PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Matt James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sean Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

James
vs
Thompson

189 cm
19
182 lbs
0 - 2 - 1

175 cm
26
185 lbs
3 - 2 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 0 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Matt James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Sean Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Ian Loll and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Decent striking displayed by James there.
Thompson is looking to clinch.
James chopping away at his opponent's legs.
James leaves Thompson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A nice leg kick lands there from James.
Thompson checks a low kick from James.
An inside leg kick lands from James.
Thompson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts James as he jumps to the side.
James swings widly with a right hand

and Thompson counters with a takedown into side control.

Thompson decides to stand back up.
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!
James tries to score with a low kick but Thompson moves his leg out of the way.
James misses with a two punch combination.
A good leg kick by James.
James scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Thompson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
James tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James tries a head kick but it misses.
Thompson scores with a jab. James acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Thompson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from James.
Thompson checks a leg kick.
Thompson feints a jab promting James to slip. Thompson then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. James slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
James lands a head kick. Thompson smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
James misses with a straight right.
Thompson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
James misses with a head kick.
James throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Thompson closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. James quickly recovers to half guard.
Still in half guard, Thompson seems content to control.

James actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thompson's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Thompson trying to mount his opponent but James defends it.
Thompson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Sean Thompson was stalling too much, according to the referee.
James swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Thompson counters with a nice uppercut.
Thompson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Thompson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by James.
James throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thompson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Thompson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Thompson tries to bum rush James with a series of wild strikes but James uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sean Thompson dominated that round.
That's time! James's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Thompson misses with a double jab.
James misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Thompson ducks right into an uppercut from James.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Thompson checks a leg kick.
James slips under a jab.
The fighters circling - James throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
James lands a nice leg kick that just misses Thompson's sensitive parts.
James tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Thompson tries to bum rush James with a series of wild strikes but James uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
James jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Thompson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. James was covering up waiting for the punch and Thompson finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Thompson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Thompson forces his way into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson wants to stand but James has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Thompson is taking a breather. James says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Thompson tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Thompson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but James does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Thompson lands a nice short elbow.
Thompson tries to pass the half guard into mount. James knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Thompson tries to stand but his hand is stuck under James.
James is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson trying to control the action but James is working from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
James trying to control here.
Thompson is trying to control the action in half guard but James is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Sean Thompson has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Good work by Thompson as he checks the leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for James.
Thompson fails with the takedown.
Thompson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Thompson is breathing heavily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
James throws a low kick but it's checked well by Thompson.
Thompson lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sean Thompson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

James lands with a slapping head kick.
Thompson throws a nice looking combination but James bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Thompson ducks under a wild hook from James.
Matt James seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
James tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Thompson is able to avoid easily.
James pulls out of a head kick attempt.

James gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Thompson to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Thompson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Thompson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

James has his foot on Thompson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Thompson works his way back into a safe position though.
Thompson passes James's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Thompson passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for James!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thompson trying to control but James is having none of it.
James tries to hold on but Thompson pushes him away.
Thompson controlling his opponent.
Thompson trying to control but James is having none of it.
Thompson controlling from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Sean Thompson wasn't active enough on the ground.
James swats away the attempt to clinch by Thompson.
Thompson throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
James is looking to score with low kicks.
James lands a front kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A head kick misses from James.
James throws a head kick but Thompson moves out of range.
Matt James is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thompson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but James moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

James lands a head kick!
Matt James is winning the standup battle so far.
James throws a solid leg kick but Thompson takes the impact on his shin and smiles at James.
James lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
James throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Thompson's head.
James wants to slow Thompson down by chopping away at his legs.
Thompson closes the distance and clinches up with James, looking for a takedown. Thompson pushes James against the ropes but James circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Thompson throws a nice looking combination but James bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Thompson throws a right and a left that both miss.
James fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Thompson has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
James throws a head kick but Thompson moves out of range.
James fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Thompson is out of range.
James throws a looping overhand right but Thompson ducks down to avoid it.
James pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James is looking to chop away at Thompson's legs.
Thompson misses with a two punch combination.
A punch combination from James misses.
James lands a jab to the head.
Thompson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from James.
Thompson tries to clinch but James moves out of range.
James connects with a leg kick. Thompson looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Thompson moves in looking to clinch but James pushes him off.
Thompson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
James misses with a hook.
James walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Thompson checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Thompson misses with a two punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
James pulls out of a head kick attempt.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
James lands a head kick. Thompson smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Thompson misses with a wild combination.
Thompson misses with a low kick.
James misses with a lunging right hand
and Thompson counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
James throws a leg kick but Thompson sees it coming and moves out of range.
James leaves Thompson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
James throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Good leg kick by James there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Thompson shoots in but no luck this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt James had his way with Sean Thompson in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Sloppy strikes from Thompson. Those never looked like landing.
Thompson checks the leg kick.
Thompson misses with a takedown attempt - James sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Thompson tries to clinch there but James circles away.
James lands a head kick!
James throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
James tries a head kick but it misses.
Thompson thows a body shot but no joy.
A solid leg kick lands there for James.
James throws a big shot that misses.
James throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Thompson.
Sean Thompson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James throws a nice outside leg kick.
A head kick from James lands but Thompson takes it in his stride.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
James throws a head kick that half lands.

Thompson throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. James tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Thompson is in James's guard.
Matt James has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Thompson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
The fight stays on the outside here - Thompson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
James keeps the fight on the outside.
James misses with an uppercut
and Thompson counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps James thinking.
A head kick misses from James.
Thompson dodges the punch combination from James.

Thompson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching James on his heels. He'll look to pass James's guard now, I'm sure.

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 will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
James not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Thompson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Thompson decides to take the fight back to the feet.
James misses the jab.
James checks a leg kick nicely.
James throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thompson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Thompson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by James. James obviously looking to wear him down.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Thompson.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sean Thompson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Thompson 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 46:49
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 46:49
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sean Thompson!