PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yrjo Pieru (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Craig Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thomas comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Judas Priest - Painkiller kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Yrjo Pieru has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Pieru
vs
Thomas

181 cm
22
186 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

183 cm
22
195 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yrjo Pieru!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Craig Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Alan Glass and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Thomas misses.
Thomas throws a series of punches but Pieru moves out of range.
No joy there for Thomas, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Pieru.
Craig Thomas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thomas throws a series of punches but Pieru avoids them all with ease.
Thomas throws a jab but it's blocked by Pieru.
Thomas looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Thomas swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Pieru is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Thomas.

Pieru closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Pieru lands in his opponent's guard.
Pieru works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pieru not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pieru throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Pieru thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Thomas's head.
Thomas trying to control here.
Thomas is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Thomas wants to control but Pieru is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Thomas wants to get back to full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Thomas lands a nice shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Thomas misses with a few strikes there.
Thomas looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Pieru tries for a takedown but Thomas sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Craig Thomas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pieru keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Thomas.
No joy there for Thomas, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Pieru dodges the punch combination from Thomas.
Pieru avoids a punch combination nicely.
Pieru shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yrjo Pieru. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Horrible takedown by Pieru or perhaps it was just good defense by Thomas which made him look bad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Thomas misses.
Pieru uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thomas.

Pieru shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Thomas is trying to maintain the position but Pieru is very close to passing his half guard.
Pieru winds up and cracks Thomas with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Thomas is trying to control but Pieru manages to pass to mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pieru connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Thomas is desperately trying to improve his position but Pieru has a good base and remains in mount.
Thomas taking shots to the head.
Pieru working the ground and pound effectively.
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!
Pieru lands a big shot there that rocks Thomas but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Thomas is rocked!

It looks like Craig Thomas has been cut.
Thomas looks gassed!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pieru postures up and connects with a big shot that has rocked Thomas badly. He's trying desperately to grab hold of Pieru around the waist but Pieru pushes him off and unloads with more strikes, forcing the referee to jump in and save him! Pieru is the winner by TKO! Pieru jumps onto the cage and shouts into the camera. "We did it momma!"

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Yrjo Pieru!