PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Patch Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hugh Hefner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hefner has chosen Puff The Magic Dragon as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Thomas
vs
Hefner

170 cm
25
155 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

175 cm
32
153 lbs
14 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Patch Thomas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Hugh Hefner!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Thomas.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Thomas scoring with punches from side control.
Hefner is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Thomas's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Thomas trying to control the action but Hefner is working from the bottom.
Hefner wants to improve his position but Thomas is controlling well.
Thomas trying to control from half guard but Hefner is working away.

Hefner is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Thomas pulls his head out easily.
Thomas thows a huge punch but Hefner dodges it nicely.
Thomas throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hefner pushes Thomas off looking to stand but Thomas dives back in and keeps control.
Thomas sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hefner defending well though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hefner keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Thomas controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hefner is looking for a sweep. Thomas is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Thomas keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thomas missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Thomas trying to control the action but Hefner is working from the bottom.
Thomas thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hefner's head.

Hefner actively working from the bottom here.
Thomas landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Hefner is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Thomas scores with a couple of nice shots.
Thomas landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Thomas looks to land a strike but Hefner avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Thomas throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Thomas is in close to Hefner's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thomas wants to pass the guard but Hefner is keeping the position.

Hefner has his foot on Thomas's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Thomas works his way back into a safe position though.
Thomas postures up and lands a big shot to Hefner's brow.
Thomas showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Thomas loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Thomas trying to control but Hefner is working from the bottom.
Hefner wants to stand up but Thomas is controlling him.
Thomas keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hefner's head.
Thomas postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hefner might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Thomas haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Thomas's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Thomas is looking to work some ground and pound but Hefner has wrist control.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Hefner keeps moving.

Thomas got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hefner has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Thomas has managed to get both his arms back between Hefner's legs - danger averted.
Hefner controls Thomas momentarily but Thomas frees himself.

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

Hefner is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Thomas defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hefner working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Thomas doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Thomas manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Thomas lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Thomas throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hefner works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Thomas in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thomas loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Hefner keeps moving.
Thomas missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Thomas connects with a couple of short punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thomas sitting in guard here, content to control.
Hefner working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Thomas.
Thomas throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hefner works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Patch Thomas dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hefner darts in trying to clinch

and Thomas counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Thomas not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Thomas seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hefner does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hefner is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Thomas scores with a couple of nice shots.
Thomas thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Hefner actively working from the bottom here.

Hefner is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Thomas pulls his head out easily.
Thomas sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hefner defending well though.
Thomas takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thomas trying to control the action but Hefner is working from the bottom.
Hefner gets full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hefner can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Thomas controls the pace.
Thomas content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Thomas throws a big right hand that misses.
Hefner working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Thomas.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thomas postures up in Hefner's guard and throws a big left but Hefner blocks it.
Hefner keeping moving, preventing Thomas from controlling successfully.

Hefner is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Hefner keeps moving.
Thomas postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Patch Thomas overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Hefner keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Thomas showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Patch Thomas has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Thomas.
Patch Thomas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hefner keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Thomas.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hefner wants to clinch but Thomas slips to the side

and Thomas counters with a takedown into side control.
Thomas fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Hefner is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hefner on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Thomas scoring with punches from side control.
Thomas creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Hefner is looking for a sweep.
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.
Hefner 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.
Hefner can't do much from the bottom here.
Hefner is working to avoid the ground and pound but Thomas connects with a decent elbow.
Hefner wants to control but Thomas postures up.
Hefner managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Thomas.
Thomas working the body and head with strikes.
Thomas is chipping away with strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hefner regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Thomas looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Hefner with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Thomas thows a huge punch but Hefner dodges it nicely.
Thomas lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Thomas lands with a punch from half guard.

Hefner looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Thomas is just content to waste time from the top position. Hefner takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Hefner looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Hefner working for a triangle but Thomas defends it easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thomas trying to control the position from guard on top but Hefner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Patch Thomas dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Hefner gets caught napping as Thomas dives in and scores a takedown. Hefner manages to retain guard.
Thomas in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Hefner is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Thomas is aware though and is defending well.
Thomas lands a couple of elbows.
Hefner avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hefner wants to stand but Thomas is controlling the position.
Thomas with a flurry of punches that miss.
Thomas scoring with punches to the head and body.
Hefner keeping moving, preventing Thomas from controlling successfully.

Hefner looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thomas distracts Hefner with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hefner wants to sweep here but Thomas controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas trying to control but Hefner is working from the bottom.
Thomas wants to stand but Hefner has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Hefner keeping moving, preventing Thomas from controlling successfully.

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

Hefner working for a triangle but Thomas defends it easily.
Hefner takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Thomas lands a couple of elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas working some strikes from top position.
Thomas is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Thomas trying to control but Hefner is working from the bottom.

Hefner is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Thomas defends well.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Hefner keeps moving.
Thomas throws a strike but Hefner rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Thomas tries to land a sweep but no joy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Hefner drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hefner jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Hefner stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Thomas swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas keeping moving, preventing Hefner from controlling successfully.
Hefner trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Thomas pulls Hefner in to control the position.
Hefner stops Thomas from standing up.
Thomas wants to sweep but no luck.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Hefner won't allow Thomas to get back to his feet.
Hefner advances position into side control!
Hefner is working Thomas over with some ground and pound from side control.
Sloppy strikes there by Hefner.
Hugh Hefner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hefner sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Thomas is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Thomas is trying to get back to his feet.

Hefner is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Thomas has escaped the position, nice work there.
Thomas tries to improve position but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hefner sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Thomas is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Hefner lands some shots froms side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hefner misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Thomas wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Hefner in side control, throwing shots but Thomas defends.
Hefner looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Thomas is avoiding damage well.
Thomas is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Hefner asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Hefner is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Thomas is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Hefner tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Patch Thomas is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hefner lands an elbow.

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 Patch Thomas.
Well Thomas has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Patch Thomas!
After winning the bout, Patch Thomas thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.