PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joe Satriani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Amir Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Satriani comes to the cage accompanied by Satch Boogie. Thompson has chosen Double Trouble as his entrance music. Joe Satriani had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Satriani
vs
Thompson

180 cm
30
180 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

195 cm
32
180 lbs
13 - 14 - 2

BJJ Purple Belt
Great low kicks
KO power

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Joe Satriani!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 14 - 2, fighting out of Hilo, Amir Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Josh West and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Satriani pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Satriani throws a head kick that misses.
Satriani takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A head kick misses from Thompson.
Satriani rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Thompson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Satriani's guard now.
Thompson throwing strikes but missing.
Thompson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Thompson throws an elbow that misses. Satriani uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Thompson's guard. Nice move by Satriani!
Thompson looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Thompson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson wants to sweep but no luck.
Thompson has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Thompson tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Joe Satriani wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Thompson avoids the head kick by Satriani.
Thompson moves out of range of the body kick.

Thompson rushes Satriani and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Thompson lands a takedown into guard.
Thompson throwing strikes from guard but Satriani blocks nicely.
Satriani has momentary wrist control but Thompson slips an elbow through the middle.
Thompson is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Thompson throws an elbow that misses. Satriani uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Thompson's guard. Nice move by Satriani!
Satriani postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Satriani avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Thompson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Satriani doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Satriani manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Satriani wants to stand but Thompson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Satriani trying to stand up but can't free himself from Thompson's guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Satriani won't allow Thompson to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Decent striking displayed by Thompson there.
Satriani throws a front kick that sends Thompson stumbling back into the cage.

Thompson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Thompson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Thompson connects with a nice short shot to Satriani's temple.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Satriani avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thompson.
Satriani is trying to stand.
Thompson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Thompson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Thompson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Thompson throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Satriani to regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson works over Satriani with some ground and pound from guard.
Thompson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Thompson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Thompson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Satriani preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Thompson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Satriani manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Satriani stuffs the takedown attempt from Thompson. Thompson gets slowly back to his feet.
Satriani misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Thompson moves into the clinch.
Satriani tries to land a knee to the head but Thompson blocks with his arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thompson gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thompson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Satriani defending well though.
Thompson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Thompson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Satriani regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Thompson.
Satriani might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Thompson tries to free his leg and advance position but Satriani is retaining full guard.
Satriani preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Thompson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Thompson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Thompson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Thompson connects with a couple of short punches.
Thompson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Thompson throws a big right hand that misses.
Satriani preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Thompson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Thompson throwing strikes but missing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Thompson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Thompson is in close to Satriani's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Thompson cracks Satriani with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson throws a big elbow that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Thompson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Thompson throws a big right hand that misses.
Thompson cracks Satriani with a solid left hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thompson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Thompson looking to pass the guard.
Thompson is looking to work some ground and pound but Satriani has wrist control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thompson stops Satriani from standing up.
Thompson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Thompson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Amir Thompson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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.

Thompson shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Thompson showed some decent athleticism there.
Thompson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Thompson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Satriani avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thompson.
Satriani regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Thompson.
Satriani avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Thompson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thompson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Thompson throws a big elbow that misses.
Thompson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Satriani works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Thompson throws a big elbow that misses.
Thompson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Thompson lands a couple of elbows.
Thompson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Thompson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Thompson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Satriani's guard.
Satriani avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thompson.
Thompson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Thompson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Thompson drops an elbow to the side of Satriani's head.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Thompson connects with a nice short shot to Satriani's temple.
Thompson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Thompson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Thompson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Thompson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Thompson prevents Satriani from standing back up.
Satriani taking some punishment here, with Thompson in his half guard.
Thompson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Satriani on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Thompson drops an elbow to the side of Satriani's head.
Thompson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Satriani pushes Thompson off looking to stand but Thompson dives back in and keeps control.
Thompson thows a huge punch but Satriani dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Thompson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Thompson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thompson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Thompson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Satriani's head.
Thompson thows a huge punch but Satriani dodges it nicely.
Thompson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Thompson thows a huge punch but Satriani dodges it nicely.
Thompson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thompson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Thompson lands with a punch from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Amir Thompson really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Thompson takes the fight into the clinch.

Satriani pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Satriani tries a head kick but it misses.
Thompson lands a jab to the head.
Satriani takes one to the chin there.
Thompson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A telegraphed right hand from Satriani misses the target.
Thompson avoids the head kick by Satriani.
Satriani misses with a head kick.
Satriani throws a sloppy head kick
and Thompson counters with a straight right hand.
Thompson fails to land the takedown.
Satriani tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Thompson clinches up with Satriani and pushes him back against the cage.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Thompson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Satriani prevents it.

Thompson turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Satriani managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Thompson.
Check out the look on Thompson's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Thompson looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Satriani is avoiding damage well.
Satriani is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
The ground and pound from Thompson seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Thompson tries to score with some ground and pound. Satriani controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Satriani managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Thompson.
Thompson lands a decent elbow from side control.
Thompson in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson in side control, throwing shots but Satriani defends.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Check out the look on Thompson's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Thompson is chipping away with strikes.
Satriani dodges the ground and pound from Thompson.
Thompson landing a few strikes.
Thompson misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Thompson landing a few strikes.
Satriani avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Thompson.
Thompson tries to score with some ground and pound. Satriani controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Satriani is working to avoid the ground and pound but Thompson connects with a decent elbow.
Thompson in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Thompson throws a strike aimed at the side of Satriani's head but Satriani avoids it well.
Thompson creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Satriani sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Sloppy strikes there by Thompson.
Thompson lands some shots froms side control.
Thompson postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Thompson working the ground and pound but Satriani is defending the strikes.
Satriani parries the strikes from Thompson easily there. Thompson is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Satriani to escape.
The strikes coming from Thompson are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Thompson.
Satriani pushes Thompson away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Thompson gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Thompson in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Satriani managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Thompson.
Thompson misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Thompson lands a few punches from side control.
Thompson in side control, throwing shots but Satriani defends.
Check out the look on Thompson's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thompson grinds an elbow into Satriani's temple.
Thompson working the body and head with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Amir Thompson dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Thompson tries to clinch but Satriani is having none of it.
Thompson throws a nice head kick!
Thompson avoids the head kick by Satriani.

Thompson drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Thompson lands a decent elbow from side control.
Thompson sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Satriani is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Thompson in side control, throwing shots but Satriani defends.
Thompson throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Satriani works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Thompson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Satriani avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thompson.
Thompson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Thompson thows a huge punch but Satriani dodges it nicely.
Satriani blocking the ground and pound attempt from Thompson.
Thompson misses with a head shot. Satriani uses the momentum to regain guard.
Thompson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Thompson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Thompson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Satriani preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Satriani avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Thompson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Thompson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Thompson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Satriani's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thompson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Satriani avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Thompson is in close to Satriani's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Thompson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Thompson distracts Satriani with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Thompson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Satriani works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Thompson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Thompson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Satriani works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Amir Thompson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thompson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joe Satriani has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Amir Thompson has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Thompson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Satriani at a distance.
Satriani throws a head kick that misses

and Thompson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Thompson avoids a wild elbow strike from Satriani.

Thompson jumps guard and drags Satriani to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Satriani postures up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thompson trying to control the position here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Amir Thompson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Thompson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight for Amir Thompson!
Judge Josh West scores the fight for Amir Thompson!
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight for Amir Thompson!

Amir Thompson wins by unanimous decision!