PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bert Ernie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Ernie
vs
Thomas

179 cm
22
135 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

175 cm
25
135 lbs
5 - 7 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

Golden supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Bert Ernie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Paul Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Colin Fotheringham and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thomas shoots in and drives through. Ernie sprawls well.

Thomas decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ernie looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Ernie actively working from the bottom here.
Thomas works his way into full mount!
Thomas cracks Ernie with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Thomas prevents Ernie from getting the reversal.
Thomas blocks Ernie's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Thomas avoids the attempt from Ernie to control.
Ernie keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Thomas connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas with shots to the head and body - Ernie looks very uncomfortable down there.
Ernie can't escape the position.
Ernie is working hard here to advance position.
Thomas controlling the pace for now.
Thomas prevents Ernie from getting the reversal.
Thomas tries to control but Ernie wriggling away.
Ernie tries to lock up and control but Thomas gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ernie working to try and regain half guard.
Thomas is stalling here but it's allowed Ernie to get half guard.
Ernie on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ernie tries to get out of the position.
Thomas scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Thomas wants to pass to mount but Ernie is defending the position.
Ernie wants to improve his position but Thomas is controlling well.
Ernie is refusing to be controlled, as Thomas sits in half guard.
Ernie misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Ernie taking some punishment here, with Thomas in his half guard.

Ernie looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Thomas wants to work for an arm triangle but Ernie is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ernie is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Thomas pulls his head out easily.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ernie gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Thomas counter with a right hand.
Ernie fails with the takedown

and Thomas counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Thomas.
Thomas stands up over Ernie, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Thomas landing some decent shots from guard.
Thomas loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Thomas looking to pass the guard.
Thomas trying to control the position from guard on top but Ernie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ernie has a closed guard, preventing Thomas from standing up.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Ernie keeps moving.
Ernie avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ernie with a lazy takedown attempt

and Thomas counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bert Ernie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

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

Thomas gets a takedown into half guard.
Thomas looks gassed!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ernie wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Thomas changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ernie looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Thomas wants to control but Ernie is keeping him busy.
Ernie is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Thomas wants to stand but Ernie has his arm trapped.
Thomas working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ernie manages to get back to half guard.

Ernie looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Thomas is just content to waste time from the top position. Ernie takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ernie looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thomas is one step ahead there.
Thomas connects with a couple of short punches.

Ernie had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Thomas defends it easily.
Thomas wants to stand but Ernie has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Ernie keeping full guard, as Thomas tries to pass.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Ernie 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.

Ernie is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Ernie wants to pass to mount but Thomas is defending the position.
Thomas looks like he's trying to stand up.
Thomas is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Thomas has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Thomas gets full guard.
Ernie tries to free his leg and advance position but Thomas is retaining full guard.

Ernie postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Thomas is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Ernie, into his guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thomas trying to control the position from guard on top but Ernie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ernie has an active guard here but Thomas has managed to pass into half guard.

Ernie looking for submissions off his back.
Ernie tries to roll over but Thomas keeps him under control.

Thomas is looking for a kimura but Ernie is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Thomas to get the leverage.
Ernie moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Ernie looking for a guillotine here but Thomas defends easily.
Thomas content to stall in guard here.
Ernie tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ernie working for submissions but it's allowed Thomas to get to half guard.
Ernie is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Paul Thomas will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Thomas moves into the clinch.

Thomas manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Thomas thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Ernie stands up over Thomas, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Thomas keeping full guard, as Ernie tries to pass.

Ernie drops back, looking for a kneebar! Thomas looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Thomas looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Thomas!
Thomas scores with a couple of short elbows.
Ernie is not content to let Thomas control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas landing a few strikes.
Ernie is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Thomas's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Ernie looking for submissions off his back.
Thomas missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ernie is looking to control Thomas's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ernie avoid being mounted?
Thomas landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Ernie wants to get back to full guard but Thomas has passed into side control.
Thomas punishing his opponent with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas looking to control but Ernie is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Ernie really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Thomas looking to finish Ernie with some ground and pound. This is bad for Ernie!
Ernie is working to get back to half guard.
Ernie regains half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Ernie actively working from the bottom here.
Thomas scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Thomas wants to take a breather but Ernie is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Thomas lands a nice short elbow.
Thomas takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Ernie is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Thomas pulls his head out easily.
Ernie tries to get to full guard but Thomas has control of the leg.
Thomas seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Ground and pound from Thomas.
Ernie is refusing to be controlled, as Thomas sits in half guard.
Ernie wants to control the action here but instead Thomas manages to pass to full mount!
Ernie tries to lock up and control but Thomas gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
A nice elbow there by Thomas.

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 with a couple of short strikes.
Thomas with shots to the head and body - Ernie looks very uncomfortable down there.
Thomas controlling his opponent.
Paul Thomas has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ernie throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Ernie swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Ernie is looking to improve his position but Thomas isn't that keen on the idea.
Ernie wants to hold on but Thomas pushes him away.
Thomas prevents Ernie from getting the reversal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Thomas really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Thomas darts in and clinches Ernie up against the cage.
Ernie looking for a takedown.
A frustrated look appears on Thomas's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Thomas is working for takedown but Ernie is calmly controlling the position for now.

Ernie tightens his grip and picks Thomas up, before dumping him to the ground. Thomas manages to land in guard.
Thomas looking for a sweep. Not yet Thomas, not yet.
Ernie pushes down on Thomas's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Ernie thows a huge punch but Thomas dodges it nicely.
Thomas is looking to control Ernie's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Thomas avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas wants to improve his position but Ernie is controlling well.

Ernie is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Thomas is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ernie's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ernie's back!
Thomas is hanging on to Ernie's back as he tries to escape.
Ernie rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

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

Thomas pushes Ernie up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ernie gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Ernie is looking for a kimura here.

Ernie is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Thomas has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ernie misses with a head shot. Thomas uses the momentum to regain guard.
Thomas trying to keep a closed guard but Ernie is proving a slippery customer.
Thomas keeping moving, preventing Ernie from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ernie manages to get himself to full guard.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Ernie keeps moving.

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

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

Ernie jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Thomas is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Thomas and Ernie has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Thomas manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Ernie trying to control here.
Ernie flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
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. Thomas connects with a nice short shot to Ernie's temple.
Ernie trying to get back to full guard but Thomas takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Ernie is working to get back to half guard.

Thomas has hold of Ernie's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Ernie manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Ernie tries to hold on but Thomas pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Bert Ernie will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Ernie misses with a takedown
and Thomas counters with a good low kick that Ernie was not able to check.
Thomas with a lazy takedown attempt

and Ernie holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Ernie lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Ernie changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Thomas fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Thomas fails with the takedown

and Ernie counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Ernie.
Thomas manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Ernie really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Thomas lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Ernie is in all sorts of trouble here.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomas goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Ernie turns into him and now he's in Thomas's guard.
Thomas working a defensive guard but Ernie passes into half guard.

Ernie is working for a kimura but Thomas is defending it quite comfortably.
Thomas is trying to stand back up but Ernie is controlling him

That's two 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 looking for submissions off his back.

Ernie is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Ernie stalling away here and it's allowed Thomas to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Ernie working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ernie in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ernie wants to control from the top but Thomas keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Thomas moves into the clinch successfully.
Thomas drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bert Ernie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paul Thomas.
Ernie looking for a takedown.
Thomas lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ernie.
Thomas missing with knees to the body.
Thomas tries to pull guard but Ernie holds him up against the cage and eventually Thomas drops back down to his feet.
Ernie prevents Thomas from breaking the clinch.

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 drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ernie pulls his leg out and moves away.

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

Ernie drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ernie jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Ernie prevents Thomas from getting back to his feet.
Ernie throws a big right hand that misses.
Ernie advances position into side control!
Ernie lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bert Ernie showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Thomas 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 47:48
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 47:48
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Thomas! Paul Thomas retains his bantamweight title!