PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Avon Kings (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paulo Thiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Kings
vs
Thiago

150 cm
22
130 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

168 cm
20
134 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Avon Kings!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Paulo Thiago!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Daniel Bishop and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kings closes the distance and clinches up with Thiago, looking for a takedown. Kings pushes Thiago against the cage but Thiago circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kings doesn't manage to clinch there - Thiago circles away.
Thiago tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Kings counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Thiago connects with a high kick.
Thiago circles away from the clinch attempt
and Thiago counters with a stiff right hand.

Kings tries to keep at a distance but Thiago has taken the fight into the clinch.
Thiago tries to score a body lock takedown but Kings shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Thiago lands a knee to the head.
Kings stalling in the clinch but Thiago improves position.

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

Thiago gets to his feet. Kings looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
A head kick misses from Thiago.

Thiago rushes Kings and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Thiago manages to break the clinch.
Kings looks for a takedown but Thiago sprawls well.

Thiago clinches up with Kings and pushes him back against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kings tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Avon Kings. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thiago prevents the takedown attempt.
Thiago has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kings avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Thiago's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Thiago throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kings.

Thiago closes the distance and pushes Kings back into the cage.
Thiago lands an elbow inside that Kings shrugs off.
Good body shot from Thiago.
A frustrated look appears on Kings's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kings is trying to break free.
Kings is trying to break the clinch but Thiago has him pressed against the cage.
Thiago keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kings's efforts to push away.

Thiago breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kings blocks a head kick by Thiago.

Thiago clinches up with Kings and pushes him back against the cage.
Thiago has a couple of punches blocked by Kings.
Thiago pushes off an throws an elbow but Kings leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Thiago manages to break the clinch.
Kings shoots and misses

and Thiago counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Thiago.
Kings is breathing heavily.
Thiago throwing strikes from guard but Kings blocks nicely.
Thiago tries to free his leg and advance position but Kings is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kings looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kings working a defensive guard here.
Thiago working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Thiago wants to control from the top but Kings keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Thiago is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Kings looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thiago is one step ahead there.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thiago lands a nice elbow.
Kings tries to break free but Thiago pushes him back against the cage.
Kings has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Thiago avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kings is pressed up against the cage. Thiago has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kings down to the mat. Kings avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Kings closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Thiago punching from the bottom.

Kings seems to be working for a kimura but Thiago defends the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Thiago gets full guard.
Kings wanted to stand there but Thiago had control of the position.

Thiago is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thiago had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Kings is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Thiago Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Kings's back instead.
Kings is keeping busy.

Kings is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Thiago gets his way!
Thiago throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kings manages to reverse the position and now he's in Thiago's guard. Nice work there by Kings.
Kings trying to control the position from guard on top but Thiago is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paulo Thiago dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kings tries to bum rush Thiago with a series of wild strikes but Thiago uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kings fails with a takedown attempt.
Kings misses with a head kick.
Thiago tries to clinch up but Kings circles away and keeps his distance.
Thiago tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kings paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Thiago forces Kings back against the cage and clinches.
Thiago working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Thiago breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Thiago lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Thiago scores with a nice body kick.

Kings tries to keep at a distance but Thiago has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kings takes a knee right on the jaw!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thiago lands a damaging elbow.
Thiago lands an elbow just above Kings 's eye.

Thiago breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thiago drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Kings tries to escape but Thiago is in control.

Thiago decides to stand back up. Thiago steps back and let's Kings get back to his feet.
Paulo Thiago seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kings blocks a head kick by Thiago.
Kings with a poor takedown
and Thiago makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Kings really felt that one!
Thiago fails with an attempt to clinch.

Kings shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Thiago is trying to defend but Kings finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Kings tries to pass the half guard into mount. Thiago knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Thiago moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Thiago working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Kings has passed into half guard!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thiago is looking to improve his position.
Thiago tries to kick Kings off but Kings keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Thiago is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Kings looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Kings stops Thiago from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Thiago fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kings avoids it really well and circles away.
Kings will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kings doesn't manage to clinch there - Thiago circles away.

Kings has managed to clinch.
Kings wants to break the clinch but can't.

Thiago manages to break the clinch.
Kings misses the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Thiago moves into range and clinches up with Kings.
Thiago drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A knee to the head by Thiago.
Kings fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Avon Kings. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thiago lands an elbow just above Kings 's eye.
Thiago lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Thiago breaks the clinch.

Thiago pushes Kings up against the cage in a clinch.
Kings is trying to break the clinch but Thiago has him pressed against the cage.
Kings jumps guard but Thiago stands there with Kings around his waist. Kings gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Thiago tightens his grip and picks Kings up, before dumping him to the ground. Kings manages to land in guard.

Thiago avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kings is trying to keep Thiago in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paulo Thiago showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Thiago takes the fight into the clinch.

Thiago jumps into guard, dragging Kings to the mat.
Kings stops Thiago from standing up.
Kings trying to control but Thiago is working from the bottom.
Kings trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Kings thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Thiago wants to stand and escape but Kings is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kings trying to control the position from guard on top but Thiago is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kings has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Thiago is proving hard to escape from.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
No joy there for Kings, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thiago decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thiago tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Kings.
Kings is staying active underneath Thiago, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Thiago not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Thiago is nestled in close to Kings, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Paulo Thiago has got the better of the ground game so far.

Thiago is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kings doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Thiago.
Kings blocking the ground and pound attempt from Thiago.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thiago moves into full mount! Kings won't be happy about that!
You get the feeling that Kings really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Thiago unloading with bombs!
Kings tries to hold on but Thiago pushes him away.
Kings is in all sorts of trouble here.
Thiago landing punches.
Thiago controlling from the full mount.

Thiago working for a submission but Kings is keeping him at bay.
Kings is desperately trying to improve his position but Thiago has a good base and remains in mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Thiago.
Kings sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Kings might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Kings is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Thiago pulls his head out easily.
Thiago throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kings pushes Thiago off looking to stand but Thiago dives back in and keeps control.

Thiago is working for a submission of some sort.

Thiago stands up and beckons Kings to join him on the feet.

Kings has Thiago up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kings tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Thiago scores with a nice hook to the head.
Thiago scores with a knee to the head.

Thiago's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Kings tries to keep at a distance but Thiago has taken the fight into the clinch.

Thiago breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Thiago tries to clinch there but Kings circles away.
Thiago shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kings counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kings chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Thiago can pounce on him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Thiago drives through and clinches with Kings against the cage.
Thiago on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Avon Kings has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kings throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Thiago tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kings landing knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paulo Thiago comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Thiago 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 William Gold scores the fight for Paulo Thiago!
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight for Paulo Thiago!
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight for Paulo Thiago!

Paulo Thiago wins by unanimous decision!