thornton pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Aaron Thornton manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Aaron Thornton stalling in the clinch but Aaron Thornton improves position.

Aaron Thornton manages to pull guard.
Aaron Thornton looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Aaron Thornton is trying to control the position but Aaron Thornton postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Aaron Thornton.

Aaron Thornton closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Aaron Thornton lands in his opponent's guard.
Aaron Thornton controlling from the top position.
Aaron Thornton working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Aaron Thornton.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aaron Thornton comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Aaron Thornton 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aaron Thornton!