PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Flight (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tomasz Szczerek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Szczerek has chosen Sobota feat. chór Montu - Do góry łeb as his entrance music. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Tomasz Szczerek was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Flight
vs
Szczerek

190 cm
25
178 lbs
16 - 3 - 1

190 cm
25
185 lbs
12 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Al's Supplements - GRAND OPENING - 160 for $125
Brute

Mango Nutrition (90% Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Thomas Flight!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Tomasz Szczerek!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Szczerek looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Flight gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Szczerek pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Flight is keeping the position for now.
Flight tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Flight has control of Szczerek's left arm, preventing Szczerek from doing any damage.
Flight wants to stand up but Szczerek is controlling him.
Szczerek wants to pass the guard but Flight is keeping the position.
Szczerek pushing down on Flight's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Flight gets full guard.
Flight wants to sweep here but Szczerek controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flight is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Szczerek wants to control from the top but Flight keeps moving.
Szczerek postures up.

Szczerek drops back, looking for a kneebar! Flight looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Flight looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Flight!
Szczerek struggling a bit here.

Flight decides to stand back up.
Szczerek throws a head kick that misses.
Thomas Flight is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flight stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Flight connects with a high kick.
Szczerek fails to land with a series of punches.
Szczerek misses with a body kick.
Szczerek fails with a takedown attempt.
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!
Szczerek throws a leg kick but Flight moved away.
Szczerek fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Flight misses with a left hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Szczerek closes this distance looking for a takedown but Flight circles away.
Thomas Flight has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tomasz Szczerek.
Flight throws a wild body kick that Szczerek sees coming a mile off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flight thuds a left hand into Szczerek's body.
Flight throws a body kick that misses.

Szczerek fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Flight, pushing him back against the ropes.
Szczerek leaning against his opponent.
Flight working hard to break the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Szczerek.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Flight breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Szczerek shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Flight pinned against the ropes. Flight gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Szczerek defending well as Flight loads up on a big left hand.
Szczerek shoots in looking for a takedown. Flight tries to sprawl out of it but Szczerek keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Flight manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Szczerek lands a jab-cross combination.

It looks like Thomas Flight has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Flight's corner calls for a 1-2. Flight obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Flight misses with a leg kick
and Szczerek counters with an outside leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Szczerek tries to clinch there but Flight circles away.
Szczerek throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Szczerek misses with a jab to the body
enabling Flight to counter with a crisp jab.
Szczerek closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Flight lands a nice leg kick that just misses Szczerek's sensitive parts.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Flight blocks the body kick.
Flight gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Flight thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Szczerek if he has to take too many more of those.
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 Thomas Flight will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Thomas Flight's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Szczerek connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Flight misses with a low kick.
Szczerek tries to clinch up
and Flight counters with a left to the body.
Szczerek fails with the takedown
and Flight counters with an inside leg kick.
Flight wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Flight swings for the body but Szczerek moves out of range.
Flight moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Szczerek keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Thomas Flight is winning the standup battle so far.
Szczerek uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Flight.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Szczerek crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Flight - the referee stops the clock and Szczerek gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Flight. Szczerek manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Szczerek uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Flight.
Szczerek throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Flight sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Szczerek fails with an attempt to clinch.
Szczerek lands a high kick!
Flight throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Flight cracks Szczerek with a good jab.
Flight takes a swing at Szczerek's ribcage but misses.
Szczerek shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Flight pinned against the ropes. Flight gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Szczerek throws a right and a left that Flight avoids nicely.
Szczerek has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Flight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flight scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Szczerek doesn't seem bothered though.
Flight checks a low kick from Szczerek.
Flight ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A good leg kick by Flight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Flight swats away the attempt to clinch by Szczerek.
Szczerek has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Flight.
Szczerek on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Flight. Flight obviously looking to wear him down.
Flight lands a jab to the nose.
Szczerek has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Flight.
Szczerek tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Szczerek slips under a jab from Flight.
Szczerek avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters circling a little - Flight finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Flight is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Szczerek.
Flight scores with a nice right hand.
Szczerek shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Flight as he jumps to the side.
Thomas Flight has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tomasz Szczerek.
Szczerek doesn't manage to clinch there - Flight circles away.
Flight throws a front kick that sends Szczerek stumbling back into the ropes.
Flight throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Flight throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A big right from Flight misses.
Szczerek tries to close the distance and clinch up but Flight swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Szczerek checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Flight circles away from the clinch attempt.
A jab from Flight does it's job there.
Szczerek fails to land with a series of punches.
A decent looking cross lands there for Flight.
Flight lands a really nice looking cross but Szczerek seems unphased.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Flight tests Szczerek's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Szczerek wants to clinch up but Flight keeps it at a distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Flight jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Szczerek throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
A slapping body kick lands there for Szczerek.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Flight dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Thomas Flight's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

The fight stays on the outside here - Szczerek looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Flight throws a good cross that connects.
The crowd cheers as Flight lands an impressive looking overhand right. Szczerek doesn't seem phased though.
Szczerek takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Szczerek shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Szczerek moves out of range of the body kick from Flight.
Flight connects with a good right hand that stumbles Szczerek. Szczerek circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Flight swings for the body but Szczerek moves out of range.
Szczerek fails with the takedown.
Flight throws the left hand but Szczerek avoids the punch easily.
Szczerek is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck for Szczerek with that takedown attempt.
Thomas Flight has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tomasz Szczerek.
Szczerek throws a right and a left that both miss.
Szczerek throws a lazy head kick
and Flight counters with a nice uppercut.
Szczerek shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Flight but Flight pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Flight thumps Szczerek with a low kick.
Szczerek throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Szczerek throws a left and a right that both miss
and Flight counters with a left to the body.
Szczerek takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Szczerek tries for a takedown but Flight circles away easily
and Flight counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Szczerek thinking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flight lands with a nice body kick.
Flight throws a push kick but Szczerek slaps the foot to one side.
Flight throws the kick towards the body but Szczerek avoids it.
An inside leg kick lands from Flight.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Flight scores with a spinning back kick!
Szczerek dives in and grabs Flight's left leg, looking for a takedown. Flight pushes down on Szczerek's head and hops out.
Szczerek takes one to the side of the head.
Szczerek with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Flight to score with a decent uppercut.
Szczerek takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Flight pivots, looking for a leg kick but Szczerek is out of range and Flight settles back down.
Szczerek uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Flight.
Flight loads up on a big right hand but Szczerek slips the punch.
Szczerek has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Flight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flight scores with a leg kick.
Flight cracks the inside of Szczerek's front leg.
Szczerek's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Flight lands an overhand right.
Flight lands a nice hook to Szczerek's body. Szczerek takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Szczerek misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Flight looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Flight lands a glancing blow to the side of Szczerek's head.
Szczerek takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Tomasz Szczerek is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Szczerek closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Flight moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Szczerek wants to control from the top but Flight keeps moving.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Szczerek postures up.
Flight is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Szczerek is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Flight keeping moving, preventing Szczerek from controlling successfully.
Szczerek is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Szczerek won't allow Flight to sweep him here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Tomasz Szczerek has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Flight dodges the punch combination from Szczerek.
Szczerek moves forwards but Flight connects with a nice, crisp jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Flight clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Thomas Flight's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A jab lands there for Flight.
Flight fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Szczerek looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Flight will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Flight scores with a hook to the body. Szczerek takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A jab lands there for Flight.
Flight has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Szczerek.
Szczerek slips a straight right by Flight.
Szczerek fails in his attempt to clinch.
Flight lands with a hook. Szczerek tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Szczerek tries to clinch but Flight moves out of range.
Nice jab there from Flight.
Flight throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flight thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Szczerek if he has to take too many more of those.
Flight throws the kick towards the body but Szczerek avoids it.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Flight lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Szczerek has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Szczerek and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Szczerek shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Flight as he avoids it easily.
Flight scores with a jab. Szczerek acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Flight throws a body punch but Szczerek moves out of range.
Szczerek goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Szczerek throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Szczerek avoids a punch combination nicely.
Flight fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Good exchange - Flight coming out on top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flight lands with a right hand.
Flight lands a right hook to the body.
Szczerek fails in his attempt to clinch.
A nice inside leg kick there by Flight. That's going to slow Szczerek down.
Flight uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Flight lands a nice looking body kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Szczerek scores a takedown into full mount!
Tomasz Szczerek has got the better of the ground game so far.
Szczerek looking to control but Flight is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Flight can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Szczerek jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Flight manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Flight is looking to regain half guard here but Szczerek keeps moving and retains side control.
Flight is being controlled here.
Szczerek wants to control but Flight is keeping him busy.
Flight is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Szczerek is working for a submission of some sort.
Flight wants to control but Szczerek is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Flight gets back to full guard.
Szczerek preventing the sweep.
Szczerek trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Flight working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Szczerek.
Szczerek postures up and lands a big shot to Flight's brow.
Szczerek stopping the sweep attempt from Flight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Flight had his way with Tomasz Szczerek in that round.
The cut man is working on Thomas Flight's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Szczerek moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Szczerek looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Flight is fending him off so far but Szczerek persists. Nope, Flight circles away and we're back to standing.
Szczerek tries to land a body kick
and Flight counters with a one-two to the body.
Szczerek takes one on the button.
Tomasz Szczerek seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Szczerek shoots in and gets a takedown into Flight's guard.
Szczerek wants to pass the guard but Flight is keeping the position.
Flight is trying to control the position but Szczerek postures up.
Szczerek loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Szczerek stays in close to Flight's body and controls the position.
Szczerek wants to control from the top but Flight keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flight controls Szczerek momentarily but Szczerek frees himself.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Thomas Flight.
Flight scores with a hook to the body. Szczerek takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Szczerek takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Szczerek misses with a low kick.
Szczerek scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Flight fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Szczerek throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Flight was covering up waiting for the punch and Szczerek finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Flight is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Szczerek with a flurry of punches that miss.
Szczerek throws a big right hand that misses.
Flight lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Szczerek!
Szczerek is desperately trying to improve his position but Flight has a good base and remains in mount.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Flight tries to control but Szczerek wriggling away.
Flight controlling from mount.
Flight looking to control but Szczerek is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Szczerek is looking to get to half guard.
Flight looking to control but Szczerek is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Thomas Flight is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Flight avoids the attempt from Szczerek to control.
Flight looking to control but Szczerek is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Szczerek is working to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Flight can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Szczerek is looking to escape.
Szczerek is looking to improve his position but Flight isn't that keen on the idea.
Flight tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Szczerek is squirming around, avoiding Flight's attempts to control the action.
Tomasz Szczerek has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Szczerek is wriggling around trying to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tomasz Szczerek.
I think Flight 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 50:45
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 48:47
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Flight!
Thomas Flight retains his welterweight title!
Our winner, Thomas Flight, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.