PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jack Kerns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kerns comes into the arena with Johnny Cash - Hurt blaring out of the sound system. Thomas has chosen Devil went down to Georgia as his entrance music. Jack Kerns could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to John Thomas's chin.

Kerns
vs
Thomas

187 cm
28
197 lbs
18 - 3 - 0

188 cm
23
194 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
World class boxer
Powerful

BioPharm Nutrition

Rivers Edge Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jack Kerns!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Lou da Vinci and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice leg kick lands there from Kerns.
Thomas connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kerns. Kerns circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Thomas lands with an uppercut that bounces Kerns off the cage and back into rage.
Thomas swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Thomas blocks a low kick nicely.
Kerns throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Thomas misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kerns pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kerns motions for Thomas to come forward. Kerns throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A jab from Thomas misses.
Kerns misses with a leg kick.

Thomas tries to keep at a distance but Kerns has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kerns blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kerns pushes Thomas back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerns working aggressively here.
Kerns gets through Thomas's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kerns lands with a right to the head.
Kerns using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Thomas has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Thomas lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kerns.
Thomas throws a head punch that misses.
Thomas tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kerns's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Thomas misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nice body punch from Kerns - that landed with a thud.
Kerns blocks the elbow strike.
Thomas misses with a body punch.
Thomas is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kerns is defending well for now.
Kerns tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Thomas misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short right from Thomas.

Thomas gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kerns wants to control but Thomas is keeping busy.
Thomas throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Thomas prevents Kerns from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kerns regains full guard. Nicely done.
Thomas tries to free his leg and advance position but Kerns is retaining full guard.
Thomas throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Kerns keeps moving.
Thomas lands a couple of digs.
Kerns is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Thomas trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kerns tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Thomas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kerns keeping moving, preventing Thomas from controlling successfully.

Kerns working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Thomas doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Thomas manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Thomas in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Kerns keeps moving.
Thomas lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's four 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.
Kerns working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Thomas.
Thomas stops Kerns from standing up.
Kerns is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kerns keeping moving, preventing Thomas from controlling successfully.
Thomas keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kerns's head.
Kerns utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kerns avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Kerns escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Thomas gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Thomas dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kerns slips a jab and a cross from Thomas.
Kerns takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Thomas tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kerns swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kerns ducks right into an uppercut from Thomas.
A big right from Thomas misses.
Thomas checks the leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thomas pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Thomas is defended easily by Kerns.
Kerns gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Thomas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas's corner calls for a 1-2. Thomas obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kerns walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Thomas checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Thomas slips a jab and a cross from Kerns.
Kerns defending well as Thomas loads up on a big left hand.
Kerns blocks a jab.
Kerns swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kerns but Kerns pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Thomas lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Thomas misses with a looping right.
Thomas swats away the attempt to clinch by Kerns.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kerns is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kerns smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Thomas throws a nice looking combination but Kerns bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Thomas chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kerns can pounce on him.
Thomas scoring well with a low kick there.
Kerns checks a low kick from Thomas.
Thomas uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kerns.
Kerns throws a sloppy body shot
and Thomas cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Jab by Thomas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerns does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Thomas has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kerns finds it's way round the side to connect with Thomas's head.

Thomas drives through with a takedown into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Thomas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kerns is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Kerns is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Thomas is aware though and is defending well.
Thomas postures up in Kerns's guard and throws a big left but Kerns blocks it.
Thomas won't allow Kerns to sweep him here.
Thomas is working Kerns over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Kerns looking for a guillotine here but Thomas defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kerns working a defensive guard here.
Kerns has momentary wrist control but Thomas slips an elbow through the middle.
Thomas stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kerns swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kerns looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Kerns is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Thomas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Thomas throws a head kick but Kerns moves out of range.
Kerns misses with an uppercut.
Some bone on bone action there as Thomas checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A slow jab from Thomas misses its intended target.
Thomas wants to clinch.
Thomas scores with a nice strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thomas pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Thomas darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Kerns keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerns slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Kerns looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Thomas passes into half guard.
Thomas working over Kerns with some ground and pound. Kerns looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Kerns scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Thomas manages to mount him!
Thomas scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Kerns?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Kerns can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Thomas working the ground and pound effectively.
Thomas is landing with some decent strikes but Kerns is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
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!
Thomas with a couple of short strikes.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Thomas cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Kerns tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kerns is working hard here to advance position.
Thomas in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerns tries to hold on but Thomas postures up.
Kerns is bucking up trying to escape but Thomas cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

Thomas looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Thomas scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Kerns is desperately trying to improve his position but Thomas has a good base and remains in mount.
Thomas trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Thomas cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
A nice elbow there by Thomas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kerns keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Thomas working Kerns over with strikes here.
Thomas working Kerns over with strikes here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kerns tries to reverse the position but Thomas maintains control.
Thomas breaks from Kerns's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Kerns is trying to escape the mount.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Thomas goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Kerns is on top in guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thomas is trying to keep Kerns in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Thomas really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kerns lands with a slapping head kick.

Kerns gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kerns keeping full guard, as Thomas tries to pass.
Kerns utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Thomas tries to free his leg and advance position but Kerns is retaining full guard.
Kerns keeping moving, preventing Thomas from controlling successfully.

Kerns is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Thomas is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Thomas trying to move into half guard but instead Kerns has managed to sweep!
Kerns working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kerns looking to pass the guard.
Thomas wants to sweep here but Kerns controlling him for the moment.
Kerns looking to pass the guard.
Thomas has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two 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 looking for a sweep. Not yet Thomas, not yet.
Thomas controls Kerns momentarily but Kerns frees himself.
Thomas keeping moving, preventing Kerns from controlling successfully.
Thomas lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Kerns!
Thomas postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Kerns looks a forlorn figure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerns really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Kerns taking shots to the head.
Thomas breaks from Kerns's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Thomas scores with a couple of good head shots there.
A nice elbow there by Thomas.
Thomas putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Thomas looking to finish Kerns with some ground and pound. This is bad for Kerns!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kerns is in all sorts of trouble here.
John Thomas has got the better of the ground game so far.
A nice elbow there by Thomas.
Thomas looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
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!
Thomas with good strikes from the mount here!
Thomas is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Kerns is looking to get to half guard.
Thomas lands a big shot there that rocks Kerns but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thomas pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Thomas tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Thomas cracks Kerns with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Thomas dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Thomas looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Kerns is looking for a sweep. Thomas is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kerns gets full guard.

Kerns looking for subs off his back but Thomas has passed one foot through into half guard.
Thomas is nestled in close to Kerns, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Thomas looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Thomas sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kerns defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas works his foot free and advances to mount.
Thomas landing strikes from the mount and Kerns is in trouble!
The referee warns Kerns that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Thomas looking to finish Kerns with some ground and pound. This is bad for Kerns!
Kerns regains half guard.
Thomas seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Kerns is trying to control but Thomas passes into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas controls the position.
Thomas taking a break here but Kerns is having none of it and regains half guard.
Thomas wants to pass to mount but Kerns is defending the position.
Kerns is trying to control but can't.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Thomas lands a nice short elbow.
Jack Kerns has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Thomas is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kerns doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Thomas.
Thomas drops an elbow to the side of Kerns's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas prevents Kerns from improving his position.
Kerns is refusing to be controlled, as Thomas sits in half guard.
Kerns is trying to get back to full guard.
Thomas thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
John Thomas is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four 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.
Kerns manages to get to full guard.
Thomas chips away with some ground and pound.
Thomas postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kerns is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Kerns avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Kerns escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Thomas gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

And that's the end of the fight!
John 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 44:50
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 44:50
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 44:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Thomas!
John Thomas is the new middleweight champion!