PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Carlos Matola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Thompson's choice of entrance music: Yo Yo Scrape by Skinny Puppy. Carlos Matola has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Matola
vs
Thompson

183 cm
26
170 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

165 cm
26
170 lbs
15 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

•‡• LION Clothing •‡• [CBK]

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Carlos Matola!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tom Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Dillan Fox and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thompson fails with a takedown attempt.
Thompson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Matola circles away.

Thompson shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Matola manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Thompson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Thompson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Thompson slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Matola is controlling Thompson's posture.
Thompson trying to control the position from guard on top but Matola is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson being controlled here momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thompson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Thompson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Thompson trying to control but Matola is working from the bottom.
Thompson wants to pass the guard but Matola is keeping the position.

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.
Matola is trying to control the position but Thompson postures up.
Thompson trying to control the position from guard on top but Matola is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Thompson staying out of range there.

Thompson 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.
Thompson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Matola scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Matola.
A swing and a miss from Matola.

Thompson feints and as Matola raises his hands in defense, Thompson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Thompson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Thompson stopping the sweep attempt from Matola.
Thompson content to stall in guard here.
Thompson wants to pass the guard but Matola is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matola has control of Thompson's left arm, preventing Thompson from doing any damage.
Matola is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Thompson wants to pass the guard but Matola is keeping the position.
Thompson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Matola will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Matola lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Thompson dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Thompson looks for a takedown but Matola sprawls well.
A shot to de liver by Matola. Beautiful body shot.
Matola scores with a hook to the body. Thompson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Thompson drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Thompson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Thompson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Thompson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Thompson wants to control but Matola is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matola is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Thompson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Matola is looking to control Thompson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Matola avoid being mounted?
Matola is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Thompson wants to pass the guard but Matola is defending well.
Matola is looking to escape.
Matola gets back to full guard.
Matola keeping moving, preventing Thompson from controlling successfully.
Matola lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Thompson!
Matola wants to control the pace but Thompson is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Thompson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Thompson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Matola is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Thompson!
Matola blocks Thompson's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Matola trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Thompson can't escape the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Matola wants to control the action but instead Thompson gets a body lock and reverses into Matola's guard! Nice work!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Thompson shoots in for a takedown but Matola shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Matola throws a right and a left that both miss.
Thompson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Thompson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Thompson controls the position.
Matola wants to control but Thompson postures up.
Matola is not content to let Thompson control the position.
Matola stops Thompson from passing to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thompson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Thompson tries to advance position but instead Matola slips a leg back in to half guard.
Matola has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Thompson is working away from the top position though.
Thompson trying to mount his opponent but Matola defends it.

That's two 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.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
No joy there for Matola, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Thompson scores a takedown into full mount!

Thompson moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Matola has worked his arm free - good work by Matola!

Thompson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Thompson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Matola isn't going anywhere.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thompson is trying to get an arm triangle but Matola is defending well.
Matola regains half guard.

Thompson is looking for a kimura here.

Thompson is trying to work for a kimura but Matola is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Matola keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Matola is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thompson is stalling here. Matola is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Thompson seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Matola has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Thompson sneaks back into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Thompson really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Matola thows a left - swing and a miss!
Thompson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matola.

Thompson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Thompson is looking to stall here but Matola recovers full guard.
Thompson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Matola works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson trying to control but Matola is working from the bottom.
Matola keeping full guard, as Thompson tries to pass.
Matola wants to get back to his feet but Thompson passes into half guard.
Thompson looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Thompson seems to be looking for submissions.
Thompson trying to mount his opponent but Matola defends it.

That's two 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.
Thompson is just content to waste time from the top position. Matola takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Matola not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Matola can't keep his opponent in guard - Thompson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Thompson seems to be looking for submissions.
Thompson is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Thompson is looking to take a break and control but Matola is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Matola wants to improve his position but Thompson is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson tries to pass to full mount but Matola defends it.

Thompson is working for an americana but Matola has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Thompson was thinking about the submission.
Thompson passes Matola's left leg - he's now in half 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.
Matola trying to control but Thompson postures up.
Thompson wants to free his trapped foot but Matola is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Thompson stops Matola from getting back to his feet.

Thompson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Matola defends it well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Thompson is trying to control. Matola wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Thompson dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Matola throws a series of punches but Thompson moves out of range.
Thompson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Matola as he avoids it easily.
Thompson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Matola as he avoids it easily.
A decent looking cross lands there for Matola.
Matola lands a really nice looking cross but Thompson seems unphased.
Matola lands a right hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Matola misses.
Matola throws an overhand right that lands on Thompson's shoulder, as Thompson tries to avoid the shot.
Matola throws a hook but Thompson avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Matola throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Thompson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Matola looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Matola regains half guard.

Thompson 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.
Thompson is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Matola trying to hold on to Thompson's head to control him but Thompson postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson is pressing down on Matola's thigh, looking to free his foot. Matola is holding on for now.
Matola is looking to improve his position.
Matola works his way to full guard. Good work.
Thompson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Thompson wants to control from the top but Matola keeps moving.

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.
Thompson tries for a takedown but Matola sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Carlos Matola has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Thompson.
A decent looking cross lands there for Matola.
Carlos Matola has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matola is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Matola swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Matola thuds a left hand into Thompson's body.
Thompson on the wrong end of a nice hook.

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

Thompson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson is thwarting Matola's attempts to control the position.

Thompson seems to be looking for submissions.
Matola pushes Thompson off looking to stand but Thompson dives back in and keeps control.

Thompson is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Matola still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Matola has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thompson is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Matola's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Carlos Matola.
I think Thompson 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 47:48
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 47:48
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tom Thompson! Tom Thompson retains his welterweight title!