PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jack Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Godcheck (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Godcheck is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Higher Ground by The Red Hot Chili Peppers. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Thomas
vs
Godcheck

174 cm
24
175 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

178 cm
24
185 lbs
9 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jack Thomas!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Josh Godcheck!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Robert Douchet and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Thomas shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Thomas wants to control but Godcheck is keeping him busy.

Thomas is working for a kimura but Godcheck is defending it quite comfortably.
Thomas is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Godcheck!

Thomas moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Godcheck has worked his arm free - good work by Godcheck!
Godcheck is looking to regain half guard here but Thomas keeps moving and retains side control.
Thomas is looking to take a break and control but Godcheck is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Thomas goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Godcheck has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Thomas but great work by Godcheck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas is looking for a sweep.
Godcheck connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Thomas some visible discomfort.

Godcheck working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Godcheck creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Thomas is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Thomas's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Thomas manages to work his way to half guard, despite Godcheck's best efforts.
Godcheck not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Thomas looking for submissions off his back.
Godcheck is pressing down on Thomas's thigh, looking to free his foot. Thomas is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Godcheck is thwarting Thomas's attempts to control the position.
Nice strikes from Godcheck there.

Thomas is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Godcheck pulls his head out easily.
Thomas regains full guard. Nicely done.
Thomas working a defensive guard here.
Godcheck stopping the sweep attempt from Thomas.

Thomas is looking for a triangle but Godcheck pushes his legs off easily.
Godcheck pushes down on Thomas's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Godcheck is working away from the top position though.
Thomas is not content to let Godcheck control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thomas gets back to full guard.
Thomas manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Thomas tries to control but Godcheck wriggling away.
Godcheck is looking to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Thomas goes for an armbar but Godcheck turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Godcheck.

Thomas looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Godcheck postures up.
Thomas is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Nice strikes from Thomas there.

Thomas is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Thomas wants to take a breather but Godcheck is having none of it.
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 Jack Thomas will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Thomas showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Godcheck.
Thomas throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Godcheck misses with a body punch
and Thomas counters with a nice leg kick.
Godcheck throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Thomas counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Godcheck swings widly with a right hand
and Thomas counters with an inside leg kick.
Thomas digs a good body shot into Godcheck's ribs.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Godcheck crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Thomas - the referee stops the clock and Godcheck gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Thomas. Godcheck manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Godcheck takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Thomas swings widly with a right hand
and Godcheck counters with a three punch combo that has Thomas backing up. Thomas nods at Godcheck to acknowledge the strikes.
Godcheck misses with a hook
and Thomas counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Godcheck closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Godcheck is looking to chop away at Thomas's legs.
Godcheck throws an off balance right hand
and Thomas makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Godcheck really felt that one!
Good leg kick by Thomas there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomas closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Godcheck quickly recovers to half guard.
Godcheck is breathing heavily.

Thomas is trying to work for a kimura but Godcheck is defending well.
Thomas is stalling here. Godcheck 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 Godcheck has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Thomas tries to contro but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Godcheck prevents Thomas from getting the reversal.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thomas is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Godcheck prevents Thomas from getting the reversal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas gets back to half guard.
Thomas is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Godcheck's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Godcheck's back!

Thomas looking for the choke from the back.

Thomas looking for the choke but no joy.
Thomas not allowing Godcheck to control his hands.

Thomas looking to finish the fight with a rear naked choke. Godcheck is controlling Thomas 's left arm and he spins nicely into guard.
Thomas is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Godcheck scoring with punches to the head and body.
Thomas wants to sweep here but Godcheck controlling him for the moment.

Thomas is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Godcheck is aware though and is defending well.
Thomas is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Thomas is on top in guard.
Thomas looking to sit in guard and control but Godcheck gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Godcheck sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Thomas's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Godcheck takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Thomas tries to roll over but Godcheck keeps him under control.
Thomas gets full guard.

Thomas looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Godcheck passes into side control.
Thomas sneaks back into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The fighters are battling for position here. Thomas manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Thomas is trying to keep Godcheck in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Thomas shoots in but no luck this time.
A chopping leg kick lands by Thomas.

Godcheck gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Thomas to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Godcheck can't keep his opponent in guard - Thomas advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Thomas is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Godcheck has managed to free his arm - good work.
Godcheck is looking to control Thomas's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Godcheck avoid being mounted?
Thomas works his way into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomas goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Godcheck rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Thomas's guard! Nice work there by Godcheck!
Godcheck must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Godcheck won't allow Thomas to sweep him here.

Thomas escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Godcheck gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Godcheck pushes down on Thomas's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Thomas wants to get back to full guard.
Thomas is not content to let Godcheck control the position.
Thomas is positioning himself well to prevent Godcheck advancing to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas has hold of Godcheck's hands but Godcheck slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Thomas tries to roll over but Godcheck keeps him under control.
Thomas slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Thomas controlling Godcheck's posture.
Thomas manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Thomas goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Godcheck is on top in guard.
Thomas working a defensive guard but Godcheck passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas tries to roll over but Godcheck keeps him under control.
Thomas has hold of Godcheck's hands but Godcheck slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Godcheck content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Thomas trying to get back to full guard but Godcheck takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Godcheck wants to control the pace but Thomas is squirming around nicely.
Thomas is desperately trying to improve his position but Godcheck has a good base and remains in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Thomas bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Godcheck utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Thomas looking to pass the guard.
Thomas is working hard here to advance position.
Godcheck working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Thomas.

Thomas postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Godcheck is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Thomas, into his guard.
Jack Thomas overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Godcheck wants to control from the top but Thomas keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Jack Thomas did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Thomas plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Godcheck rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Thomas counters with an inside leg kick.
Thomas throws out a loose jab but Godcheck uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thomas connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Godcheck momentarily.
Thomas shoots and misses
and Godcheck counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Godcheck on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Jack Thomas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thomas throws the left hand but Godcheck avoids the punch easily.

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

Thomas is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Godcheck has escaped the position, nice work there.
Thomas working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Godcheck regains half guard.

Thomas is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Godcheck sees it coming and defends easily.
Thomas uses his free foot to push down on Godcheck's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Godcheck.
Godcheck is hanging on here. He's in a desperate position.
Godcheck is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Godcheck is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Thomas can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Godcheck is looking to escape.
Godcheck is looking to improve his position but Thomas isn't that keen on the idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Godcheck is bucking up trying to escape but Thomas cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Thomas punishing his opponent with strikes.
Thomas landing strikes from the mount and Godcheck is in trouble!
Thomas lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Godcheck hang on?

Thomas looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Thomas goes for an armbar but Godcheck turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Godcheck.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Thomas looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Thomas is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Godcheck is aware though and is defending well.
Godcheck wants to pass the guard but Thomas is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thomas is looking for a triangle but Godcheck pushes his legs off easily.
Godcheck wants to control from the top but Thomas keeps moving.
Godcheck postures up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Thomas is on top in guard.
Godcheck keeping full guard, as Thomas tries to pass.
Thomas trying to move into half guard but instead Godcheck has managed to sweep!

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

Thomas is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thomas has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Godcheck can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Godcheck trying to control the position from guard on top but Thomas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Godcheck is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Godcheck postures up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Thomas is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Godcheck avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Thomas had his way with Josh Godcheck in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Godcheck throws a looping overhand right but Thomas ducks down to avoid it.
Godcheck swings widly with a right hand
and Thomas makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Godcheck really felt that one!
Godcheck thows a left - swing and a miss!
Godcheck steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Thomas.
Godcheck chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Thomas can pounce on him.
Godcheck takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Thomas thumps Godcheck with a low kick.
Thomas pushes Godcheck away with a front kick.
Thomas looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Godcheck walks into a stiff left hand from Thomas.
Godcheck on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Josh Godcheck is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomas closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Thomas wants to pass the guard but Godcheck is defending well.
Godcheck is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

Thomas is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Godcheck has managed to free his arm - good work.

Thomas is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Godcheck tries to get to full guard but Thomas has control of the leg.
Godcheck won't allow Thomas to pass to mount.
Josh Godcheck has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Godcheck is defending against the submission attempts here by Thomas.

Thomas is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Godcheck makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Godcheck.
Thomas is looking to advance position but Godcheck has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Godcheck lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Thomas manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Thomas moves into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Thomas wants to sweep here but Godcheck controlling him for the moment.

Thomas is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Godcheck defends well.
Godcheck controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Thomas wants to control but Godcheck passes easily into half guard.
Thomas is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Thomas trying to control from the bottom.
Thomas is pressing down on Godcheck's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Godcheck chips away with some ground and pound.
Godcheck won't allow Thomas to sweep him here.

Thomas isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Godcheck stacks Thomas on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Godcheck!
Thomas is looking for a sweep.
Godcheck cracks Thomas with a big right hand but Thomas just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Thomas is trying to control Godcheck's posture but Godcheck avoids it.
Godcheck cracks Thomas with an elbow. That is naaassty.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Thomas showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Thomas has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 50:45
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 50:45
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 50:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Thomas!
Jack Thomas retains his welterweight title!