PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Linus Akerman (ranked 319 p4p, 45 weight class) and Terrence Thornton (ranked 850 p4p, 135 weight class). Thornton has chosen Pusha T - Exodus 23:1 as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Akerman
vs
Thornton

180 cm
29
177 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

187 cm
36
178 lbs
20 - 5 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition - Q160

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 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Linus Akerman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Terrence Thornton!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thornton throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Akerman sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Akerman lets loose with a powerful body kick. Thornton will feel that in the morning.
Thornton misses with an uppercut.
Thornton throws a hook but Akerman blocks it.
Akerman tries to clinch but Thornton moves away
and Thornton connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Akerman missing with a left hand there. Thornton was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Akerman tries a head kick but it misses.
Thornton misses with a lunging right hand
and Akerman counters with a thumping low kick.
Thornton connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Akerman's hands.
Akerman gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Thornton.
Akerman looks for the body kick but Thornton saw that one coming.
Thornton throws a hook but Akerman avoids it easily.
Thornton dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Thornton misses with a hook.
Akerman takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Akerman moves out of range of the body kick from Thornton.
Akerman misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akerman will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Akerman throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Thornton throws a body punch but Akerman moves out of range.
Thornton ducks under a wild hook from Akerman.
Akerman turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Thornton throws the left hand but Akerman avoids the punch easily.
A left lands for Thornton.
Akerman lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Thornton misses with a low kick as Akerman jumps back.
Thornton throws a leg kick
and Akerman counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Thornton thinking.
Akerman is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Thornton.
A little jabbing left from Thornton on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A clash of legs there as Thornton blocks the low kick.

Thornton drives through with a takedown into Akerman's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Akerman is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Akerman throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akerman struggles to land a body shot inside as Thornton controls his hands.
A hook to the body from Thornton.
Thornton can't find room to land a body shot as Akerman controls the action.
Akerman tries to throw a body punch but Thornton avoids it by throwing Akerman back against the cage.
Thornton lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Akerman misses with the head strike.
Akerman misses with a body punch.
Akerman lands a hook that snaps the head of Thornton backwards.
Thornton misses with a short punch on the inside.
Thornton makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Thornton is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Akerman is defending well for now.
Thornton lands a right hand that snaps the head of Akerman backwards.
Thornton misses with a body punch.
Thornton tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Akerman just stands there and leans against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Akerman.
Akerman has Thornton pushed against the cage.
Akerman tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thornton blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Thornton escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Thornton throws a body punch but Akerman moves out of range.
Linus Akerman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thornton looks to land a left hand but Akerman moved out of range nicely.
Akerman tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Thornton paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thornton fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Akerman has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Thornton ducks under a wild hook from Akerman.
Akerman looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Thornton walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Linus Akerman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thornton tries to clinch up but Akerman circles away and keeps his distance.
A solid leg kick lands there for Akerman.
Thornton pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Akerman staying out of range there.
Jab by Thornton.
Akerman uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thornton.
Akerman blocks a head kick by Thornton.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thornton throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Akerman sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Akerman pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nice uppercut there from Akerman.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A looping hook to the body misses from Akerman. Thornton does a little dance to reset his feet.
Akerman jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Thornton throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Thornton checks a leg kick.
Akerman on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Thornton throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Thornton uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Akerman.
A leg kick checked by Thornton.
Akerman waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Thornton.
A little jabbing left from Thornton on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Akerman tests Thornton's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Akerman chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Thornton can pounce on him.

Akerman gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Terrence Thornton will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Thornton avoids the head kick by Akerman.
Akerman looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Akerman throws a right hand that misses
and Thornton counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Thornton darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Thornton looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Akerman tried to counter with a leg kick but Thornton avoided it.
Nice jab there from Thornton.
Thornton with a hook.
Akerman fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Thornton is out of range.
Thornton changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Thornton scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Thornton buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Akerman blocks the body kick.
Thornton slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thornton checks the leg kick nicely there.
Thornton misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Akerman. Those never looked like landing.
Akerman swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Akerman swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Thornton swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Thornton scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Thornton avoids a kick to the body.
Thornton scores with a jab. Akerman acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Akerman scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Akerman wants to clinch.
Akerman drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Akerman lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A swing and a miss from Thornton.
Thornton tries to land a leg kick but Akerman saw it coming and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akerman looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Thornton lands a nice hook to Akerman's body. Akerman takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Thornton tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
That kick from Akerman tenderised Thornton's leg. Thornton is trying to keep his angry face on.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thornton takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Akerman moves out of range of the body kick.
Thornton throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Akerman is looking to slow Thornton down with leg kicks.
Akerman scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Nice straight punches there by Thornton. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Thornton.
Terrence Thornton seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Akerman on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Akerman cracks a nice hook into Thornton's ribs.
Akerman sizes up Thornton with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Thornton swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Akerman counters with a stiff right hand.

It looks like Terrence Thornton has been cut.
Akerman tries to move into range but Thornton moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akerman feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Thorntons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Thornton tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Akerman defends well and Thornton ends up having to push Akerman into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Akerman walks into a jab.
Thornton has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Akerman slips a straight right by Thornton.
Akerman misses with a hook.
Akerman fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Akerman works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Akerman avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Thornton slips a jab from Akerman.

Akerman closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Thornton working hard to break the clinch.
Akerman is trying to stall.
Thornton blocking some punches.
Akerman scores with a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thornton has a couple of punches blocked by Akerman.
Thornton blocks a body shot from Akerman.
Thornton lands a hook to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Akerman stalling against the cage.
Thornton lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Akerman lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Akerman misses with a body punch.
Thornton misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Linus Akerman has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Thornton throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Akerman blocks it with crossed arms.
Akerman swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Akerman misses with the head strike.
Thornton tries a body shot but Akerman blocks it.
Akerman blocks a body shot from Thornton.
Thornton struggles to land a body shot inside as Akerman controls his hands.
Thornton tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Still in the clinch, Akerman scores with a nice short uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Terrence Thornton will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Terrence Thornton's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Thornton waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Akerman.
Thornton moves out of range of the body kick from Akerman.
Akerman swings away with a leg kick that misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Thornton! But no joy.
Thornton misses the shot to the body.
Akerman is looking to score with low kicks.
Akerman scores with a nice strike.
Akerman lands a nice looking body kick.
Thornton uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Akerman.
Nice uppercut lands for Thornton. That snapped Akerman's head back.
Thornton misses with a straight left.
Thornton swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thornton misses with an uppercut.
Akerman lands with a thumping leg kick.
Thornton uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Akerman.
Thornton throws a body kick that misses.
Thornton lands with a kick to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thornton dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Akerman. That did some damage!
Thornton takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Akerman. Thornton does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Thornton!

Akerman gets tackled into the cage by Thornton. Thornton maintains the clinch.
Thornton doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Akerman.
A short right from Thornton.
Akerman lands a body punch.
Thornton tries to throw a body punch but Akerman avoids it by throwing Thornton back against the cage.
Akerman misses with a short punch on the inside.
Akerman displaying some good clinch control by pressing Thornton up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Thornton fails to land.
Linus Akerman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akerman lands a left hand that snaps the head of Thornton backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thornton goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Thornton tries to circle away but Akerman has him pinned against the cage.
Thornton misses with a short punch on the inside.
Akerman looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Thornton.
Still in the clinch, Akerman scores with a nice short uppercut.
Thornton misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Thornton manages to pull guard.

Akerman decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Thornton, up you get!

Thornton throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Akerman tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Thornton is in Akerman's guard.
Thornton with a flurry of punches that miss.
Akerman tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Akerman manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Akerman ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Thornton moves away.
Thornton swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Thornton throws a low kick but Akerman moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akerman takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Akerman lands a glancing blow to the side of Thornton's head.
Thornton throws a jab but it's blocked by Akerman.
Akerman tries a low kick but Thornton avoids it.
Thornton tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Akerman paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thornton throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Akerman swings for the body but Thornton moves out of range.
Akerman misses with a straight right.
Akerman takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Thornton lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Akerman has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Akerman and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Akerman walks into a jab.
Thornton takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Thornton avoids a kick to the body.
Thornton displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Akerman throws out the jab.
Thornton throws out a leg kick but Akerman moves out of range and Thornton only half commits.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thornton connects with a crisp jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Akerman misses with a straight left.
Thornton misses with a hook.

Thornton fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Akerman to the ground. Thornton is now in Akerman's guard.
Thornton won't allow Akerman to get back to his feet.
Thornton throws a strike but Akerman rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Thornton is pulling down on Akerman's head. It's preventing any offense from Akerman, at least for the moment.

Thornton is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Thornton preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Terrence Thornton is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Akerman throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Linus Akerman.
I think Thornton has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Terrence Thornton!
Terrence Thornton bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.