PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mauricio Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rua comes to the ring accompanied by Armin van Buuren - Sail. Mark Thomas acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the ring.

Rua
vs
Thomas

185 cm
25
180 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

190 cm
28
181 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mauricio Rua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Mark Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Nard Betker and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thomas closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Rua throws a body punch but Thomas moves out of range.
Rua misses with a double jab.
Rua misses with a right hand

and Thomas counters with a nice double leg into side control. Rua won't be happy with that.
Rua tries to escape but Thomas is in control.

Thomas is trying to get an arm triangle but Rua is defending well.

Thomas tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Rua wants to get back to his feet.

Thomas tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Thomas has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thomas controls the position from side control.
Rua wants to control but Thomas postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomas tries for a kimura but Rua is defending well.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Thomas wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rua keeps working.

Thomas is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Rua is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Rua is trying to improve his position.

Thomas wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rua, who protects the arm well.
Rua tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Thomas wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
You can see the frustration on Rua's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thomas is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rua knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
You can see the frustration on Rua's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Thomas tries for a kimura but Rua is defending well.
Rua is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Thomas scoring with punches from side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Thomas is trying to get an arm triangle but Rua is defending well.
Thomas in side control lands a decent elbow.
Rua is trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas is looking to take a break and control but Rua is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Thomas is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Rua is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Rua is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Rua trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

Thomas is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rua has escaped the position, nice work there.
Thomas is working Rua over with some ground and pound from side control.
Rua tries to improve position but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as Thomas stalls from top position.
Rua manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Thomas is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rua has managed to free his arm - good work.
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!

Thomas is working for a kimura but Rua is defending it quite comfortably.
Thomas slows the pace down in half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Rua is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Thomas pulls his head out easily.
Rua is trying to stand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A low kick from Rua is predictable there

and Thomas counters with a single leg into guard. Rua didn't expect that.
Rua is looking to stand up but Thomas isn't so interested in that idea.
Rua looking to control.
Rua is looking to stand back up but Thomas counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Rua.
Thomas slows the pace down in half guard.
Thomas prevents Rua from standing back up.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Thomas takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Rua on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rua is trying to stand up here but Thomas is controlling him well.
Thomas 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.
Thomas with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Let's hope that Thomas has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Thomas is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Thomas is nestled in close to Rua, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Mark Thomas has got the better of the ground game so far.
Thomas perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Thomas looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Thomas slips a nice elbow through Rua's hands, connecting with Rua's forehead.

Thomas is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rua is just riding it out for now. Thomas eventually gives up the hold.
Nice strikes from Thomas there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua pushes Thomas off looking to stand but Thomas dives back in and keeps control.
Rua is trying to get back to full guard.
Thomas lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Rua on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rua tries to kick Thomas off but Thomas keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Thomas is working for a submission of some sort.
Rua is trying to stand.

Thomas is trying to work for a kimura but Rua is defending well.

Thomas is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rua is just riding it out for now. Thomas eventually gives up the hold.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua is looking to control Thomas's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rua avoid being mounted?

Thomas is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rua doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Thomas.
Thomas is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Thomas dominating with strikes here.
Rua tries to hold on but Thomas postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua can't escape the position.
Thomas fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Rua sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Thomas is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Thomas looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Thomas is nestled in close to Rua, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Thomas is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rua is just riding it out for now. Thomas eventually gives up the hold.

Thomas is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rua has managed to free his arm - good work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Thomas postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Rua to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Thomas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rua slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Rua swings widly with a right hand

and Thomas counters with a single leg into guard. Rua didn't expect that.
Thomas not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Rua looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thomas is one step ahead there.
Rua wants to stand but Thomas is controlling the position.
Rua looking to control.
Thomas slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Rua takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
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!
Thomas remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

Thomas tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Thomas has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Thomas asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Thomas looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Thomas tries to move into full mount but can't pass Rua's legs.
Thomas has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rua being controlled for a moment.

Thomas thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thomas tries for a kimura but Rua is defending well.
Rua is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Thomas is controlling him well.

Thomas tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Rua tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Thomas presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Rua tries to buck Thomas off but Thomas takes his back!
Thomas lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Thomas.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Rua defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Thomas has good solid back control here.

Thomas has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Rua has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Rua wants to get back to his feet.
Thomas gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Mark Thomas is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Thomas lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Rua.
Thomas lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.

Thomas has managed to slip his arm under Rua's chin. This could be all over... yep, Rua is tapping out! Submission win for Thomas.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Mark Thomas!