PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kenny Thorn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kanbei Shimada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thorn comes to the cage accompanied by Sarga House. The crowd seem to be enjoying Shimada's choice of entrance music: Party and Bullshit. Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Kanbei Shimada enters the cage!

Thorn
vs
Shimada

180 cm
24
185 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

182 cm
22
183 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

SPARTAN FIGHTWARE
SPARTAN FIGHTWARE

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenny Thorn!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kanbei Shimada!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yukihiro Shimada and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thorn tries to clinch up.
Shimada fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Thorn avoids it really well and circles away.
Kenny Thorn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thorn tries to clinch but Shimada moves out of range.
Shimada looks for a takedown but Thorn sprawls well.
Shimada fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kenny Thorn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kanbei Shimada.
Thorn is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Thorn leaves Shimada with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Shimada feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Shimada throwing strikes from guard but Thorn blocks nicely.
Shimada passes Thorn's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shimada thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Thorn to regain full guard.
Shimada has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Shimada's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Shimada is looking to advance position but Thorn has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Thorn stands up from mount. Strange move.
Thorn wants to clinch up but Shimada keeps it at a distance.
Shimada shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Thorn defends it nicely.
Shimada swats away the attempt to clinch by Thorn.
Thorn tries to clinch but Shimada moves out of range.

Shimada looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Thorn!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thorn tries to buck Shimada off but he can't manage it.
Shimada trying to control but Thorn is having none of it.
Thorn wants to try and get back to his feet.
Shimada landing strikes from the mount.
Shimada punching from mount but Thorn doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Shimada throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Thorn taking shots to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shimada misses with a head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shimada has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Thorn's face.
Shimada looking to ground and pound but Thorn is blocking nicely.
Thorn tries to buck Shimada off but he can't manage it.
Shimada landing strikes from the mount and Thorn is in trouble!

Shimada goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Thorn turns into him and now he's in Shimada's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shimada trying to control the position.
Shimada wants to sweep here but Thorn controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shimada throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Thorn preventing the sweep.
Shimada is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Shimada has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Thorn can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Shimada is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Thorn defends well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kanbei Shimada dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Shimada keeps the fight on the outside.
Shimada shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Thorn but Thorn pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Shimada shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Thorn as he avoids it easily.
Shimada keeps the fight on the outside.
Shimada tries for a takedown but Thorn sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kenny Thorn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kanbei Shimada.
Shimada fails to land the takedown.
Thorn tries to clinch up but Shimada circles away and keeps his distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thorn tries to clinch up.
Thorn tries to clinch but Shimada is having none of it.
Thorn fails in his attempt to clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Shimada.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Shimada.
Shimada shoots in for a takedown but Thorn shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Shimada swats away the attempt to clinch by Thorn.
Shimada shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Thorn as he jumps to the side.
Thorn stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Thorn wants it to stay on the feet.
Shimada fails to land the takedown.
Thorn tries to clinch up.
Shimada looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Thorn is fending him off so far but Shimada persists. Nope, Thorn circles away and we're back to standing.
Thorn fails in his attempt to clinch.
Thorn tries to clinch but Shimada moves out of range.
Thorn tries to clinch but Shimada moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Shimada shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Thorn as he jumps to the side.
Shimada fails to land the takedown.
Shimada is breathing heavily.
Thorn tries to clinch but Shimada is having none of it.
Shimada looks for a takedown but Thorn sprawls well.
Shimada throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Thorn is looking to clinch.
Shimada keeps the fight on the outside.
Horrible takedown by Shimada or perhaps it was just good defense by Thorn which made him look bad.
Shimada avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Thorn tries to close the distance and clinch but Shimada swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorn tries to clinch but Shimada is having none of it.
Thorn tries to clinch but Shimada is having none of it.
Kenny Thorn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thorn tries to clinch up but Shimada circles away and keeps his distance.
Shimada avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Shimada darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Shimada not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Shimada thows a huge punch but Thorn dodges it nicely.
Shimada seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Thorn does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Shimada works his way into side control.
Shimada landing a few strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shimada lands some shots froms side control.
Shimada creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Thorn sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Thorn is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Shimada is controlling him well.
The strikes coming from Shimada are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Thorn is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Shimada has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Thorn defending against the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shimada scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Thorn to see if he's OK.
Shimada landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kanbei Shimada showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Thorn moves in looking to clinch but Shimada pushes him off.

Shimada drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Shimada wants to pass the guard but Thorn is keeping the position.
Shimada content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Thorn pushes Shimada off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Thorn tries to clinch but Shimada is having none of it.
Thorn fails in his attempt to clinch.

Shimada decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Shimada is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Thorn sees it coming and defends easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thorn is trying to stand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shimada throws a strike but Thorn avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Thorn utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Thorn avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Shimada prevents Thorn from getting back to his feet.
Shimada trying to control the position from guard on top but Thorn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shimada missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Shimada moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Shimada shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Thorn pinned against the cage. Thorn gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Shimada will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Shimada gets the takedown into side control.
Thorn is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Shimada laying and praying for a moment but Thorn takes advantage and regains half guard.
Shimada thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Shimada thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Thorn's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Shimada lands a nice short elbow.
Shimada is looking to stall here but Thorn recovers full guard.
Shimada stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Thorn swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Shimada trying to control the position from guard on top but Thorn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shimada throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Shimada loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Shimada makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Shimada passes Thorn's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Shimada throws a strike but Thorn avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Shimada throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Thorn works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Shimada is working Thorn over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Shimada throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kanbei Shimada really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Thorn tries to clinch up.

Thorn gets caught flat footed, as Shimada shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Shimada thows a big elbow that misses.
Thorn wants to stand up but Shimada is controlling him.
Shimada is looking to work some ground and pound but Thorn has wrist control.
Shimada stands up over Thorn, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shimada accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shimada advances position into side control!
Shimada misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shimada is working Thorn over with some ground and pound from side control.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
The strikes coming from Shimada are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Shimada with the ground and pound but Thorn regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Shimada throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Shimada seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Shimada lands strikes from half guard.
Shimada is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Shimada thows a huge punch but Thorn dodges it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shimada throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Shimada passes to side control.
Shimada in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Shimada is looking to take a break and control but Thorn is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shimada throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Shimada 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.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Thorn is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Thorn doesn't manage to clinch there - Shimada circles away.
Thorn tries to clinch up.
Thorn tries to close the distance and clinch but Shimada swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Thorn avoids the head kick by Shimada.
Thorn wants to clinch.
Shimada shoots for a takedown but Thorn saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Shimada fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Thorn doesn't manage to clinch there - Shimada circles away.
Thorn moves in looking to clinch but Shimada pushes him off.
Shimada keeps the fight on the outside.

Shimada shoots in and bounces Thorn off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Shimada prevents Thorn from getting back to his feet.
Shimada missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kanbei Shimada dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Thorn's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Shimada gets a takedown into half guard.
Shimada is looking to advance position but Thorn won't allow it.

Thorn is defending against the submission attempts here by Shimada.
Shimada trying to control from Thorn's half guard. Thorn has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shimada pushing down on Thorn's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Thorn on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Shimada throwing shots but Thorn is blocking nicely.
Shimada lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Thorn is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Shimada scores with a couple of nice shots.
Shimada is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Shimada looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Shimada trying to control from half guard but Thorn is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shimada missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kanbei Shimada has got the better of the ground game so far.
Thorn avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Shimada.
Shimada wants to lay and pray for a moment but Thorn keeps working.
Thorn avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Shimada.
Shimada is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Shimada missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Shimada is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Thorn doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Shimada.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Thorn fails with an attempt to clinch.
Thorn wants to clinch.
Thorn tries to clinch up but Shimada circles away and keeps his distance.
Thorn tries to clinch up but Shimada circles away and keeps his distance.

Thorn has Shimada up against the cage in a clinch.
Shimada is working for takedown but Thorn is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Thorn has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Shimada uses from the top position.
Shimada throwing strikes but missing.
Thorn avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kanbei Shimada is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shimada won't allow Thorn to get back to his feet.
Thorn keeping moving, preventing Shimada from controlling successfully.
Thorn is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shimada controls from within his opponent's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kanbei Shimada comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Shimada winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 45:50
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 45:50
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kanbei Shimada!
Kanbei Shimada is the new middleweight champion!