PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Din Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thales Leites (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Leites has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Thomas
vs
Leites

186 cm
18
190 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
190 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Din Thomas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thales Leites!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Paulo Santos and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thomas fails to land the takedown.
Thomas fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Leites avoids it really well and circles away.
Thomas changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Leites tries to avoid it but Thomas manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Leites to the ground. Leites escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Din Thomas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Horrible takedown by Thomas or perhaps it was just good defense by Leites which made him look bad.
Leites stuffs the takedown attempt from Thomas. Thomas gets slowly back to his feet.
Thomas misses with a takedown attempt - Leites sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Thomas doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Leites counters with a single leg into guard. Thomas didn't expect that.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Leites working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Thomas's head.
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!
Leites is in close to Thomas's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leites is looking to work some ground and pound but Thomas has wrist control.
Leites trying to control but Thomas is working from the bottom.
Leites has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Leites working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Thomas manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Leites manages to get himself to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Leites working for a triangle but Thomas defends it easily.
Leites looks gassed!
Thomas trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Thomas trying to control the position from guard on top but Leites is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas tries to free his leg and advance position but Leites is retaining full guard.
Thomas preventing the sweep.
Thomas wants to pass the guard but Leites is keeping the position.
Leites is trying to control the position but Thomas postures up.

Thomas thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Leites looking for a guillotine here but Thomas defends easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Leites keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leites working a defensive guard here.

Leites looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Thomas trying to control but Leites is working from the bottom.

Leites is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Thomas defends well.
Leites tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Leites is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Leites keeps moving.
Leites being controlled here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Leites keeps moving.

Leites working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Thomas doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Thomas manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Thomas trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Thomas is working hard here to advance position.
Thomas trying to control the position from guard on top but Leites is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Leites can't keep his opponent in guard - Thomas advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thomas tries to pass to full mount but Leites defends it.
Thomas wants to control but Leites is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Thales Leites will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Leites displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Thomas.
Din Thomas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thomas fails with the takedown

and Leites counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Leites.
Leites postures up in Thomas's guard and throws a big left but Thomas blocks it.
Leites lands a couple of elbows.
Thomas working a defensive guard but Leites manages to pass into side control anyway.

Leites tries for a kimura but Thomas is defending well.
Thomas tries to bench press Leites off him but Leites keeps the position.
Leites working away.
Leites is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas defending against the ground and pound.

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

Leites is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Thomas knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
You can see the frustration on Thomas's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas tries to buck Leites off but Leites is having none of it.
Thomas can't do much from the bottom here.
Leites in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Thomas regains half guard.
Leites has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Thomas is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee warns Thomas that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thomas manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Thomas is trying to maintain the position but Leites is very close to passing his half guard.
Thomas avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Leites.
Thomas tries to roll over but Leites keeps him under control.
Thales Leites has got the better of the ground game so far.

Leites is looking for a kimura but Thomas is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Leites to get the leverage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Thomas manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Leites throws a big right hand that misses.
Leites stopping the sweep attempt from Thomas.
Thomas pulls Leites in close to his closed guard and prevents Leites from doing any damage or advancing position.
Leites is looking to work some ground and pound but Thomas has wrist control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Leites trying to control the position from guard on top but Thomas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thales Leites showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Thomas is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Leites's half guard.
Thomas wants to pass the guard but Leites is defending well.

Thomas looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Thomas is looking to take a break and control but Leites is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Leites keeping hold of Thomas's head, controlling as best he can.
Leites takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas trying to pass the guard but Leites defending well.

Leites actively working from the bottom here.
Thomas tries to pass the half guard into mount. Leites knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Thomas has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Thomas can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Leites is looking to escape.
Thomas wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leites is squirming around, avoiding Thomas's attempts to control the action.
Leites is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Leites keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Thomas wants to take Leites's back but he can't do it this time.
Leites is wriggling around trying to escape.
Thomas moves to back control.

Thomas looking to break Leites's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Leites remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Thomas will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Thomas is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Leites can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thomas looking for the RNC.

Thomas is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Leites defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Leites turns into Thomas and is now in his guard.

Leites is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Thomas is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Thomas has escaped and now he's on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas advances position into side control!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Leites is looking to regain half guard here but Thomas keeps moving and retains side control.
Thomas wants to control but Leites is keeping him busy.
Leites tries to improve position but can't.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thomas wants to lay and pray for a moment but Leites keeps working.
Thales Leites is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Leites is looking for a sweep.

And that's the end of the fight!
Din Thomas showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Leites 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thales Leites!