PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tyrese Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rigor Mortiz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thomas comes to the cage accompanied by Dream Shatterer. Both these guys are coming into the fight with injuries so let's see if that has a bearing on the fight. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Thomas
vs
Mortiz

195 cm
22
235 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

189 cm
21
245 lbs
0 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tyrese Thomas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rigor Mortiz!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yukihiro Shimada and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mortiz shoots for a double leg takedown but Thomas sprawls well. He's pushed Mortiz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Thomas looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Mortiz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Thomas is fending him off so far but Mortiz persists. Nope, Thomas circles away and we're back to standing.
Thomas shoots for a takedown but Mortiz saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Mortiz looks to land a body kick but Thomas moved away.
Thomas keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Tyrese Thomas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rigor Mortiz.
Mortiz is trying hard to land a takedown here. Thomas sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Mortiz tries to clinch up but Thomas circles away and keeps his distance.
Mortiz has a takedown stuffed.
Mortiz should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Mortiz is trying hard to land a takedown here. Thomas sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Thomas closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Mortiz to the mat! Mortiz manages to get full guard.
Thomas keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mortiz's head.
Mortiz manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Thomas manages to get himself to full guard.
Mortiz throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Thomas throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Mortiz trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Thomas preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Mortiz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mortiz landing with the ground and pound.
Mortiz has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Mortiz postures up and lands a big shot to Thomas's brow.
Mortiz landing with the ground and pound.
Thomas utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Thomas working for a triangle but Mortiz defends it easily.
Mortiz landing with the ground and pound.

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

Thomas has his foot on Mortiz's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mortiz works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mortiz postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Mortiz chips away with some ground and pound.

Mortiz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Mortiz working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Mortiz missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Thomas is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mortiz is aware though and is defending well.
Thomas working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mortiz.

Thomas working for a triangle but Mortiz defends it easily.

Mortiz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Mortiz connects with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Thomas looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Mortiz working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Thomas has his foot on Mortiz's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mortiz works his way back into a safe position though.

Thomas is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mortiz is aware though and is defending well.

Thomas escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mortiz gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Mortiz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Thomas as he jumps to the side.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mortiz sprawls well. Mortiz wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Thomas gets slowly back to his feet.
A head kick misses from Mortiz.
Mortiz looks for a takedown but Thomas sprawls well.
Mortiz misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

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.

Thomas clinches.

Mortiz lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Thomas looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mortiz sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Thomas defending well though.
Mortiz scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Mortiz working the head and body with strikes.
Thomas keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Thomas looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Thomas looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Mortiz connects with a nice short shot to Thomas's temple.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Mortiz misses with a takedown attempt - Thomas sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mortiz doesn't manage to clinch there - Thomas circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyrese Thomas dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mortiz defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Thomas.
Thomas keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mortiz fails with a takedown attempt.
Thomas defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mortiz.
Tyrese Thomas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rigor Mortiz.
Thomas looks for a takedown but Mortiz sprawls well.
Mortiz fails with a takedown attempt.
Mortiz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mortiz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Thomas as he jumps to the side.

Mortiz scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Mortiz working the ground and pound.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thomas sneaks back into half guard.
Mortiz throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Thomas looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Mortiz connects with a nice short shot to Thomas's temple.
Mortiz landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Thomas looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Thomas shoots in but no luck this time.

Mortiz feints and as Thomas raises his hands in defense, Mortiz changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Mortiz throwing strikes but missing.

Mortiz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Thomas working for a triangle but Mortiz defends it easily.
Mortiz is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thomas had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mortiz defends it easily.
Mortiz content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Thomas throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Tyrese Thomas overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Thomas looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Thomas has his foot on Mortiz's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mortiz works his way back into a safe position though.
Mortiz working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Mortiz in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

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

Mortiz got a little sloppy there for a moment and Thomas has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mortiz has managed to get both his arms back between Thomas's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thomas has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Mortiz can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Thomas wants to sweep but no luck.
Mortiz scoring with some ground and pound.

Thomas looking for a guillotine here but Mortiz defends easily.
Mortiz scoring with punches to the head and body.
Mortiz connects with a couple of short punches.

Thomas working for a triangle but Mortiz defends it easily.

Thomas is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Mortiz working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thomas working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mortiz doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mortiz manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Thomas looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Mortiz is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Mortiz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Thomas looking for a guillotine here but Mortiz defends easily.
Mortiz connects with a couple of short punches.

Mortiz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Thomas is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Mortiz gets the takedown into side control.
Thomas is looking for a sweep.
Mortiz lands a decent elbow from side control.
Mortiz creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Thomas manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Mortiz on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Mortiz missing with punches from the bottom.
Mortiz has hold of Thomas's hands but Thomas slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Mortiz is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Thomas's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Thomas's back!
Mortiz lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mortiz connects with a big shot to the side of Thomas's head.
Thomas is trapped and Mortiz is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Thomas turns into Mortiz and is now in his guard.
Mortiz trying to strike off his back.
Thomas is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas postures up and lands a big shot to Mortiz's brow.
Thomas sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Mortiz's guard.
Mortiz missing with punches from the bottom.
Mortiz taking some punishment here, with Thomas in his half guard.
Mortiz throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Thomas looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Thomas lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Nice strikes from Thomas there.
Thomas is nestled in close to Mortiz, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Thomas blocks the strikes from Mortiz.
Mortiz on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Thomas landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Mortiz misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Thomas blocks the strikes from Mortiz.
Thomas working the head and body with strikes.
Thomas is nestled in close to Mortiz, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nice takedown defense from Mortiz. No joy for Thomas on that attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Thomas. No joy for Mortiz on that attempt.
Mortiz will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mortiz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tyrese Thomas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rigor Mortiz.

Thomas throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Mortiz was covering up waiting for the punch and Thomas finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Mortiz trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Thomas makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Thomas with a nice head shot there.
Mortiz striking off his back.
Mortiz throws a couple of heel strikes.
Thomas scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Thomas scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Thomas with a flurry of punches that miss.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nice sprawl there from Thomas as Mortiz shoots in.

Thomas scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mortiz landing a few short strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mortiz flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Mortiz connecting with a few gentle strikes.
Thomas working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Mortiz scores with a few weak punches.
Mortiz misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Mortiz is looking to improve his position.
Thomas seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Thomas pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Thomas closes the distance and clinches up with Mortiz, looking for a takedown. Thomas pushes Mortiz against the cage but Mortiz circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Thomas throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mortiz as he jumps to the side.
Mortiz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Thomas swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nice takedown defense from Thomas. No joy for Mortiz on that attempt.
Horrible takedown by Thomas or perhaps it was just good defense by Mortiz which made him look bad.
Thomas throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Mortiz.
Mortiz fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tyrese Thomas is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four 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.
Thomas scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Mortiz shoots for a double leg takedown but Thomas sprawls well. He's pushed Mortiz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Thomas avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Thomas lands a head kick!
Thomas keeps the fight on the outside.
Mortiz shoots in looking for a takedown. Thomas tries to sprawl out of it but Mortiz keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Thomas manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Mortiz has a takedown stuffed.

Thomas shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Mortiz punching from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mortiz moves into full guard.
Thomas slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Rigor Mortiz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Tyrese Thomas showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Thomas 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tyrese Thomas!