PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hiroki Tomori (ranked 627 p4p, 3004 weight class) and Thor Fresh (ranked 38 p4p, 294 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Tomori
vs
Fresh

171 cm
33
142
21 - 13 - 1

180 cm
30
155
9 - 17 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Vegan Gains

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hiroki Tomori!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Thor Fresh!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Albert Achterberg and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tomori pushes Fresh up against the cage in a clinch.
Tomori lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Tomori goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Fresh breaks the clinch.
Tomori stuffs the takedown attempt from Fresh. Fresh gets slowly back to his feet.

Fresh moves into range and clinches up with Tomori.

Fresh's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Tomori instigates a clinch.
Tomori lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Tomori takes a knee right on the jaw!
Tomori blocks the elbow strike.
Tomori looking to throw knees to the head but Fresh is blocking nicely.
Tomori presses Fresh against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Tomori has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Fresh is trying to break free.

Fresh manages to break the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Tomori has Fresh up against the cage in a clinch.
Tomori lands a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fresh drops down looking for an ankle pick but Tomori pulls his leg out and moves away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Fresh using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tomori has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Fresh tries to land a knee to the head but Tomori blocks with his arms.
Tomori digs a right hand underneath Fresh's ribcage. Fresh let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Tomori swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Fresh drops down looking for an ankle pick but Tomori pulls his leg out and moves away.
Hiroki Tomori has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thor Fresh.

Tomori moves into the clinch successfully.
Tomori lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Fresh backwards.
Fresh misses with an elbow over the top.
Fresh lands a nice elbow.
Fresh tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tomori is trying to break free.
Fresh looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Tomori wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Fresh drops down looking for an ankle pick but Tomori pulls his leg out and moves away.

Tomori clinches with his opponent.
Tomori tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Fresh's elbow.

Fresh's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fresh cracks Tomori with a right hand to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Fresh rushes Tomori and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Fresh blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Fresh lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tomori backwards.
Fresh wants to break the clinch but can't.
Tomori lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Tomori missing with knees to the body.
Fresh wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tomori has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tomori tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Fresh using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tomori has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A head punch on the inside from Fresh fails to land.
Fresh tries to pull guard but Tomori won't allow it.
Tomori is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fresh is defending well for now.
Fresh blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Fresh displaying some good clinch control by pressing Tomori up against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Tomori just misses with a elbow thrown towards Fresh's brow.
Fresh tries to pull guard but Tomori won't allow it.
Fresh tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Fresh gets control of Tomori's arms and successfully pulls guard. Fresh will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Fresh working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tomori.
Tomori tries to stand but Fresh is controlling from the bottom.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tomori wanted to stand there but Fresh had control of the position.
Tomori wants to control from the top but Fresh keeps moving.
Tomori postures up.
Fresh being controlled here, momentarily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Tomori trying to control the position from guard on top but Fresh is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Fresh is on top in guard.

Fresh is fighting to break Tomori's control of his arms but Tomori is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Hiroki Tomori will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Fresh closes the distance and pushes Tomori back into the cage.

Fresh breaks the clinch.
Fresh circles away from the clinch attempt
and Fresh counters with a thumping low kick.
Tomori tries to close the distance and clinch but Fresh swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Fresh has managed to clinch.
Tomori misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fresh.

Tomori breaks from the clinch.

Tomori moves into the clinch.
Come on Tomori - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Hiroki Tomori has scored more points in the clinch so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tomori can't find room to land a body shot as Fresh controls the action.

Fresh breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tomori doesn't manage to clinch there - Fresh circles away.

Tomori pushes Fresh up against the cage in a clinch.
Fresh misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tomori.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fresh breaks from the clinch.
Tomori darts in trying to clinch
and Fresh counters with a stiff right hand.
Tomori tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fresh swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Tomori rushes Fresh and presses him up against the cage.
Tomori lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Tomori tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Fresh blocks an uppercut.
Fresh misses with a knee to the head.
Fresh changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tomori fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Fresh shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tomori but Tomori pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Tomori closes the distance but Fresh moves to the side
and Fresh counters with a thumping low kick.
Tomori wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tomori fails in his attempt to clinch.

Fresh takes the fight into the clinch.

Tomori pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Fresh goes for a double leg but Tomori avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Tomori continues to drive forward.
Hiroki Tomori has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thor Fresh.
Fresh smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fresh shoots in looking for a takedown but Tomori manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Fresh's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Tomori tries to clinch up.
Tomori circles away from the clinch attempt.
Fresh tries to clinch but Tomori moves out of range.
Tomori defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fresh.
Fresh circles away from the clinch attempt.
Fresh throws a leg kick but Tomori sees it coming and moves out of range.
Fresh swats away the attempt to clinch by Tomori.
Thor Fresh seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Tomori clinches with his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fresh breaks the clinch.
Tomori fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Tomori wants to clinch.
Tomori wants to clinch.
Fresh tries for a takedown but Tomori sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Fresh tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Tomori swivels and escapes.
Tomori misses with a double jab.
Tomori fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fresh wants to counter with a clinch but Tomori pushes him away.
Fresh looks for a takedown but Tomori sprawls well.
Fresh keeps the fight on the outside.
Hiroki Tomori is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tomori tries to close the distance and clinch but Fresh swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tomori is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tomori fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Fresh, pushing him back against the cage.
Tomori with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Fresh is trying to pull guard but Tomori has him pressed against the cage.
Tomori is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fresh is defending well for now.

Fresh pulls guard.
Fresh keeping full guard, as Tomori tries to pass.

Fresh had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tomori defends it easily.

Fresh throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Tomori sitting in guard, not really doing much.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Hiroki Tomori will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Fresh shoots and misses

and Tomori counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Tomori tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tomori keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Fresh's efforts to push away.
Tomori is trying to maintain a safe position but Fresh gets an underhook and turns Tomori into the cage.
Fresh takes a knee to the side of the body.
Fresh looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Fresh is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Tomori is defending well.
Tomori scores with a shoulder strike.
Tomori lands with a left to the head.
Fresh looking to throw knees to the head but Tomori is blocking nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tomori is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Tomori scores with a shoulder strike.
Fresh is looking to take this one to the mat.
Hiroki Tomori has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thor Fresh.
Fresh is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Tomori to keep the fight standing.
Tomori lands a left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tomori misses with a punch on the inside.
Fresh with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tomori misses with the head strike.
Tomori lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Tomori presses Fresh against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Fresh changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tomori fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Fresh wants to clinch up but Tomori keeps it at a distance.
Tomori tries to clinch but Fresh is having none of it.

Fresh gets tackled into the cage by Tomori. Tomori maintains the clinch.
Tomori misses with the head strike.
Fresh being controlled against the cage.
Tomori lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Fresh backwards.
Fresh throws a knee to the head but misses.
A left hand lands to the body for Tomori.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fresh is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Tomori to keep the fight standing.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Tomori just misses with a elbow thrown towards Fresh's brow.
Tomori working aggressively here.
Fresh tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Tomori.
Tomori working aggressively here.
Fresh has Tomori pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Tomori manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Fresh takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Fresh tries to pull guard but Tomori holds him up against the cage and eventually Fresh drops back down to his feet.
Fresh dodges an elbow strike from Tomori.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Tomori pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Fresh circles away from the clinch attempt.
Fresh looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tomori is fending him off so far but Fresh persists. Nope, Tomori circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tomori closes the distance and clinches.
Tomori lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Tomori is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Fresh can do to turn this around?
Tomori working aggressively here.
Tomori throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Tomori keeps control of Fresh as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Fresh misses with some punches.
Tomori misses with some punches.
Tomori has a couple of punches blocked by Fresh.
Fresh on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Fresh tries to land a knee to the head but Tomori blocks with his arms.
Tomori tries to throw a body punch but Fresh avoids it by throwing Tomori back against the cage.

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

Tomori takes the fight into the clinch.
Tomori tries a knee to the head but Fresh blocks it.

Fresh breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tomori closes the distance and clinches.
A short right from Tomori on the inside.

Fresh breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tomori misses with a double jab.
Hiroki Tomori is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tomori tries to clinch but Fresh moves out of range.
Fresh lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Tomori tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fresh swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fresh is trying to counter with his kicks.
Jab, jab by Fresh - just one landing.

Fresh closes the distance and pushes Tomori back into the cage.
Tomori lands a body shot in the clinch.
Fresh misses with a knee to the head.
Thor Fresh has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tomori scores with a shoulder strike.
Fresh changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tomori fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Tomori tries to clinch there but Fresh circles away.
Tomori wants to clinch up but Fresh keeps it at a distance.
Fresh throws a body kick that misses.
Tomori moves out of range of the body kick from Fresh.
Tomori was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hiroki Tomori showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tomori, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:28
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Hiroki Tomori!