PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Thompson (ranked 4586 p4p, 4686 weight class) and Fidel Castro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Thompson
vs
Castro

184 cm
25
150
0 - 0 - 0

162 cm
25
154
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

Dangerous GnP
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ryan Thompson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Fidel Castro!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Sandra Marshall and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Castro.
Thompson throws a right hand that Castro ducks under and follows up with a left that Castro also avoids with ease.
A head kick misses from Thompson.
Castro takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ryan Thompson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thompson misses with a few strikes there.
Castro let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
A right-left combo lands from Thompson.
Castro should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Castro shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Thompson's guard.
Thompson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Thompson has momentary wrist control but Castro slips an elbow through the middle.
Thompson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Castro works over Thompson with some ground and pound from guard.
Thompson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Castro makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Thompson trying to control the position.
Castro cracks Thompson with a solid left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Castro landing with the ground and pound.

Castro drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Castro jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Castro's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Castro with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Castro postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Castro is in close to Thompson's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Castro postures up.
Castro stands up over Thompson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Castro cracks Thompson with a solid left hand.
Castro chips away with some ground and pound.
Castro working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Thompson's head.
Thompson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Castro's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castro lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Castro postures up and lands a big shot to Thompson's brow.
Castro scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Thompson looking to control.
Castro keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Thompson's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Castro advances to half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Castro connects with a nice short shot to Thompson's temple.
Castro lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Castro is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Castro passes the guard and advances to mount!
Castro raining down shots from the mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thompson in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Thompson taking shots to the head.
Castro in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Castro lands with some strikes.
Thompson working to try and regain half guard.
Castro lands a couple of good shots and Thompson has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Castro lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Castro scores with punches from the back.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Castro lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Castro.
Castro has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Thompson grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castro is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Thompson up.
Castro scores with punches and elbows.
Thompson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Castro on the ground.
Thompson takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Castro lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Thompson.
Castro lands punches and elbows.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Castro. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Castro softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Castro scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Thompson is trying to remain composed but Castro is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Castro lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Can Thompson hold on?! Castro is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Castro gets his hands free as Thompson looks to control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Thompson misses with a two punch combination.
Thompson scores with a nice strike.
Castro avoids a kick to the body.
A nice side step and Castro releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Thompson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Jab from Thompson.
Thompson connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Thompson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Castro moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Thompson looks to land a combination but Castro avoids it well.
Castro avoids the head kick by Thompson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson slaps away a takedown attempt from Castro, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Castro tries to clinch up but Thompson circles away and keeps his distance.
Castro fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Thompson avoids it really well and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Castro.
Thompson's corner calls for a 1-2. Thompson obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Thompson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Castro tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Thompson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Castro gets the takedown into side control.
Castro has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Castro scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Thompson to see if he's OK.
Castro is putting a hurting on Thompson here, landing some big shots from side control.
Castro connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Thompson some visible discomfort.
Castro lands a decent elbow from side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Castro works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Castro scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Thompson to see if he's OK.
Castro landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castro lands a few punches from side control.
Castro lands an elbow.
Castro lands an elbow.
Thompson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Thompson tries to get out of the position.
Castro working the head with strikes.
Thompson can't do much from the bottom here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Castro working the ground and pound.
Thompson is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Thompson takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Castro lands some shots froms side control.
Castro connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Thompson some visible discomfort.
Castro lands a nice forearm strike.
Castro scoring with punches from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castro lands a decent elbow from side control.
Thompson tries to buck Castro off but Castro is having none of it.
Castro in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Castro lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Thompson down.
Thompson can't do much from the bottom here.
Fidel Castro has got the better of the ground game so far.

Castro is trying to get an arm triangle but Thompson is defending well.
Castro lands a decent elbow from side control.
Castro creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Castro working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Castro cracks Thompson with a big elbow.
Castro looks up at the clock and then as Thompson takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Castro smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Castro working the ground and pound from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castro works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Castro in side control lands a decent elbow.
Castro is chipping away with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thompson is looking to reverse the position.
Castro landing strikes.
Thompson takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Castro working the ground and pound.
Thompson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Castro scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Thompson to see if he's OK.
Castro cracks Thompson with a big elbow.
Thompson on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Check out the look on Castro's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Fidel Castro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Castro shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Thompson as he jumps to the side.
Castro has his takedown stuffed
and Thompson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Thompson scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Thompson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Castro.
Despite the aggression on Castro's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Castro drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Castro stopping the sweep attempt from Thompson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Castro is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Castro with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Castro is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Thompson working a defensive guard here.
Castro scoring with punches to the head and body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Castro avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Castro working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Thompson's head.
Thompson has momentary wrist control but Castro slips an elbow through the middle.
Castro distracts Thompson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Castro keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Thompson's head.
Castro postures up and lands a big shot to Thompson's brow.
Castro is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Castro chips away with some ground and pound.
Castro connects with a couple of short punches.
Castro lands a couple of digs.
Castro postures up and lands a big shot to Thompson's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson has momentary wrist control but Castro slips an elbow through the middle.
Castro chips away with some ground and pound.
Castro is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Castro cracks Thompson with a solid left hand.
Castro postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Castro distracts Thompson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Castro makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Castro working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Castro landing some decent shots from guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Castro working some strikes from top position.
Castro working some strikes from top position.
Castro is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Castro is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castro stands up over Thompson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Castro keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Thompson's head.
Castro scoring with punches to the head and body.
Castro is working Thompson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Castro is working Thompson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Castro drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Castro jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Thompson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Thompson has momentary wrist control but Castro slips an elbow through the middle.
Thompson wants to sweep here but Castro controlling him for the moment.
Castro lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castro lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Castro connects with a couple of short punches.
Castro lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Castro postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Castro cracks Thompson with a solid left hand.
Fidel Castro is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Castro controls from within his opponent's guard.
Castro's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Ryan Thompson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thompson tries to land a sweep but no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fidel Castro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Castro 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fidel Castro!
After winning the bout, Fidel Castro thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.