PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Erik Thorvaldson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xande Shoyoroll (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Erik Thorvaldson had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Thorvaldson
vs
Shoyoroll

186 cm
26
189 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

185 cm
26
185 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Vikai Gear Island
Highland Clothing

Highland Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Erik Thorvaldson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Xande Shoyoroll!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Michael Johnstone and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thorvaldson lands a jab to the head.

It looks like Xande Shoyoroll has been cut.
Thorvaldson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shoyoroll sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Shoyoroll shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Shoyoroll showed some decent athleticism there.
Thorvaldson is trying to control but can't.

Shoyoroll is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Thorvaldson sees it coming and defends easily.
Shoyoroll looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Thorvaldson is trying to control but can't.
Shoyoroll passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Thorvaldson!
Shoyoroll sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thorvaldson wants to hold on but Shoyoroll pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shoyoroll controlling from the full mount.
Thorvaldson regains half guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
A big left from Thorvaldson misses.
Thorvaldson tries to clinch but Shoyoroll moves out of range.

Shoyoroll closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Thorvaldson quickly recovers to half guard.
Shoyoroll frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thorvaldson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Thorvaldson is wriggling around trying to escape.

Shoyoroll has hold of Thorvaldson's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Thorvaldson manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thorvaldson is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Shoyoroll has taken his back.
Thorvaldson trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

Shoyoroll is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

Shoyoroll is persistently looking for the submission but Thorvaldson is defending it well.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Shoyoroll is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Well, with Shoyoroll on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Thorvaldson is tapping out... Can he escape the position?

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thorvaldson defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Shoyoroll's arms.
Thorvaldson trying to control the hands but Shoyoroll breaks the grip.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Shoyoroll working from the back looking to end the fight with a rear naked choke. Thorvaldson is doing well to defend. Shoyoroll seems to have got his hand under the chin though and he's sunk the choke in! Thorvaldson is forced to tap and this one is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Xande Shoyoroll!
Xande Shoyoroll is the new middleweight champion!
Xande Shoyoroll thanked the fans post fight for their support.