PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Curtis Tate Iii (ranked 25044 p4p, 19532 weight class) and Jax Thomas (ranked 113 p4p, 120 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Tate Iii
vs
Thomas

185 cm
19
215
13 - 1 - 0

175 cm
38
225
35 - 24 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Curtis Tate Iii!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jax Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Frank Dennis and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Thomas throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Tate Iii was covering up waiting for the punch and Thomas finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Thomas stands up and waves to Tate Iii to follow him.
Tate Iii throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Tate Iii gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Thomas to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Thomas stands up and waves to Tate Iii to follow him.
Tate Iii definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Thomas dives in and scores a takedown into Tate Iii's guard.

Thomas stands up from Tate Iii's guard - Thomas perhaps looking for a knockout.

Thomas shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Tate Iii's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tate Iii 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.

Tate Iii is working an open guard so Thomas takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tate Iii swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Thomas bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Thomas decides to stand back up. Thomas steps back and let's Tate Iii get back to his feet.

Thomas closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Tate Iii quickly recovers to half guard.

Thomas decides to stand up.
Thomas looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Tate Iii is breathing heavily.

Thomas closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Tate Iii's guard.
Tate Iii wants to stand up but Thomas is controlling him.

Thomas decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Thomas shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Tate Iii is trying to defend but Thomas finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Tate Iii is looking to improve his position.

Thomas stands up out of the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thomas looking to score a takedown here. Tate Iii is defending well but Thomas drives through and ends up in Tate Iii's guard.

Thomas stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Thomas drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Thomas decides to take the fight back to the feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thomas defending well as Tate Iii loads up on a big left hand.

Thomas closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Thomas stands up.

Thomas looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Thomas decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Tate Iii, up you get!
A combination from Tate Iii does no damage.

Thomas closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Tate Iii quickly recovers to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thomas decides to stand up.

Tate Iii gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Thomas gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Thomas feints and as Tate Iii raises his hands in defense, Thomas changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Thomas stands and steps away. Tate Iii gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Thomas darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Thomas stands up out of the half guard.

Tate Iii tries to sprawl but Thomas drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Thomas decides to stand up.

Thomas shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Thomas showed some decent athleticism there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Thomas decides to return to a standing position.

Thomas drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Tate Iii is looking for a sweep.

Thomas stands up.

Thomas dives in and scores a takedown into Tate Iii's guard.

Thomas stands and steps away. Tate Iii gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Tate Iii gets caught napping as Thomas dives in and scores a takedown. Tate Iii manages to retain guard.

Thomas gets to his feet. Tate Iii looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Thomas closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Thomas lands in his opponent's guard.

Thomas stands up and waves to Tate Iii to follow him.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jax Thomas dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Thomas drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Thomas stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Thomas feints and as Tate Iii raises his hands in defense, Thomas changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Thomas gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Tate Iii throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Thomas.

Thomas drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Thomas stands up.
Tate Iii misses the shot to the body.

Thomas feints and as Tate Iii raises his hands in defense, Thomas changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Thomas gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Curtis Tate Iii is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Thomas 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.

Thomas gets to his feet. Tate Iii looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Tate Iii gets caught flat footed, as Thomas shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomas stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Thomas shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Thomas showed some decent athleticism there.
Thomas prevents Tate Iii from improving his position.

Thomas gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Thomas looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Thomas decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Tate Iii gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Thomas to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Thomas stands up from Tate Iii's guard - Thomas perhaps looking for a knockout.
Curtis Tate Iii is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thomas shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Tate Iii looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Thomas decides to stand and escape the position.

Thomas gets a takedown into half guard.

Thomas decides to stand and escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thomas closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Tate Iii quickly recovers to half guard.

Thomas postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Tate Iii to stand up.

Thomas looking to score a takedown here. Tate Iii is defending well but Thomas drives through and ends up in Tate Iii's guard.
Thomas has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Thomas stands up and waves to Tate Iii to follow him.

Thomas scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Thomas decides to stand and escape the position.

Thomas fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Tate Iii to the ground. Thomas is now in Tate Iii's guard.

Thomas gets to his feet - Tate Iii follows without any prompting.

Thomas darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Thomas stands up out of the half guard.

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.

Thomas throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Tate Iii was covering up waiting for the punch and Thomas finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Tate Iii is working an open guard so Thomas takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Thomas manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Tate Iii on his heels. He'll look to pass Tate Iii's guard now, I'm sure.

Thomas decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Tate Iii, up you get!

Thomas shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Tate Iii napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Tate Iii regains half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Thomas stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Thomas drives through with a takedown into Tate Iii's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Thomas stands and steps away. Tate Iii gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jax Thomas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Thomas closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Tate Iii quickly recovers to half guard.

Thomas gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Tate Iii tries to sprawl but Thomas drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Thomas decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Tate Iii misses with a series of wild punches.

Thomas darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Thomas gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Thomas bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Thomas stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomas closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Tate Iii's guard.
Tate Iii is trying to control the position but Thomas postures up.

Tate Iii throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Thomas gets to his feet. Tate Iii looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Thomas closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Thomas lands in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Thomas stands up and waves to Tate Iii to follow him.

Thomas shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Thomas was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Thomas decides to stand back up. Thomas steps back and let's Tate Iii get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tate Iii throws a right and a left that Thomas avoids nicely.

Thomas closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Tate Iii to the mat! Tate Iii manages to get full guard.

Thomas gets to his feet. Tate Iii looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Tate Iii gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Thomas to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Thomas gets to his feet. Tate Iii looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Thomas drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Tate Iii wants to sweep here but Thomas controlling him for the moment.

Thomas gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Jax Thomas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Thomas feints and as Tate Iii raises his hands in defense, Thomas changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Thomas decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tate Iii fails to land with a series of punches.
Thomas shapes to counter with a head kick.

Thomas drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Thomas has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Thomas drives through with a takedown into guard.

Thomas decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Thomas shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Thomas showed some decent athleticism there.

Thomas stands up out of the half guard.

Thomas looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Thomas gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Thomas looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Tate Iii!

Thomas decides to stand back up. Thomas steps back and let's Tate Iii get back to his feet.
Tate Iii throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Thomas throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Tate Iii was covering up waiting for the punch and Thomas finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Thomas gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Thomas darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Thomas decides to stand up.
Curtis Tate Iii has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Tate Iii enables Thomas to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Tate Iii manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jax Thomas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Thomas 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jax Thomas!
Jax Thomas is the new super heavyweight champion!
A victorious Jax Thomas thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.