PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mike Ziegler (ranked 1849 p4p, 792 weight class) and Kaiden Thibodeaux (ranked 128 p4p, 57 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Thibodeaux's choice of entrance music: Scotty x D4L. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Ziegler
vs
Thibodeaux

160 cm
32
140
14 - 7 - 0

150 cm
32
140
16 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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Savage Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mike Ziegler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kaiden Thibodeaux!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, William Gold and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ziegler uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Thibodeaux.
Ziegler looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kaiden Thibodeaux seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A jab from Thibodeaux does it's job there.
Ziegler uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Thibodeaux.
Ziegler bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
An attempted straight right counter from Ziegler misses the target.
Ziegler misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Thibodeaux counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Thibodeaux wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thibodeaux swings for the body but Ziegler moves out of range.
Thibodeaux tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ziegler was well out of range. Poor timing from Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux misses with a right hand
and Ziegler counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thibodeaux misses with a body shot.
A quick step to the side and Ziegler tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ziegler finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Thibodeaux digs a good hook to Ziegler's body.
Thibodeaux fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ziegler manages to avoid it.
Thibodeaux misses with a body shot.
Ziegler was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ziegler dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Thibodeaux. That did some damage!
Ziegler misses with a hook. Thibodeaux ducked under it nicely.
Thibodeaux lunges at Ziegler with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Ziegler's hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Thibodeaux scores with a hook to the body. Ziegler takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ziegler looks to land a body kick but Thibodeaux moved away.
Thibodeaux takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Thibodeaux uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ziegler.
It seemed like Thibodeaux was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Thibodeaux throws a body shot but no joy.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Thibodeaux misses with a straight left.
Ziegler jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Ziegler displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Thibodeaux throws out the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Ziegler.
Ziegler swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ziegler pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Thibodeaux slips under a jab from Ziegler.
Ziegler throws a shot from downtown. Thibodeaux moves away and avoids it.
Thibodeaux thuds his right hand into Ziegler's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Ziegler is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ziegler avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Thibodeaux, as that shot connected.
Thibodeaux scores with a nice strike.
A bone on bone clash there as Thibodeaux blocks the leg kick.
Ziegler drops his hands momentarily and Thibodeaux takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Ziegler slips a jab from Thibodeaux.
A counter left hand to the body from Ziegler misses its target.
Thibodeaux loads up on a big right hand but Ziegler slips the punch.
Thibodeaux throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ziegler appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kaiden Thibodeaux dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Thibodeaux fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ziegler looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Ziegler uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Thibodeaux.
An attempted straight right counter from Ziegler misses the target.
Thibodeaux throws a right hand that misses
and Ziegler counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ziegler moves out of range of the strikes.
Ziegler misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ziegler jabs at Thibodeaux's body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thibodeaux throws the left hand but Ziegler avoids the punch easily.
Ziegler blocks a jab.
Thibodeaux takes a swing at Ziegler's ribcage but misses.
It looked like Ziegler wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ziegler with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Thibodeaux blocks a leg kick.
Thibodeaux swings for the body but Ziegler moves out of range.
Ziegler throws a jab when Thibodeaux was well out of range.
Thibodeaux keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Thibodeaux has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nice body punch from Thibodeaux.
Ziegler looks to land a right hand but Thibodeaux moved out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Thibodeaux misses.
Ziegler steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Thibodeaux.
Ziegler ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Thibodeaux moves away.
Ziegler takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Ziegler's jab looks to have found its range, popping Thibodeaux under the eye.
Thibodeaux scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Ziegler chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Thibodeaux throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ziegler swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziegler shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Thibodeaux walks into a straight right hand from Ziegler.
Thibodeaux misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ziegler.
Thibodeaux looks to score with a jab to the body but Ziegler is just out of range.
Ziegler uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Thibodeaux.
An attempted straight right counter from Ziegler misses the target.
Ziegler is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Thibodeaux uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ziegler.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux misses with a straight right.
Ziegler is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Thibodeaux bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thibodeaux. Ziegler does a little dance to reset his feet.
Thibodeaux with a hook.
Thibodeaux moves away from the strike by Ziegler.
Ziegler steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Thibodeaux.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thibodeaux scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ziegler doesn't seem bothered though.
Thibodeaux connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kaiden Thibodeaux will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Thibodeaux ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ziegler moves away.
Thibodeaux connects with a body shot that sends Ziegler's belly button to the back.
Thibodeaux takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Thibodeaux in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Ziegler throws a half hearted mid kick.
Thibodeaux doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Ziegler walks into a jab.
Ziegler works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Ziegler might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ziegler misses with a jab to the body
and Thibodeaux cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Thibodeaux misses with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ziegler throws a hook to the side of Thibodeaux's head but Thibodeaux sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A countering left hand to the body from Thibodeaux misses.
Ziegler wants to slow Thibodeaux down by chopping away at his legs.
Ziegler throws a body punch but Thibodeaux moves out of range.
Ziegler throws the left hand but Thibodeaux avoids the punch easily.
Thibodeaux looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Thibodeaux lands a lovely overhand right.
Thibodeaux misses with an uppercut
and Thibodeaux takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ziegler takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Thibodeaux throws a body shot but no joy.
A quick step to the side and Ziegler tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mike Ziegler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Ziegler's head backwards.
Thibodeaux 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.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thibodeaux. Ziegler does a little dance to reset his feet.
As Thibodeaux backs away, Ziegler returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Ziegler ducks right into an uppercut from Thibodeaux.
Ziegler misses with a lunging right hand
and Thibodeaux counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Thibodeaux takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice uppercut lands for Thibodeaux. That snapped Ziegler's head back.
Thibodeaux lands a glancing blow to the side of Ziegler's head.
Kaiden Thibodeaux seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux throws a hook but Ziegler avoids it easily.
Ziegler was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A jab from Thibodeaux does it's job there.
Thibodeaux throws the left hand but Ziegler avoids the punch easily.
Thibodeaux fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ziegler manages to avoid it.
Ziegler throwing a counter right hand but Thibodeaux manages to avoid it.
Kaiden Thibodeaux is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ziegler takes one to the chin there.
The fighters circling - Thibodeaux throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ziegler half committed to a counter leg kick.
Thibodeaux throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ziegler sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Thibodeaux misses with a straight right.
It appears Ziegler was looking to counter with a kick there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux misses with a wild body shot.
Ziegler appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Ziegler lands a jab to the head.

Thibodeaux is rocked!
Ziegler looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Thibodeaux throws an off balance right hand
and Ziegler scores with a counter punch that sends Thibodeaux to the canvas! Ziegler smells blood - he's punishing Thibodeaux with more strikes and the ref has stopped it! Thibodeaux has no idea where he is - he's tackled the ref... oh dear, poor guy, the crowd is in hysterics!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:28 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mike Ziegler!
A very excited looking Mike Ziegler made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.