PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jimmy King (ranked 986 p4p, 1320 weight class) and Mandlenkosi Thulani (ranked 53 p4p, 64 weight class). Thulani is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Zara - Sojaboy. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

King
vs
Thulani

183 cm
30
275
13 - 12 - 3

206 cm
27
282
11 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 12 - 3, fighting out of New York, Jimmy King!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mandlenkosi Thulani!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Cecil Peabody and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thulani misses with a two punch combination.
Thulani misses with a hook to the body
and King counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Good shot there by Thulani.
Thulani misses with a lunging right hand
and King counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Thulani thuds a left hand into King's body.
We've been informed that Thulani has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
King slips under a jab from Thulani.
Mandlenkosi Thulani seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A shot to the body from Thulani misses
enabling King to counter with a crisp jab.
Thulani misses the body punch
and King cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Thulani throws an overhand right that lands on King's shoulder, as King tries to avoid the shot.
Thulani throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Thulani misses with a left hand
and King makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Thulani really felt that one!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
King takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Thulani throws a combination that misses

and King counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Thulani breaks from the clinch.
Mandlenkosi Thulani is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thulani tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but King was well out of range. Poor timing from Thulani.
A swing and a miss from King.
King has been working on his boxing with his coaches at NY Savages in the buildup to the fight.
Thulani swings widly with a right hand

and King moves into the clinch.
Thulani prevents the takedown attempt.

Thulani's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Thulani throws an off balance right hand
and King counters with a right hand to the body.
Thulani cracks King with a right hand to the side of the head.
Thulani wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Thulani throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

King shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Thulani napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Thulani is trying to control King's posture but King avoids it.
King lands a decent elbow from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thulani can't do much from the bottom here.
An elbow from King crashes against the mat.
Thulani is looking for a sweep.
King landing a few strikes.
Thulani is looking for a sweep.
King working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
The strikes coming from King are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
The ground and pound from King seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
King landing a few strikes.
Check out the look on King's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
King scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thulani managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by King.
King creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Thulani sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
King misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
King connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Thulani some visible discomfort.
King sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Thulani is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
King lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
You can see the frustration on Thulani's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
King cracks Thulani with a big elbow.
King trying to control the position but Thulani is working away.
King working away.
Thulani defending against the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thulani is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Thulani is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
King lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
King wants to take a breather but Thulani is having none of it.
King throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Thulani pushes King off looking to stand but King dives back in and keeps control.
King throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thulani is looking for a sweep. King is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy King dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Thulani throws a nice looking combination but King bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Thulani throws a poor cross that misses
and King counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Thulani throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
King throws a leg kick but Thulani checks it.
It seemed like Thulani was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
King ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
King is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Thulani can do to turn this around?
King looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Thulani throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
King looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Thulani keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Thulani looks to throw the jab but King is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thulani scores with a crisp jab that stopped King in his tracks.
Thulani tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but King was well out of range. Poor timing from Thulani.
Thulani misses the jab.
Thulani throws an off balance right hand
enabling King to counter with a crisp jab.
Thulani misses with a telegraphed body shot
and King connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice shot by Thulani.
Thulani uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before King has time to react.
Thulani throws a poor cross that misses
and King connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
King displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Thulani throws out the jab.
Thulani throws an ugly left hook that misses
and King counters with a nice kick to the body.
King lands a leg kick that knocks Thulani off balance momentarily.
Thulani rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting King counter with a right hand.
Nice defenses there by King.
Thulani ducks under a wild hook from King.
Thulani throws a right hand that misses
and King counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Thulani thinking.
Mandlenkosi Thulani seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Thulani swings widly with a right hand
and King counters with a straight right hand.
Thulani throws a lazy right hand but King sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Thulani throws a good cross that connects.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thulani misses with a left hand
and King counters with a straight right hand.
King looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Nice defenses there by King.
King looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Thulani ducks right into an uppercut from King.
Thulani swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Thulani jabbing away but nothing is landing.
It appears King was looking to counter with a kick there.
Thulani misses with a looping right.
Decent striking displayed by Thulani there.
Thulani misses with a telegraphed body shot
and King counters with a left to the body.
King scores with a hook to the body. Thulani takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Thulani stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
King tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Thulani was well out of range. Poor timing from King.
Thulani misses with a hook. King ducked under it nicely.
King is looking to counter punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Thulani misses.
King is looking to counter punch.
Thulani swings away with a body shot that misses
and King counters with a straight right hand.
Thulani loads up on a big right hand but King slips the punch.
Thulani throws a poor cross that misses
and King counters with a nice leg kick.
A slow jab from Thulani misses its intended target.
King feinted there with a counter leg kick.
King ducks under a wild hook from Thulani.
King connects with the punch.
Thulani tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but King was well out of range. Poor timing from Thulani.
King jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
King ducks under a wild hook from Thulani.

King scores with a takedown into Thulani's guard.
King postures up in Thulani's guard and throws a big left but Thulani blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
King landing with the ground and pound.
King is looking to work some ground and pound but Thulani has wrist control.
King landing with the ground and pound.
Thulani working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from King.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
King loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
King working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
King being controlled here momentarily.
King loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy King dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Thulani takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Thulani with a jab.
King uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Thulani.
A slow jab from Thulani misses its intended target.
King catches Thulani with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Thulani slips a jab from King.
Thulani on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by King. King obviously looking to wear him down.
Thulani throws an uppercut from half a mile away. King sees it coming and avoids it easily.
King loads up on a big right hand but Thulani slips the punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thulani misses with a left hand
and King counters with a nice uppercut.
King takes one on the button.
King fails to land the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Thulani.
Thulani throws a lazy right hand but King sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
King keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
King was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Thulani takes a swing at King's ribcage but misses.
Thulani scores with a shot to the body.
King on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Thulani throws a hook but King blocks it.
A lazy left from Thulani finds it's target.
Thulani misses with a body shot
and King cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Thulani on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Thulani ducks down and throws a hook to the body but King moves away.
King slips a jab from Thulani.
Thulani misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Thulani takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mandlenkosi Thulani has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
King works the jab nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thulani. King does a little dance to reset his feet.
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!
Thulani throws a lazy uppercut
and King counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
A big right from King misses.
Thulani misses with an uppercut. King saw that one coming.
King throws a big counter combination but Thulani scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Thulani feints a jab promting King to slip. Thulani then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. King slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Thulani takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
King uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Thulani.
King half committed to a counter leg kick.
King slips under a jab.
It looked like King wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Thulani throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Thulani throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
King scores with a nice head shot.
King defending well as Thulani loads up on a big left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thulani.
It looked like King was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Thulani.
Thulani misses with a hook
and King counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Thulani throws a lazy uppercut
and King counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A telegraphed right hand from Thulani misses the target.
King ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
King half committed to a counter leg kick.
Thulani throws a right hand that misses
letting King counter with a right hand.
Thulani throws out a powerful jab.
Thulani throws an off balance right hand
and King counters with a left to the body.
King feints and then cracks Thulani's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Thulani down.
Thulani misses with a lunging right hand
and King counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
King is looking to land body kicks.
Thulani is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by King.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thulani swings widly with a right hand
and King counters with a left and a right that stings Thulani.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Good shot there by King.
King connects with the punch.

King gets the takedown into side control.

Thulani throws King to one side and escapes!
King swinging wildly here.
King works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Thulani gets caught napping as King dives in and scores a takedown. Thulani manages to retain guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as King accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Jimmy King is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
King wants to control from the top but Thulani keeps moving.

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 Jimmy King.
Well King 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jimmy King!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Jimmy King waved his t-shirt featuring New Standard's logo in front of the cameras.