PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sam Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Smith
vs
Thomas

225 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Sam 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, Sam Thomas!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Sam Margolis and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Smith misses with a body kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Smith is defended easily by Thomas.

Smith darts in and clinches Thomas up against the cage.
Thomas tries to score a body lock takedown but Smith shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Thomas manages to pull guard.
Smith stops Thomas from standing up.
Smith wants to stand but Thomas has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Thomas looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Smith puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith is trying to control the action in half guard but Thomas is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Smith lands strikes from half guard.
Smith is trying to control the action in half guard but Thomas is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Smith prevents Thomas from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas wants to control but Smith is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Thomas wants to get back to his feet.
Thomas preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Thomas trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Thomas is trying desperately to improve position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Smith 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 Smith has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Smith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Thomas keeps working.
Thomas is looking to regain half guard here but Smith keeps moving and retains side control.
Thomas is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith staying calm.
Thomas is trying to get back to half guard.

Smith decides to stand back up. Smith steps back and let's Thomas get back to his feet.
Thomas shoots in but Smith avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Thomas ducks right into an uppercut from Smith.

It looks like Sam Thomas has been cut.
Smith has his takedown stuffed

and Thomas counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Thomas.
Thomas looks gassed!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thomas won't allow Smith to get back to his feet.

Smith throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thomas seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Smith is controlling Thomas's posture.
Thomas is looking to work some ground and pound but Smith has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Sam Smith will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Sam Thomas's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Smith tries for a takedown but Thomas sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Smith with a lazy takedown attempt
and Thomas counters with a left to the body.
Thomas fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smith tries to clinch but Thomas moves away

and Thomas counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Thomas.

Thomas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Smith tries for a takedown but Thomas circles away easily

and Thomas counters with a nice double leg into guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thomas controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Smith keeping full guard, as Thomas tries to pass.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Thomas stands up and waves to Smith to follow him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas dives in and grabs Smith's left leg, looking for a takedown. Smith pushes down on Thomas's head and hops out.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Thomas.
Thomas creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Smith tries to bench press Thomas off him but Thomas keeps the position.
Smith wants to control but Thomas postures up.
Thomas trying to control the position but Smith is working away.
Smith is pushing Thomas's head away, looking to escape. Thomas manages to hold on to the position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith is trying to control Thomas's posture but Thomas avoids it.

Thomas has hold of Smith's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Smith tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Thomas cranks the arm and Smith screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Smith, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:32 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Sam Thomas!