PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Francisco Salgado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thomas comes to the cage accompanied by all of the lights. Francisco Salgado is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Thomas
vs
Salgado

190 cm
24
293 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

197 cm
27
274 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mike Thomas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Francisco Salgado!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Franklyn Lucas and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Salgado throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Thomas attempts a counter takedown but Salgado avoids it well and moves away.
Salgado has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Thomas is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Salgado swinging wildly here.

Salgado gets caught flat footed, as Thomas shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Thomas missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Salgado controlling Thomas's posture.
Thomas landing with the ground and pound.
Thomas postures up in Salgado's guard and throws a big left but Salgado blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thomas working some strikes from top position.
Thomas looking to pass the guard.
Salgado working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Thomas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas trying to control but Salgado is working from the bottom.
Salgado trying to keep a closed guard but Thomas is proving a slippery customer.
Thomas loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Thomas is in close to Salgado's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Thomas throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Salgado can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Thomas controls the pace.
Salgado looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Thomas is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Salgado avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Thomas trying to control the position from guard on top but Salgado is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thomas postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Salgado keeps moving.
Salgado is looking to stand up but Thomas isn't so interested in that idea.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Salgado misses with a series of wild punches.
Thomas changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Thomas takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Salgado works over Thomas's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Mike Thomas has been cut.

Nice combo by Salgado! Oh, that's hurt him - Thomas falls to the canvas and Salgado follows him into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thomas managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Salgado.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Salgado postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Thomas trying to remain calm as Salgado controls from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Salgado decides to stand back up.
Salgado throws a nice looking combination but Thomas bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Thomas on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Salgado lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Salgado misses with a head kick.
Thomas drops down looking for a counter takedown but Salgado sprawls and moves away.

Thomas shoots in and gets a takedown into Salgado's guard.

Salgado pushes Thomas off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thomas shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Salgado but Salgado pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Salgado throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Salgado bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Thomas is breathing heavily.
Salgado rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Thomas moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Salgado scores with a three punch combo!
Salgado works Thomas's body with a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salgado scores with a push kick.
Salgado misses with a wild combination.
Salgado lands a body shot.
Salgado throws a head kick that misses.
Thomas throws a nice looking combination but Salgado bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice jab there from Salgado.
Salgado misses with a head kick.
Thomas dives in for a single leg takedown but Salgado sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Salgado fails to land with a series of punches.
Thomas finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Salgado is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Thomas.
Francisco Salgado seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thomas takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Mike Thomas's cut is getting worse.
Thomas takes one on the button.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francisco Salgado dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mike Thomas's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Salgado slips a jab from Thomas.
Thomas dives in and grabs Salgado's left leg, looking for a takedown. Salgado pushes down on Thomas's head and hops out.

Oooh a lovely combination from Salgado sends Thomas down but not out. Salgado dives into side control looking to finish.
Salgado has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Thomas is letting Salgado control him for a moment.
Salgado trying to control the position but Thomas is working away.

Salgado stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Francisco Salgado seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas is trying hard to land a takedown here. Salgado sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Thomas doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Salgado misses with a head kick.
Salgado lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Salgado lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Salgado.

Mike Thomas's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Salgado throws a series of punches but Thomas avoids them all with ease.
Thomas fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Salgado manages to avoid it.
Thomas dodges the punch combination from Salgado.
Thomas tries to counter with a takedown but Salgado is quick to defend against it.
Thomas looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Thomas is looking to clinch.
Nice body punch from Salgado.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Salgado, right into the meat.
Mike Thomas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Salgado, as that shot connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Thomas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thomas takes a kick to the side of the head.

Salgado drops Thomas with a left right combo! Salgado follows him down to the ground into side control.

Jeez, Mike Thomas's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Salgado working away.
Salgado prevents Thomas from escaping the position.
Salgado wants to control but Thomas is keeping him busy.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Thomas can't do much from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Salgado decides to stand back up. Salgado steps back and let's Thomas get back to his feet.
Salgado looks to land a combination but Thomas avoids it well.
Salgado circles away from the clinch attempt.
Thomas fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Salgado is out of range.
Salgado looks to throw a body kick

and Thomas counters with a takedown into side control.
Salgado tries to improve position but can't.
Thomas in side control, throwing shots but Salgado defends.
Thomas lands a decent elbow from side control.
Thomas wants to control but Salgado is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salgado is looking for a sweep.
The ground and pound from Thomas seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

Thomas swings around for an armbar but Salgado sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Thomas's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Salgado trying to stand up but can't free himself from Thomas's guard.
Thomas looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Salgado tries to free his leg and advance position but Thomas is retaining full guard.
Salgado sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Thomas's guard.
Salgado trying to control from half guard but Thomas is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francisco Salgado showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mike Thomas's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Salgado throws a body shot but no joy.
Salgado shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Thomas eats them both and turns towards Salgado to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Thomas connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Salgado throws a sloppy head kick

and Thomas counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Salgado!
Salgado avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Thomas.
Thomas wants to control for a moment but Salgado uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.

Thomas is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Salgado has managed to free his arm - good work.
Thomas missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Thomas 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.
Salgado avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thomas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Thomas throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Thomas seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Salgado does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Thomas wants to pass to mount but Salgado is defending the position.
Salgado holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Thomas thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Thomas is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Salgado trying to control from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Mike Thomas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Thomas throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Thomas wants to pass the guard but Salgado is defending well.
Salgado has hold of Thomas's hands but Thomas slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Salgado slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Thomas working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Thomas preventing the sweep.
Thomas connects with a couple of short punches.
Thomas trying to control the position from guard on top but Salgado is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thomas with a nice head shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salgado looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thomas is one step ahead there.
Thomas throws an elbow that misses. Salgado uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Thomas's guard. Nice move by Salgado!

Salgado gets to his feet - Thomas follows without any prompting.
No joy there for Salgado, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Salgado misses with a kick to the body.
Salgado misses with a head kick.
Thomas changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Thomas displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Salgado throws out the jab.
Thomas changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Thomas avoids the body shot from Salgado.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas throws a head kick but Salgado moves out of range.
Salgado swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Thomas counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Thomas.
Salgado takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Thomas trying to control but Salgado is working from the bottom.
Thomas is working Salgado over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Salgado is rocked!
Thomas postures up from his opponent's guard, before exploding into some vicious ground and pound! Salgado covers up, he's hurt! Thomas keeps throwing the strikes, glancing at the referee... Will he stop it?? One more big shot from Thomas and the ref steps in to end the fight! Thomas can't hide his delight as he celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:43 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mike Thomas!
A victorious Mike Thomas thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.