PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Boothe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abbe Faria (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Boothe
vs
Faria

190 cm
42
215 lbs
44 - 19 - 0

195 cm
30
265 lbs
22 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
KO power

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Sin City Allstars

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 44 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thomas Boothe!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Abbe Faria!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Boothe sizes up Faria with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

It looks like Abbe Faria has been cut.
Faria misses with a takedown attempt
and Boothe counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Boothe will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Boothe 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.
Faria misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Faria tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Faria dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Faria swings for the body but Boothe moves out of range.
Faria on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Faria shoots and misses
and Boothe counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Thomas Boothe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abbe Faria.

Faria shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Boothe's guard.

Boothe pushes Faria off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Faria is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Faria misses with an uppercut. Boothe saw that one coming.
Boothe fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Faria looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A telegraphed right hand from Boothe misses the target.
Faria shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Boothe as he avoids it easily.
Boothe looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Faria tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Boothe was well out of range. Poor timing from Faria.

Faria feints and as Boothe raises his hands in defense, Faria changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Faria loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Boothe is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Faria is controlling him.
Faria trying to control the position from guard on top but Boothe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Faria prevents Boothe from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Faria postures up in Boothe's guard and throws a big left but Boothe blocks it.
Boothe is looking to stand up but Faria isn't so interested in that idea.
Faria with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Faria throws a strike but Boothe rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Faria is trying to keep Boothe in close.

Boothe stands up and waves to Faria to follow him.
Faria chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Boothe can pounce on him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Faria takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Faria avoids the body shot from Boothe.
Faria is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Faria uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Boothe.
Faria with the counter takedown but Boothe avoids it easily.
Faria throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Boothe digs a good hook to Faria's body.
Faria throws a jab when Boothe was well out of range.
Boothe appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Faria connects with a body shot that sends Boothe's belly button to the back.
Faria bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Boothe's head backwards.
Faria misses with a hook. Boothe ducked under it nicely.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Faria.
Boothe connects with a body shot that sends Faria's belly button to the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Faria tries to score a power double leg takedown but Boothe sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Faria somewhat.
Faria swings for the body but Boothe moves out of range.
Boothe will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Boothe chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Boothe throws a nice looking combination but Faria bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Faria misses with a hook. Boothe ducked under it nicely.
A counter left hand to the body from Boothe misses its target.
Faria misses with a takedown
letting Boothe counter with a right hand.
Faria misses with a body shot
and Boothe counters with a lovely shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Boothe dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Abbe Faria's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

That kick from Boothe tenderised Faria's leg. Faria is trying to keep his angry face on.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Faria checks a leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Faria.
Faria with the counter takedown but Boothe avoids it easily.
Faria scores with a body shot.
Faria goes for a double leg but Boothe avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Boothe continues to drive forward.
Boothe scores with a sloppy right hand. Faria should have avoided that one.
Abbe Faria seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Faria's corner calls for a 1-2. Faria obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Faria takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Boothe connects with a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boothe takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Boothe thows a body kick. Faria tries to catch it but that hurt him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Faria shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Boothe counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boothe lands a slapping body shot.

Faria drives through with a takedown into Boothe's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Boothe has his feet on Faria's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Boothe jabs at Faria's body.
Faria is breathing heavily.
Faria staying out of range there.
Thomas Boothe is winning the standup battle so far.
Boothe smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Boothe tries to land a leg kick but Faria saw it coming and moves away.
Faria drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Boothe defends it well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Boothe ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Faria with a jab.
Faria looks to score with a jab to the body but Boothe is just out of range.
Faria throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Faria jabs Boothe to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Boothe fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Faria cracks Boothe with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Boothe lands with a hook. Faria tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Boothe tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Faria was well out of range. Poor timing from Boothe.
Faria is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Boothe rather than just go for the knockout.
Faria shoots in but no luck this time.
Thomas Boothe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abbe Faria.
Faria clobbers Boothe with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Faria on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Boothe looks to land a body kick but Faria moved away.
Faria throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Boothe counters with a right hand to the body.
Faria shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A little feinted left hand from Boothe on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Faria tries to bum rush Boothe with a series of wild strikes but Boothe uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Boothe is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Faria can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Faria checks a low kick from Boothe.
And Faria tries to counter it with a takedown but Boothe pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Faria scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Boothe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Boothe looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Nice sprawl there from Boothe as Faria shoots in.
Boothe keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Faria.
Some bone on bone action there as Faria checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Boothe dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Faria. That did some damage!
Faria looks to throw the jab but Boothe is out of range.
Boothe connects with a jab.
Nice sprawl there from Boothe as Faria shoots in.
Faria misses with a hook. Boothe ducked under it nicely.
Faria's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Faria shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Boothe napping and manages to drive through into side control!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Boothe is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Faria's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Boothe tries to roll over but Faria keeps him under control.
Faria not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Faria not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Boothe is not content to let Faria control the position.
Boothe moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Faria throws an elbow that misses. Boothe uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Faria's guard. Nice move by Boothe!

Faria working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Boothe dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Abbe Faria's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Faria fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Boothe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Faria tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
The crowd cheers as Boothe lands an impressive looking overhand right. Faria doesn't seem phased though.
Boothe scores with a body shot.
Boothe jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Boothe tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
No luck for Faria with that takedown attempt.
It looked like Boothe was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Faria.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Faria on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Faria is trying hard to land a takedown here. Boothe sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Thomas Boothe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abbe Faria.
Boothe lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Faria takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Faria with a poor takedown
and Boothe connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Boothe scores with a nice right hand.

Boothe lands a big head kick that sends Faria tumbling to the mat! Boothe takes a step backwards and waves Faria back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Faria is rocked!
Faria misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Boothe lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Faria falls off balance throwing a combination

and Boothe counters with a crisp one two that drops Faria! Boothe thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Faria to his feet! Faria is in big trouble!
Faria is still on wobbly legs! Can Boothe finish him?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Boothe lands with a shot to the body.
Faria seems to have recovered his senses.
Boothe swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Faria tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Boothe was well out of range. Poor timing from Faria.
Boothe was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Boothe connects with a body shot that sends Faria's belly button to the back.
Faria blocks a leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Boothe. Faria does a little dance to reset his feet.
Faria shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Boothe defends it nicely.
Faria ducks right into an uppercut from Boothe.
Boothe throws a quick inside leg kick.
Boothe tries to land a leg kick but Faria saw it coming and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boothe jabs Faria right on the nose. Faria blinks but takes it well.
Faria keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Faria shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Boothe as he avoids it easily.
Faria gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That has opened up Abbe Faria's cut even more.
Faria slips a straight right by Boothe.
Faria slips under a jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Boothe. Faria does a little dance to reset his feet.
Faria has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A chopping leg kick lands by Boothe.
A lazy left from Faria finds it's target.
Boothe takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Faria shoots in for a double leg but Boothe sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
It looked like Boothe wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Faria tries to score a power double leg takedown but Boothe sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Faria somewhat.
Abbe Faria has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Faria throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Boothe counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Boothe.
Faria misses with a lunging right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Boothe lands with an uppercut that bounces Faria off the cage and back into range.
Boothe slips a straight right by Faria.
A quick step to the side and Boothe tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
A nice leg kick lands there from Boothe.
Boothe scoring well with a low kick there.
Faria swings for the body but Boothe moves out of range.
Boothe ducks under a wild hook from Faria.
Thomas Boothe is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boothe just misses with a punch to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Boothe showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Boothe 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Boothe!
Thomas Boothe retains his heavyweight title!
Thomas Boothe bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.