PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thirsty Thurston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Powerful Mofo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Thurston
vs
Mofo

190 cm
22
212 lbs
3 - 0 - 1

185 cm
22
205 lbs
2 - 0 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Alpha-Omega

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Thirsty Thurston!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Powerful Mofo!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thurston lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Mofo backs up against the ropes.
Thurston throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Mofo's head.
Thurston misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Thurston shoots in and drives through. Mofo sprawls well.
Mofo swings for the body but Thurston moves out of range.

Thurston looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Mofo manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thurston wants to control but Mofo is having none of it.
Mofo is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Thurston can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Thurston is wriggling around trying to escape.
Thurston wants to get back to his feet.
Mofo landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Mofo.
Thurston is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Mofo landing shots from mount.
Thurston really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Mofo connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Thurston is squirming around, avoiding Mofo's attempts to control the action.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Mofo cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thurston is squirming around, avoiding Mofo's attempts to control the action.
Mofo lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Thurston hang on?
Mofo lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Thurston hang on?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mofo looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Thurston regains half guard.
Mofo prevents Thurston from improving his position.
Mofo working the head and body with strikes.
Thurston is refusing to be controlled, as Mofo sits in half guard.
Mofo not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Mofo lands with a punch from half guard.
Mofo trying to control from half guard but Thurston is working away.
Mofo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Thurston is trying to stand.
Thurston is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mofo tries to pass to full mount but Thurston defends it.
Ground and pound from Mofo.
Thurston tries to kick Mofo off but Mofo keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Mofo missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Mofo is taking a breather. Thurston says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Mofo trying to control from half guard but Thurston is working away.
Mofo is looking to stall here but Thurston recovers full guard.
Mofo is in close to Thurston's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Thurston is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Mofo with a flurry of punches that miss.
Thurston thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Mofo working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Thurston's head.
Mofo landing some decent shots from guard.
Mofo controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Let's hope that Mofo has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thurston manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mofo manages to get himself to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Powerful Mofo dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mofo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Thurston pinned against the cage. Thurston gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Thirsty Thurston is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Thurston clinches with his opponent.
Mofo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Thurston can't get the takedown.

Mofo is fighting off a takedown attempt but Thurston is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Mofo to the mat. Mofo regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Thurston has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Thurston wants to get up but he can't break Mofo's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Thurston trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mofo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mofo utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mofo pulls Thurston in close to prevent any damage.
Mofo is breathing heavily.
Mofo is looking to sweep but instead, Thurston has passed into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mofo keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Thurston lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Mofo backs up against the ropes.
A punch combination from Thurston misses.
Thurston throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Mofo gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Thurston moves into the clinch.
Thurston has Mofo pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Mofo manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Thurston has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Mofo is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thirsty Thurston. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Thurston pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mofo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Thurston swivels and escapes.
Thurston fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thurston throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
The fighters circling - Mofo throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mofo takes one on the button.
Mofo misses with an uppercut.
Left hook, right uppercut from Thurston.
Thurston tries to clinch but Mofo moves out of range.
Thurston throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mofo.
Thurston lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Thurston throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Mofo shoots in but Thurston avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Thurston goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mofo has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
A head kick from Thurston lands but Mofo takes it in his stride.
Thurston tries to clinch up.
Thurston tries to clinch but Mofo is having none of it.
Thurston wants to clinch up but Mofo keeps it at a distance.
A nice combination there by Thurston.
Thirsty Thurston seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mofo with a poor takedown
and Thurston counters with a nice uppercut.
Thurston looks to land a combination. Mofo sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Thurston shoots and misses

and Mofo counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Mofo.
Mofo with a nice head shot there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mofo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Thurston is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mofo lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thurston tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mofo makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Mofo scoring with punches to the head and body.
Powerful Mofo has got the better of the ground game so far.
Thurston keeping full guard, as Mofo tries to pass.
Mofo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Thurston works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Thurston working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mofo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mofo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mofo distracts Thurston with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thirsty Thurston dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Thurston pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Thurston connects with a solid leg kick.
Thurston lands a head kick. Mofo smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Thurston lands with a nice body kick.
Mofo takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Mofo avoids the head kick by Thurston.
Thirsty Thurston is winning the standup battle so far.
Mofo takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Thurston looks to land a combination. Mofo sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Thurston tries to clinch there but Mofo circles away.
Thurston lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Good shot there by Thurston.
Mofo with a poor takedown
and Thurston counters with a head kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thurston digs a good body shot into Mofo's ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thurston scores with a nice head shot.
Thurston misses with a takedown attempt - Mofo sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Thurston connects with a nice looking jab.

Thurston gets a clinch.

Thurston has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Mofo clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Mofo rolls, trying to escape but Thurston keeps control of the position.
Thurston missing with strikes.
Thurston doesn't have the hooks in and Mofo manages to turn into his guard.
Mofo looking to sit in guard and control but Thurston gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Mofo wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thurston trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Thurston trying to control but Mofo is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Thurston throws a right hand that Mofo ducks under and follows up with a left that Mofo also avoids with ease.
Mofo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Thurston counters with a left and a right that stings Mofo.
Mofo on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Thurston. Thurston obviously looking to wear him down.
Thurston lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Thurston.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thurston throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Mofo's head.
Thurston tries to bum rush Mofo with a series of wild strikes but Mofo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mofo closes this distance looking for a takedown but Thurston circles away.
Thirsty Thurston has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Powerful Mofo.
Thurston looks to land a combination. Mofo sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Thurston is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Thurston lands a head kick. Mofo smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Mofo dodges the punch combination from Thurston.
Thurston doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Mofo counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Thurston!
A nice elbow there by Mofo.
Thurston is squirming around, avoiding Mofo's attempts to control the action.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thurston is in all sorts of trouble here.
Mofo with the ground and pound from mount.
Mofo lands a big shot there that rocks Thurston but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Thurston has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Mofo's lack of action.
Mofo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Mofo trying to control from Thurston's half guard. Thurston has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mofo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mofo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Thurston avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thirsty Thurston clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Thurston throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Mofo.
The fight stays on the outside here - Thurston looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Thurston has his takedown stuffed

and Mofo decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Thurston's guard.
Mofo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Thurston looking for a guillotine here but Mofo defends easily.
Mofo lands a couple of elbows.
Mofo working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Thurston's head.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Mofo avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Thurston is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mofo striking from the bottom.
Mofo pulls Thurston in close to his closed guard and prevents Thurston from doing any damage or advancing position.
Mofo is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Thurston trying to control the position from guard on top but Mofo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thurston working some strikes from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Thurston is looking to work some ground and pound but Mofo has wrist control.
Thurston wants to pass the guard but Mofo is keeping the position.
Thurston postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Mofo decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Mofo wants to control but Thurston is keeping him busy.
Mofo lands strikes from half guard.
Thurston is looking to escape.

Thurston looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Mofo sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Thurston is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mofo working the head and body with strikes.
Mofo controlling the action here.
Mofo wants to control but Thurston is keeping him busy.

Thurston is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Mofo pulls his head out easily.
Mofo looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Thurston with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Mofo controlling the pace.
Mofo has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Mofo trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Thurston wants to try and get back to his feet.
Mofo lands a nice shot to the head.
Mofo lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Thurston taking shots to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Powerful Mofo dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Mofo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Thurston counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Mofo is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Thurston throws a one two combo.
Thurston wants to clinch.
A jab from Thurston finds it's way through Mofo's defenses.
Thurston lands a slapping body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thurston scores with a head kick.
Thurston plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Mofo takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Thurston goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thurston is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Thurston tries to clinch but Mofo is having none of it.
Thurston shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Mofo counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Mofo.
Thurston wants to sweep but no luck.
Mofo postures up and lands a big shot to Thurston's brow.
Mofo connects with a couple of short punches.
Mofo passes into half guard.
Thurston tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Thurston is trying to stand back up but Mofo is controlling him

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mofo content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Mofo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Thurston keeps working.
Mofo is stalling here. Thurston is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Mofo seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Thurston has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Mofo is looking for a sweep.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Thurston throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mofo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nice sprawl there from Mofo as Thurston shoots in.

Thurston closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Mofo struggling a bit here.
Mofo manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Thurston is trying to work for a kimura but Mofo is defending well.
Mofo keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mofo controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Mofo tries to get to full guard but Thurston has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thurston frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Thurston lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Mofo is wriggling around trying to escape.
Thurston unloading with bombs!
Thurston connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

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 Thirsty Thurston.
I think Thurston has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 48:47
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 48:48
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 47:48

The fight is ruled a draw!
Thirsty Thurston retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!