PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Haw Thorn (ranked 132 p4p, 469 weight class) and Roman Ship (ranked 10 p4p, 31 weight class). Thorn comes to the cage accompanied by For Heavy Metal we will die!. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Thorn
vs
Ship

190 cm
32
272
25 - 8 - 0

195 cm
34
283
25 - 29 - 3

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Fast

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NARCOS

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Haw Thorn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 29 - 3, fighting out of London, Roman Ship!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yuuki Gou and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ship throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Haw Thorn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ship misses with a jab to the body
and Thorn counters with a straight right hand.
Ship walks into a stiff left hand from Thorn.

It looks like Roman Ship has been cut.
Ship throws a body punch but Thorn moves out of range.
A slow jab from Thorn misses its intended target.
Thorn connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ship moves away from the strike by Thorn.
And Ship tries to counter it with a takedown but Thorn pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Thorn slips under a jab from Ship.
Ship shoots in for a double leg but Thorn sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Thorn gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Thorn misses with a body punch

and Ship counters with a takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ship prevents Thorn from escaping the position.
Ship wants to control but Thorn is keeping him busy.
Thorn is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Ship is controlling him well.
Thorn trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ship thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Thorn is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Ship is controlling him well.
Thorn's coaches at Heavy Metal have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ship wants to lay and pray for a moment but Thorn keeps working.
Thorn bucks up and tries to throw Ship off but instead Ship has got his back!

Thorn manages to stand up with Ship still on his back. Eventually Ship drops to his feet and we're back in the standing position.
Thorn takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Ship looks to land a right hand but Thorn moved out of range.
A counter left hand to the body from Thorn misses its target.
Ship is trying hard to land a takedown here. Thorn sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Thorn swings for the body but Ship moves out of range.
Ship connects with a nice looking jab.
Ship takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ship moves in looking to clinch but Thorn pushes him off.
Thorn dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A nice leg kick from Thorn, right into the meat of the thigh.
Thorn attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

Ship shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Ship showed some decent athleticism there.
Thorn is looking to escape.
Thorn is not content to let Ship control the position.
Ship stops Thorn from getting back to his feet.

Thorn kicks off Ship and gets to his feet.
Ship lands with a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ship throws the left hand but Thorn avoids the punch easily.
Thorn lands a head kick. Ship smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Thorn swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ship drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Thorn defends it well.
Thorn throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ship uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thorn.
Thorn throws out a loose jab but Ship uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ship changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Thorn feints and then cracks Ship's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ship down.
Thorn swings for the body but Ship moves out of range.
Thorn throws a one two combo.
Ship lands a head shot.
Ship throws a hook to the side of Thorn's head but Thorn sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Thorn tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ship was well out of range. Poor timing from Thorn.
Ship tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Thorn was well out of range. Poor timing from Ship.
Thorn was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Thorn connects with a crisp jab.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Ship tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Thorn manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Thorn takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thorn throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ship stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A jab from Ship finds it's way through Thorn's defenses.
Ship is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Thorn misses with a wild body shot.
A big left from Thorn misses.
Ship tries to clinch up.
A leg kick checked by Ship.
Thorn ducks under a wild hook from Ship.
Ship on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
The fighters circling - Ship throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ship blocks a head kick by Thorn.
Ship drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Thorn defends it well.
Ship throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Thorn sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Ship darts in and clinches Thorn up against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Thorn breaks the clinch.
Thorn fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Thorn with a body punch. A glancing blow.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Haw Thorn dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Roman Ship's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Thorn fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Thorn throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ship tries to clinch but Thorn moves out of range.
Ship getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Ship checks a leg kick.
Ship ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Thorn is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ship can do to turn this around?
Ship blocks a jab.
Ship swings widly with a right hand
and Thorn counters with a nice leg kick.
Ship moves in looking to clinch but Thorn pushes him off.
Thorn bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Thorn digs a good body shot into Ship's ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ship avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Thorn is looking to wear down Ship with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Ship slips under a jab from Thorn.
Thorn takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Ship on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ship walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That has opened up Roman Ship's cut even more.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorn tries a head kick but it misses.
Haw Thorn is winning the standup battle so far.
A low kick lands for Thorn.
Ship blocks a head kick by Thorn.
Ship is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ship tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Thorn counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Ship keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ship loads up on a big right hand but Thorn slips the punch.
Haw Thorn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ship blocks a jab.
Thorn looks to score with a jab to the body but Ship is just out of range.
Ship fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Thorn looks to score with a jab to the body but Ship is just out of range.
Ship keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Ship uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Thorn.
Thorn throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ship swings for the body but Thorn moves out of range.
Ship keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Thorn misses with a wild body shot.
Ship throws the left hand but Thorn avoids the punch easily.
Thorn fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Thorn swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Thorn misses with a body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ship takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Thorn tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thorn blocks a jab.
Thorn misses with a two punch combination.
Thorn connects with a jab.

Ship clinches up against the cage.
Thorn's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ship.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ship misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ship stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Ship lands a hook that snaps the head of Thorn backwards.
Thorn throws a punch but it's blocked by Ship.
Thorn can't find room to land a body shot as Ship controls the action.
A right hand to the body from Thorn.
Ship blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Thorn pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ship jabs at Thorn's body.
Ship thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ship lands with an overhand left.
Ship jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ship waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Thorn.
Ship takes a swing at Thorn's ribcage but misses.
Thorn avoids the body shot from Ship.
Ship checks a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ship takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Ship throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Thorn sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Thorn misses with a leg kick

and Ship counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Thorn pushes Ship off but Ship dives into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Thorn is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Ship passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Thorn!
Thorn tries to buck Ship off but he can't manage it.
Ship wants to control the pace but Thorn is squirming around nicely.
Ship fails to take his opponent's back.
Thorn is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
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 Haw Thorn will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Roman Ship's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Ship scores with a crisp jab that stopped Thorn in his tracks.
Ship misses with a hook to the body
and Thorn counters with an inside leg kick.
Thorn looks to score with a jab to the body but Ship is just out of range.
Ship drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Thorn defends it well.
Thorn is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ship.
Thorn with the inside leg kick.
Ship fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thorn manages to avoid it.
Thorn avoids the body shot from Ship.

Ship looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Ship trying to control but Thorn is working from the bottom.
Ship tries to free his leg and advance position but Thorn is retaining full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thorn is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ship is controlling him.
Ship trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Thorn is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ship trying to control the position from guard on top but Thorn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thorn wants to get back to his feet but Ship is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Thorn works Ship's body with a nice hook.
Thorn takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Ship misses with a wild body shot.
Ship's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ship missing with a left hand there. Thorn was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ship tries to clinch up.
Thorn fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ship manages to avoid it.
Ship with the counter takedown but Thorn avoids it easily.
Thorn lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Roman Ship has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ship throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Thorn tries to sprawl but Ship drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Thorn pushes Ship off and gets back to his feet.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A jab from Ship misses.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ship.
Thorn lands a leg kick that knocks Ship off balance momentarily.
Ship tries to clinch but Thorn moves away
enabling Thorn to counter with a crisp jab.
Thorn throws a head kick that misses.
Thorn throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ship with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Thorn to score with a decent uppercut.
Thorn jabs Ship to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Ship misses with a takedown attempt - Thorn sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ship takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ship uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Thorn.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorn misses with a head kick.
Thorn throws a shot to the body.
Thorn works Ship's body with a nice hook.
Ship throws a right hand that misses
and Thorn counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Thorn avoids the body shot from Ship.
Thorn tried to counter with a leg kick but Ship avoided it.
That kick from Thorn tenderised Ship's leg. Ship is trying to keep his angry face on.
Thorn pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Ship back to the cage. Thorn follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
A telegraphed right hand from Ship misses the target.
Thorn appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Thorn connects with an inside leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Thorn misses the target.
Thorn uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ship.
Thorn swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Thorn fails to land with a series of punches.
Ship is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Thorn.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ship getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Ship lands a nice hook to Thorn's body. Thorn takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ship looks for a takedown but Thorn sprawls well.
A jab lands there for Thorn.
Ship avoids the body shot from Thorn.
Ship loads up on a big right hand but Thorn slips the punch.
Thorn swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ship is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ship misses with a body punch
and Thorn counters with a left and a right that stings Ship.

The cut above Roman Ship's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Ship swings for the body but Thorn moves out of range.
Thorn lands a nice looking body shot.
Thorn keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Thorn lands a nice looking body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Haw Thorn showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Thorn, 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Haw Thorn!
Haw Thorn seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.