PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mike Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pat Stropolis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Thompson
vs
Stropolis

185 cm
19
200 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

177 cm
18
191 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Very confident

Burning Fist Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mike Thompson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Pat Stropolis!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, John Kavanagh and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thompson chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Thompson throws a leg kick but Stropolis checks it.
Stropolis tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stropolis avoids a kick to the body.
Thompson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Thompson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stropolis wants to clinch.
Stropolis misses with a double jab.
Thompson throws a body kick that misses.
Stropolis misses with a double jab.
Thompson throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Stropolis looks gassed!
Stropolis has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Thompson.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Thompson takes the fight into the clinch.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but Stropolis blocks it.
Thompson is struggling to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stropolis looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Thompson just leaning against Stropolis, taking a breather.
Stropolis can't break the clinch.
Thompson lands a nice knee to the body.
Stropolis wants a takedown but no success here.
Stropolis takes a knee to the side of the body.
Thompson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Stropolis's efforts to push away.
Thompson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Knees to the body from Thompson.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Thompson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Thompson connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Thompson displaying some good clinch control by pressing Stropolis up against the cage.
Stropolis wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Thompson has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson lands a knee to the body.

Thompson breaks the clinch.
Stropolis tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Thompson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Thompson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Pat Stropolis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thompson digs a good hook to Stropolis's body.
Thompson pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Stropolis back to the cage. Thompson follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Thompson scores with a nice body kick.
Thompson lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Thompson pushes Stropolis away with a front kick.
Stropolis tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Stropolis takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Thompson connects with a leg kick. Stropolis looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

Thompson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Stropolis, pushing him back against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Thompson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Thompson with a knee to the head.
Thompson lands a nice knee to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Thompson obliges.
Thompson is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Thompson gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Thompson working Stropolis over with knees to the body.
Thompson lands a nice knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson slowing the pace effectively.
Thompson landing knees to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Thompson just leaning against Stropolis, taking a breather.
Thompson lands a nice knee to the body.

Thompson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Thompson closes the distance and pushes Stropolis back into the cage.
Thompson leaning his opponent against the cage.
Thompson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Stropolis in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Thompson crunches a lovely knee into Stropolis's ribcage.
Stropolis blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thompson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Thompson.
Stalling in the clinch from Thompson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Thompson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Thompson doesn't manage to clinch there - Stropolis circles away.
Mike Thompson is winning the standup battle so far.
An inside leg kick lands from Thompson.
Stropolis shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Thompson defends it nicely.
Thompson is looking to slow Stropolis down with leg kicks.

Thompson clinches up with Stropolis and pushes him back against the cage.
Thompson stalling.
Thompson lands a good knee to the midsection. Stropolis won't want to take too many of those.
Knees in the clinch landing for Thompson.
Thompson landing knees to the head.
Thompson lands a knee to the head.

Stropolis is rocked!
Stropolis is breathing heavily.
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 content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Stropolis is still on wobbly legs! Can Thompson finish him?

Thompson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Thompson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stropolis can do to turn this around?
Thompson lands a right hook to the body.

Thompson has taken the fight to the clinch.

Thompson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Thompson clinches up with Stropolis and pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson stalling against the cage.
Thompson landing knees to the body.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Thompson unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Thompson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Thompson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Thompson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Stropolis seems to have recovered his senses.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Thompson obliges.
Stropolis's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Thompson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Thompson leaning against his opponent.
Thompson lands a good knee to the midsection. Stropolis won't want to take too many of those.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thompson lands a nice elbow.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Thompson.
Mike Thompson has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Thompson keeps control of Stropolis as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stropolis misses with a hook from the clinch.
Thompson is struggling to control the position.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mike Thompson.
Thompson throws a body punch but Stropolis moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Stropolis throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Thompson scoring well with a low kick there.
Thompson is looking to clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thompson. Stropolis does a little dance to reset his feet.
That kick from Thompson tenderised Stropolis's leg. Stropolis is trying to keep his angry face on.
Thompson feints and then cracks Stropolis's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Stropolis down.
Thompson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Stropolis paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thompson lets loose with a powerful body kick. Stropolis will feel that in the morning.
Thompson throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Stropolis's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thompson moves into the clinch successfully.
Thompson connects with a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Thompson.
Thompson with a knee to the head.
Thompson is struggling to control the position.
Thompson prevents Stropolis from breaking the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Thompson obliges.
Thompson lands a good knee to the midsection. Stropolis won't want to take too many of those.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Thompson.
Thompson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Stropolis being controlled against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Stropolis is defending well for now.
Thompson manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mike Thompson.
Stropolis throws an overhand right that lands on Thompson's shoulder, as Thompson tries to avoid the shot.
Stropolis circles away from the clinch attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thompson connects with an inside leg kick.
Stropolis takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Thompson takes one on the button.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stropolis moves in looking to clinch but Thompson pushes him off.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Thompson slows down the pace here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Thompson dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Thompson tries to clinch up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stropolis. Thompson does a little dance to reset his feet.

Thompson moves into the clinch successfully.
Stropolis is trying to push Thompson away but Thompson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Stropolis is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Thompson leaning his opponent against the cage.
Stropolis is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Thompson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Stropolis avoids it.

Thompson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stropolis takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stropolis looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Thompson moves in looking to clinch but Stropolis pushes him off.
Stropolis throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A solid body kick from Thompson.
Stropolis throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Stropolis keeps the fight on the outside.
Thompson lands with a kick to the ribs.
Stropolis uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thompson.
A nice inside leg kick there by Thompson. That's going to slow Stropolis down.
Thompson bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Thompson tries to clinch up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thompson goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Thompson plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Thompson delivers a nice body kick.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Stropolis crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Thompson - the referee stops the clock and Stropolis gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Thompson. Stropolis manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Thompson feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Stropolis's calf.
Thompson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Thompson thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Stropolis if he has to take too many more of those.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stropolis was well out of range. Poor timing from Thompson.
Thompson throws a series of punches but Stropolis avoids them all with ease.
Stropolis has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Thompson.
Thompson slips a jab and a cross from Stropolis.
Stropolis takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Thompson throws a body punch but Stropolis moves out of range.
Mike Thompson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A solid leg kick lands there for Thompson.
A nice inside leg kick there by Thompson. That's going to slow Stropolis down.
Stropolis tries to clinch up but Thompson circles away and keeps his distance.
Stropolis takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Thompson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Stropolis swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stropolis looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Thompson throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Stropolis tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Stropolis chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Thompson can pounce on him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stropolis tests Thompson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A solid leg kick lands there for Thompson.
Stropolis missing with a left hand there. Thompson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Thompson rushes Stropolis and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Thompson keeps control of Stropolis as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Thompson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but Stropolis blocks it.
Thompson slowing the pace effectively.
Thompson keeps control of Stropolis as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Thompson lands a knee to the body.
Thompson working Stropolis over with knees to the body.
Thompson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Stropolis in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Thompson prevents Stropolis from breaking the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson stalls.
Thompson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Thompson scores with a knee to the head.

Thompson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Thompson moves into the clinch.
Thompson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Stropolis avoids it.
Stropolis blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Thompson tries to land knees in the clinch but Stropolis avoids the damage to the body.
Stropolis has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stropolis wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Thompson has Stropolis pushed against the cage.
Thompson is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Thompson clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Stropolis misses with a double jab.
Thompson thuds his shin into the meat of Stropolis's side.
An inside leg kick lands from Thompson.
Thompson keeps Stropolis at a distance using the push kick.
Thompson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Thompson has Stropolis up against the cage in a clinch.
Thompson has Stropolis pressed against the cage.
Stropolis is trying to push Thompson away but Thompson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Stropolis drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Thompson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Thompson unloads a knee to the mid-section.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson with a knee to the head.
Stropolis blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Thompson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Stropolis lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Thompson lands a good knee to the midsection. Stropolis won't want to take too many of those.
Thompson with a knee to the head.

Stropolis breaks from the clinch.
A head kick misses from Thompson.
Stropolis misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Crunch! Thompson slams his shin into Stropolis's torso.
Nice body kick from Thompson.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Thompson.
Stropolis misses with a jab, cross combination.
Thompson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson throws a head kick but Stropolis moves out of range.
Thompson throws a wild body kick that Stropolis sees coming a mile off.
Stropolis swinging wildly here.
Stropolis looks to land a right hand but Thompson moved out of range.
Stropolis blocks a head kick by Thompson.
A bone on bone clash there as Thompson blocks the leg kick.
Thompson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A punch combination from Stropolis misses.
Thompson lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Thompson forces Stropolis back against the cage and clinches.
Thompson stalling the fight.

Thompson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Thompson misses the shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson takes one to the side of the head.
Stropolis misses with a wild combination.
Pat Stropolis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thompson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A slapping leg kick lands for Thompson.
Stropolis throws a push kick but Thompson slaps the foot to one side.
Stropolis fails with an attempt to clinch.
Thompson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Thompson throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Nice body kick from Thompson.
Stropolis throws a hook but Thompson blocks it.
Thompson scores with a spinning back kick!
Thompson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Thompson misses with an uppercut. Stropolis saw that one coming.
Thompson connects with a leg kick. Stropolis looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Thompson.
Thompson fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Stropolis has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Thompson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Stropolis is out of range and Thompson settles back down.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A chopping leg kick lands by Thompson.
Thompson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Thompson wants it to stay on the feet.
Stropolis throws a looping overhand right but Thompson ducks down to avoid it.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Thompson.
Thompson throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Thompson lands a nice looking body shot.
Thompson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Stropolis.
A good leg kick by Thompson.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thompson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Stropolis crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Thompson - the referee stops the clock and Stropolis gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Thompson. Stropolis manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Thompson had his way with Pat Stropolis in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Thompson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Thompson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Stropolis.
Thompson looks to score with a jab to the body but Stropolis is just out of range.
Stropolis might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Stropolis misses with a double jab.
Stropolis is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Stropolis tries to clinch there but Thompson circles away.
Stropolis throws a low kick, looking for Thompson's leg but Thompson calmly moves out of range.
Thompson keeps Stropolis at a distance using the push kick.
Thompson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Thompson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stropolis was well out of range. Poor timing from Thompson.
Thompson connects with an inside leg kick.

Thompson forces Stropolis back against the cage and clinches.
Stropolis is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Thompson is defending well.
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.
Thompson holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stropolis is trying to break the clinch but Thompson is controlling him.
Thompson just leaning against Stropolis, taking a breather.
Thompson looking to slow down the pace here.
Thompson stalling in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mike Thompson.
Stropolis moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Thompson throws a head kick that misses.
Thompson scoring well with a low kick there.
Thompson moves out of range of the strikes.
Thompson misses with a body kick.
Thompson blocks a head kick by Stropolis.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson throws a leg kick which misses Stropolis's front leg but catches the back leg as Stropolis tries to avoid it.
Thompson scores with a nice body kick.
Thompson is looking to wear down Stropolis with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Thompson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Thompson connects with a crisp jab.
Thompson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Thompson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Thompson throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
A punch combination from Stropolis misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Thompson scores with a spinning back kick!

Thompson clinches up with Stropolis and pushes him back against the cage.
Thompson displaying some good clinch control by pressing Stropolis up against the cage.
Thompson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Stropolis is defending well for now.
A knee to the head by Thompson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stropolis takes an elbow to the forehead.
Stropolis misses with a punch on the inside.
Knees to the body from Thompson.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Thompson obliges.
Thompson stalling in the clinch.
Thompson tries to land knees in the clinch but Stropolis avoids the damage to the body.

Stropolis breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Thompson defending well as Stropolis loads up on a big left hand.
Stropolis looks to land a combination but Thompson avoids it well.

Stropolis gets tackled into the cage by Thompson. Thompson maintains the clinch.
Stropolis wants a takedown.
Thompson tries to land knees in the clinch but Stropolis avoids the damage to the body.
Thompson lands a good knee to the midsection. Stropolis won't want to take too many of those.
Mike Thompson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thompson lands a nice knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Stropolis in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Thompson scores a nice knee to the body.
Thompson with a knee to the head.
Stropolis can't break the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thompson lands a knee to the body.
Thompson unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Thompson lands a good knee to the midsection. Stropolis won't want to take too many of those.
Thompson stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Thompson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thompson unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Pat Stropolis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Thompson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Thompson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Thompson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 50:44
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 50:44
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 50:44

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