PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jax Thomas (ranked 18341 p4p, 23464 weight class) and William Tate (ranked 525 p4p, 539 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Thomas
vs
Tate

175 cm
41
211
49 - 30 - 0

180 cm
22
210
5 - 22 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 49 - 30 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jax Thomas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, William Tate!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Robert Twigg and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tate throws a lazy right hand but Thomas sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tate tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Thomas was well out of range. Poor timing from Tate.

Thomas shoots in and bounces Tate off the ropes to secure the takedown into guard.

Thomas stands up and waves to Tate to follow him.

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

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

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

Thomas stands up from guard. Let's bang!
This has been an exciting period of action!

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

Thomas stands up.

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!

Tate is rocked!
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

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

Thomas escapes and gets back to his feet.

Thomas feints and as Tate raises his hands in defense, Thomas changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Tate is still in real trouble! Can Thomas finish him?

Thomas decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Tate seems to have recovered his senses.
Left hook, right uppercut from Tate.

Thomas looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Tate looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Tate tries to get to full guard but Thomas has control of the leg.

Thomas decides to stand up.
William Tate is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Thomas closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thomas decides to stand up.

Thomas shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Thomas stands up and beckons Tate to join him on the feet.
Tate throws a body punch but Thomas moves out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!

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 working away.
Tate is looking to regain half guard here but Thomas keeps moving and retains side control.
Tate is trying to get back to his feet.
Tate looks winded!

Thomas decides to stand up, so the ref orders Tate to his feet.

Thomas closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Tate's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thomas stands up and waves to Tate to follow him.

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 looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

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

Thomas gets a double leg takedown into Tate's guard.

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

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

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Thomas stands up out of the half guard.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

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

Thomas scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

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

Thomas scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Thomas decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Tate rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Thomas moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Thomas was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Thomas shoots in but no luck this time.
Thomas doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Tate tries to sprawl but Thomas drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Thomas prevents Tate from improving his position.

Thomas decides to stand up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jax Thomas dominated that round.
That's time! Thomas's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Thomas closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Tate did well to prevent Thomas getting side control.

Thomas escapes and gets back to his feet.
Tate fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

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

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

Thomas scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Thomas stands up and beckons Tate to join him on the feet.

Thomas gets a takedown into half guard.

Thomas decides to stand and escape the position.

Thomas drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Thomas scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Thomas stands up.
Thomas looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tate is fending him off so far but Thomas persists. Nope, Tate circles away and we're back to standing.

Thomas gets a takedown into half guard.
Thomas seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

Thomas postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Tate to stand up.
Tate lands a jab-cross combination.

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

Thomas stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Tate to get to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

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

Thomas closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Tate's guard.

Tate is working an open guard so Thomas takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tate keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Tate is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Tate punishes Thomas's body with a nice straight punch.
Tate stuffs the takedown attempt from Thomas. Thomas gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jax Thomas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tate looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Tate as Thomas shoots in.
Tate is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Tate fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Thomas on the side of the head.
Tate misses with a series of wild punches.
Tate fails in his attempt to clinch.
Thomas shoots in looking for a takedown but Tate manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Thomas's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Tate tries to clinch but Thomas is having none of it.
Tate fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tate throws a series of punches but Thomas avoids them all with ease.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tate but Tate pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Tate will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Thomas is defended easily by Tate.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tate looks to land a combination but Thomas avoids it well.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Thomas.
Tate misses with a wild body shot.
Thomas doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Tate counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Tate tries to clinch but Thomas is having none of it.
Tate is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Thomas rather than just go for the knockout.
Tate wants to clinch.
Thomas shoots in for a double leg but Tate sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tate tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Thomas manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Thomas walks into a straight right hand from Tate.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Thomas shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Tate pinned against the ropes. Tate gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Tate is looking for the big counter here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but William Tate will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Tate throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Thomas shoots for a double leg takedown but Tate sprawls well. He's pushed Thomas's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

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

Thomas gets to his feet - Tate follows without any prompting.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tate as he avoids it easily.
Tate thuds his right hand into Thomas's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A combination from Tate does no damage.
Tate with a nice cross.
Tate tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Thomas paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Tate misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Thomas.

Thomas manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Tate on his heels. He'll look to pass Tate's guard now, I'm sure.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Thomas avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

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

Excellent takedown into side control there by Thomas.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomas decides to stand back up. Thomas steps back and let's Tate get back to his feet.
Tate defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Thomas.
Tate let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jax Thomas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thomas uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tate.
Tate scores with a punch to the head.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tate sprawls well. Tate wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Thomas gets slowly back to his feet.
Tate wants to clinch up but Thomas keeps it at a distance.
William Tate is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thomas shoots in but Tate avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Tate lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Thomas circles away quickly and effectively.
Thomas shoots for a double leg takedown but Tate sprawls well. He's pushed Thomas's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
As Thomas backs off Tate throws a huge counter combo but Thomas manages to avoid it all.
Tate misses with a few strikes there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tate is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Thomas is defended easily by Tate.
Thomas shoots in but Tate avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Tate pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Thomas back to the ropes. Tate follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Tate throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Thomas.
Thomas dives in and grabs Tate's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tate pushes down on Thomas's head and hops out.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tate lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Thomas circles away quickly and effectively.
Tate lands a jab-cross combination.
Tate throws a nice looking combination but Thomas bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Thomas fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tate lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Thomas circles away quickly and effectively.
Sloppy strikes from Tate. Those never looked like landing.

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

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

Thomas shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Tate is looking to improve his position.

Thomas stands up and beckons Tate to join him on the feet.

Thomas gets the takedown into side control.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tate.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Thomas shoots in and gets a takedown into Tate's guard.

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

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

Thomas decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Thomas is defended easily by Tate.
No joy there for Tate, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jax Thomas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tate fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

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

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

And that's the end of the fight!
William Tate comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tate has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... William Tate!