PBP Commentary

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

Thompson
vs
Oveerem

185 cm
19
216 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
18
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Squire Thompson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Semmy Oveerem!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thompson with a lazy takedown attempt

and Oveerem counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Oveerem.
Thompson working hard to break the clinch.
Oveerem wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Oveerem's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Oveerem working hard to break the clinch.
Oveerem is struggling to control the position.
Oveerem tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A bit of stalling here from Oveerem.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Semmy Oveerem.

Oveerem has managed to clinch.
Thompson has had enough of the clinch but Oveerem keeps him there for the moment.
Thompson tries to score a body lock takedown but Oveerem shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Oveerem digs a right hand into Thompson's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Thompson's gas tank.
Oveerem is trying to break the clinch but Thompson has him pressed against the cage.
Oveerem leaning his opponent against the cage.
Oveerem wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson is trying to stall.
Thompson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Oveerem.
Oveerem lands a body shot in the clinch.
Thompson tries to pull guard but Oveerem won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Squire Thompson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Oveerem tries to circle away but Thompson has him pinned against the cage.
Oveerem lands a left hand that snaps the head of Thompson backwards.
Oveerem tries to pull guard but Thompson won't allow it.
Thompson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Oveerem looking to throw knees to the head but Thompson is blocking nicely.
Thompson avoiding damage as Oveerem throws knees to the body.
Thompson blocks a body shot from Oveerem.
A nice right hand lands inside from Oveerem.
Oveerem keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Thompson's efforts to push away.
Oveerem lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Thompson as Oveerem tries to tie him up.
Thompson working hard to break the clinch.
Oveerem wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Thompson has him pressed against the cage.

Thompson decides to pull guard.

That's two 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.
Oveerem working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Thompson's head.
Oveerem trying to stand up but can't free himself from Thompson's guard.
Thompson 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.
Thompson trying to control the position.
Thompson is wriggling around but Oveerem manages to pass to half guard.
Thompson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Oveerem stays in close to Thompson's body and controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oveerem stopping the sweep attempt from Thompson.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Oveerem not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Oveerem content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Thompson looking for a sweep. Not yet Thompson, not yet.

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.
Oveerem controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Semmy Oveerem has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Oveerem moves into the clinch successfully.
Oveerem misses with some punches.
Thompson tries to pull guard but Oveerem won't allow it.
Oveerem lands a body shot.
Oveerem tries to stall but Thompson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Oveerem wants to break free but Thompson has control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Oveerem is looking to control Thompson's arms but Thompson gets an underhook and turns him. Now Oveerem has his back to the cage.
Thompson has Oveerem pressed against the cage, preventing Oveerem from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Oveerem is trying to break the clinch but Thompson is controlling him.
Thompson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Oveerem misses with a short punch on the inside.
Oveerem wants to break the clinch but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Semmy Oveerem dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Thompson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Oveerem counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Thompson prevents Oveerem from breaking the clinch.
Thompson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Oveerem is stalling here.
Oveerem misses with a punch to the body.
Thompson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Oveerem avoids it.

Thompson manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson wants to sweep but no luck.

Oveerem stands up and waves to Thompson to follow him.
Thompson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Oveerem to counter with a crisp jab.
Thompson misses with a takedown
and Oveerem counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Squire Thompson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thompson misses with a takedown
and Oveerem counters with a left and a right that stings Thompson.
Thompson tries to clinch
and Oveerem counters with a two punch combo.

Oveerem moves into the clinch.

That's two 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.
Oveerem tries to pull guard but Thompson won't allow it.
Oveerem jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Thompson walks away with a smile on his face. Oveerem gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Thompson tries to clinch up
and Oveerem counters with a nice body shot.
Oveerem swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Thompson counters with a leg kick.
Oveerem is breathing heavily.
Thompson shoots and misses

and Oveerem counters by moving into the clinch.
Oveerem is trying to force a seperation but Thompson has the dominant position.

Thompson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Thompson throws a low kick but Oveerem moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oveerem tries to clinch

and Thompson counters with a shoot takedown. Oveerem fights it but they end up in guard.
Thompson trying to control the position from guard on top but Oveerem is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Oveerem keeping full guard, as Thompson tries to pass.
Thompson landing some decent shots from guard.
Oveerem is trying to keep Thompson in close.
Thompson trying to control but Oveerem is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oveerem looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thompson is one step ahead there.

Thompson has gone for a leg lock! Oveerem slips out almost immediately though and dives into Thompson's guard.
Oveerem is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Oveerem drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Thompson manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Oveerem has Thompson in his guard.
Thompson wants to control from the top but Oveerem keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Squire Thompson dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Oveerem misses with a wild combination.
Thompson shoots and misses

and Oveerem counters by moving into the clinch.

Oveerem pulls guard successfully.

Oveerem is looking for a triangle but Thompson pushes his legs off easily.
Thompson throws a big right hand that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Oveerem can't keep his opponent in guard - Thompson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Oveerem tries to get to full guard but Thompson has control of the leg.
Oveerem is staying active underneath Thompson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Oveerem actively working from the bottom here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Oveerem can do anything to dispel that myth.
Oveerem is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Oveerem makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Oveerem.
Thompson tries to stand but Oveerem is controlling from the bottom.
Oveerem keeping moving, preventing Thompson from controlling successfully.

That's two 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.
Thompson connects with a couple of short punches.
Thompson trying to control the position from guard on top but Oveerem is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Oveerem bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Thompson's guard.
Oveerem is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Thompson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Oveerem's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oveerem throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Oveerem 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.
Oveerem pulls Thompson in close to prevent any damage.
Thompson works over Oveerem with some ground and pound from guard.
Oveerem looking for a sweep. Not yet Oveerem, not yet.
Oveerem seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Thompson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson wanted to stand there but Oveerem had control of the position.
Oveerem has his hands on Thompson's head, controlling the position.
Thompson trying to control but Oveerem is working from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Thompson misses with the combination.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thompson tries to clinch but fails miserably

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

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Semmy Oveerem.
I think Oveerem has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Semmy Oveerem!