PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Howie Finkelman (ranked 23816 p4p, 24638 weight class) and Ieuan Thomas (ranked 475 p4p, 481 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Finkelman
vs
Thomas

174 cm
21
152
1 - 4 - 0

168 cm
26
151
0 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Howie Finkelman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Ieuan Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, John Roberts and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Finkelman's corner calls for a 1-2. Finkelman obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Thomas uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Finkelman.
Finkelman wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A shot to the liver by Finkelman. Beautiful body shot.
A jab lands there for Finkelman.
Finkelman cracks Thomas with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Finkelman moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Thomas fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Finkelman scores with a jab.
Thomas ducks under a wild hook from Finkelman.
Finkelman misses with an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Finkelman scores with a nice right hand.
Thomas takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Thomas doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
We've been informed that Thomas has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Thomas is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Finkelman loads up on a big right hand but Thomas slips the punch.
Thomas changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Some wild striking there from Thomas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Finkelman fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Thomas looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Finkelman circles away from the clinch attempt.
Finkelman scoring well with a low kick there.
Finkelman lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Finkelman connects with a body shot.
Finkelman clobbers Thomas with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Finkelman has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Doom's Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Finkelman throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Finkelman, as that shot connected.
Finkelman shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Thomas eats them both and turns towards Finkelman to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Finkelman thuds a left hand into Thomas's body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Finkelman throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Finkelman shoots in looking for a takedown but Thomas manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Finkelman's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Finkelman pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown but Finkelman shows good takedown defense.
Finkelman lands a right hook to the body.
Thomas on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Finkelman lands an overhand right.
Finkelman is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Finkelman jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Finkelman takes a swing at Thomas's ribcage but misses.
Thomas wants to counter the offense by Finkelman and move into the clinch position.
Thomas takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

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

Finkelman has one foot on Thomas's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Thomas on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Finkelman connects with the punch.
Finkelman doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Thomas to counter with a crisp jab.
A jab from Finkelman finds it's way through Thomas's defenses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finkelman closes this distance looking for a takedown but Thomas circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Howie Finkelman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Finkelman lands a jab to the head.
Thomas takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Thomas shoots in but no luck this time.
Thomas shoots in and drives through. Finkelman sprawls well.
A clash of legs there as Thomas blocks the low kick.
Thomas with the counter takedown but Finkelman avoids it easily.
Finkelman lunges at Thomas with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Thomas's hand.
Finkelman bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Thomas's head backwards.
Thomas changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Finkelman tries to avoid it but Thomas manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Finkelman to the ground. Finkelman escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Finkelman moves into range and clinches up with Thomas.

Finkelman's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Finkelman digs a good hook to Thomas's body.
Finkelman scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
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!
A punch lands to the side of Thomas 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Howie Finkelman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Finkelman scores with a decent looking hook.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Finkelman.
Thomas tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Thomas keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Finkelman is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Thomas slips under a jab.
Finkelman connects with a leg kick.
Finkelman is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Finkelman moves into the clinch.
Thomas drops down looking for an ankle pick but Finkelman pulls his leg out and moves away.
Thomas keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Finkelman, as that shot connected.
Thomas moves in looking to clinch but Finkelman pushes him off.
Thomas has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Howie Finkelman dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Thomas takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A decent looking cross lands there for Finkelman.
Finkelman sizes up Thomas with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Finkelman is looking to clinch but Thomas is avoiding it.
Finkelman is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Thomas can do to turn this around?
Finkelman misses with a takedown attempt - Thomas sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Thomas throws a hook to the side of Finkelman's head but Finkelman sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
That kick from Finkelman tenderised Thomas's leg. Thomas is trying to keep his angry face on.
Finkelman throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Thomas on the side of the head.
Thomas goes for a double leg but Finkelman avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Finkelman continues to drive forward.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thomas checks a low kick from Finkelman.
Finkelman throws a good cross that connects.
A left lands for Finkelman.
Finkelman lands a head shot.

Thomas is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Finkelman scores with the left hand. Thomas knows he should have avoided that one.
Thomas is still on wobbly legs! Can Finkelman finish him?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Finkelman tries to work over Thomas's front leg with a kick but Thomas checks it.
Thomas seems to have recovered his senses.
Nice cross by Finkelman.
Thomas throws a leg kick but Finkelman sees it coming and moves out of range.
Thomas takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Thomas tries to clinch but Finkelman is having none of it.
Finkelman connects with a single shot there.
Nice uppercut lands for Finkelman. That snapped Thomas's head back.
Finkelman misses with a straight left.
Thomas walks into a straight right hand from Finkelman.
Howie Finkelman is winning the standup battle so far.
Finkelman connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Finkelman - that will leave a mark!
Thomas takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Finkelman lands with an uppercut that bounces Thomas off the cage and back into range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Finkelman's jab looks to have found its range, popping Thomas under the eye.
Thomas takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Thomas needs to keep his hands up - Finkelman had a free shot at his head there.
Finkelman wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Thomas misses with a straight left.
Finkelman swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Finkelman misses with a right hand
and Thomas counters with a stiff right hand.
Finkelman thuds his right hand into Thomas's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Ieuan Thomas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Finkelman throws a big shot that misses.
Finkelman tests Thomas's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Finkelman lands with a cross.
Finkelman scores with a sloppy right hand. Thomas should have avoided that one.
Finkelman with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finkelman blocks a head kick by Thomas.
Thomas blocks a jab.
Thomas is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Thomas has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Thomas there as he acknowledges the shot.
Thomas wants to clinch up but Finkelman keeps it at a distance.
Finkelman lands a jab to the head.
Finkelman lands a nice hook to Thomas's body. Thomas takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Thomas moves out of range of the strikes.
Thomas has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Thomas takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Finkelman misses with a wild body shot.
Finkelman lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Finkelman lands a jab.
Thomas takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Finkelman dodges the punch combination from Thomas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Finkelman scores with a jab to the head.
Finkelman scoring well with a low kick there.
Thomas gets cracked there but stands up to it.
The fighters circling - Thomas throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Finkelman listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Thomas throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Finkelman.
Finkelman lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thomas checks the leg kick.
Thomas is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Howie Finkelman dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Thomas walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Finkelman waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Thomas.
Thomas drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Finkelman defends it well.
Finkelman throws a nice inside leg kick.
Finkelman stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Finkelman smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Thomas takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Finkelman connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Finkelman's corner calls for a 1-2. Finkelman obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
A lazy left from Finkelman finds it's target.
Finkelman cracks Thomas with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Thomas checks a low kick from Finkelman.
Thomas is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Finkelman throws a hook but Thomas blocks it.
A telegraphed right hand from Finkelman misses the target.
Thomas blocks a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good exchange - Finkelman coming out on top.
Finkelman is looking to chop away at Thomas's legs.
Thomas misses with a takedown attempt - Finkelman sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Finkelman paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Thomas bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown but Finkelman shows good takedown defense.
Thomas ducks under a wild hook from Finkelman.
Finkelman scores with a jab.
Finkelman throws a front kick aimed at Thomas's knee but Thomas avoids it well.
Thomas lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Finkelman clobbers Thomas with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Finkelman throws a poor cross that misses

and Thomas moves into the clinch.

Finkelman pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ieuan Thomas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas drops his hands momentarily and Finkelman takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Finkelman scores with a nice right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Finkelman scores with a shot to the body.
Finkelman lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Finkelman moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Thomas takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Some wild striking there from Finkelman.
Thomas tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Finkelman manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Finkelman looks to land a combination. Thomas sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Finkelman lands a nice hook to Thomas's body. Thomas takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Thomas takes one to the side of the head.

Finkelman moves into the clinch.
Thomas tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Finkelman smiles and moves away.
Howie Finkelman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ieuan Thomas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Finkelman lands a nice shot that snaps Thomas's head back.
Finkelman lands with a thumping leg kick.
Finkelman works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Thomas looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The crowd cheers as Finkelman lands an impressive looking overhand right. Thomas doesn't seem phased though.
Finkelman throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Thomas on the side of the head.
Finkelman lunges at Thomas with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Thomas's hand.
Finkelman scores with a hook to the body. Thomas takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Thomas on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Finkelman takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thomas gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Thomas takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Finkelman catches Thomas with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Finkelman is looking to slow Thomas down with leg kicks.
Howie Finkelman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thomas avoids the head kick by Finkelman.
Thomas steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Finkelman.
Thomas gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Thomas's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Finkelman gets a clinch.
Thomas scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Finkelman keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Thomas's efforts to push away.

Finkelman breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Finkelman getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Finkelman moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Howie Finkelman showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Finkelman has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:26
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:26
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Howie Finkelman!
Howie Finkelman decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.