PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Thunder Struck (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bot Botanovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Struck comes to the cage accompanied by One 24. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Struck
vs
Botanovic

185 cm
25
175 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

180 cm
28
175 lbs
15 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

BioPharm Nutrition
Koffin Inc. *Laundry Available*

Rōnin
Rōnin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Thunder Struck!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bot Botanovic!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Alec Ball and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Struck throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Botanovic on the side of the head.
Struck fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Botanovic.
Botanovic takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Struck loads up on a big right hand but Botanovic slips the punch.
Botanovic takes one on the button.
Botanovic closes the distance and clinches up with Struck, looking for a takedown. Botanovic pushes Struck against the cage but Struck circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Botanovic changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Struck looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Botanovic is looking to take a break and control but Struck is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Struck is looking to reverse the position.
Botanovic in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Struck manages to work his way to half guard, despite Botanovic's best efforts.
Botanovic missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Botanovic wants to lay and pray for a moment but Struck keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Botanovic tries to pass the half guard into mount. Struck knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

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

Botanovic wants to work for an arm triangle but Struck is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

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.
Struck is trying to escape back to his feet but Botanovic uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Botanovic creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Struck sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Botanovic is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Struck knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Struck is not content to let Botanovic control the position.
Struck tries to improve position but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Botanovic trying to control the action but Struck is working from the bottom.
Struck regains half guard, as Botanovic was trying to land strikes.
Botanovic is looking to take a break and control but Struck is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Struck is pressing down on Botanovic's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Botanovic seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Botanovic drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Struck manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Botanovic has Struck in his guard.

Botanovic has an active guard here but Struck has managed to pass into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thunder Struck dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

An inside leg kick from Botanovic misses.
Struck throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Botanovic sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Botanovic shoots in for a takedown but Struck shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Botanovic takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Botanovic fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Struck has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Bot Botanovic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Struck lands a nice shot to the body.
Struck throws a leg kick but Botanovic moved away.
Struck moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Botanovic misses with a low kick.
Botanovic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Botanovic fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Struck lands with a good body shot.
Struck scores with a leg kick.
Botanovic takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A solid body kick from Struck.
Struck lands with a right hand.
Struck throws a push kick but Botanovic slaps the foot to one side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Struck jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

Botanovic scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Botanovic is breathing heavily.
Botanovic thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Struck is looking to control Botanovic's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Struck avoid being mounted?
Botanovic working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Struck's thigh. Struck counters though and makes it back to full guard.

Botanovic drops back, looking for a kneebar! Struck looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Struck looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Struck!
Struck staying calm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Botanovic is not content to let Struck control the position.
Botanovic is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Botanovic manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Botanovic trying to control here.
Botanovic tries to roll over but Struck keeps him under control.
Botanovic has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Struck is working away from the top position though.
Struck keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Botanovic is looking to get back to full guard here but Struck has managed to pass to side control instead.

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.
Botanovic tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Struck wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Struck controls the position.
Struck trying to control the action but Botanovic is working from the bottom.
Botanovic tries to improve position but can't.
Botanovic is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Botanovic is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thunder Struck dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Struck scores with a hook.
Good exchange - Struck coming out on top.
Struck scores with the left hand. Botanovic knows he should have avoided that one.
Botanovic throws a head kick but Struck moves out of range.
Struck checks a leg kick nicely.
Struck circles away from the clinch attempt.
Struck connects with an inside leg kick.
Botanovic shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Struck as he jumps to the side.
Struck misses with a hook.
Struck throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Botanovic misses with a low kick as Struck jumps back.
Struck throws a leg kick but Botanovic sees it coming and moves out of range.
Struck moves out of range of the body kick from Botanovic.
Struck lands a front kick.
A slow jab from Struck misses its intended target.

Botanovic clinches up with Struck and pushes him back against the cage.

Struck is fighting off a takedown attempt but Botanovic is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Struck to the mat. Struck regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Botanovic tries to free his leg and advance position but Struck is retaining full guard.
Struck wants to stand but Botanovic is controlling the position.
Botanovic wants to control from the top but Struck keeps moving.
Botanovic looking to sit in guard and control but Struck gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Botanovic trying to control the position.

That's two 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.
Struck stays in close to Botanovic's body and controls the position.
Struck wants to stand but Botanovic is controlling his posture from full guard.
Botanovic manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Botanovic looking to secure an arm triangle but Struck defends it well.
Struck is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Botanovic tries to control but Struck wriggling away.
Struck is controlling an arm, preventing Botanovic from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.

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.
Botanovic moves to back control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Botanovic has the hooks in. Struck is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Botanovic is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Struck wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Bot Botanovic just about did enough to take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Struck gets a clinch.
Botanovic drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Struck is trying to push Botanovic away but Botanovic has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Botanovic trying to stall but Struck improves his position.
With the fighters up against the cage, Botanovic throws an elbow but misses.
Struck is trying to break free.
Botanovic changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Struck fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Struck misses with a looping right.

Struck forces Botanovic back against the cage and clinches.

Botanovic is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Struck can't fight it off and eventually Botanovic manages to take the fight to the floor. Struck looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Botanovic trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Struck is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Botanovic looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Botanovic trying to hold on to Struck's head to control him but Struck postures up.
Botanovic wants to improve his position but Struck is controlling well.
Botanovic is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Struck's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Struck's back!
Botanovic lands a shot to the head.

Botanovic looking for the choke but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Struck fending off the submission attempt from Botanovic.

Struck defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Botanovic's arms.

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.

Botanovic is persistently looking for the submission but Struck is defending it well.
Botanovic tries to get the hooks in deep but Struck pushed the leg off.
Botanovic punches the canvas rather than the man.
Struck is trying to get back to his feet but Botanovic has full control of the position and if anything, Struck has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Botanovic is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bot Botanovic dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Botanovic closes this distance looking for a takedown but Struck circles away.
Botanovic connects with an inside leg kick.
Botanovic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Botanovic scores with a head kick.

Struck pushes Botanovic up against the cage in a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Struck's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Botanovic has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Struck uses from the top position.

Struck stands and steps away. Botanovic gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Struck scores with a push kick.
Struck cracks Botanovic with a right hand to the side of the head.

Struck gets a clinch.
Struck has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Struck breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Botanovic throws a low kick but it's checked well by Struck.
Struck lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Struck is looking to score with low kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Botanovic throws a push kick but Struck slaps the foot to one side.
Struck moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Botanovic connects with a solid leg kick.
Struck scores with a jab.
Struck tries a head kick but it misses.
Botanovic shoots in and drives through. Struck sprawls well.
Struck throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Struck defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Botanovic.
Thunder Struck has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bot Botanovic.
Botanovic is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Struck throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Botanovic is looking to chop away at Struck's legs.
Struck is looking to slow Botanovic down with leg kicks.
Botanovic throws a low kick but it's checked well by Struck.
Struck lands with a nice body punch.
Botanovic tries to clinch there but Struck circles away.
Struck smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Struck does no damage.
Struck catches Botanovic with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Botanovic misses with a head kick.
Botanovic throws a leg kick that is checked
and Struck counters with a nice low kick that buckles Botanovic's knee momentarily.
Thunder Struck is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Botanovic takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Botanovic takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Botanovic fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Struck scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Struck lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Botanovic takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Struck dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Botanovic. That did some damage!
Struck smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Botanovic on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Struck. Struck obviously looking to wear him down.
Struck cracks Botanovic with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Struck paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Struck lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Struck lands with a slapping head kick.
Struck thows a body shot but no joy.
Struck misses with a body shot.
Struck lands a head shot.
Struck fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Botanovic.
Botanovic's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Struck scoring well with a low kick there.
Good leg kick by Struck there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Struck instigates a clinch.
Botanovic drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Struck gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Botanovic has Struck pressed against the cage, preventing Struck from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Struck is pressed up against the cage. Botanovic has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Struck down to the mat. Struck avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nice body punch from Struck.
Botanovic walks into a left hand.
Struck slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Struck throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Botanovic takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Struck coming out on top.
Struck thows a body kick. Botanovic tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Botanovic takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Struck tests Botanovic's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Struck connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Struck throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Botanovic stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Struck lands with a cross.
Struck fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Thunder Struck seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Botanovic doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Botanovic.
Struck feints and then cracks Botanovic's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Botanovic down.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Botanovic fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Struck avoids it really well and circles away.
Struck tests Botanovic's chin there with a solid looking shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thunder Struck showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Struck has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 48:47
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 48:47
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thunder Struck!
Thunder Struck retains his welterweight title!