PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fandango Nguyen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Thorton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Nguyen
vs
Thorton

188 cm
20
215 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

188 cm
23
211 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Fandango Nguyen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joe Thorton!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Thorton throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Nguyen was covering up waiting for the punch and Thorton finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Thorton wants to control from the top but Nguyen keeps moving.
Thorton trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Nguyen working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Thorton has passed into half guard!
Thorton looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Nguyen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorton controlling the action here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thorton is nestled in close to Nguyen, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thorton is trying to control. Nguyen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Thorton tries to pass the half guard into mount. Nguyen knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Thorton is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nguyen wants to improve his position but Thorton is controlling well.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Thorton is pressing down on Nguyen's thigh, looking to free his foot. Nguyen is holding on for now.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Thorton looks to land a strike but Nguyen avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Nguyen can't keep his opponent in guard - Thorton advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Thorton passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorton takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Nguyen can't escape the position.
Thorton trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's four 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.
Nguyen in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Thorton controlling from the full mount.

Despite being in the dominant position, Joe Thorton just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nguyen throws a series of punches but Thorton moves out of range.
Nguyen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Thorton.
Thorton loads up on a big right hand but Nguyen slips the punch.
Thorton doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Thorton gets the takedown into side control.
Thorton lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Thorton dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Thorton scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Thorton throws a leg kick but Nguyen sees it coming and moves out of range.

Thorton gets a clinch.
A short uppercut from Thorton.

It looks like Fandango Nguyen has been cut.
Nguyen tries to pull guard but Thorton won't allow it.

Thorton's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Thorton takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Thorton shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Thorton lands a nice shot that snaps Nguyen's head back.
Thorton wants to clinch up but Nguyen keeps it at a distance.
Thorton throws a right and a left that Nguyen avoids nicely.
Thorton throws a leg kick which misses Nguyen's front leg but catches the back leg as Nguyen tries to avoid it.

Thorton feints and as Nguyen raises his hands in defense, Thorton changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Thorton throwing strikes from guard but Nguyen blocks nicely.

Nguyen working for submissions but it's allowed Thorton to get to half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorton trying to control the pace.
Thorton works his way into side control.
Thorton landing a few strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nguyen trying to remain calm as Thorton controls from the top position.
Thorton lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

Thorton decides to stand up, so the ref orders Nguyen to his feet.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Thorton.
Nguyen swinging wildly here.
Thorton slips under a jab from Nguyen.
Thorton is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nguyen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Thorton circles away quickly and effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nguyen misses with a series of wild punches.
Thorton keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Nguyen throws a half hearted mid kick.
Thorton scores with a nice body kick.

Thorton gets a takedown into half guard.
Thorton controlling the action here.

Thorton is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nguyen is just riding it out for now. Thorton eventually gives up the hold.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thorton keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thorton lands with a punch from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Thorton showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Fandango Nguyen's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Thorton is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Thorton misses with a wild combination.
Thorton is looking to clinch but Nguyen is avoiding it.
Joe Thorton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thorton throws a left and a right that both miss
and Nguyen counters with a one-two to the body.
Nguyen misses with a hook.

Thorton shoots in and bounces Nguyen off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Thorton throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Nguyen looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Thorton passes into half guard.
Still in half guard, Thorton seems content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nguyen regains full guard. Nicely done.
Thorton stands and throws Nguyen's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thorton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nguyen keeps working.
Nguyen dodges the ground and pound from Thorton.
Thorton staying calm.
Fandango Nguyen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Thorton landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Thorton working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Thorton slows the pace down.
Thorton looks up at the clock and then as Nguyen takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Thorton smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Thorton is staying tight to Nguyen's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Joe Thorton is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Joe Thorton has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nguyen is looking for a sweep.
Thorton taking a breather here.
Thorton's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Despite being in the dominant position, Joe Thorton just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A nice leg kick lands there from Thorton.

Thorton is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Nguyen's half guard.
Thorton content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Nguyen won't allow Thorton to pass to mount.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Thorton comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Thorton 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 26:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 26:30
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Thorton!