PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Damien Thorn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tomomi Tsuruta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Damien Thorn has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Thorn
vs
Tsuruta

196 cm
23
267 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

192 cm
23
255 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Bullet Proof System

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Damien Thorn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tomomi Tsuruta!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yuuki Gou and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tsuruta fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Tsuruta connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Thorn takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Tsuruta misses with a hook to the body
enabling Thorn to counter with a crisp jab.
Thorn misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tsuruta.
Tsuruta fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thorn manages to avoid it.
Thorn is looking for a counter combo.
Tsuruta misses with a hook.
Tsuruta moves out of range as Thorn strikes.
A lazy left from Tsuruta finds it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tsuruta scores with a body shot.
Tsuruta shoots in but Thorn avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Tsuruta throws a looping overhand right but Thorn ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsuruta fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Thorn on the side of the head.
A shot to the liver by Tsuruta. Beautiful body shot.
Tsuruta throws a body punch but Thorn moves out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Thorn misses the target.
Tsuruta throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Thorn lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Thorn throws out a leg kick but Tsuruta moves out of range and Thorn only half commits.
Thorn blocks a jab.
Thorn misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tsuruta.
Tsuruta tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Thorn was well out of range. Poor timing from Tsuruta.
Thorn throwing a counter right hand but Tsuruta manages to avoid it.
We've been hearing reports that Thorn has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Tsuruta throws a lazy uppercut
and Thorn counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Tsuruta misses with a looping left.
Tomomi Tsuruta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thorn throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thorn takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Thorn ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tsuruta has his takedown stuffed
and Thorn counters with a right hand to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tsuruta thows a left - swing and a miss!
Tsuruta misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Thorn to counter with a crisp jab.
Thorn displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tsuruta throws out the jab.
Thorn half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Tsuruta avoids a punch combination nicely.
Thorn throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Thorn keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Thorn appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Damien Thorn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tomomi Tsuruta.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorn throws a leg kick

and Tsuruta counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Thorn wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Tsuruta manages to pass to side control.
Tsuruta drops an elbow to the side of Thorn's head.
Tsuruta is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Tsuruta is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Tsuruta not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Tsuruta throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Thorn keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Tsuruta scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Tsuruta working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Tsuruta wants to pass to mount but Thorn is defending the position.
Tsuruta thows a huge punch but Thorn dodges it nicely.
Thorn blocking the ground and pound attempt from Tsuruta.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thorn pushes Tsuruta off looking to stand but Tsuruta dives back in and keeps control.
Tsuruta looks to land a strike but Thorn avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Tsuruta postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Thorn on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Thorn tries to get out of the position.
Tsuruta content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Tsuruta loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Thorn is looking to stand up but Tsuruta isn't so interested in that idea.
Tsuruta wants to control from the top but Thorn keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Thorn ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Tsuruta throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Thorn sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tsuruta scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Thorn avoids the body shot from Tsuruta.
Donk. Thorn catches Tsuruta right on the button with a cross.
Tsuruta has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Thorn misses with the combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thorn swinging wildly here.
Tsuruta cracks Thorn with a good jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsuruta stuns Thorn with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Thorn thumps Tsuruta with a low kick.
Tsuruta throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Thorn looks to score with a jab to the body but Tsuruta is just out of range.
Tsuruta drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Thorn defends it well.
Thorn blocks a jab.
Tsuruta misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Thorn.
Thorn avoids the body shot from Tsuruta.
Thorn throws a leg kick which misses Tsuruta's front leg but catches the back leg as Tsuruta tries to avoid it.
Thorn takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Damien Thorn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tsuruta swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Thorn tries to counter with a takedown but Tsuruta is quick to defend against it.
Thorn throws a nice looking combination but Tsuruta bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta swings widly with a right hand
and Thorn counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Tsuruta lands with a good body shot.
Thorn takes a swing at Tsuruta's ribcage but misses.
Tsuruta with the counter takedown but Thorn avoids it easily.
Thorn avoids the body shot from Tsuruta.
Tsuruta takes a swing at Thorn's ribcage but misses.
Thorn uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tsuruta.
Thorn misses with a hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A swing and a miss from Tsuruta.
Thorn changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Thorn ducks under a wild hook from Tsuruta.
Tsuruta moves into range and connects with a jab.
Thorn defending well as Tsuruta loads up on a big left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta scores with a punch to the head.
Thorn throws a nice outside leg kick.
Tsuruta shoots and misses
and Thorn counters with a one-two to the body.
Thorn misses with a straight right.
Tsuruta throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tsuruta lands with an overhand left.
A shot to the liver by Tsuruta. Beautiful body shot.
Thorn lands a two punch combo.
Tsuruta darts in looking for a takedown but Thorn gets double underhooks and turns Tsuruta into the ropes.
Nice body punch from Thorn.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Thorn waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tsuruta.
Tsuruta scores with a nice head shot.
Tsuruta jabs Thorn to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Tsuruta connects with a body shot.
Tsuruta bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Thorn tests Tsuruta's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Thorn connects with a high kick.
Tsuruta misses with a wild body shot.
Tsuruta throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A telegraphed right hand from Thorn misses the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tomomi Tsuruta will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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!

Tsuruta is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Thorn.
It looked like Thorn was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Tsuruta lands with a straight right. Thorn didn't see that one coming.
Tsuruta walks into a left hand.
Tsuruta avoids the head kick by Thorn.
Thorn bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tomomi Tsuruta seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Thorn throws a leg kick but Tsuruta checks it.
Thorn displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tsuruta throws out the jab.
Thorn cracks Tsuruta with an open hand slap.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tsuruta catches Thorn with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Tsuruta takes a swing at Thorn's ribcage but misses.
Tsuruta throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Thorn throwing a counter right hand but Tsuruta manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsuruta looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Thorn is fending him off so far but Tsuruta persists. Nope, Thorn circles away and we're back to standing.
Thorn moves into range and connects with a jab.
Tsuruta throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Thorn takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Tsuruta takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Thorn throws a leg kick

and Tsuruta counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Tsuruta. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Tsuruta trying to control the position from guard on top but Thorn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tsuruta tries to free his leg and advance position but Thorn is retaining full guard.

Thorn wriggles free and stands up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Tsuruta.
Thorn drops down looking for a counter takedown but Tsuruta sprawls and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta tries to move into range but Thorn moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A slow jab from Tsuruta misses its intended target.
It looked like Thorn was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Tsuruta scores with a decent looking hook.
Tsuruta scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Thorn is looking to slow Tsuruta down with leg kicks.
Thorn looks to throw the jab but Tsuruta is out of range.
Tsuruta drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Thorn defends it well.
Thorn throws a jab but it's blocked by Tsuruta.
Good standup being displayed there by Thorn as he connects with a hook.
Tsuruta misses with a right hand
and Thorn counters with a left and a right that stings Tsuruta.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorn misses with an uppercut. Tsuruta saw that one coming.
Tsuruta bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Thorn's head.
Thorn misses with an uppercut.
Tsuruta misses with a hook
and Thorn counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Tsuruta works Thorn's body with a nice hook.
Damien Thorn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A bone on bone clash there as Tsuruta blocks the leg kick.
Tsuruta misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Thorn.
Thorn tries to land a leg kick but Tsuruta saw it coming and moves away.
Thorn misses with a left hand
and Tsuruta counters with a right hand to the body.
Good shot there by Thorn.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta slips under a jab from Thorn.
Tsuruta getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Tsuruta moves out of range as Thorn strikes.
Thorn moves out of range as Tsuruta strikes.
Thorn does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Thorn moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thorn throws a body shot but no joy.
Tsuruta fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Tsuruta with a jab.

Tsuruta decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

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 Damien Thorn.
Well Tsuruta 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Tomomi Tsuruta!
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Tomomi Tsuruta!
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Tomomi Tsuruta!

Tomomi Tsuruta wins by unanimous decision!