PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Randle McMurphy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricky Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ricky Thomas has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

McMurphy
vs
Thomas

191 cm
18
219 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
210 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very strong

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Determined

Nemesis [5 Dollar Shirts SALE]

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Randle McMurphy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ricky Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Steve Montenegro and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thomas throws a head kick but McMurphy moves out of range.

Thomas rushes McMurphy and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Thomas turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Thomas manages to end up in side control.
You can see the frustration on McMurphy's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Thomas fails to land a wild elbow strike.
McMurphy can't do much from the bottom here.

Thomas is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. McMurphy knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Sloppy strikes there by Thomas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas wants to lay and pray for a moment but McMurphy keeps working.

Thomas working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
McMurphy parries the strikes from Thomas easily there. Thomas is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable McMurphy to escape.

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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Thomas staying out of range there.
Thomas scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

It looks like Randle McMurphy has been cut.
McMurphy tries to clinch up
and McMurphy takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
McMurphy misses with a low kick as Thomas jumps back.
Thomas misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Thomas darts in and clinches McMurphy up against the cage.
Thomas missing with knees to the body.

Thomas pulls guard.
Thomas can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as McMurphy controls the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McMurphy will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Thomas wants to sweep but no luck.
Thomas really doesn't want to stay on the ground with McMurphy. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
McMurphy passes easily into side control. Nice work.
McMurphy trying to control the position but Thomas is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Thomas throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Thomas wants to control but McMurphy postures up.
McMurphy wants to control but Thomas is keeping him busy.
Thomas is trying to improve his position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McMurphy tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

McMurphy shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. McMurphy showed some decent athleticism there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Thomas dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Randle McMurphy's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Thomas closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Thomas ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Thomas no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Thomas looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Thomas can do anything to dispel that myth.
Thomas trying to keep a closed guard but McMurphy is proving a slippery customer.
Thomas avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McMurphy pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Thomas is keeping the position for now.
Thomas wants to hit a switch here but McMurphy passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Thomas there!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas tries to improve his position but instead McMurphy has taken his back!
McMurphy trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
McMurphy is hanging on to Thomas's back as he tries to escape.
McMurphy wants to control but Thomas is keeping busy.
Thomas breaks McMurphy's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
McMurphy wants to sweep here but Thomas controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
McMurphy moves out of range as Thomas strikes.
Thomas loads up on a big right hand but McMurphy slips the punch.
McMurphy fails with the takedown

and Thomas counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Thomas.
McMurphy jumps guard but Thomas stands there with McMurphy around his waist. McMurphy gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Thomas has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McMurphy avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Thomas goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Thomas scores with a nice hook to the head.
Thomas tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Thomas lands a damaging elbow.
Thomas fails to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas lands a shoulder strike.

Thomas decides to pull guard.

Thomas has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. McMurphy is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Thomas.
Thomas looks to move to half guard but instead McMurphy has passed into mount! Damn!
McMurphy controlling the position easily from mount.
McMurphy can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Thomas is looking to escape.

That's four 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.
McMurphy prevents Thomas from getting the reversal.
McMurphy looking to control but Thomas is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Thomas blocking the ground and pound.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Thomas is controlling an arm, preventing McMurphy from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
McMurphy takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ricky Thomas will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Randle McMurphy's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Jab from Thomas.
A bone on bone clash there as Thomas blocks the leg kick.
A clash of legs there as Thomas blocks the low kick.
McMurphy tries for a takedown but Thomas circles away easily
and Thomas counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
McMurphy shoots and misses
and Thomas counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Thomas tries to bum rush McMurphy with a series of wild strikes but McMurphy uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McMurphy ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Thomas wants to clinch up but McMurphy keeps it at a distance.
McMurphy blocks the body kick.
McMurphy misses with a takedown
and Thomas counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randle McMurphy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Thomas closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McMurphy tries to stall but Thomas uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
McMurphy is trying to force a seperation but Thomas has the dominant position.
Still in the clinch, Thomas scores with a nice short uppercut.
McMurphy fails to pull guard.
McMurphy tries to break the clinch but Thomas is controlling the position.

Thomas drags the fight down to the ground.
McMurphy pushes down on Thomas's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Thomas tries to get to full guard but McMurphy has control of the leg.
Thomas avoiding damage under a succession of punches from McMurphy.
Thomas is refusing to be controlled, as McMurphy sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Thomas tries to get to full guard but McMurphy has control of the leg.
Thomas is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
McMurphy blocks the strikes from Thomas.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
McMurphy wants to clinch

and Thomas moves into the clinch.
Thomas jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as McMurphy walks away with a smile on his face. Thomas gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas throws a series of punches but McMurphy avoids them all with ease.
The fight stays on the outside here - Thomas looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
McMurphy avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A slapping leg kick lands for Thomas.
Thomas checks a low kick from McMurphy.
Thomas throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Thomas misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McMurphy tries to bum rush Thomas with a series of wild strikes but Thomas uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McMurphy swinging wildly here.
Thomas uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from McMurphy.
Randle McMurphy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A combination from Thomas does no damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Thomas fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
McMurphy throws a series of punches but Thomas avoids them all with ease.

Thomas pushes McMurphy up against the cage in a clinch.

Thomas manages to break the clinch.
Thomas throws a hook but McMurphy avoids it easily.
McMurphy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Thomas.
Thomas misses with a few strikes there.
Randle McMurphy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McMurphy misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McMurphy slips a jab and a cross from Thomas.
Thomas connects with a good right hand that stumbles McMurphy. McMurphy circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Thomas closes the distance and clinches.
McMurphy tries to break free but Thomas pushes him back against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricky Thomas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Thomas winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30

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