PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Elton Daniels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Thornton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Daniels comes to the cage accompanied by Tiny Dancer-Elton John. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Daniels
vs
Thornton

176 cm
25
165 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

190 cm
23
185 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Determined

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Elton Daniels!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Joe Thornton!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Chris Saunders and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Daniels fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Thornton shoots in looking for a takedown but Daniels manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Thornton's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Thornton shoots and misses

and Daniels counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Thornton is trying to keep Daniels in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Thornton looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Thornton working for a triangle but Daniels defends it easily.

Thornton is looking for a triangle but Daniels pushes his legs off easily.

Daniels is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Daniels definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Thornton working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Daniels doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Daniels manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thornton escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Daniels gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Daniels wants to control from the top but Thornton keeps moving.
Daniels postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Thornton looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Daniels wants to pass the guard but Thornton is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thornton had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Daniels defends it easily.
Thornton lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Daniels!
Daniels is wriggling around trying to escape.

Thornton is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Daniels has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Daniels!

Daniels is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Thornton is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Thornton has escaped and now he's on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thornton pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Daniels is keeping the position for now.
Thornton wants to control from the top but Daniels keeps moving.
Thornton working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Thornton works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Daniels actively working from the bottom here.

Thornton is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Daniels to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Thornton preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thornton passes Daniels's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Daniels avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thornton.
Thornton is keen to just control but Daniels is a slippery customer.
Daniels wants to get back to full guard.
Thornton stalling away here and it's allowed Daniels to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Thornton wants to control from the top but Daniels keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thornton trying to stand up but can't free himself from Daniels's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Daniels has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Daniels looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thornton is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Daniels slips under a jab.
Daniels punishes Thornton's body with a nice straight punch.
Daniels lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Daniels ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Thornton moves away.
Daniels swings for the body but Thornton moves out of range.
Thornton avoids the body shot from Daniels.

Daniels scores with a takedown into Thornton's guard.

Thornton is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Daniels has his hands clasped together but Thornton extends and breaks Daniels's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Thornton.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:54 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Joe Thornton!