PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Craig Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Connely (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thomas comes to the cage accompanied by Judas Priest - Painkiller. Chris Connely is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Thomas
vs
Connely

183 cm
25
195 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

181 cm
21
194 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Craig Thomas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chris Connely!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Stewart Dunkirk and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown by Connely or perhaps it was just good defense by Thomas which made him look bad.
Connely takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Connely shoots in for a takedown but Thomas shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A left and a right from Thomas both land. Nice combination.

It looks like Chris Connely has been cut.
Connely throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Thomas scores with a body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Connely ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Connely keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A big left from Thomas misses.
Thomas loads up on a big right hand but Connely slips the punch.

Connely scores a takedown into full mount!
Connely putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Thomas manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Thomas is refusing to be controlled, as Connely sits in half guard.
Connely is thwarting Thomas's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Connely with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Thomas is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Thomas trying to control but Connely postures up.
Connely controlling the action here.
Thomas works his way to full guard. Good work.

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.
Thomas pulls Connely in to control the position.
Thomas trying to keep a closed guard but Connely is proving a slippery customer.
Connely throws a big right hand that misses.
Thomas keeping moving, preventing Connely from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Connely throws a strike but Thomas rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Connely is trying to keep Thomas in close.
Thomas is looking to work some ground and pound but Connely has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Connely seems keen to control Thomas's posture.
Thomas postures up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Thomas throws a combination that misses
and Connely counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Thomas thuds a left hand into Connely's body.
Connely loads up on a big right hand but Thomas slips the punch.
Thomas lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Thomas works the jab nicely.
A shot to de liver by Thomas. Beautiful body shot.
Connely looks gassed!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Connely misses with a hook. Thomas ducked under it nicely.
Connely slips a straight right by Thomas.
Thomas blocks a jab.
Thomas keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Connely.
Thomas just misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab from Thomas.
Thomas throws a hook to the side of Connely's head but Connely sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Thomas throws out a loose jab but Connely uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thomas lands with a shot to the body.
Craig Thomas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thomas looks to score with a jab to the body but Connely is just out of range.
Connely takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A jab from Thomas misses.

Thomas drops Connely with a beautiful combination! Connely stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Thomas is looking for the KO!

Connely is rocked!

That has opened up Chris Connely's cut even more.
Thomas punishes Connely's body with a nice straight punch.
Connely is still on wobbly legs! Can Thomas finish him?
Thomas works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
I'm just looking down at my notes here and I see that.... oh! Thomas has cracked Connely with a big right, followed by a left! He's out on his feet! Thomas lands another huge swinging hook and Connely tumbles to the canvas! The ref dives in to save Connely, before Thomas can land any more shots!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Craig Thomas!