PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vlad Didenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Didenko
vs
Thompson

197 cm
22
190 lbs
8 - 0 - 0

196 cm
20
189 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Vlad Didenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mike Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Daniel Franklin and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thompson wants to clinch.
Thompson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Didenko defends it nicely.
Didenko shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Thompson pinned against the cage. Thompson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Didenko shoots in and bounces Thompson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Didenko drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Didenko jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Didenko thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Thompson trying to keep a closed guard but Didenko is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Didenko drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Thompson dives on top into guard.

Didenko looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Thompson throws a big elbow that misses.
Thompson wants to control from the top but Didenko keeps moving.
Thompson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Thompson trying to control the position from guard on top but Didenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Didenko throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Thompson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Didenko has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Thompson has managed to get both his arms back between Didenko's legs - danger averted.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Didenko is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Didenko is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Thompson defends well.
Thompson landing some decent shots from guard.

Didenko is looking for a triangle but Thompson pushes his legs off easily.
Didenko is breathing heavily.
Thompson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Didenko seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Thompson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Thompson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Didenko's guard.
Thompson throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Didenko keeping full guard, as Thompson tries to pass.
Thompson wants to control from the top but Didenko keeps moving.
Thompson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Mike Thompson.
Thompson wants to clinch up but Didenko keeps it at a distance.
Thompson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Didenko.
Thompson fails with a takedown attempt.
Thompson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Didenko sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Vlad Didenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Thompson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson shoots for a takedown but Didenko saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Didenko really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Didenko closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Thompson is trying to maintain the position but Didenko is very close to passing his half guard.

Didenko is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Didenko is trying for a kimura here. Thompson looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Didenko wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Vlad Didenko!