PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Cornelius Craft (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eysteinn Thornsteisson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Eysteinn Thornsteisson is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Craft
vs
Thornsteisson

217 cm
18
177 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
175 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Cornelius Craft!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Eysteinn Thornsteisson!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Ryoma Takatsuka and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Craft checks a leg kick.
Craft appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Craft tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Thornsteisson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Craft tries to clinch up but Thornsteisson circles away and keeps his distance.

Craft rushes Thornsteisson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Craft tightens his grip and picks Thornsteisson up, before dumping him to the ground. Thornsteisson manages to land in guard.
Craft wants to stand but Thornsteisson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Craft wants to stand and escape but instead Thornsteisson has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Craft looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Thornsteisson puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Craft flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, if Thornsteisson is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Thornsteisson throwing shots but Craft is blocking nicely.
Thornsteisson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Craft is trying to stand back up but Thornsteisson is controlling him

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Craft really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Craft tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Thornsteisson just stands there and leans against the cage.

Thornsteisson is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Craft can't fight it off and eventually Thornsteisson manages to take the fight to the floor. Craft looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Thornsteisson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Craft working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Thornsteisson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Thornsteisson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Craft has Thornsteisson pulled in close to control his posture.
Thornsteisson trying to control but Craft is working from the bottom.
Thornsteisson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Craft is looking to clinch but Thornsteisson is avoiding it.

Thornsteisson clinches up with Craft and pushes him back against the cage.

Thornsteisson breaks from the clinch.
Craft tries to land a front kick but Thornsteisson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Thornsteisson forces Craft back against the cage and clinches.
Craft has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Thornsteisson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Craft goes for a takedown in the clinch but Thornsteisson prevents it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Thornsteisson gets control of Craft's arms and successfully pulls guard. Thornsteisson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Craft throws an elbow that misses. Thornsteisson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Craft's guard. Nice move by Thornsteisson!

Craft controls Thornsteisson momentarily but Thornsteisson frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thornsteisson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Thornsteisson's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

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.
Craft working a defensive guard but Thornsteisson manages to pass into side control anyway.
Craft defending against the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Craft tries to get back to half guard but can't.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Thornsteisson postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thornsteisson creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Craft sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Craft being controlled for a moment.
Craft is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Craft bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Thornsteisson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Craft is looking to clinch but Thornsteisson is avoiding it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Craft gets tackled into the cage by Thornsteisson. Thornsteisson maintains the clinch.
Craft jumps guard but Thornsteisson turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cornelius Craft. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Thornsteisson lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Thornsteisson in particular looking to stall.
Craft is trying to maintain the position but Thornsteisson is very close to passing his half guard.
Still in half guard, Thornsteisson seems content to control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Thornsteisson stands up from half guard.
Craft is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eysteinn Thornsteisson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Thornsteisson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Craft isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Thornsteisson stacks Craft on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Thornsteisson!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Craft tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Thornsteisson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Thornsteisson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Craft knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
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That's one minute gone in the round.
Craft parries the strikes from Thornsteisson easily there. Thornsteisson is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Craft to escape.
Thornsteisson controlling the position.
More stalling from Thornsteisson.

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.
Craft tries to bench press Thornsteisson off him but Thornsteisson keeps the position.
Craft being controlled for a moment.
Thornsteisson is continuing to stall.
Eysteinn Thornsteisson has got the better of the ground game so far.

Thornsteisson goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Craft rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Thornsteisson's guard! Nice work there by Craft!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Craft is looking to stand up but Thornsteisson won't let him.
Craft postures up in Thornsteisson's guard and throws a big left but Thornsteisson blocks it.
Craft missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Thornsteisson trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Craft trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Craft is looking to work some ground and pound but Thornsteisson has wrist control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Craft is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four 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.

Thornsteisson clinches up against the cage.

Thornsteisson has picked Craft up - he's going for a ride! Thornsteisson dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Thornsteisson content to control rather than advance.
Thornsteisson wants to take a breather but Craft is having none of it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Thornsteisson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Cornelius Craft has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Eysteinn Thornsteisson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Craft looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eysteinn Thornsteisson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Thornsteisson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Josh West scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eysteinn Thornsteisson!