PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Michael Thompson (ranked 4771 p4p, 4724 weight class) and Richard Bowater (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
Bowater

196 cm
18
265
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
18
275
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Michael Thompson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Richard Bowater!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Paul Gruel and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bowater changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Thompson tries to avoid it but Bowater manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Thompson to the ground. Thompson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A slapping leg kick lands for Bowater.
Thompson shoots in but Bowater avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Bowater fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Thompson enables Bowater to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Thompson manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Bowater is standing up over Thompson. Thompson looks to escape but Bowater dives into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bowater controls the position from side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson tries to control but Bowater manages to take his back.

Bowater has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Thompson has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Thompson is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Thompson trying to control the hands but Bowater breaks the grip.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Bowater is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Thompson defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Thompson is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson covering up well under a series of strikes from Bowater.
Bowater is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Bowater misses with a punch to the head.
I really don't envy Thompson right now.
Bowater is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

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.
Thompson wants to escape the position.
Bowater misses with an elbow to the head.
Thompson wants to escape the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bowater gets his hands free as Thompson looks to control.
Bowater controls the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Thompson doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Bowater counters by clinching up.
Thompson wants to take the fight to the mat but Bowater manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Bowater pulls guard.
Thompson wants to stand but Bowater is controlling his posture from full guard.
Thompson trying to move into half guard but instead Bowater has managed to sweep!

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bowater gets to his feet. Thompson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Thompson fails with the takedown.
Bowater unleashes a big counter combination but Thompson bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Thompson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bowater shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Thompson sprawls well. Thompson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bowater gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bowater fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Thompson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Thompson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bowater sprawls well. Bowater wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Thompson gets slowly back to his feet.
Bowater has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Thompson takes a swing at Bowater's ribcage but misses.
Michael Thompson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Bowater closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Bowater is looking to take this one to the mat.

Bowater breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Bowater moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson is trying to maintain a safe position but Bowater gets an underhook and turns Thompson into the cage.
Bowater misses with a body punch.

Bowater breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bowater keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
It seemed like Bowater was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Bowater misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Bowater shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Thompson sprawls well. Thompson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bowater gets slowly back to his feet.
Thompson throws a head kick but Bowater moves out of range.
As Thompson backs off Bowater throws a huge counter combo but Thompson manages to avoid it all.
Thompson swinging wildly here.
As Thompson backs off Bowater throws a huge counter combo but Thompson manages to avoid it all.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thompson gets tackled into the cage by Bowater. Bowater maintains the clinch.
Bowater creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Thompson's defenses.

It looks like Michael Thompson has been cut.

Bowater gets control of Thompson's arms and successfully pulls guard. Bowater will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Bowater is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Thompson trying to control but Bowater is working from the bottom.
Thompson is looking to pass into half guard but Bowater pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Bowater is in guard.

Thompson is trying to keep Bowater in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bowater gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Bowater looks for a takedown but Thompson sprawls well.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bowater is defended easily by Thompson.
Bowater is breathing heavily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thompson shoots in looking for a takedown but Bowater manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Thompson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Thompson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Bowater showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Michael Thompson's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Bowater connects with a good right hand that stumbles Thompson. Thompson circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Thompson closes the distance and clinches.
Thompson jumps guard but Bowater turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Bowater pulls Thompson into guard.

Bowater looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Bowater looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson looking to sit in guard and control but Bowater gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thompson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Bowater stands and steps away. Thompson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Thompson tries to clinch up.
A combination from Bowater does no damage.
Bowater tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Thompson defends well and Bowater ends up having to push Thompson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Bowater tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Thompson defends well and Bowater ends up having to push Thompson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Thompson is defended easily by Bowater.
Bowater is trying to counter with his kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bowater as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Thompson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice takedown defense from Thompson. No joy for Bowater on that attempt.
Bowater takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Thompson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bowater tries to avoid it but Thompson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bowater to the ground. Bowater escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Thompson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Thompson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bowater throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Thompson darts in looking for a takedown but Bowater gets double underhooks and turns Thompson into the cage.

Bowater drags the fight down to the ground.
Bowater pulls Thompson in close to his closed guard and prevents Thompson from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Bowater 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.
Bowater is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Bowater throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Bowater has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Bowater controlling from the full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bowater gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Bowater tries for a takedown but Thompson circles away easily

and Thompson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Thompson.

Bowater breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Thompson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bowater circles away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Bowater moves into range and clinches up with Thompson.
Bowater dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Michael Thompson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Richard Bowater is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thompson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bowater.

And that's the end of the fight!
Richard Bowater comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bowater 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight for Richard Bowater!
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight for Richard Bowater!
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight for Richard Bowater!

Richard Bowater wins by unanimous decision!