PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between David Durrant (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tane Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thompson is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: it was over. David Durrant is staring across the ring at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Durrant
vs
Thompson

170 cm
23
175 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

176 cm
20
173 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

MMA's Best Nutrition

TFP Graphics

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 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, David Durrant!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tane Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yukihiro Shimada and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thompson misses with a hook. Durrant ducked under it nicely.
Thompson misses with a straight left.
Durrant shoots in for a takedown but Thompson shows good takedown defense.
Thompson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Thompson tries to clinch there but Durrant circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Durrant.

Thompson pushes Durrant up against the ropes in a clinch.
Durrant tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for David Durrant. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thompson scores with a hook to the body.
Thompson lands with a light punch inside.
Thompson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but Durrant blocks it.
Durrant tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Thompson smiles and moves away.

Durrant closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Thompson lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson lands with a left to the head.
Durrant fails to pull guard.
Thompson lands an elbow inside.
Thompson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like David Durrant has been cut.
Thompson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Thompson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Thompson landing knees to the head.
Durrant changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Thompson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Thompson has his takedown stuffed

and Durrant counters with a shoot takedown. Thompson fights it but they end up in guard.
Thompson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Thompson keeping moving, preventing Durrant from controlling successfully.
Durrant pushes down on Thompson's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Durrant is pressing down on Thompson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Thompson is holding on for now.
Durrant controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson moves into full guard.
Thompson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Durrant trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Thompson trying to control the position here.

Thompson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Durrant trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Durrant!
Durrant slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Durrant wants to get back to full guard.
Thompson trying to control the action but Durrant is working from the bottom.

Thompson looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Thompson with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Durrant with the active half guard here but Thompson passes nicely into side control.
Durrant tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Thompson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Thompson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Durrant, who protects the arm well.
Durrant tries to improve position but can't.
Durrant taking punishment in the form of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tane Thompson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on David Durrant's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Durrant with a poor takedown

and Thompson counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Durrant keeping busy on the bottom but Thompson has passed one foot through into half guard.
Thompson is taking a breather. Durrant says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Durrant regains full guard. Nicely done.
Thompson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Thompson throws a big right hand that misses.

Durrant isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Thompson stacks Durrant on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Thompson!
Thompson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Durrant keeps working.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thompson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Durrant tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Thompson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Durrant manages to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Thompson is looking to stall here but Durrant recovers full guard.
Durrant controls Thompson momentarily but Thompson frees himself.
Thompson looking to pass the guard.
Thompson stands and throws Durrant's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Thompson content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Durrant is looking to regain half guard here but Thompson keeps moving and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Durrant is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Durrant wants to control but Thompson is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Thompson is working for a kimura but Durrant is defending it quite comfortably.

Thompson is working for a submission of some sort.
Durrant wants to sweep but Thompson has passed to side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Durrant tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Thompson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Thompson looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Durrant tries to buck Thompson off but Thompson is having none of it.
Durrant is not content to let Thompson control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tane Thompson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on David Durrant'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.

Durrant doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Thompson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Durrant gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Thompson counters with a nice uppercut.

Thompson gets a clinch.
Thompson lands a damaging elbow.
Thompson lands an elbow inside.
Thompson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Durrant lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Durrant changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Thompson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for David Durrant. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thompson shoots in looking for a takedown. Durrant tries to sprawl out of it but Thompson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Durrant manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Thompson takes the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Thompson works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Thompson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Thompson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Thompson lands an elbow inside that Durrant shrugs off.
Thompson scores with a shoulder strike.
Durrant takes a knee right on the jaw!

Durrant is working on a single leg takedown against the ropes. Thompson can't fight it off and eventually Durrant manages to take the fight to the floor. Thompson looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Thompson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Durrant.
Thompson wants to sweep but no luck.
Thompson keeping moving, preventing Durrant from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson working a defensive guard here.
Thompson keeping moving, preventing Durrant from controlling successfully.
Durrant won't allow Thompson to sweep him here.
Durrant trying to control but Thompson is working from the bottom.
Thompson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Durrant's guard.

Durrant working for a triangle but Thompson defends it easily.

Durrant had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Thompson is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Durrant Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Thompson's back instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson trying to control the hands but Durrant breaks the grip.
Thompson really must keep his cool here. He's controlling one of Durrant's hands and whilst he does that, he's got a chance of escaping the position.
Thompson manages to reverse the position and now he's in Durrant's guard. Nice work there by Thompson.
Thompson is pushing down on Durrant's leg trying to pass to half guard. Durrant is fighting to maintain full guard but Thompson has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Thompson trying to pass the guard but Durrant defending well.
Durrant wants to control but Thompson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Durrant tries to get to full guard but Thompson has control of the leg.
Durrant is trying to maintain the position but Thompson is very close to passing his half guard.

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

Thompson stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Durrant to get to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tane Thompson really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on David Durrant's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Durrant moves into the clinch successfully.

Durrant manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Thompson wants to control from the top but Durrant keeps moving.
Durrant not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Durrant wants to control but Thompson passes easily into half guard.

Durrant actively working from the bottom here.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Thompson is looking for a kimura here.
Thompson prevents Durrant from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thompson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Thompson trying to control the action but Durrant is working from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Durrant uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Thompson.
Thompson tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
A decent looking cross lands there for Thompson.
Durrant doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Thompson moves into the clinch.
Durrant has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Thompson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Durrant manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Thompson slips nicely into half guard.

Thompson is trying to work for a kimura but Durrant is defending well.

Thompson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Durrant is just riding it out for now. Thompson eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are battling for position here. Durrant manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Durrant not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Durrant working a defensive guard but Thompson passes into half guard.
Durrant is looking to escape.
Durrant wants to control but Thompson passes into side.

Thompson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Durrant has escaped the position, nice work there.
Thompson wants to control but Durrant is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Thompson looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Durrant tries to improve position but can't.
Thompson wants to control but Durrant is keeping him busy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The strikes coming from Thompson are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

Thompson decides to stand back up. Thompson steps back and let's Durrant get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tane Thompson dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on David Durrant's cut.
That's time! Durrant's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Durrant tries to clinch but Thompson moves out of range.

Thompson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.

Durrant pulls guard effortlessly.

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

Durrant tries for a kimura but Thompson is defending well.
Thompson stops Durrant from passing to mount.
Durrant working the strikes but Thompson uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Tane Thompson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Durrant pushing down on Thompson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Durrant is pressing down on Thompson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Thompson is holding on for now.

Durrant is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Thompson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Durrant.
Thompson manages to get to full guard.
Durrant being controlled here momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Durrant pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Thompson is keeping the position for now.
Thompson is controlling Durrant's posture.
Thompson keeping moving, preventing Durrant from controlling successfully.
Durrant tries to free his leg and advance position but Thompson is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson is controlling Durrant's posture.
Durrant postures up.

Thompson is looking for a triangle but Durrant pushes his legs off easily.
Durrant missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Durrant has gone for a leg lock! Thompson slips out almost immediately though and dives into Durrant's guard.

Durrant has an active guard here but Thompson has managed to pass into half guard.
Thompson has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
David Durrant has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Durrant is wriggling around trying to escape.

Thompson has control of Durrant's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Durrant regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Thompson scoring with strikes but Durrant is staying in there.
Tane Thompson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thompson sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tane Thompson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Thompson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 45:50
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 45:50
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tane Thompson!
Tane Thompson is the new welterweight champion!