PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Cumming (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Awesome (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cumming comes into the arena with Penny Arcade blaring out of the sound system. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Cumming
vs
Awesome

180 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

200 cm
25
187 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Thomas Cumming!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Johnny Awesome!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Donald Grub and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Awesome rushes Cumming and presses him up against the cage.

Awesome manages to break the clinch.
Awesome with a poor takedown

and Cumming counters by moving into the clinch.
Cumming tries to break the clinch but Awesome is controlling the position.
Cumming wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Awesome is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Cumming is trying to break the clinch but Awesome has him pressed against the cage.

Awesome gets control of Cumming's arms and successfully pulls guard. Awesome will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Awesome is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Awesome prevents Cumming from standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Awesome passes the guard and advances to mount!
Cumming might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Cumming wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Awesome misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Awesome looking to ground and pound but Cumming is blocking nicely.
Cumming is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Awesome trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Awesome thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Cumming is breathing heavily.
Awesome misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Awesome is looking to work his way around to Cumming's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Cumming has given up his back, trying to stand up. Not clever.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Awesome throws strikes from the back but Cumming rolls nicely and manages to end up in full guard. Nice work by Cumming.
Awesome wants to control from the top but Cumming keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Awesome drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Awesome jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Awesome prevents Cumming from getting back to his feet.
Cumming keeping moving, preventing Awesome from controlling successfully.
Awesome forces his way into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Awesome wants to work for an arm triangle but Cumming is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Awesome content to control rather than advance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Awesome throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Awesome dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Awesome scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Awesome thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Awesome wants to control but Cumming is keeping him busy.

Awesome is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Cumming doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Awesome.
Awesome is just content to waste time from the top position. Cumming takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Awesome pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cumming is keeping the position for now.

Awesome gets to his feet. Cumming looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Awesome throws a leg kick that misses.
Awesome shoots and misses

so Cumming counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Awesome is trying to keep Cumming in close.
Cumming is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cumming distracts Awesome with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Awesome is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Awesome seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Awesome trying to control from Cumming's half guard. Cumming has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Awesome wants to pass the guard but Cumming is keeping the position.
Awesome trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Johnny Awesome has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Awesome wants to control from the top but Cumming keeps moving.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Johnny Awesome wasn't active enough on the ground.
Awesome tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cumming sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Awesome somewhat.
Awesome throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cumming's waist but Cumming gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Awesome off to one side.
Thomas Cumming has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Awesome.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Awesome tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cumming swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Awesome tries for a takedown but Cumming sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Cumming avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Awesome shoots and misses

and Cumming counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Awesome!
Awesome in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Awesome taking shots to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cumming scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Cumming is landing with some decent strikes but Awesome is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Thomas Cumming will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Awesome wants to clinch

and Cumming counters with a nice double leg into side control. Awesome won't be happy with that.
Cumming throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Cumming lands an elbow.
Awesome manages to get back to half guard.
Cumming seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Cumming not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Awesome trying to hold on to Cumming's head to control him but Cumming postures up.
Awesome wants to get back to full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Awesome misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Awesome avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cumming.
Awesome is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Cumming's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Cumming's back!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Awesome is trying to control but Cumming is trying to escape here - he's now mounted.
Awesome tries to control but Cumming wriggling away.
Awesome looking to finish with strikes here!
Awesome tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Cumming really wants to buck Awesome off and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cumming holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Awesome tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Awesome trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Awesome might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Cumming kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cumming is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

Awesome is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Cumming to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Cumming shrugs it off.

Awesome goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Cumming is on top in guard.
Cumming postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cumming in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Awesome looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Cumming throwing strikes from guard but Awesome blocks nicely.
Cumming advances to half guard.
Cumming misses with a head shot. Awesome uses the momentum to regain guard.
Awesome has momentary wrist control but Cumming slips an elbow through the middle.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Awesome has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cumming can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Thomas Cumming.
I think Cumming has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Thomas Cumming!
After winning the bout, Thomas Cumming thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.