PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dixon Herbush (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jesse Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Dixon Herbush has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Herbush
vs
Thompson

190 cm
19
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

Malicious Intent Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dixon Herbush!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jesse Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Franklyn Lucas and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thompson swats away the attempt to clinch by Herbush.

Thompson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Herbush looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Thompson passes into half guard.
Herbush is looking to control Thompson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Herbush avoid being mounted?
Herbush moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Herbush wants to get back to his feet but Thompson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Herbush escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Thompson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Thompson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Herbush lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Thompson!
Herbush throwing strikes here but Thompson is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Herbush can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Thompson is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Herbush throwing strikes here but Thompson is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Thompson throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Herbush prevents Thompson from getting the reversal.
Thompson wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Herbush.
Herbush postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Thompson looks a forlorn figure.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Thompson is looking to get to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Herbush controlling from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herbush lands a big shot there that rocks Thompson but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Herbush is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Herbush can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Thompson is looking to escape.

Herbush get's back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Herbush gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Herbush is looking to stand up but Thompson isn't so interested in that idea.
Thompson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Herbush escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Thompson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Herbush is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Thompson is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Dixon Herbush will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Herbush looks to land a combination but Thompson avoids it well.
Thompson shoots in and drives through. Herbush sprawls well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Herbush tries to clinch up but Thompson circles away and keeps his distance.
Dixon Herbush is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Herbush fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dixon Herbush seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Herbush doesn't manage to clinch there - Thompson circles away.
Herbush is looking to clinch.
Herbush throws a right hand that Thompson ducks under and follows up with a left that Thompson also avoids with ease.
Thompson circles away from the clinch attempt.

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.
Nice takedown defense from Herbush. No joy for Thompson on that attempt.
Dixon Herbush has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jesse Thompson.
Danga de danga de dang - Herbush scores with a four punch combination!
Thompson swats away the attempt to clinch by Herbush.
Herbush pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Herbush wants to clinch up but Thompson keeps it at a distance.
Thompson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Herbush misses with the combination.

That's four 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.
Herbush tries to clinch up.
Herbush keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Herbush tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dixon Herbush dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Herbush sizes up Thompson with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

It looks like Jesse Thompson has been cut.
Herbush is looking to clinch but Thompson is avoiding it.
Thompson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Herbush is fending him off so far but Thompson persists. Nope, Herbush circles away and we're back to standing.
Herbush is looking to clinch but Thompson is avoiding it.
Herbush shoots and misses

and Thompson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Herbush's guard now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herbush is trying to keep Thompson in close.
Herbush wants to get back to his feet but Thompson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Thompson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Herbush struggling a bit here.
Herbush is trying to get back to his feet.
Herbush manages to work his way to half guard, despite Thompson's best efforts.
Herbush moves into full guard.
Thompson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Herbush has an active guard here but Thompson has managed to pass into half guard.
Herbush trying to hold on to Thompson's head to control him but Thompson postures up.
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 Herbush's temple.
Herbush is looking to control Thompson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Herbush avoid being mounted?
Herbush is looking to improve his position.
Herbush tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herbush is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Thompson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Thompson's back!
You can see the frustration on Thompson's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Thompson is trapped and Herbush is scoring with shots to the head and body.

Thompson defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Herbush scores with strikes from the back.
Thompson covering up well under a barage of strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herbush trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Herbush keeps control of the position as Thompson tries to break free.
Herbush has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Herbush is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Even with his hooks in, Herbush manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Herbush is looking to control Thompson but Thompson is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Jesse Thompson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thompson covering up well and avoiding damage.

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 Dixon Herbush.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Herbush, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:28
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:28
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dixon Herbush!