PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bull Bantum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bantum
vs
Thomas

160 cm
31
154 lbs
10 - 14 - 1

175 cm
33
145 lbs
24 - 31 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ultimate Fighting Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 14 - 1, fighting out of London, Bull Bantum!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 31 - 0, fighting out of London, Paul Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Paul Tew and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bantum is looking to clinch.
Thomas throws a jab but it's blocked by Bantum.
Bull Bantum seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bantum tries to bum rush Thomas with a series of wild strikes but Thomas uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bantum shoots for a double leg takedown but Thomas sprawls well. He's pushed Bantum's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Bantum takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Good exchange - Bantum coming out on top.
Thomas misses with a wild body shot.
Thomas swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bantum avoids a punch combination nicely.
Thomas looks gassed!
The fighters circling - Thomas throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Thomas is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bantum.
Bantum shoots in and drives through. Thomas sprawls well.
Some wild striking there from Bantum.
Bantum looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Thomas fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Thomas throws an overhand right that lands on Bantum's shoulder, as Bantum tries to avoid the shot.

Bantum has managed to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas misses with a punch on the inside.
Bantum lands a nice uppercut.
Bantum lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Bantum.
Bantum is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Thomas is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bull Bantum. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bantum is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Bantum works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Bantum distracts Thomas with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Thomas is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bantum is controlling him.

Bantum thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Bantum preventing the sweep.
Bantum postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Bantum throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bantum drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bantum jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bantum works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Thomas manages to get to full guard.
Thomas working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bantum.
Thomas tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Bantum is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Thomas is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Thomas has escaped and now he's on top!

Bantum is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Thomas gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas tries to move into range but Bantum moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Bantum looks to land a combination but Thomas avoids it well.
Thomas slips a jab and a cross from Bantum.
Thomas misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bantum shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Thomas defends it nicely.
Bantum wants to clinch up but Thomas keeps it at a distance.

Bantum has managed to clinch.
Bantum lands with a light punch inside.
Thomas misses with some punches.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Bantum drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bantum is working for takedown but Thomas is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bantum tries for a takedown but Thomas manages to get underhooks.
Still in the clinch, Bantum scores with a nice short uppercut.
Bantum scores with a shoulder strike.
Bantum lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Thomas is rocked!

Bantum has hold of one of Thomas's legs. Thomas is fighting the takedown attempt but Bantum gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Thomas is still in real trouble! Can Bantum finish him?
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bantum's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Bantum is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Thomas looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Bantum stands up from Thomas's guard - Bantum perhaps looking for a knockout.
Thomas waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bantum.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bantum connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Bantum lands a huge takedown. Thomas is out but the ref is slow to react and Bantum lands 3 more undefended punches before the fight is stopped. Brutal finish. Thomas lies on the canvas for a good minute before the doctors bring him round. Good to see he's OK.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:52 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Bull Bantum!
Bull Bantum is the new lightweight champion!