PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between John Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Craig Hanks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Craig Hanks will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Thompson
vs
Hanks

180 cm
20
176 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

179 cm
20
175 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, John Thompson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Craig Hanks!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thompson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Hanks bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Thompson's head.
Thompson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hanks circles away quickly and effectively.
Hanks rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Thompson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hanks thows a body shot but no joy.
Thompson throws an off balance right hand
and Hanks counters with a straight right hand.
Hanks just misses with a punch to the body.
Thompson throws an off balance right hand
enabling Hanks to counter with a crisp jab.
Nice straight punches there by Hanks. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hanks.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thompson slips a straight right by Hanks.
Hanks lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Hanks jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hanks misses with a series of wild punches.
Hanks ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanks throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Thompson sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Thompson drives through with a takedown into Hanks's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Thompson looking to pass the guard.
Thompson throws a strike but Hanks rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Hanks slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Thompson has his foot on Hanks's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hanks works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson looking for a sweep. Not yet Thompson, not yet.
Thompson is working hard here to advance position.

Thompson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hanks defends well.
Thompson pulls Hanks in close to prevent any damage.
Hanks wanted to stand there but Thompson had control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Hanks trying to control the position from guard on top but Thompson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Thompson working for a triangle but Hanks defends it easily.
Thompson trying to control the position.

Thompson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hanks defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson wants to sweep but no luck.

Thompson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hanks gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Thompson is looking for a triangle but Hanks pushes his legs off easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Thompson working for a triangle but Hanks defends it easily.
Hanks is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Craig Hanks will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hanks fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thompson manages to avoid it.
Thompson misses with an uppercut.
Hanks scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Thompson doesn't seem bothered though.
Hanks works the jab nicely.
Thompson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hanks.
Thompson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Thompson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Thompson tries to move into range but Hanks moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
John Thompson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Thompson lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Hanks has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Hanks and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Thompson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hanks swivels and escapes.
Thompson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Thompson dodges the punch combination from Hanks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Hanks misses.
Hanks throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Thompson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Craig Hanks seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Thompson closes the distance and clinches up with Hanks, looking for a takedown. Thompson pushes Hanks against the cage but Hanks circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Thompson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Thompson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thompson stalks Hanks and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Hanks's face. Hanks staggers backwards, shaken.
Jab from Hanks.
Hanks misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Thompson.
Hanks with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Thompson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hanks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Thompson moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Hanks scores with a four punch combination!

It looks like John Thompson has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hanks misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Thompson.
A jab from Thompson misses.
Hanks keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Thompson lands a jab-cross combination.
Hanks on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
A good leg kick by Thompson.
Hanks fails to land with a series of punches.
Thompson works Hanks's body with a nice hook.
Hanks throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Hanks steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Thompson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson misses with a hook. Hanks ducked under it nicely.
Hanks looks to score with a jab to the body but Thompson is just out of range.
Hanks lands a really nice looking cross but Thompson seems unphased.
Thompson throws a body punch but Hanks moves out of range.
Thompson moves away from the strike by Hanks.
Thompson throws a big shot that misses.
Thompson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hanks moves away.
Craig Hanks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thompson shoots in but no luck this time.
Hanks leaves Thompson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Thompson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hanks as he jumps to the side.
Hanks lands with a hook. Thompson tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanks feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Thompsons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Hanks lands a body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hanks throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hanks's corner calls for a 1-2. Hanks obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hanks. Thompson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Thompson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hanks sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Thompson somewhat.
Thompson punishes Hanks's body with a nice straight punch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thompson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Thompson shoots in looking for a takedown but Hanks manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Thompson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Hanks showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on John Thompson's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Jab from Hanks.
Thompson throws a right hand that misses
and Hanks counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Thompson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Thompson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hanks throws an overhand right that lands on Thompson's shoulder, as Thompson tries to avoid the shot.
Hanks displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Thompson.
Good exchange - Hanks coming out on top.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Thompson is defended easily by Hanks.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hanks keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Thompson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hanks lands an overhand right.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hanks drops Thompson with a beautiful combination! Thompson stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Hanks is looking for the KO!

Thompson is rocked!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hanks fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Oh Thompson is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hanks grits his teeth and throws a big right-left combo! Thompson takes both shots clean on the chin and is out cold! Hanks cracks him once more on his way down, as the crowd goes wild! They enjoyed that one!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:21 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Craig Hanks!
Craig Hanks is the new welterweight champion!