PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mau Cherry (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Thigpen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cherry's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Upper West - Proof. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Cherry
vs
Thigpen

168 cm
18
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

165 cm
19
135 lbs
4 - 3 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mau Cherry!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Michael Thigpen!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Daniel Cesar and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cherry lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Thigpen circles away quickly and effectively.
Thigpen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Thigpen has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Cherry is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Cherry throws a right hand that Thigpen ducks under and follows up with a left that Thigpen also avoids with ease.
Cherry 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.
Cherry misses with a two punch combination.
Cherry shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Thigpen defends it nicely.
And Thigpen tries to counter it with a takedown but Cherry pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Cherry defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Thigpen.
Cherry will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thigpen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Cherry is looking to counter the offense by Thigpen and move into the clinch.
Cherry throws a right hand that Thigpen ducks under and follows up with a left that Thigpen also avoids with ease.
Thigpen moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Cherry misses with a two punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cherry swats away the attempt to clinch by Thigpen.
Cherry swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cherry fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cherry lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
The fighters circle momentarily. Cherry darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Cherry throws a right and a left that Thigpen avoids nicely.
A jab lands there for Cherry.
Thigpen lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Cherry works over Thigpen's head and body with a nice combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cherry swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Thigpen lands with a kick to the ribs.
Mau Cherry seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cherry lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Thigpen backs up against the cage.
Cherry is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thigpen tries to clinch there but Cherry circles away.
Thigpen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cherry throws a series of punches but Thigpen moves out of range.
Cherry throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Thigpen tries to clinch but Cherry moves out of range.
Cherry is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Thigpen.
Thigpen lands a right hook to the body.
Thigpen lands a jab to the head.
Thigpen looks to land a combination but Cherry avoids it well.
As Thigpen tries to get set, Cherry tries to push him back and clinch up but Thigpen manages to avoid the attempt.
Cherry is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Cherry will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Thigpen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Cherry, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Thigpen moves in looking to clinch but Cherry pushes him off.
Thigpen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Horrible takedown attempt by Thigpen or perhaps it was just good defense by Cherry, which made it look bad.
Thigpen shoots in for a double leg but Cherry sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mau Cherry has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Thigpen.
Cherry fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Thigpen steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Cherry.
Cherry swinging wildly here.
Thigpen tries to counter by closing the distance.
Cherry fails to land with a series of punches.
Cherry looks to land a body kick but Thigpen moved away.
Thigpen wants to counter with a clinch but Cherry pushes him away.
Cherry throws a series of punches but Thigpen avoids them all with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Thigpen.
Thigpen shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cherry sprawls well. Cherry wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Thigpen gets slowly back to his feet.
Cherry fails to land with a series of punches.
Cherry throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A nice side step and Thigpen releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cherry feints a jab promting Thigpen to slip. Cherry then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Thigpen slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Cherry swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Thigpen lands a head kick!
Cherry swinging wildly here.
Thigpen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mau Cherry dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cherry lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Thigpen darts in looking for a takedown but Cherry gets double underhooks and turns Thigpen into the cage.
Thigpen lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Cherry swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cherry misses with a wild combination.

Cherry shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Thigpen is trying to defend but Cherry finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Cherry controlling the action here.
Thigpen is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cherry content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Thigpen is trying to stand up here but Cherry is controlling him well.
Thigpen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Cherry is working away from the top position though.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Cherry postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Thigpen to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Thigpen misses with a body kick.
Cherry lands with a nice body punch.
Mau Cherry is winning the standup battle so far.
Cherry misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Thigpen tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Cherry is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Thigpen can do to turn this around?
Thigpen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cherry throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Thigpen.
Nice shot by Thigpen.
Cherry lands a nice shot that snaps Thigpen's head back.
Some wild striking there from Cherry.
Mau Cherry is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cherry tries to bum rush Thigpen with a series of wild strikes but Thigpen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cherry will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thigpen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Cherry manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Cherry throws a left and a right that both miss
and Thigpen counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Cherry swinging wildly here.
Cherry throws a series of punches but Thigpen moves out of range.
Thigpen is looking for the big counter here.
Thigpen is looking to slow Cherry down with leg kicks.
Thigpen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cherry.
Cherry shoots for a takedown but Thigpen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cherry tries for a takedown but Thigpen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Thigpen fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thigpen throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Thigpen throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Thigpen fails to land the takedown.
Mau Cherry has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Thigpen.
Thigpen wants to clinch.
Cherry lands a really nice looking cross but Thigpen seems unphased.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A looping hook to the body misses from Cherry. Thigpen does a little dance to reset his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mau Cherry dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Nice sprawl there from Cherry as Thigpen shoots in.
Thigpen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cherry.
Despite the aggression on Thigpen's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Thigpen slips a jab and a cross from Cherry.
Cherry throws a series of punches but Thigpen moves out of range.
Danga de danga de dang - Cherry scores with a four punch combination!
Jab by Cherry.
Thigpen avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thigpen has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Cherry finds it's way round the side to connect with Thigpen's head.
Cherry thows a left - swing and a miss!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cherry fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cherry shoots in for a takedown but Thigpen shows good takedown defense.
Thigpen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cherry is fending him off so far but Thigpen persists. Nope, Cherry circles away and we're back to standing.
Thigpen shoots in for a double leg but Cherry sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mau Cherry has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Thigpen.
Thigpen slips a jab and a cross from Cherry.
Thigpen lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Thigpen.
Thigpen moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Thigpen throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Thigpen fails with a takedown attempt.
Thigpen leaves Cherry with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cherry throws a right and a left that both miss.
Thigpen tries to clinch but Cherry moves out of range.
No joy there for Cherry, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Thigpen misses with the combination.
Cherry wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cherry keeps the fight on the outside.
Thigpen shoots in but no luck this time.
Good work by Thigpen as he checks the leg kick.
Thigpen tries to counter by closing the distance.
Cherry lands a two punch combo.
Thigpen's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Thigpen duly obliges.
Cherry throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cherry fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cherry sets himself, and Thigpen steps forward looking for the clinch! Cherry avoids it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thigpen throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Cherry fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cherry takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Thigpen checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Thigpen connects with a high kick.
Thigpen tries to clinch there but Cherry circles away.
Cherry is looking to counter the offense by Thigpen and move into the clinch.
Cherry looks to land a combination but Thigpen avoids it well.
Thigpen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cherry seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Cherry has a takedown stuffed.
Thigpen wants to clinch up but Cherry keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thigpen dives in for a single leg takedown but Cherry sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Thigpen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cherry.
Cherry lands a two punch combo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thigpen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Thigpen tries to clinch there but Cherry circles away.
Cherry scores with a one two! Thigpen had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Cherry throws a series of punches but Thigpen moves out of range.
Thigpen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cherry is fending him off so far but Thigpen persists. Nope, Cherry circles away and we're back to standing.
Crunch! Thigpen slams his shin into Cherry's torso.
Michael Thigpen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mau Cherry is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thigpen plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

And that's the end of the fight!
Mau Cherry showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Cherry has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mau Cherry!
Mau Cherry took some time post fight to say the following; 'Let's be honest. . . I'm getting there with these two beautiful victories won since I arrived in this Organization, I knew that if I was standing sooner or later he would kiss my glove. . . '.