PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ian Thornton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Williams (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Frank Williams is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Thornton
vs
Williams

183 cm
19
153 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

176 cm
25
145 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Amped Performance
KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

Amped Performance

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ian Thornton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Frank Williams!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Lou da Vinci and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Williams misses.
Thornton is looking for a counter combo.
Williams tries to clinch up but Thornton circles away and keeps his distance.
As Williams looks to move away, Thornton throws a big counter combo but Williams just gets out of the way.
Thornton lands a two punch combo.

It looks like Frank Williams has been cut.
Thornton looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Thornton looks to land a combination but Williams avoids it well.
And Williams tries to counter it with a takedown but Thornton pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A right-left combo lands from Thornton.

Williams is rocked!
Thornton lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Williams is still on wobbly legs! Can Thornton finish him?
Thornton throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Thornton looks to land a combination but Williams avoids it well.
Williams throws out a counter right but Thornton avoids it with no problem.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Williams shoots in for a takedown but Thornton shows good takedown defense.
Thornton is looking to counter punch.
Williams seems to have recovered his senses.
Thornton tries to bum rush Williams with a series of wild strikes but Williams uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Williams is trying hard to land a takedown here. Thornton sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Thornton throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Williams looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Thornton is fending him off so far but Williams persists. Nope, Thornton circles away and we're back to standing.
Thornton seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Ian Thornton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Williams.
Williams takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Williams is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Thornton's half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williams is taking a breather. Thornton says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Let's hope that Williams has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

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.
Thornton is trying to stand.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Williams in particular looking to stall.
Williams is looking to pass Thornton's guard but actually Thornton recovers to full guard.
Williams controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Williams misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Williams has a takedown stuffed.
Thornton thuds a left hand into Williams's body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Williams.
Thornton works over Williams's head and body with a nice combination.
Williams gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Thornton counters with a crisp one two that drops Williams! Thornton thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Williams to his feet! Williams is in big trouble!
Williams tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Thornton manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Thornton changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Williams closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Williams trying to control the action but Thornton is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Williams looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thornton regains half guard there - taking advantage of Williams's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Williams is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Williams throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ian Thornton dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Frank Williams's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Williams.
Ian Thornton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Williams throws a left and a right that both miss
and Thornton counters with a series of strikes. Williams will be more careful next time no doubt.
Williams slips a jab and a cross from Thornton.
Williams will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Thornton misses with a wild combination.
Williams shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Thornton as he jumps to the side.
Ian Thornton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Williams.
Williams avoids a punch combination nicely.
Thornton sets himself, and Williams steps forward looking for the clinch! Thornton avoids it this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thornton keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Williams misses with an uppercut. Thornton saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williams tries for a takedown but Thornton circles away easily
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
and Williams takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Williams has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Thornton is really turning it up, unleashing another crisp combination which drops Williams like a ton of bricks! The referee dives in to stop the fight, saving Williams from another fist facial!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:20 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ian Thornton!
An out of breath Ian Thornton thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.