PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Josh Turner (ranked 1492 p4p, 70 weight class) and Panupong Singsurat (ranked 3742 p4p, 183 weight class). Turner comes to the cage accompanied by Next Episode by Dr. Dre. This should be fireworks!

Turner
vs
Singsurat

175 cm
30
147 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

184 cm
34
135 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Josh Turner!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Panupong Singsurat!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Colin Fotheringham and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Singsurat uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Turner.
Turner throws a push kick but Singsurat slaps the foot to one side.
Turner swings for the body but Singsurat moves out of range.
Turner stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Turner wants it to stay on the feet.
Turner throws a nice looking combination but Singsurat bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Singsurat goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Josh Turner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Singsurat tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Turner manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Turner walks into a left hand.
Singsurat slips a straight right by Turner.
Singsurat fails with the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Singsurat fails with an attempt to clinch.
Turner misses with a straight right.
Singsurat shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Turner sprawls well. Turner wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Singsurat gets slowly back to his feet.
Turner tries to counter with a takedown but Singsurat is quick to defend against it.
Josh Turner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Panupong Singsurat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turner stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Turner wants it to stay on the feet.
Nice defenses there by Singsurat.
Turner misses with a hook
and Singsurat counters with a series of strikes. Turner will be more careful next time no doubt.
Singsurat slips a jab from Turner.
Singsurat slips a straight right by Turner.
Turner throws a leg kick
and Singsurat counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Turner thinking.
Singsurat lands with an uppercut that bounces Turner off the cage and back into range.

Singsurat gets caught napping as Turner dives in and scores a takedown. Singsurat manages to retain guard.
Turner has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Singsurat manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Turner manages to get himself to full guard.

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!

Turner is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Singsurat engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Singsurat trying to control the position from guard on top but Turner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Turner bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Singsurat's guard.

Singsurat keeping moving, preventing Turner from controlling successfully.
Turner postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Turner forces his way into half guard.
Singsurat regains full guard. Nicely done.
Singsurat keeping full guard, as Turner tries to pass.
Singsurat is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Singsurat lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turner is trying to control the position but Singsurat postures up.
Singsurat throwing strikes from guard but Turner blocks nicely.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Singsurat accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Singsurat trying to control the position from guard on top but Turner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Singsurat advances position into side control!
Turner tries to improve position but can't.
Singsurat remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Turner manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turner tries to roll over but Singsurat keeps him under control.
Singsurat missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Turner is looking for a sweep. Singsurat is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Singsurat content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Singsurat not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Singsurat wants to free his trapped foot but Turner is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Turner is looking to get back to full guard here but Singsurat has managed to pass to side control instead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Turner tries to bench press Singsurat off him but Singsurat keeps the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Panupong Singsurat will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Turner looks to land a right hand but Singsurat moved out of range.
Turner misses with a double jab.
Singsurat throws out a counter right but Turner avoids it with no problem.
Singsurat uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Turner.
Singsurat unleashes a big counter combination but Turner bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Josh Turner is winning the standup battle so far.
Singsurat shoots in but Turner avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Singsurat looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Singsurat dives in for a single leg takedown but Turner sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Turner throws a right hand that Singsurat ducks under and follows up with a left that Singsurat also avoids with ease.
Singsurat is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Turner throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Singsurat's waist but Singsurat gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Turner off to one side.
Singsurat throws a counter combo.
Turner is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Singsurat's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No joy there for Singsurat, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Singsurat dives in for a single leg takedown but Turner sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Josh Turner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Panupong Singsurat.
Singsurat tries to clinch there but Turner circles away.
Turner changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Singsurat avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Singsurat shapes to counter with a head kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Singsurat checks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Singsurat misses with a head kick.
Turner changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
No joy there for Singsurat, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Turner misses with a straight right.
Singsurat gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Singsurat scores with a kick to the body.
Singsurat displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Turner throws out the jab.
Turner blocks a head kick by Singsurat.
Singsurat uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Turner.
Singsurat scores with a sloppy right hand. Turner should have avoided that one.
Singsurat shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Turner as he jumps to the side.
Singsurat shoots in looking for a takedown. Turner tries to sprawl out of it but Singsurat keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Turner manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Singsurat tries for a takedown but Turner sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A punch combination from Turner misses.
Turner misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Singsurat.
Turner throws the kick towards the body but Singsurat avoids it.
Singsurat defending well as Turner loads up on a big left hand.
Singsurat appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
A swing and a miss from Turner.
Turner swings for the body but Singsurat moves out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Singsurat fails to land the takedown.
Turner half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Turner tried to score with a low kick but Singsurat checks it.
Singsurat moves in looking to clinch but Turner pushes him off.
Turner waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Singsurat.
Turner takes a kick to the side of the head.
Turner throws a hook but Singsurat blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turner fails with a takedown attempt.
A telegraphed right hand from Turner misses the target.
Turner steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Singsurat. That one must have hurt.
Singsurat slips under a jab from Turner.

Singsurat forces Turner back against the cage and clinches.
Turner doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Singsurat breaks the clinch.

Turner gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Singsurat stopping the sweep attempt from Turner.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Singsurat sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Turner is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Singsurat passes into half guard.
Singsurat trying to advance position but Turner counters by regaining guard.
Singsurat trying to control but Turner is working from the bottom.
Turner wants to sweep here but Singsurat controlling him for the moment.
Singsurat trying to control the position from guard on top but Turner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Josh Turner will probably get the nod.
That's time! Turner's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Turner lands with a cross.
Turner scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Turner misses with a looping right.
Singsurat goes for a double leg but Turner avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Turner continues to drive forward.
Turner throws the left hand but Singsurat avoids the punch easily.
Singsurat slips a straight right by Turner.
A nice leg kick lands there from Singsurat.
Singsurat looks for a takedown but Turner sprawls well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Turner misses with a body shot.
Singsurat moves out of range of the body kick from Turner.
Singsurat takes a kick to the side of the head.
Turner misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turner with a nice cross.
Turner takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Singsurat slips a jab and a cross from Turner.
Despite the aggression on Singsurat's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Singsurat just misses with a punch to the body.
Turner throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Singsurat tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Turner paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A good leg kick by Singsurat.
Turner loads up on a big right hand but Singsurat slips the punch.
Singsurat has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Singsurat is defended easily by Turner.
Turner half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Josh Turner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Panupong Singsurat.
Singsurat shoots for a takedown but Turner saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Turner misses with a hook. Singsurat ducked under it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Singsurat uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Turner.

Singsurat darts in and clinches Turner up against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Turner breaks the clinch.
Turner lands a jab to the head.
Singsurat throws a shot to the body.

Singsurat changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Turner looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Turner tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Turner being controlled for a moment.
Turner looking for a sweep but Singsurat has passed into full mount! Oh no!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turner working to try and regain half guard.
Singsurat controlling from mount.
Turner keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Panupong Singsurat has got the better of the ground game so far.
Singsurat moves to the back.
Singsurat is looking to control Turner but Turner is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Singsurat throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turner covering up well and avoiding damage.
Singsurat is not going to allow Turner to sit and survive in this position.
Singsurat doesn't have the hooks in and Turner manages to turn into his guard.
Turner in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Singsurat keeping moving, preventing Turner from controlling successfully.

Singsurat looking for a guillotine here but Turner defends easily.
Turner won't allow Singsurat to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Turner clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Turner with a lazy takedown attempt

and Singsurat counters by moving into the clinch.
Turner tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Singsurat's elbow.
Singsurat is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Turner is defending well.
Turner is trying to break the clinch but Singsurat is controlling him.
Singsurat tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Turner ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Turner no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Turner not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Turner wants to sweep here but Singsurat controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Turner is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Singsurat controlling from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turner tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Singsurat controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Singsurat preventing the sweep.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Turner tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Singsurat swivels and escapes.
Turner throws a leg kick that is checked
and Singsurat counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Singsurat lands a nice looking kick to the body. Turner takes a step back to recover.
Turner misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Singsurat.
Singsurat defending well as Turner loads up on a big left hand.
Singsurat keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Turner.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Turner scores with a takedown into Singsurat's guard.
Turner throws a big elbow that misses.
Turner trying to move into half guard but instead Singsurat has managed to sweep!

Singsurat loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Turner has an active guard here but Singsurat has managed to pass into half guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Singsurat controlling the action here.
Turner wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Singsurat wants to free his trapped foot but Turner is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Turner wants to improve his position but Singsurat is controlling well.
Singsurat tries to pass to full mount but Turner defends it.
Turner is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Hell's Furnace Gym, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Singsurat landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Singsurat tries to stand but can't do so whilst Turner controls his leg.

Singsurat is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Singsurat trying to control from half guard but Turner is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Turner avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Singsurat.
Singsurat seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Turner trying to control here.
Turner controlling the position well.
Singsurat tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Singsurat is just content to waste time from the top position. Turner takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Panupong Singsurat dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Singsurat manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Turner on his heels. He'll look to pass Turner's guard now, I'm sure.
Singsurat advances to half guard.
Turner tries to get to full guard but Singsurat has control of the leg.

Singsurat decides to stand and escape the position.
Turner stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Turner wants it to stay on the feet.
Turner keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Turner connects with a crisp jab.
Turner lands a head shot.
Turner misses with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Singsurat looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Turner is fending him off so far but Singsurat persists. Nope, Turner circles away and we're back to standing.
Josh Turner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Panupong Singsurat.
Turner lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Singsurat at a distance.
Turner connects with a jab.
Singsurat drops his hands momentarily and Turner takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Turner looks to score with a jab to the body but Singsurat is just out of range.
Turner throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Singsurat ducks under a wild hook from Turner.
Turner throws out a loose jab but Singsurat uses good head movement to avoid it.
Turner misses with a hook. Singsurat ducked under it nicely.
Turner looks to score with a jab to the body but Singsurat is just out of range.
Turner shoots in looking for a takedown. Singsurat tries to sprawl out of it but Turner keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Singsurat manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Turner tries to bum rush Singsurat with a series of wild strikes but Singsurat uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Singsurat scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Panupong Singsurat is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Singsurat looks for a takedown but Turner sprawls well.
Turner throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Singsurat looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.

Singsurat closes the distance and clinches.
Turner is trying to break free.
With the fighters up against the cage, Turner throws an elbow but misses.
Singsurat managing to block the knees to the body from Turner.
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!
Singsurat tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Turner's elbow.

Singsurat drags the fight down to the ground.
Singsurat is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Turner is controlling him.
Singsurat trying to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turner postures up.
Turner advances to half guard.
Turner frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Singsurat has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Turner putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Turner fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Singsurat tries to lock up and control but Turner gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Turner postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Singsurat looks a forlorn figure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turner looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Turner throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Turner working Singsurat over with strikes here.

Singsurat is rocked!
Singsurat is in a horrible position here. Turner smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Singsurat is still in real trouble! Can Turner finish him?
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!
Turner breaks from Singsurat's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Singsurat tries to lock up and control but Turner gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Turner drops a big elbow. That's hurt Singsurat! More shots from Turner and the ref steps in! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Josh Turner!
Josh Turner retains his bantamweight title!
Josh Turner thanked the fans post fight for their support.