PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Asbjoern Andersson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam Thaiday (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Andersson
vs
Thaiday

201 cm
28
260 lbs
10 - 10 - 1

190 cm
26
270 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Springfield HW Nutrition

BLKOUT Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Asbjoern Andersson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sam Thaiday!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Robert Twigg and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Andersson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Thaiday dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Thaiday keeps the fight on the outside.
Thaiday misses with a straight right.
Thaiday swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Andersson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Andersson.
Thaiday swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Thaiday drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Andersson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Thaiday doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Thaiday taking a breather.
Andersson working Thaiday over with knees to the body.
Andersson connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Sam Thaiday has been cut.
Thaiday stalling in the clinch but Andersson improves position.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Andersson obliges.
Thaiday looks gassed!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Thaiday is trying to maintain a safe position but Andersson gets an underhook and turns Thaiday into the cage.
Andersson lands a knee to the head.
Andersson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Andersson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Thaiday's face.
Andersson holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Andersson.
Andersson scores a nice knee to the body.
Andersson lands a nice knee to the body.
Thaiday tries to stall but Andersson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Andersson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Andersson lands a knee to the head.
Thaiday looking to slow down the pace here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Andersson.
Andersson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Thaiday wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Thaiday stalling against the cage.
Thaiday misses with a punch on the inside.
Andersson tries a knee to the head but Thaiday blocks it.
Thaiday drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Andersson trying to control the position but instead, Thaiday has worked for underhooks and has pushed Andersson into the cage.
Andersson lands a good knee to the midsection. Thaiday won't want to take too many of those.
Thaiday can't break the clinch.
Thaiday tries to score a body lock takedown but Andersson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Asbjoern Andersson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sam Thaiday.
Thaiday is working for takedown but Andersson is calmly controlling the position for now.
Thaiday looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Andersson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Thaiday tries to break free but Andersson pushes him back against the cage.
Thaiday can't get the takedown.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Andersson.
Thaiday is trying to break free.
Thaiday looking for a takedown.
Thaiday throws a punch but it's blocked by Andersson.
Andersson is pressed up against the cage. Thaiday has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Andersson down to the mat. Andersson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Andersson dodges the punch combination from Thaiday.
Thaiday swinging wildly here.
Thaiday throws a hook but Andersson avoids it easily.

Thaiday changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Andersson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Thaiday tries to advance to mount but Andersson denies him.
Andersson wants to control but Thaiday postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thaiday lands a few punches from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thaiday trying to control the position but Andersson is working away.
Andersson tries to bench press Thaiday off him but Thaiday keeps the position.
Andersson is working hard here to advance position.
Andersson struggling a bit here.

Thaiday decides to stand back up. Thaiday steps back and let's Andersson get back to his feet.
A combination from Thaiday does no damage.
Andersson slips a jab and a cross from Thaiday.
Andersson avoids the head kick by Thaiday.
Thaiday throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Andersson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Andersson tries to clinch but Thaiday is having none of it.
No joy there for Thaiday, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Andersson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sam Thaiday seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Thaiday throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Andersson was covering up waiting for the punch and Thaiday finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Thaiday throws a strike but Andersson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Andersson preventing the sweep.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thaiday keeping moving, preventing Andersson from controlling successfully.
Andersson is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Thaiday is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Asbjoern Andersson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sam Thaiday's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Thaiday throws a body punch but Andersson moves out of range.
Andersson lands a head kick. Thaiday smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Sloppy strikes from Thaiday. Those never looked like landing.
Thaiday throws a left and a right that both miss
and Andersson counters with a two punch combo.
Thaiday misses with a combination
and Andersson counters with a two punch combo.

Andersson clinches with his opponent.
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!
Andersson tries a knee to the head but Thaiday blocks it.
Thaiday tries for a takedown but Andersson manages to get underhooks.
Andersson misses with a knee strike.
Thaiday wants to get back to striking at distance but Andersson won't allow it.
Andersson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Thaiday drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Andersson trying to control the position but instead, Thaiday has worked for underhooks and has pushed Andersson into the cage.
Andersson scores a nice knee to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thaiday taking a breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thaiday has Andersson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Andersson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Asbjoern Andersson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sam Thaiday.
Thaiday drops down looking for an ankle pick but Andersson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Thaiday takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Andersson misses with a takedown

so Thaiday counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Thaiday lands a couple of decent looking shots.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Andersson holds on and takes a little breather.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thaiday throwing strikes from guard but Andersson blocks nicely.
Thaiday must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Andersson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thaiday is one step ahead there.
Thaiday cracks Andersson with a solid left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Andersson working a defensive guard here.
Thaiday working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Andersson's head.
Thaiday postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Thaiday working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Thaiday cracks Andersson with a solid left hand.
Thaiday trying to control the position from guard on top but Andersson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thaiday throwing strikes but missing.
Andersson wants to sweep but no luck.
Thaiday trying to control but Andersson is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andersson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Thaiday throws a big right hand that misses.
Thaiday working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Andersson's head.
Thaiday keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Andersson's head.
Thaiday wanted to stand there but Andersson had control of the position.
Thaiday stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Andersson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Thaiday cracks Andersson with a solid left hand.
Thaiday working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Thaiday working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Andersson keeping moving, preventing Thaiday from controlling successfully.
Andersson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thaiday landing with the ground and pound.
Thaiday scoring with some ground and pound.
Thaiday throwing strikes but missing.
Thaiday distracts Andersson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Thaiday's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Thaiday scoring with some ground and pound.
Thaiday landing with the ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thaiday wants to control from the top but Andersson keeps moving.
Andersson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Sam Thaiday will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Sam Thaiday's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Thaiday connects with a crisp jab.

Thaiday closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Thaiday lands a few punches from side control.
Andersson is trying to control Thaiday's posture but Thaiday avoids it.
Thaiday tries to advance to mount but Andersson denies him.
Andersson is looking to regain half guard here but Thaiday keeps moving and retains side control.
Thaiday is chipping away with strikes.
Thaiday works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Thaiday is looking to take a break and control but Andersson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sam Thaiday has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Check out the look on Thaiday's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thaiday trying to control the position but Andersson is working away.
Andersson takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

Thaiday decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Thaiday shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Thaiday was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Thaiday throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Thaiday lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Andersson tries to hold on but Thaiday pushes him away.
Thaiday putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
A nice elbow there by Thaiday.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Andersson working to try and regain half guard.
Thaiday with the ground and pound from mount.
BOOM! Thaiday connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Thaiday with a couple of short strikes.
Thaiday prevents Andersson from getting the reversal.
Andersson is in a horrible position here. Thaiday smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Thaiday lands a nice shot to the head.
Thaiday looking to control but Andersson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Andersson takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thaiday with good strikes from the mount here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thaiday with the ground and pound from mount.
Thaiday lands a big shot there that rocks Andersson but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Andersson is looking to get to half guard.
BOOM! Thaiday connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Thaiday lands a nice shot to the head.
Thaiday lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Thaiday looking to control but Andersson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Andersson taking shots to the head.
Thaiday is in the full mount, landing strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thaiday trying to control but Andersson is having none of it.
Thaiday connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Thaiday is landing with some decent strikes but Andersson is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thaiday postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Andersson looks a forlorn figure.
Andersson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Thaiday looking to control but Andersson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thaiday breaks from Andersson's wrist control and lands an elbow.
A nice elbow there by Thaiday.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sam Thaiday comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Thaiday 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 27:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sam Thaiday!