PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Benjamin Thumbhisbum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Viktor Tsoi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Tsoi's choice of entrance music: Zvezda po Imeni Solnce. Viktor Tsoi has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Benjamin Thumbhisbum's chin.

Thumbhisbum
vs
Tsoi

174 cm
26
157 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

169 cm
26
133 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best Nutrition

Sun-Tzu
Héritage!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Benjamin Thumbhisbum!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Viktor Tsoi!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some bone on bone action there as Thumbhisbum checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Thumbhisbum lands a jab to Tsoi's midsection.
Donk. Tsoi catches Thumbhisbum right on the button with a cross.
Tsoi chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Tsoi bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Thumbhisbum is looking to regain half guard here but Tsoi keeps moving and retains side control.

Tsoi is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Thumbhisbum has escaped the position, nice work there.
Tsoi working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Tsoi is looking to take a break and control but Thumbhisbum is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tsoi tries to advance to mount but Thumbhisbum denies him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tsoi tries for a kimura but Thumbhisbum is defending well.
Tsoi looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Tsoi tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Tsoi has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Tsoi tries to advance to mount but can't.
You can see the frustration on Thumbhisbum's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Thumbhisbum tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Tsoi wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tsoi is looking to take a break and control but Thumbhisbum is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Tsoi thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Tsoi wants to control but Thumbhisbum is keeping him busy.

Tsoi is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Thumbhisbum has escaped the position, nice work there.
Tsoi is looking to take a break and control but Thumbhisbum is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Tsoi wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Thumbhisbum, who protects the arm well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thumbhisbum gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Tsoi seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Thumbhisbum does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Tsoi is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Tsoi is working for a kimura but Thumbhisbum is defending it quite comfortably.
Thumbhisbum is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Tsoi trying to control from half guard but Thumbhisbum is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thumbhisbum keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Thumbhisbum has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Tsoi is working away from the top position though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tsoi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tsoi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Tsoi staying out of range there.
And Tsoi responds with a good body kick, but Thumbhisbum manages to step out the way in time.
Thumbhisbum is looking to chop away at Tsoi's legs.
Tsoi feints a counter leg kick.
Thumbhisbum throws a hook but Tsoi avoids it easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Thumbhisbum throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tsoi misses the jab.
Thumbhisbum tried to counter with a leg kick but Tsoi avoided it.
Thumbhisbum throws a hook but Tsoi avoids it easily.
Tsoi walks into a left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Viktor Tsoi will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Thumbhisbum misses with a looping right.
Benjamin Thumbhisbum seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thumbhisbum throws a sloppy head kick and Tsoi moves out of range easily.
Tsoi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Thumbhisbum moves away.
Thumbhisbum scores with a spinning back kick!
Tsoi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Thumbhisbum.
Thumbhisbum scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Tsoi avoids a kick to the body.
Tsoi flicks out a counter leg kick but Thumbhisbum steps away.
A slapping leg kick lands for Thumbhisbum.
A cross from Tsoi lands.
Thumbhisbum blocks a jab.
Tsoi swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Thumbhisbum is looking to score with low kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thumbhisbum moves out of range of the body kick from Tsoi.
Thumbhisbum checks a leg kick.
Thumbhisbum misses with a hook. Tsoi ducked under it nicely.
Tsoi now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Thumbhisbum lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Tsoi has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Tsoi and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Tsoi tries to land a front kick but Thumbhisbum steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsoi slips a jab from Thumbhisbum.
Tsoi connects with a crisp jab.
Tsoi throws a body kick that misses.
Thumbhisbum throws a quick counter kick to the body but Tsoi avoids it.
Thumbhisbum wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Tsoi moves out of range of the body kick.
Tsoi misses the body punch
and Thumbhisbum counters with a leg kick.
Thumbhisbum looks to land a body kick but Tsoi moved away.
A little jabbing left from Tsoi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Thumbhisbum just misses with a punch to the body.
Tsoi lands an overhand right.
Thumbhisbum scores with a push kick.
Tsoi lets loose with a powerful body kick. Thumbhisbum will feel that in the morning.
Tsoi walks into a stiff left hand from Thumbhisbum.
Tsoi tried to score with a low kick but Thumbhisbum checks it.
Thumbhisbum will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tsoi ducks under a wild hook from Thumbhisbum.
A nice side step and Tsoi releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Thumbhisbum defending well as Tsoi loads up on a big left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thumbhisbum misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tsoi.
Tsoi follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Benjamin Thumbhisbum is winning the standup battle so far.
Thumbhisbum misses the jab.
Tsoi scores with a jab to the body.
Tsoi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Thumbhisbum stuns Tsoi with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Thumbhisbum throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tsoi takes one to the chin there.
Thumbhisbum throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tsoi scores with a decent looking hook.
Tsoi throws a jab but it's blocked by Thumbhisbum.
Nice jab there from Thumbhisbum.
Thumbhisbum swings for the body but Tsoi moves out of range.
Thumbhisbum slips a jab from Tsoi.
A little feinted left hand from Thumbhisbum on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Tsoi takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Tsoi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thumbhisbum scores with a jab to the head.
Thumbhisbum takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Tsoi scores with a kick to the midsection.
Tsoi goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Thumbhisbum lands with a good body shot.
Thumbhisbum takes one to the chin there.
Thumbhisbum keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Thumbhisbum scores with a three punch combo!
Thumbhisbum tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Thumbhisbum throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Thumbhisbum clobbers Tsoi with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tsoi finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Tsoi misses the jab.
Thumbhisbum lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Thumbhisbum throws the left hand but Tsoi avoids the punch easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tsoi moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Thumbhisbum misses with a head kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Tsoi! But no joy.
A jab from Tsoi misses.
Thumbhisbum takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Thumbhisbum throws a head kick but Tsoi moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Thumbhisbum throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Thumbhisbum uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tsoi.
Tsoi shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A big right from Tsoi misses.
Thumbhisbum swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A head kick misses from Thumbhisbum.
Thumbhisbum misses with a body shot.
A jab from Thumbhisbum misses.
Tsoi throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Tsoi.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tsoi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benjamin Thumbhisbum 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Thumbhisbum misses with a low kick.
Nice body kick from Tsoi.
Thumbhisbum misses the jab.
Tsoi takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Tsoi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thumbhisbum manages to avoid it.
Tsoi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Tsoi lands with a shot to the body.
Tsoi keeps Thumbhisbum at a distance using the push kick.
Tsoi slips a straight right by Thumbhisbum.
Tsoi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Thumbhisbum on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tsoi. Tsoi obviously looking to wear him down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tsoi fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Thumbhisbum misses with a left hand
and Tsoi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A telegraphed right hand from Thumbhisbum misses the target.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Thumbhisbum throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A telegraphed right hand from Thumbhisbum misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsoi scores with a punch to the head.
Tsoi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Thumbhisbum.
Tsoi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Thumbhisbum sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Thumbhisbum swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tsoi.
Tsoi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Thumbhisbum misses the jab.
Tsoi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Thumbhisbum misses with an uppercut
and Tsoi counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Thumbhisbum attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Tsoi with the counter takedown but Thumbhisbum avoids it easily.
Thumbhisbum misses the jab.
Thumbhisbum catches Tsoi with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Tsoi throws a leg kick
and Thumbhisbum counters with a nice uppercut.
Thumbhisbum pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Thumbhisbum checks the leg kick.
A shot to the body from Tsoi misses
and Thumbhisbum counters with a one-two to the body.
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!
Tsoi misses with a hook. Thumbhisbum ducked under it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thumbhisbum lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Tsoi ducks under a wild hook from Thumbhisbum.
A left lands for Tsoi.
Thumbhisbum throws a nice inside leg kick.
Tsoi has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Thumbhisbum.
A big right from Thumbhisbum misses.
Tsoi scores with a nice body kick.
Thumbhisbum is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tsoi.
Thumbhisbum misses with a kick to the body
and Tsoi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Thumbhisbum misses with a series of wild punches.
Tsoi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Thumbhisbum. That did some damage!
A big right from Thumbhisbum misses.
Thumbhisbum dips to his left and cracks Tsoi with an uppercut!
Tsoi misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsoi bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Thumbhisbum gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A lazy left from Thumbhisbum finds it's target.
Thumbhisbum swats away the attempt to clinch by Tsoi.
Thumbhisbum moves out of range as Tsoi throws a body kick.
Thumbhisbum lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Thumbhisbum tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A big right from Tsoi misses.
Tsoi scores with a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tsoi. Thumbhisbum does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tsoi moves away from the strike by Thumbhisbum.
Thumbhisbum swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Tsoi lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Thumbhisbum avoids a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thumbhisbum avoids a kick to the body.
Thumbhisbum is looking to counter punch.
Tsoi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Thumbhisbum wants to slow Tsoi down by chopping away at his legs.
Thumbhisbum tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thumbhisbum scores with a punch to the head.
Tsoi scores with a punch to the head.
Thumbhisbum misses with an uppercut.
A big left from Thumbhisbum misses.
Tsoi fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Thumbhisbum on the side of the head.
Thumbhisbum ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tsoi moves away.
Tsoi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Thumbhisbum has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Thumbhisbum throws a nice looking combination but Tsoi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thumbhisbum takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Tsoi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Tsoi lands the left hand.
A swing and a miss from Thumbhisbum.
Tsoi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Viktor Tsoi.
I think Tsoi 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Viktor Tsoi!
After winning the bout, Viktor Tsoi thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.