PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bobby Zepp (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mo Thanyoo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zepp kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Boom! Shake The Room . Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Zepp
vs
Thanyoo

177 cm
42
183 lbs
52 - 23 - 0

179 cm
40
174 lbs
19 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 52 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bobby Zepp!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mo Thanyoo!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Elvis Blanc and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zepp throws a lazy body kick
and Thanyoo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Thanyoo fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Zepp to the ground. Thanyoo is now in Zepp's guard.
Thanyoo postures up in Zepp's guard and throws a big left but Zepp blocks it.
Thanyoo prevents Zepp from getting back to his feet.
Thanyoo is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Thanyoo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thanyoo trying to control the position from guard on top but Zepp is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zepp is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Thanyoo passes Zepp's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Thanyoo seems content to control.
Thanyoo's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Zepp is trying to stand back up but Thanyoo is controlling him
My spies in Hard Knocks Training inform me that Thanyoo has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Thanyoo scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Still in half guard, Thanyoo seems content to control.
Thanyoo seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Zepp does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Thanyoo sitting and controlling from the half guard.
More stalling from Thanyoo.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

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.
Thanyoo connects with a crisp jab.

It looks like Bobby Zepp has been cut.
Nice jab there from Thanyoo.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Thanyoo.

Thanyoo working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Thanyoo is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Zepp knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Zepp is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zepp is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Thanyoo has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Zepp stops Thanyoo from passing to mount.

Thanyoo working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Thanyoo is looking to take a break and control but Zepp is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Thanyoo advances nicely into full mount.

Thanyoo is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Zepp can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thanyoo controlling from mount.
The referee warns Zepp that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Thanyoo trying to control but Zepp is having none of it.
Thanyoo with shots to the head and body - Zepp looks very uncomfortable down there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thanyoo looking to ground and pound but Zepp is blocking nicely.
Thanyoo connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Thanyoo unloads with some shots from mount but Zepp bucks and avoids them well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mo Thanyoo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bobby Zepp's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

No luck with that takedown attempt from Thanyoo.
Zepp was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Thanyoo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Zepp was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Thanyoo tries to clinch but Zepp moves out of range.
Zepp throws an off balance right hand
and Thanyoo counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Thanyoo fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zepp avoids it really well and circles away.
Bobby Zepp has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mo Thanyoo.
Zepp throws a big shot that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thanyoo is looking to clinch but Zepp is avoiding it.
Thanyoo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Zepp pinned against the cage. Zepp gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Thanyoo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Thanyoo.
Thanyoo lands an overhand right.
Zepp swats away the attempt to clinch by Thanyoo.
Zepp is looking to land body kicks.
Thanyoo moves out of range as Zepp throws a body kick.
Thanyoo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Thanyoo lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Zepp throws a wild body kick that Thanyoo sees coming a mile off.
Nice takedown defense from Zepp. No joy for Thanyoo on that attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thanyoo fails to land the takedown.
Zepp looks to score with a jab to the body but Thanyoo is just out of range.
Thanyoo cracks a nice hook into Zepp's ribs.
Zepp looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Mo Thanyoo seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Thanyoo shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zepp is looking for a sweep. Thanyoo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Thanyoo is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Zepp sees it coming and defends easily.
Thanyoo thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thanyoo is thwarting Zepp's attempts to control the position.
Thanyoo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Thanyoo is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Thanyoo is looking for a kimura but Zepp is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Thanyoo to get the leverage.
Mo Thanyoo has got the better of the ground game so far.
Thanyoo trying to control the action but Zepp is working from the bottom.
Thanyoo tries to pass to full mount but Zepp defends it.
Thanyoo is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Thanyoo is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Zepp has managed to free his arm - good work.

Thanyoo seems to be working for a kimura but Zepp defends the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thanyoo landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Thanyoo is trying to control. Zepp wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zepp knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Thanyoo on the ground.
Thanyoo tries to pass to full mount but Zepp defends it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mo Thanyoo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Bobby Zepp's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Zepp misses with a low kick.

Thanyoo closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Zepp did well to prevent Thanyoo getting side control.
Thanyoo is looking to take a break and control but Zepp is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Thanyoo prevents Zepp from improving his position.

Thanyoo is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Zepp has managed to free his arm - good work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Thanyoo trying to work for an americana but Zepp has managed to regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thanyoo stops Zepp from standing up.
Thanyoo wants to pass the guard but Zepp is keeping the position.
Thanyoo sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Thanyoo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zepp is keeping the position for now.
Zepp is trying to control the position but Thanyoo postures up.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Zepp preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A swing and a miss from Zepp.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Jab, jab by Thanyoo - just one landing.
Zepp throws a hook to the side of Thanyoo's head but Thanyoo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zepp jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Thanyoo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Zepp throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Thanyoo connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Thanyoo jabs Zepp right on the nose. Zepp blinks but takes it well.

Thanyoo scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Thanyoo is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Thanyoo looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thanyoo is continuing to stall.
Zepp tries to get to full guard but Thanyoo has control of the leg.
Thanyoo is pressing down on Zepp's thigh, looking to free his foot. Zepp is holding on for now.
Mo Thanyoo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Zepp is refusing to be controlled, as Thanyoo sits in half guard.
Bobby Zepp has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Well, if Thanyoo 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.
Thanyoo trying to pass the guard but Zepp defending well.
Thanyoo content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Thanyoo is looking for a kimura but Zepp is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Thanyoo to get the leverage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Thanyoo keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Mo Thanyoo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Thanyoo 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mo Thanyoo!
During a confident post fight interview, Mo Thanyoo thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.