PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Narcizo Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tien Jaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Thomas
vs
Jaa

180 cm
21
194 lbs
4 - 0 - 1

190 cm
26
190 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Narcizo Thomas!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tien Jaa!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Yves DeLean and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown by Thomas or perhaps it was just good defense by Jaa which made him look bad.
Jaa is looking to clinch.
Jaa moves in looking to clinch but Thomas pushes him off.

Jaa clinches with his opponent.

Thomas has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Jaa is trying to keep an underhook but Thomas manages to get the takedown into half guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Thomas is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Jaa sees it coming and defends easily.
Thomas stops Jaa from getting back to his feet.

Thomas is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Thomas seems to be looking for submissions.

Jaa is defending against the submission attempts here by Thomas.

Thomas is looking for a kimura but Jaa is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Thomas to get the leverage.
Jaa really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Thomas. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jaa is defending against the submission attempts here by Thomas.

Thomas is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Jaa sees it coming and defends easily.
Jaa told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.

Thomas is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Jaa 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.

Thomas is looking for a kimura but Jaa is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Thomas to get the leverage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thomas is working for a kimura but Jaa is defending it quite comfortably.
Thomas stops Jaa from getting back to his feet.
Thomas looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Thomas is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Jaa is trying to stand.

Thomas wants to work for an arm triangle but Jaa is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thomas is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Thomas is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Jaa sees it coming and defends easily.

Jaa is defending against the submission attempts here by Thomas.
Jaa wants to get back to his feet.
Thomas trying to pass the guard but Jaa defending well.
Jaa is trying to stand back up but Thomas is controlling him

Thomas is looking for a kimura but Jaa is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Thomas to get the leverage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thomas is looking for a kimura but Jaa is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Thomas to get the leverage.

Thomas is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Thomas looking for a submission but Jaa manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Jaa wants to stand up but Thomas is controlling him.

Thomas is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Jaa is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Jaa has escaped and now he's on top!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thomas utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Thomas working for a triangle but Jaa defends it easily.

Thomas is looking for a triangle but Jaa pushes his legs off easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Thomas shoots in but no luck this time.
Jaa fails with an attempt to clinch.
Thomas with a poor takedown
and Jaa counters with a flying knee. Nice.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jaa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jaa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Thomas swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Thomas shoots for a double leg takedown but Jaa sprawls well. He's pushed Thomas's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Narcizo Thomas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thomas closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jaa circles away.
Jaa wants to clinch.
Jaa tries to clinch there but Thomas circles away.
Thomas looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Thomas shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Jaa counters with a nice body kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Jaa wants to clinch up but Thomas keeps it at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fight stays on the outside here - Jaa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jaa fails with an attempt to clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Jaa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Thomas paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thomas looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Jaa is fending him off so far but Thomas persists. Nope, Jaa circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas misses with a takedown attempt
and Jaa counters with a slapping leg kick.
A head kick from Jaa lands but Thomas takes it in his stride.
Jaa tries to clinch but Thomas is having none of it.

Jaa lands a big head kick that sends Thomas tumbling to the mat! Jaa takes a step backwards and waves Thomas back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Narcizo Thomas has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thomas circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jaa tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Thomas manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tien Jaa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jaa tries to close the distance and clinch but Thomas swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Jaa tries to close the distance and clinch but Thomas swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Jaa tries to clinch but Thomas moves out of range.
Narcizo Thomas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thomas shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Jaa counters with a head kick that drops Thomas to the mat! Thomas scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!

Thomas is rocked!
Jaa tries to clinch up.
Oh Thomas is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Thomas avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Thomas darts in looking for a takedown but Jaa gets double underhooks and turns Thomas into the cage.
Jaa using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Thomas tries to pull guard but Jaa won't allow it.
Thomas seems to have got his legs back now.
Jaa utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
A bit of stalling here from Jaa.
Jaa unloads a knee to the mid-section.
The referee calls for Jaa to work.
Jaa utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jaa unloads a knee to the mid-section. Thomas lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Jaa leaning his opponent against the cage.
Thomas is trying to pull guard but Jaa turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Thomas tries to pull guard but Jaa forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Jaa has Thomas pushed against the cage.
Jaa unloads a knee to the mid-section. Thomas lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Jaa with a knee to the head.
Jaa connects with a nasty looking knee right to Thomas's face.
Thomas takes a knee right on the jaw!
Thomas drops down looking for an ankle pick but Jaa pulls his leg out and moves away.
Thomas swats away the attempt to clinch by Jaa.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jaa moves into the clinch.
Jaa working Thomas over with knees to the body.
Thomas looking for a takedown.
Jaa utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Jaa landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Thomas tries to pull guard but Jaa forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Jaa putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Thomas in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jaa stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Jaa landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Jaa lands a nice knee to the body.
Jaa connects with a nasty looking knee right to Thomas's face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaa landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Jaa lands a nice knee to the body.
Jaa crunches a lovely knee into Thomas's ribcage.
Jaa crunches a lovely knee into Thomas's ribcage.
Jaa is pressed up against the cage. Thomas has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Jaa down to the mat. Jaa avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Jaa fails with an attempt to clinch.
Jaa stuffs the takedown attempt from Thomas. Thomas gets slowly back to his feet.
Thomas shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Jaa defends it nicely.
Tien Jaa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thomas swats away the attempt to clinch by Jaa.
Thomas looks for a takedown but Jaa sprawls well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thomas keeps the fight on the outside.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jaa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Thomas tries for a takedown but Jaa sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tien Jaa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Narcizo Thomas's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Jaa pushes Thomas up against the cage in a clinch.
Thomas jumps guard but Jaa turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Jaa.
Jaa putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Thomas in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Thomas is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Jaa pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Nice elbow from Jaa.
Jaa scores with a knee to the head.
Jaa with a knee to the head.
Jaa using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jaa unloads a knee to the mid-section. Thomas lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
The referee calls for Jaa to work.
Jaa crunches a lovely knee into Thomas's ribcage.
Jaa putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Thomas in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Jaa trying to control the position but instead, Thomas has worked for underhooks and has pushed Jaa into the cage.
Jaa will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Thomas up against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Jaa obliges.
Jaa lands a knee to the body.
Jaa putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Thomas in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Jaa connects with a knee to the head.
Jaa taking a breather.
Jaa using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jaa displaying some good clinch control by pressing Thomas up against the cage.
Jaa unloads a knee to the mid-section. Thomas lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Jaa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Jaa is pushing Thomas up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Tien Jaa.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jaa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jaa is looking to clinch but Thomas is avoiding it.
Thomas circles away from the clinch attempt.

Jaa clinches up with Thomas and pushes him back against the cage.
Thomas is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Narcizo Thomas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jaa throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Thomas blocks it with crossed arms.
Thomas drops down looking for an ankle pick but Jaa pulls his leg out and moves away.
Jaa lands a high kick!
Thomas takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Thomas avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Jaa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jaa tries to clinch there but Thomas circles away.
Thomas shoots for a double leg takedown but Jaa sprawls well. He's pushed Thomas's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Jaa is looking to clinch but Thomas is avoiding it.
Jaa doesn't manage to clinch there - Thomas circles away.
Jaa throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Thomas's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Jaa pinned against the cage. Jaa gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Thomas looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Tien Jaa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Thomas doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Jaa counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Thomas is lucky that one didn't land flush.
A head kick misses from Jaa.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown but Jaa shows good takedown defense.
Jaa wants to clinch up but Thomas keeps it at a distance.
Thomas stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Jaa.
Jaa throws a nice head kick!
Thomas misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Thomas swats away the attempt to clinch by Jaa.
Thomas fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Jaa avoids it really well and circles away.

Jaa lands a big head kick that sends Thomas tumbling to the mat! Jaa takes a step backwards and waves Thomas back to his feet - he wants the finish!
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 swats away the attempt to clinch by Jaa.
Jaa tries to clinch but Thomas is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Jaa. No joy for Thomas on that attempt.
Thomas circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jaa lands a front kick.
Jaa tries to clinch up.
Jaa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Thomas paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Jaa tries to clinch up.
Thomas avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Jaa tries a head kick but it misses.
Thomas misses with a takedown
and Jaa counters with a head kick. That will keep Thomas thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Jaa tries to clinch but Thomas moves out of range.
Jaa lands with a kick to the temple. Thomas shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Jaa tries to close the distance and clinch but Thomas swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Thomas fails with the takedown
and Jaa counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Thomas is lucky that one didn't land flush.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jaa tries to clinch up but Thomas circles away and keeps his distance.
Thomas circles away from the clinch attempt.

Jaa rushes Thomas and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tien Jaa really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Narcizo Thomas's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Jaa tries to clinch up.
Jaa connects with a solid leg kick.
Jaa throws a head kick that half lands.
Thomas dives in for a single leg takedown but Jaa sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Jaa tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Thomas avoids it.

Thomas gets control of Jaa's arms and successfully pulls guard. Thomas will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Thomas working for a triangle but Jaa defends it easily.

Thomas looking for a guillotine here but Jaa defends easily.
Jaa makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jaa passes Thomas's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Thomas avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Jaa.

Thomas has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for Jaa. Oh but Thomas has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Jaa goes limp - he's gone! Thomas jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Narcizo Thomas!
Narcizo Thomas retains his middleweight title!
A relieved looking Narcizo Thomas thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.