PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Faith Thatcher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chopper Reid (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Faith Thatcher has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Thatcher
vs
Reid

155 cm
22
135 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

225 cm
22
144 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Infliction Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Faith Thatcher!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Chopper Reid!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Damien Edna and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thatcher takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Reid drives through and clinches with Thatcher against the cage.
Reid is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Thatcher tries a knee to the head but Reid blocks it.
Thatcher throws a knee to the head but misses.

Thatcher breaks the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Thatcher throws a head kick but Reid moves out of range.
Reid listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Thatcher is looking to clinch.
Reid punishes Thatcher's body with a nice straight punch.
Reid scores with a sloppy right hand. Thatcher should have avoided that one.
Thatcher doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Reid blocks a head kick by Thatcher.
Reid stalks Thatcher and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Thatcher's face. Thatcher staggers backwards, shaken.
Thatcher throws a head kick but Reid moves out of range.
Thatcher misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Reid tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Reid throws a one two combo.
Reid lands a two punch combo.
Reid moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Reid misses with a low kick as Thatcher jumps back.
Reid goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thatcher throws a head kick that misses
and Reid counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Thatcher tries a head kick but it misses.
Reid's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Reid duly obliges.

Thatcher is rocked!
Reid blocks a head kick by Thatcher.
Thatcher is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Reid rushes Thatcher and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Reid is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Thatcher tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Reid has had enough of the clinch but Thatcher keeps him there for the moment.

Reid breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A left and a right from Reid both land. Nice combination.
Oh Thatcher is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Reid scores with a jab to the body.
Thatcher seems to have got his legs back now.
Reid throws a one two combo.
Reid scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
A head kick misses from Thatcher.
Reid cracks a nice hook into Thatcher's ribs.

Reid has taken the fight to the clinch.
Thatcher looking to throw knees to the head but Reid is blocking nicely.
Thatcher connects with a knee to the head.
Thatcher keeps control of Reid as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Thatcher with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Reid is trying to break the clinch but Thatcher has him pressed against the cage.
Thatcher fails to pull guard.
Reid tries to break the clinch but Thatcher is controlling the position.
Thatcher throws a knee to the head but misses.
Reid has had enough of the clinch but Thatcher keeps him there for the moment.
Reid can't break the clinch.
Reid is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thatcher breaks the clinch.
Reid is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Thatcher rather than just go for the knockout.
Thatcher throws a head kick that misses.
Reid motions for Thatcher to come forward. Reid throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Reid lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Thatcher at a distance.
Reid lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
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!
Thatcher throws a sloppy head kick
and Reid counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Reid scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Reid misses with the combination.
Thatcher tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thatcher tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thatcher tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thatcher tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Thatcher instigates a clinch.
Reid wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Reid breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Thatcher tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thatcher misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nice shot lands for Reid.
Reid stalks Thatcher and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Thatcher's face. Thatcher staggers backwards, shaken.
Thatcher throws a head kick that misses.

Reid has Thatcher up against the cage in a clinch.
Reid tries to break the clinch but Thatcher is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thatcher breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Reid lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Thatcher backs up against the cage.
Reid goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Reid moves into the clinch.
Thatcher throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Reid blocks it with crossed arms.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Thatcher.
Thatcher tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Reid breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Thatcher tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Reid moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Reid lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Reid goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
A nice combination there by Reid.
Reid connects with a looping right hand.
Reid scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Left hook, right uppercut from Reid.
Thatcher throws a head kick but Reid moves out of range.

Reid clinches up against the cage.

Reid manages to break the clinch.
Reid is working the combinations to good effect here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thatcher throws a head kick that misses
letting Reid counter with a right hand.
Reid closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Reid works over Thatcher's head and body with a nice combination.
Reid throws a combination. Thatcher tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Thatcher has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Reid lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Reid connects with a nice looking jab.
Thatcher has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Reid with a hook.
Reid avoids the head kick by Thatcher.

Reid rushes Thatcher and presses him up against the cage.
Thatcher throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Reid blocks it with crossed arms.
Thatcher misses with a knee strike.
Thatcher scores with a knee to the head.
Reid is looking to break free of the clinch but Thatcher has double underhooks.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thatcher tries a knee to the head but Reid blocks it.
Thatcher throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thatcher throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thatcher throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Reid blocks it with crossed arms.
Thatcher misses with a knee to the head.
Thatcher tries to land a knee to the head but Reid blocks with his arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chopper Reid dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Thatcher tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Reid is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Thatcher tries a head kick but it misses.
Reid fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Thatcher is out of range.
Reid avoids the head kick by Thatcher.
Thatcher throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Reid lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Donk. Reid catches Thatcher right on the button with a cross.
Chopper Reid is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Reid lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Thatcher tries to clinch up

and Reid holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Thatcher tries to land knees in the clinch but Reid avoids the damage to the body.
Thatcher tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Thatcher looking to stall.
Thatcher can't break the clinch.
Thatcher using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Reid has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thatcher misses with a knee to the head.
Reid is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Reid tries to break the clinch but Thatcher is controlling the position.
Reid is trying to break the clinch but Thatcher has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thatcher misses with a knee strike.
Thatcher misses with a knee to the head.
Reid can't break the clinch.
Thatcher tries a knee to the head but Reid blocks it.
Reid has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Thatcher using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Reid has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Reid manages to break the clinch.
Reid lands a really nice looking cross but Thatcher seems unphased.
Thatcher throws a head kick that misses
enabling Reid to counter with a crisp jab.
Reid throws a right and a left that both miss.
Reid scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Thatcher throws a head kick but Reid moves out of range.
Thatcher throws a head kick that misses
and Reid counters with a left to the body.
Reid pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Thatcher pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Thatcher throws a head kick but Reid moves out of range.
Thatcher misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Thatcher tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Reid blocks a head kick by Thatcher.
Reid moves out of range of the strikes.
Thatcher tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Reid scores with a three punch combo!
A head kick misses from Thatcher.

Reid rushes Thatcher and presses him up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reid is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Thatcher misses with a knee to the head.
Thatcher with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Thatcher throws a knee to the head but misses.

Thatcher manages to break the clinch.
Reid lands a jab-cross combination.
Thatcher throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Reid lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Thatcher backs up against the cage.
Chopper Reid is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Reid displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Reid throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Thatcher stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Thatcher looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Reid blocks a head kick by Thatcher.
A right-left combo lands from Reid.
Reid stalks Thatcher and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Thatcher's face. Thatcher staggers backwards, shaken.
Thatcher throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Thatcher throws a head kick that misses.
Thatcher throws a sloppy head kick

and Reid counters by moving into the clinch.

Reid breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Thatcher misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Thatcher misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick misses from Thatcher.
Reid scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thatcher throws a head kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reid fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Reid blocks a head kick by Thatcher.
Thatcher throws a sloppy head kick and Reid moves out of range easily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Thatcher with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Thatcher misses with a knee strike.
Thatcher throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thatcher tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Thatcher with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Thatcher with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Thatcher tries to stall but Reid uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Thatcher wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Reid has him pressed against the cage.

Reid breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Reid!
Reid avoids the head kick by Thatcher.
Reid stuns Thatcher with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Reid.
Thatcher misses with a head kick.
Thatcher throws a sloppy head kick and Reid moves out of range easily.
Thatcher throws a sloppy head kick and Reid moves out of range easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick lands from Thatcher that sends Reid to the canvas. Reid tries to scramble back to his feet but Thatcher brings him back down into side control.

Reid is rocked!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Reid can do anything to dispel that myth.
Reid defending against the ground and pound.
Reid is still in real trouble! Can Thatcher finish him?

Thatcher decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Reid throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Reid tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thatcher pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Thatcher misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Thatcher scores with a takedown into Reid's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thatcher working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Thatcher decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A head kick misses from Thatcher.
Chopper Reid seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Thatcher tries a head kick but it misses.
Reid lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Reid seems to have recovered his senses.
Thatcher misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chopper Reid showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Thatcher shoots in but no luck this time.
Reid throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Reid moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Thatcher doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Thatcher throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Reid tests Thatcher's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Reid scores with a one two! Thatcher had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Reid lands a two punch combo.
Thatcher throws a sloppy head kick and Reid moves out of range easily.
Reid lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Reid.
Reid throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Reid blocks a head kick by Thatcher.
Reid lands a two punch combo.
Reid cracks Thatcher with a good jab.
Thatcher drops his hands momentarily and Reid takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Reid lands a two punch combo.

Reid clinches up against the cage.
Thatcher tries to land a knee to the head but Reid blocks with his arms.
Reid tries to break the clinch but Thatcher is controlling the position.
Thatcher throws a knee to the head but misses.
Reid is looking to break free of the clinch but Thatcher has double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reid can't break the clinch.
Thatcher tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Thatcher misses with a knee to the head.
Thatcher misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Reid.
Thatcher with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Thatcher escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Reid throws a right and a left that both miss.
Reid avoids the head kick by Thatcher.
Reid's corner calls for a 1-2. Reid obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Thatcher pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Thatcher throws a sloppy head kick and Reid moves out of range easily.
Reid misses with a low kick as Thatcher jumps back.

Reid moves into the clinch successfully.
Thatcher looking to throw knees to the head but Reid is blocking nicely.
Reid wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Thatcher tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Thatcher with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Thatcher using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Reid has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Thatcher tries to land a knee to the head but Reid blocks with his arms.

Reid escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Thatcher tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Thatcher tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thatcher takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Reid scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Left hook, right uppercut from Reid.
Reid lands with a straight right. Thatcher didn't see that one coming.
Reid blocks a head kick by Thatcher.
Reid stalks Thatcher and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Thatcher's face. Thatcher staggers backwards, shaken.
Thatcher misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Thatcher tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thatcher tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Good standup being displayed there by Reid as he connects with a hook.
Thatcher misses with a body shot.
Reid tries to clinch but Thatcher moves out of range.
Reid throws a right and a left that Thatcher avoids nicely.
Thatcher tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thatcher tries a head kick but it misses.
Thatcher throws a head kick but Reid moves out of range.
Thatcher misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Thatcher throws a head kick but Reid moves out of range.
Reid misses with a two punch combination.
Reid throws a chopping leg kick but Thatcher manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thatcher misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Thatcher checks a leg kick.
Thatcher swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Thatcher takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Thatcher throws a sloppy head kick and Reid moves out of range easily.
Thatcher throws a head kick but Reid moves out of range.
Thatcher takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Reid lands a jab to the head.
Reid lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Danga de danga de dang - Reid scores with a four punch combination!
Reid avoids the head kick by Thatcher.
Thatcher misses with a head kick.
Reid scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Reid scores with a kick to the body.
Reid lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Thatcher on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Reid lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Thatcher misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Reid looks to score with a jab to the body but Thatcher is just out of range.
Reid throws a right and a left that both miss.
Thatcher misses with a head kick.
Thatcher throws a head kick but Reid moves out of range.
A head kick by Thatcher misses
and Reid counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thatcher throws a sloppy head kick and Reid moves out of range easily.
Thatcher tries a head kick but it misses.
Thatcher misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
No joy there for Reid, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Thatcher misses with a takedown attempt - Reid sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Reid throws a right hand that Thatcher ducks under and follows up with a left that Thatcher also avoids with ease.
Thatcher misses with a head kick.
Thatcher throws a head kick but Reid moves out of range.
Thatcher misses with a head kick.
Reid tries a head kick but it misses.
Reid fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Thatcher looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Thatcher pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Thatcher throws a head kick but Reid moves out of range.
Reid lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Reid.
Thatcher has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Reid lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Reid.
Thatcher tries a head kick but it misses.
Thatcher on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thatcher throws a head kick but Reid moves out of range.
Faith Thatcher has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thatcher showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Reid.
Reid looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chopper Reid comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Reid winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 25:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 25:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chopper Reid!