PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Desmond Armstrong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Armstrong
vs
Thompson

204 cm
18
214 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

190 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 1 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Desmond Armstrong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 1, fighting out of London, John Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Steven Brown and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thompson has his takedown stuffed
and Armstrong counters with a right hand to the body.

Thompson gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Thompson manages to break the clinch.
Armstrong swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Armstrong has Thompson up against the cage in a clinch.

Armstrong decides to pull guard.
Armstrong is controlling Thompson's posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Thompson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Armstrong is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Thompson trying to control the position from guard on top but Armstrong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thompson throws a strike but Armstrong rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Armstrong is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Armstrong postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Thompson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Armstrong with a nice head shot there.
Armstrong wanted to stand there but Thompson had control of the position.
Armstrong sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Thompson wants to sweep but no luck.
Thompson looks winded!
Armstrong is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Armstrong stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Thompson pushes Armstrong up against the cage in a clinch.
Armstrong is trying to push Thompson away but Thompson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thompson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Thompson drives through and clinches with Armstrong against the cage.
Thompson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Armstrong avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Armstrong is looking to break free of the clinch but Thompson has double underhooks.

Armstrong pulls Thompson into guard.
Armstrong is pulling down on Thompson's head to control his posture.
Armstrong 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.
Armstrong's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Armstrong lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Armstrong lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Armstrong scoring with some ground and pound.
Thompson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Armstrong lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Armstrong distracts Thompson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Armstrong postures up.
Armstrong lands a couple of digs.

Armstrong drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Armstrong jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Thompson is working an open guard so Armstrong takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Armstrong closes the distance and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Thompson throws a sloppy head kick and Armstrong moves out of range easily.

Armstrong gets tackled into the cage by Thompson. Thompson maintains the clinch.
Armstrong can't break the clinch.
Armstrong is looking to break free of the clinch but Thompson has double underhooks.

Armstrong breaks the clinch.
Thompson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Armstrong tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Thompson manages to circle out of the way.

Thompson rushes Armstrong and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Thompson is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Armstrong breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Armstrong slips a jab and a cross from Thompson.
Armstrong is looking to counter the offense by Thompson and move into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thompson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Armstrong wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Armstrong is trying to push Thompson away but Thompson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Armstrong prevents Thompson from breaking the clinch.
Thompson trying to control the position but instead, Armstrong has worked for underhooks and has pushed Thompson into the cage.
Thompson tries to pull guard but Armstrong holds him up against the cage and eventually Thompson drops back down to his feet.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Armstrong as Thompson tries to tie him up.
Armstrong wants to get back to striking at distance but Thompson won't allow it.

Armstrong escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Thompson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson wants to break free but Armstrong has control.
Armstrong wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Armstrong wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Armstrong has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Armstrong wants to break the clinch but can't.
Armstrong is trying to break the clinch but Thompson is controlling him.
Armstrong tries to break free but Thompson pushes him back against the cage.
Thompson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Armstrong to keep the fight standing.
Desmond Armstrong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Thompson.
Thompson fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Armstrong manages to break the clinch.
Thompson shoots for a double leg takedown but Armstrong sprawls well. He's pushed Thompson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Armstrong has Thompson up against the cage in a clinch.
Armstrong tries to circle away but Thompson has him pinned against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson is trying to break the clinch but Armstrong has him pressed against the cage.
Armstrong is looking to break free of the clinch but Thompson has double underhooks.

Armstrong pulls guard effortlessly.
Thompson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Armstrong works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Armstrong keeping moving, preventing Thompson from controlling successfully.
Armstrong keeping full guard, as Thompson tries to pass.
Armstrong has Thompson pulled in close to control his posture.

Armstrong has his foot on Thompson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Thompson works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Armstrong working for a triangle but Thompson defends it easily.

Armstrong 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.
Thompson wants to control from the top but Armstrong keeps moving.
Thompson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Armstrong looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Thompson passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Desmond Armstrong will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Thompson closes the distance and clinches.
Armstrong tries to circle away but Thompson has him pinned against the cage.
Armstrong is trying to force a seperation but Thompson has the dominant position.

Armstrong breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Armstrong rushes Thompson and presses him up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Armstrong is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Armstrong is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Thompson can do to turn this around?
Armstrong is trying to break the clinch but Thompson has him pressed against the cage.
Armstrong wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Thompson has him pressed against the cage.
Armstrong is looking to break free of the clinch but Thompson has double underhooks.
Armstrong wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Armstrong is trying to force a seperation but Thompson has the dominant position.

Thompson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
John Thompson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Armstrong stuffs the takedown attempt from Thompson. Thompson gets slowly back to his feet.
Thompson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Armstrong instigates a clinch.

Thompson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Thompson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Armstrong counters with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Armstrong counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Thompson!
Desmond Armstrong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Thompson.
Armstrong is chipping away with strikes.
Armstrong working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Thompson trying to remain calm as Armstrong controls from the top position.
Armstrong landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

Armstrong is trying to get an arm triangle but Thompson is defending well.
Desmond Armstrong overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Armstrong is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Thompson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Armstrong is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Thompson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong landing strikes.
Thompson taking punishment in the form of punches.
Armstrong controlling the position.
Armstrong working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Armstrong working the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Armstrong just content to control the position.
Armstrong working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Thompson is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Armstrong is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Armstrong scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Thompson?
A nice elbow there by Armstrong.
Armstrong in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Armstrong looking to finish Thompson with some ground and pound. This is bad for Thompson!
The referee warns Thompson that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Armstrong lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Thompson hang on?
A nice elbow there by Armstrong.
John Thompson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Desmond Armstrong is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Armstrong controlling from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Desmond Armstrong showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Armstrong, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Desmond Armstrong!