PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Abe Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shinji Uto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Thomas
vs
Uto

170 cm
23
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

WAR Combat Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Abe Thomas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shinji Uto!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Hirohito Nitta and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thomas staying out of range there.
Abe Thomas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Uto moves in looking to clinch but Thomas pushes him off.
Thomas throws a hook to the side of Uto's head but Uto sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Uto is looking to land body kicks.
Uto fails in his attempt to clinch.
Uto tries to clinch up but Thomas circles away and keeps his distance.
Thomas keeps the fight on the outside.
Thomas throws the left hand but Uto avoids the punch easily.
Thomas throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Thomas fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Uto, pushing him back against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Thomas gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Uto can do anything to dispel that myth.
Thomas trying to control but Uto is working from the bottom.
Thomas throws a big right hand that misses.
Uto preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Uto really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Thomas. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Thomas throws a big right hand that misses.
Thomas throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Uto works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Thomas with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Uto is looking to stand up but Thomas isn't so interested in that idea.
Thomas trying to control the position from guard on top but Uto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

and Thomas counters with a nice double leg into side control. Uto won't be happy with that.
Thomas cracks Uto with a big right hand but Uto just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Thomas cracks Uto with a big elbow.
Thomas scores with a couple of short elbows.
Uto wants to get back to his feet.
Thomas scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Uto to see if he's OK.

Thomas looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Uto is trying to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Thomas landing a few strikes.
Uto is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Thomas throwing strikes but Uto manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You can see the frustration on Thomas's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Thomas is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Uto is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Uto tries to stand but Thomas is controlling his head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Uto stands up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Uto but Uto pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Shinji Uto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Uto misses with a double jab.
Uto pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Uto looks to clinch

and Thomas counters by clinching up.

Uto's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Thomas lands a really nice looking cross but Uto seems unphased.
Thomas dodges the punch combination from Uto.
Thomas circles away from the clinch attempt

and Thomas counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Uto's guard now.
Thomas with a nice head shot there.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Uto keeps moving.
Thomas looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Uto working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Thomas.
Uto is looking to stand up but Thomas isn't so interested in that idea.
Thomas works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Uto has hold of Thomas's hands but Thomas slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Uto is staying active underneath Thomas, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Uto blocking the ground and pound attempt from Thomas.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thomas working over Uto with some ground and pound. Uto looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Uto is trying to stand up here but Thomas is controlling him well.
Uto is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Thomas scores with a couple of nice shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Uto lands a head kick!
Uto keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Uto thows a left - swing and a miss!
Thomas misses with a hook. Uto ducked under it nicely.

Uto drives through and clinches with Thomas against the cage.
Thomas digs a right hand into Uto's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Uto's gas tank.
Thomas wants a takedown but no success here.
A right handed body shot lands from Thomas.
Uto tries to break the clinch but Thomas is controlling the position.
A short body shot lands from Thomas as the two fighters clinch.
Uto wants to break free but Thomas has control.
Thomas controlling the action here for a moment.
Thomas lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Uto is trying to force a seperation but Thomas has the dominant position.

Thomas manages to break the clinch.
Uto ducks under a wild hook from Thomas.
Thomas misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Uto.
Uto scores with a hook to the body. Thomas takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Uto throws a head kick that misses.
Thomas throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Uto sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Thomas throws a hook but Uto blocks it.
Thomas connects with a single shot there.
Thomas misses with an uppercut. Uto saw that one coming.
Uto lands with a cross.
A big right from Thomas misses.
Thomas misses with a looping left.
Thomas thows a left - swing and a miss!
Thomas tries to score with a low kick but Uto moves his leg out of the way.
Uto fails in his attempt to clinch.
Shinji Uto is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thomas scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Uto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Thomas keeps the fight on the outside.
No joy there for Thomas, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A slow jab from Uto misses its intended target.
Thomas keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Uto rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Thomas moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Thomas looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas lands a couple of digs.
Thomas looking to pass the guard.
Thomas scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Uto wants to get back to his feet but Thomas is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Thomas throwing strikes from guard but Uto blocks nicely.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Uto keeps moving.
Uto wants to stand but Thomas is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas with a flurry of punches that miss.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Uto wants to clinch but Thomas slips to the side
and Thomas counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Uto waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Thomas.

Thomas clinches.
Uto tries to break free but Thomas pushes him back against the cage.
Uto blocking some punches.
Thomas content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Uto blocking some punches.
Thomas lands a body shot in the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Thomas.
Thomas digs a right hand into Uto's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Uto's gas tank.
Uto is breathing heavily.
Thomas manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Uto has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Thomas lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Uto or not.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas gets through Uto's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Thomas stalling against the cage.
Uto is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Thomas is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Thomas being controlled against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Uto throws an elbow but misses.
A shot in the inside from Thomas.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Thomas tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abe Thomas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thomas blocks an elbow strike from Uto.
Uto throws an elbow that misses.
Uto tries to break the clinch but Thomas is controlling the position.
Uto tries to break the clinch but Thomas is controlling the position.
Thomas stalls.

Thomas turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abe Thomas dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Thomas lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Uto uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Thomas has time to react.
Thomas lands a nice hook to Uto's body. Uto takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Thomas moves out of range as Uto throws a body kick.
Uto tries to clinch

and Thomas counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Uto looks like he's trying to stand up.
Uto avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thomas.
Thomas missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Thomas not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Thomas is stalling here. Uto is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Thomas seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Uto has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Thomas is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Thomas slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Uto tries to stand but Thomas is controlling from the bottom.
Thomas manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Uto manages to get himself to full guard.
Thomas makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Thomas landing with the ground and pound.
Thomas looking to sit in guard and control but Uto gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Thomas has his hands on Uto's head, controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Thomas throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Uto preventing the sweep.
Uto is looking to stand up but Thomas won't let him.
Thomas looking for a sweep. Not yet Thomas, not yet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Thomas looks to score with a jab to the body but Uto is just out of range.
Thomas throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Uto counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Uto tries to clinch but Thomas moves away

and Thomas moves into the clinch.

Uto breaks the clinch.

Thomas fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Uto sprawls well initially but Thomas persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
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 Uto's temple.
Abe Thomas is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas is keen to just control but Uto is a slippery customer.
Thomas has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Thomas wants to free his trapped foot but Uto is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Thomas stops Uto from getting back to his feet.
Thomas missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Thomas is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Thomas not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Thomas working the head and body with strikes.

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.
Uto avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thomas.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Uto throws a lazy body kick

and Thomas counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Uto!
Thomas controlling the position easily from mount.
Thomas is landing with some decent strikes but Uto is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Shinji Uto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thomas raining down shots from the mount!
Thomas content just to control the position here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Abe Thomas showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Thomas, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27

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