PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Dejan Simunic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dejan Simunic has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Simunic
vs
Thomas

182 cm
18
147 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
30
133 lbs
16 - 25 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Dejan Simunic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 25 - 0, fighting out of London, Paul Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Donald Grub and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simunic misses with a few strikes there.
Simunic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Simunic tries to bum rush Thomas with a series of wild strikes but Thomas uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Thomas misses with a double jab.
Thomas dodges the punch combination from Simunic.
Sloppy strikes from Thomas. Those never looked like landing.
A head kick misses from Simunic.
Thomas lands a glancing blow to the side of Simunic's head.
Simunic dives in and grabs Thomas's left leg, looking for a takedown. Thomas pushes down on Simunic's head and hops out.
Simunic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Simunic shoots and misses
and Thomas connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Simunic is breathing heavily.
Simunic tries to bum rush Thomas with a series of wild strikes but Thomas uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Thomas circles away from the clinch attempt.
Thomas works over Simunic's head and body with a nice combination.
Thomas scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Simunic misses with a combination
and Thomas counters with a right hand to the body.
A combination from Thomas does no damage.
Thomas lands a jab to Simunic's midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Thomas, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Simunic changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Thomas tries to avoid it but Simunic manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Thomas to the ground. Thomas escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dejan Simunic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thomas misses with a few strikes there.
Thomas misses with a series of wild punches.
Thomas's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Thomas duly obliges.
Thomas digs a good body shot into Simunic's ribs.
Nice cross by Thomas.
Thomas scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Thomas throws a right and a left that Simunic avoids nicely.
A punch combination from Thomas misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Simunic.
Thomas throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Thomas will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Simunic swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Thomas counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thomas pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Simunic back to the cage. Thomas follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Simunic misses with a combination
and Thomas counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Thomas lands a nice looking body shot.
Thomas is working the combinations to good effect here.
Thomas looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Simunic moves to clinch but Thomas breaks away
and Thomas counters with a straight right hand.
Thomas looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Simunic. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Simunic walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A punch combination from Thomas misses.
Simunic throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Thomas to counter with a crisp jab.
Thomas dodges the punch combination from Simunic.
Some wild striking there from Thomas.
Simunic tries a low kick but Thomas avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Simunic.
Thomas swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Thomas tries to bum rush Simunic with a series of wild strikes but Simunic uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Simunic misses with a takedown attempt
and Thomas counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The fighters circle momentarily. Thomas darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Simunic fails with the takedown
and Thomas counters with a three punch combo that has Simunic backing up. Simunic nods at Thomas to acknowledge the strikes.
Thomas scores with a shot to the body.
Thomas fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Simunic manages to avoid it.
Simunic showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Thomas.
Thomas showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Simunic.
Thomas swinging wildly here.
Thomas throws a good cross that connects.
Thomas is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Simunic had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Simunic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Simunic is looking to clinch but Thomas is avoiding it.
Thomas lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Simunic slips a jab and a cross from Thomas.
Thomas thows a body shot but no joy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Simunic moves to clinch but Thomas breaks away
letting Thomas counter with a right hand.
Simunic throws a leg kick that misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Simunic tries to clinch but Thomas moves out of range.
Simunic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Thomas avoids a punch combination nicely.
Simunic misses with a combination
and Thomas counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A shot to the liver by Thomas. Beautiful body shot.
Simunic really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Simunic tries to clinch but Thomas moves away
and Thomas counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Simunic fails in his attempt to clinch.
A head kick misses from Simunic.
Simunic wants to clinch.
Thomas with a hook.
Thomas fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Simunic throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Thomas's waist but Thomas gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Simunic off to one side.
Thomas ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Thomas lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Simunic circles away quickly and effectively.
Paul Thomas seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Thomas throws a series of punches but Simunic moves out of range.
Thomas with a nice cross.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thomas scores with the left hand. Simunic knows he should have avoided that one.
Thomas lands a right hook to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Simunic takes one on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Simunic misses with a takedown attempt - Thomas sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Thomas looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Simunic tries to clinch up
and Thomas counters with a series of strikes. Simunic will be more careful next time no doubt.
Simunic looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Thomas loads up on a big right hand but Simunic slips the punch.
Thomas misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Simunic.
Thomas stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Thomas fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Simunic shoots for a takedown but Thomas saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dejan Simunic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Simunic misses with a takedown attempt
and Thomas counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Simunic thinking.
Thomas with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A punch combination from Thomas misses.
Simunic takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Dejan Simunic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas looks to land a left hand but Simunic moved out of range nicely.
Simunic takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Paul Thomas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thomas lands a jab-cross combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Simunic misses with a series of wild punches.
Simunic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A left and a right from Thomas both land. Nice combination.
Thomas lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Simunic at a distance.
Thomas cracks Simunic with a right hand to the side of the head.
Thomas misses with a straight right.
Simunic gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Thomas counters with a nice body shot.
Thomas misses with a jab, cross combination.
Simunic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Simunic pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas looks to land a combination. Simunic sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Simunic wants to clinch.
Simunic uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thomas.
Simunic works over Thomas's head and body with a nice combination.
Thomas works over Simunic's head and body with a nice combination.
Simunic throws a leg kick that is checked
and Thomas counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Simunic takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Thomas looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Thomas blocks a head kick by Simunic.
Thomas lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Simunic circles away quickly and effectively.
Simunic showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Thomas.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Simunic.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thomas. Simunic does a little dance to reset his feet.
Simunic tries to clinch but Thomas moves out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Thomas as Simunic shoots in.
Thomas scores with a shot to the body.
Simunic walks into a stiff left hand from Thomas.
Thomas loads up on a big right hand but Simunic slips the punch.
Simunic misses with a few strikes there.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Thomas in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Thomas thows a body shot but no joy.
Thomas moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Simunic shoots in and drives through. Thomas sprawls well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thomas takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Horrible takedown by Simunic or perhaps it was just good defense by Thomas which made him look bad.
Thomas is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Simunic rather than just go for the knockout.
Simunic throws a series of punches but Thomas moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Thomas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Simunic takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Thomas connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Thomas has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Simunic misses with a combination
and Thomas counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Thomas misses with a double jab.
Simunic takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Simunic throws a sloppy head kick and Thomas moves out of range easily.
Thomas moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Simunic tries to score a power double leg takedown but Thomas sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Simunic somewhat.
Simunic uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thomas.
Thomas looks to land a combination. Simunic sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Thomas lands with a right hand.
Thomas lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Simunic circles away quickly and effectively.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thomas misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simunic misses with a head kick.
Simunic shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Thomas as he jumps to the side.
Thomas fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Simunic takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Thomas stuffs the takedown attempt from Simunic. Simunic gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dejan Simunic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Simunic drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Simunic on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Simunic doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Thomas connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Thomas moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Nice shot by Thomas.
Simunic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Dejan Simunic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simunic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Thomas connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Dejan Simunic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Simunic wants to clinch up but Thomas keeps it at a distance.
Thomas scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Thomas slips a jab and a cross from Simunic.
Thomas throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Thomas swats away the attempt to clinch by Simunic.
Simunic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thomas bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Simunic's head.
Thomas scores with a punch to the head.
Simunic dodges the punch combination from Thomas.
Thomas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Simunic was well out of range. Poor timing from Thomas.
Simunic misses with a few strikes there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas connects with a good right hand that stumbles Simunic. Simunic circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Simunic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Thomas stuns Simunic with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Thomas throws a series of punches but Simunic avoids them all with ease.
Thomas scores with a three punch combo!
Simunic looks to land a combination but Thomas avoids it well.
A right-left combo lands from Thomas.
A nice combination there by Simunic.
Simunic closes this distance looking for a takedown but Thomas circles away.
Simunic misses with a series of wild punches.
Simunic drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Thomas showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Simunic.
Thomas fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Simunic wants to clinch.
Simunic uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thomas.
Paul Thomas is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Simunic misses with a double jab
and Thomas counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Simunic takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Simunic keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Thomas.
A punch combination from Thomas misses.
Thomas lands a jab-cross combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thomas. Simunic does a little dance to reset his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Simunic shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Thomas sprawls well. Thomas wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Simunic gets slowly back to his feet.
Simunic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Thomas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Thomas has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Thomas!
A relieved looking Paul Thomas thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.