PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Merik Hunt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tane Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hunt comes into the arena with Comfortably Numb blaring out of the sound system. Thompson has chosen it was over as his entrance music. Merik Hunt could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Tane Thompson's chin.

Hunt
vs
Thompson

175 cm
27
170 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

176 cm
33
167 lbs
29 - 21 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
World class MT
Good gas tank

Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Merik Hunt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tane Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Tarja Halkonen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thompson tries a head kick but it misses.

Hunt scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Hunt lands strikes from half guard.
Hunt seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Thompson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hunt slips a nice elbow through Thompson's hands, connecting with Thompson's forehead.
Hunt lands strikes from half guard.
Thompson trying to hold on to Hunt's head to control him but Hunt postures up.
Hunt throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hunt thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Thompson's head.

Hunt seems to be working for a kimura but Thompson defends the submission attempt.

Thompson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Thompson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Thompson is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hunt 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.
Hunt thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Thompson's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hunt lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Hunt 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 is trying to stand.
Hunt thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Thompson's head.
Thompson tries to roll over but Hunt keeps him under control.

Thompson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hunt pulls his head out easily.
Hunt missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson trying to control from the bottom.
Hunt wants to pass to mount but Thompson is defending the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hunt seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Hunt tries to pass to full mount but Thompson defends it.
Hunt missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
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!
Hunt throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Thompson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hunt is working away from the top position though.
Hunt is looking to take a break and control but Thompson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Thompson has hold of Hunt's hands but Hunt slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Hunt thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson is trying to control but can't.

Thompson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hunt pulls his head out easily.
Hunt not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Thompson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Thompson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hunt.
Hunt throwing shots but Thompson is blocking nicely.
Hunt is nestled in close to Thompson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Hunt tries to pass to full mount but Thompson defends it.
Thompson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hunt.
Hunt looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Thompson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunt throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Thompson kicks Hunt off and gets back to his feet.
Thompson goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hunt shoots in looking for a takedown. Thompson tries to sprawl out of it but Hunt keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Thompson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Thompson on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Thompson throws a head kick that misses.
Tane Thompson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hunt takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Thompson throws a jab when Hunt was well out of range.
Thompson looks to land a left hand but Hunt moved out of range nicely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A nice leg kick lands there from Hunt.
Hunt fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thompson manages to avoid it.
Hunt scores with a body shot.
Hunt throws a jab when Thompson was well out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Merik Hunt dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Thompson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Hunt. That did some damage!
Thompson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Thompson lands with a nice body punch.
Hunt displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Thompson is looking to slow Hunt down with leg kicks.
Thompson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Hunt has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Thompson finds it's way round the side to connect with Hunt's head.
Thompson tries to land a front kick but Hunt steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Hunt scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Tane Thompson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
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 tries to land a leg kick but Hunt saw it coming and moves away.
Thompson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Thompson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Thompson tries to close the distance and clinch but Hunt swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Thompson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Thompson misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunt throws a lazy right hand but Thompson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hunt scores with a body shot.
Hunt lands a high kick!

Thompson is rocked!
Thompson moves to clinch but Hunt breaks away
letting Hunt counter with a right hand.
Thompson is still on wobbly legs! Can Hunt finish him?
Good leg kick by Hunt there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Hunt cracks Thompson with a big right hand that sees him stumbling back against the cage! Thompson falls to his knees and Hunt doesn't need a second invitatation - he rushes in and fires off several unanswered shots that force the referee to stop the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:24 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Merik Hunt!
A very excited looking Merik Hunt made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.