PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between John Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Thatcher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Anthony Thatcher will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Smith
vs
Thatcher

185 cm
22
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

177 cm
22
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 London, John Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Anthony Thatcher!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Colin Fotheringham and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thatcher shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Thatcher shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Smith as he jumps to the side.
Thatcher misses with a two punch combination.
Smith really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Thatcher throws a series of punches but Smith moves out of range.
Smith looks frusrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Smith tries to clinch up but Thatcher circles away and keeps his distance.
Thatcher jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Thatcher misses with an attempted mid kick.
Smith doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Thatcher counters with a one-two to the body.

Smith shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Smith wants to take Thatcher's back here but Thatcher is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
Thatcher tries to reverse the position but Smith maintains control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith looking to control but Thatcher is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Smith jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Thatcher manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Smith sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Thatcher is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

Smith wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Thatcher, who protects the arm well.
Thatcher gets back to half guard.
Smith looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Thatcher is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Smith's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Smith's back!

Smith fending off the submission attempt from Thatcher.
Thatcher looks gassed!
Smith controlling Thatcher 's hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith manages to reverse the position and now he's in Thatcher's guard. Nice work there by Smith.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thatcher is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Smith is controlling him.
Smith looking to pass the guard.
Smith looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Thatcher keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thatcher looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Thatcher is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Smith advances to half guard.
Thatcher is refusing to be controlled, as Smith sits in half guard.
Thatcher tries to roll over but Smith keeps him under control.
Thatcher trying to control from the bottom.

Thatcher actively working from the bottom here.
Smith trying to control from Thatcher's half guard. Thatcher has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Thatcher trying to keep a closed guard but Smith is proving a slippery customer.

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.

Thatcher looking for a guillotine here but Smith defends easily.
Smith wants to control from the top but Thatcher keeps moving.
Thatcher manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Thatcher has control of Smith's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Smith regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Smith is looking to get to half guard.
Smith holds on for dear life.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Anthony Thatcher will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Smith bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Smith is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Thatcher knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Smith tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Smith has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Smith is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Thatcher has escaped the position, nice work there.

Smith stands up and beckons Thatcher to his feet.
Thatcher misses with a takedown attempt

and Smith holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Smith pulls guard successfully.
Smith wants to stand up but Thatcher is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Thatcher throwing strikes from guard but Smith blocks nicely.
Smith controls Thatcher momentarily but Thatcher frees himself.
Smith wants to sweep here but Thatcher controlling him for the moment.
Smith is trying to keep Thatcher in close.
Thatcher stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smith swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Thatcher misses with a combination

and Smith counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Thatcher works his way to full guard. Good work.

Thatcher has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Smith can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Thatcher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thatcher wants to sweep here but Smith controlling him for the moment.
Thatcher keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.

Smith drops back, looking for a kneebar! Thatcher looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Thatcher looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Thatcher!
Smith is looking to regain half guard here but Thatcher keeps moving and retains side control.
Smith manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Thatcher tries to get to full guard but Smith has control of the leg.
Smith seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Thatcher does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Thatcher is looking to regain full guard. He's left an arm up in the air though and Smith has latched onto it... Big trouble! Smith pivots for an armbar - it's in tight and it Thatcher is tapping in no time flat! Great counter grappling there from Smith!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:04 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). John Smith!