PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sean Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Thompson
vs
James

175 cm
26
185 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

189 cm
18
182 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Sean Thompson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Matt James!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Ian Loll and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A lazy left from Thompson finds it's target.
James misses with an uppercut. Thompson saw that one coming.
James swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Thompson is defended easily by James.
James misses with a lunging right hand
and Thompson counters with a straight right hand.
James circles away from the clinch attempt.
James lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
James misses the jab.
James throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from James, right into the meat.
James throws a low kick but it's checked well by Thompson.
Thompson blocks a head kick by James.
James misses with a hook.
Thompson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as James throws out the jab.
James misses with a low kick as Thompson jumps back.
Thompson wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson moves out of range of the leg kick from James.
That kick from James tenderised Thompson's leg. Thompson is trying to keep his angry face on.
James throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Thompson blocks a leg kick.
Thompson fails with the takedown.
James avoids a punch combination nicely.
James goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
James waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Thompson.
Thompson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Thompson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Matt James is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thompson ducks under a wild hook from James.
Matt James seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thompson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
No luck for Thompson with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sean Thompson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thompson is looking to clinch.
Thompson avoids the head kick by James.
Thompson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thompson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
James misses with a low kick.
James throws a wild body kick that Thompson sees coming a mile off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Matt James will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A clash of legs there as Thompson blocks the low kick.
James swings away with a leg kick that misses.
James tries to clinch up but Thompson circles away and keeps his distance.
Sean Thompson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thompson throws a series of punches but James moves out of range.
James throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A punch combination from Thompson misses.
An inside leg kick lands from James.
James scoring well with a low kick there.
James lands with a kick to the temple. Thompson shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Some bone on bone action there as James checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Thompson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
James scores with a jab to the jaw.
Thompson tries to clinch but James moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James throws a front kick aimed at Thompson's knee but Thompson avoids it well.
Matt James seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Thompson lands a jab-cross combination.
Thompson shoots in but no luck this time.
James will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Thompson takes a kick to the side of the head.
James throws a leg kick that misses.
James throws a head kick but Thompson moves out of range.
Thompson tries to bum rush James with a series of wild strikes but James uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Thompson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. James tries to avoid it but Thompson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag James to the ground. James escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Thompson misses with a wild body shot.
Thompson closes the distance and lands a one-two.
James feints and then cracks Thompson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Thompson down.
Thompson throws a low kick but James avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James throws a leg kick but Thompson sees it coming and moves out of range.
James takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
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!
Thompson slips a jab from James.
Thompson moves out of range of the leg kick from James.
Thompson avoids the head kick by James.
James is breathing heavily.
Thompson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
James throws a hook but Thompson avoids it easily.
James misses with a looping right.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
James misses with a head kick.
Thompson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
James throws a sloppy head kick and Thompson moves out of range easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

James throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
James throws a right hand that misses

and Thompson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in James's guard.

James looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Thompson wants to stand but James has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Thompson wants to control from the top but James keeps moving.

Thompson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
A good leg kick by Thompson.
James catches Thompson with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
James keeps the fight on the outside.
James lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thompson checks a low kick from James.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Thompson checks a leg kick.
James takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
James tries to clinch but Thompson moves away
and James takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Thompson tries for a takedown but James sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
James connects with a solid leg kick.
Thompson circles away from the clinch attempt.
James throws out a loose jab but Thompson uses good head movement to avoid it.
James misses with a head kick.
Thompson swinging wildly here.
James takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Thompson scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
James circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick from James misses.
James tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Thompson was well out of range. Poor timing from James.
A combination from Thompson does no damage.
Thompson slips under a jab.
Thompson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
James looks to score with a jab to the body but Thompson is just out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from James misses the target.
James throws a shot from downtown. Thompson moves away and avoids it.

Thompson shoots in and gets a takedown into James's guard.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thompson trying to control but James is working from the bottom.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Thompson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Thompson cracks James with a solid left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sean Thompson clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

James throws a leg kick but Thompson sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Thompson throws a right and a left that both miss.
James throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
James moves in looking to clinch but Thompson pushes him off.
James slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Thompson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has James pinned against the ropes. James gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Thompson walks into a left hand.
A big left from James misses.
Thompson cracks a nice hook into James's ribs.
Thompson moves out of range of the leg kick from James.
Thompson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Thompson tries to clinch but James is having none of it.
James turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
James attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Thompson swats away the attempt to clinch by James.
James misses with an uppercut

and Thompson counters with a single leg into guard. James didn't expect that.
Thompson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Thompson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

James is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
James is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

James is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Thompson defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson 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.

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

Thompson stands up and waves to James to follow him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
James tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Thompson is able to avoid easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice cross by Thompson.
James tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Sean Thompson will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

James avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Thompson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Thompson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with James but James pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Thompson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
James tries to clinch there but Thompson circles away.
Good leg kick by James there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
James misses with a hook.
James throws a front kick aimed at Thompson's knee but Thompson avoids it well.
James misses with a body punch
and Thompson counters with a stiff right hand.
James tries to clinch up.
James misses with a straight right.
James throws a low kick but it's checked well by Thompson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Thompson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thompson wants to land a leg kick but James is out of range.
James throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
James is looking to control Thompson's arms but Thompson gets an underhook and turns him. Now James has his back to the ropes.
Thompson blocks an uppercut.
James tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
James is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Thompson wants to break free but James has control.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Thompson as James tries to tie him up.
Thompson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A nice left hand lands by James.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James is trying to stall.
James wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Thompson has him pressed against the ropes.
Thompson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
James stalling in the clinch but Thompson improves position.
James is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Thompson has denied him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
James working aggressively here.
Thompson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but James pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sean Thompson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

James breaks from the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt James comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think James 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 48:47
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 47:48
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 48:48

The fight is ruled a draw!