PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Danny Ratliff (ranked 6160 p4p, 0 weight class) and Erik Thorpe (ranked 6081 p4p, 0 weight class). Thorpe is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by The Imperial March. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Ratliff
vs
Thorpe

183 cm
18
177 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Likes comics

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

IniTech Nutrition

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Danny Ratliff!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Erik Thorpe!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Winston Howard and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thorpe looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Ratliff pushes Thorpe up against the cage in a clinch.

Thorpe successfully pulls guard.

Ratliff gets to his feet. Thorpe looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Thorpe closes the distance and clinches.
Ratliff tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Thorpe just stands there and leans against the cage.

Ratliff pulls guard effortlessly.
Thorpe postures up.
Thorpe trying to control but Ratliff is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thorpe wants to stand but Ratliff has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Thorpe has gone for a leg lock! Ratliff slips out almost immediately though and dives into Thorpe's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ratliff working some strikes from top position.

Ratliff stands up from guard. Let's bang!
A head kick by Thorpe misses
and Ratliff counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Ratliff gets a takedown into half guard.
Ratliff throwing shots but Thorpe is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ratliff is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Thorpe tries to roll over but Ratliff keeps him under control.

Ratliff is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Ratliff is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Ratliff lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ratliff stands up and beckons Thorpe to join him on the feet.
Ratliff moves out of range as Thorpe throws a body kick.
A solid body kick from Thorpe.
Ratliff misses with a low kick.
Thorpe throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ratliff takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Ratliff shoots in and drives through. Thorpe sprawls well.
Ratliff is breathing heavily.
Thorpe scores with a leg kick.
Thorpe throws a sloppy head kick and Ratliff moves out of range easily.
Ratliff is trying hard to land a takedown here. Thorpe sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Danny Ratliff. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thorpe misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ratliff takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Thorpe gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thorpe has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Ratliff clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Thorpe is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Ratliff defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Ratliff defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Thorpe's arms.
Ratliff is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Thorpe is trying to stick to Ratliff's back but Ratliff is turning into Thorpe. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Thorpe's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Ratliff.

Ratliff decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Thorpe, up you get!
Thorpe feints and then cracks Ratliff's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ratliff down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Erik Thorpe will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Thorpe fails to land with a series of punches.
Ratliff blocks a head kick by Thorpe.

Thorpe shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Ratliff has one foot on Thorpe's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Ratliff checks a low kick from Thorpe.
A leg kick checked by Ratliff.
Ratliff shoots in for a takedown but Thorpe shows good takedown defense.
Thorpe throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ratliff counters with a left and a right that stings Thorpe.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Ratliff pushes Thorpe up against the cage in a clinch.
Thorpe throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ratliff blocks it with crossed arms.
Thorpe throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thorpe breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ratliff slips under a jab.
Thorpe scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A head kick misses from Ratliff.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ratliff.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ratliff blocks a head kick by Thorpe.

Ratliff bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Thorpe throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Ratliff rushes Thorpe and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ratliff tries to pull guard but Thorpe holds him up against the cage and eventually Ratliff drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Danny Ratliff. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thorpe has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Ratliff is trying to keep an underhook but Thorpe manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Thorpe is trying to work for a kimura but Ratliff is defending well.
Thorpe lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thorpe seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Ratliff is trying to get back to full guard.
Ratliff tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Thorpe is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thorpe is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Thorpe blocks the strikes from Ratliff.
Thorpe wants to stand up but Ratliff is controlling the position.
Erik Thorpe has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ratliff tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Thorpe is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Thorpe seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Thorpe really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ratliff. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Thorpe is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Ratliff is defending against the submission attempts here by Thorpe.

Thorpe is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ratliff defends it well.
Ratliff avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thorpe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erik Thorpe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Thorpe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ratliff blocks a head kick by Thorpe.
Ratliff blocks a head kick by Thorpe.

Ratliff gets tackled into the cage by Thorpe. Thorpe maintains the clinch.

Thorpe tightens his grip and picks Ratliff up, before dumping him to the ground. Ratliff manages to land in guard.

Ratliff manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

Thorpe works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Ratliff manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Ratliff has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Thorpe uses from the top position.
Thorpe is looking to stand up but Ratliff won't let him.

Thorpe gets to his feet. Ratliff looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Thorpe clinches up with Ratliff and pushes him back against the cage.
Ratliff prevents Thorpe from breaking the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thorpe wants the takedown. Ratliff is fighting it off but Thorpe persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Ratliff's guard against the cage.
Thorpe takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Thorpe drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Ratliff dives on top into guard.

Thorpe is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ratliff is controlling him.
Ratliff scoring with some ground and pound.

Ratliff decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Ratliff shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Thorpe's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thorpe trying to control the position.
Ratliff loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Thorpe isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Ratliff stacks Thorpe on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Ratliff!

Ratliff is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Thorpe knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Thorpe looking for a sweep but Ratliff has passed into full mount! Oh no!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorpe bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Thorpe is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Thorpe wants to get up but he can't break Ratliff's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thorpe throws an elbow that misses. Ratliff uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Thorpe's guard. Nice move by Ratliff!

Thorpe is trying to hold Ratliff in close to prevent damage but Ratliff has managed to pass into half guard.
Erik Thorpe is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Ratliff is working for a kimura but Thorpe is defending it quite comfortably.
Thorpe wants to get back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Danny Ratliff showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Thorpe 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Erik Thorpe!
Erik Thorpe thanked the fans post fight for their support.