PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Clarence Pennington (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carl Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Carl Thompson told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Pennington
vs
Thompson

199 cm
20
214 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

188 cm
25
201 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Clarence Pennington!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Carl Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Gregory Folan and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Thompson has Pennington up against the cage in a clinch.
Pennington lands a body punch.

Thompson tightens his grip and picks Pennington up, before dumping him to the ground. Pennington manages to land in guard.

Pennington is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Pennington throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Thompson escapes and throws Pennington's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Thompson misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pennington is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Thompson off and has taken his back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thompson is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Pennington.
Thompson trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Pennington just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson turns into Pennington and is now in his guard.
Pennington looking for a sweep. Not yet Pennington, not yet.
Thompson wants to get up but he can't break Pennington's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Pennington bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Thompson's guard.

Thompson wants to sweep here but Pennington controlling him for the moment.

Pennington stands up from Thompson's guard - Pennington perhaps looking for a knockout.

Thompson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Pennington's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson wants to control from the top but Pennington keeps moving.

Pennington is looking for a triangle but Thompson pushes his legs off easily.
Pennington looking for a sweep. Not yet Pennington, not yet.

Pennington throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Thompson wants to stand but Pennington has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Pennington will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Thompson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Pennington knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Thompson on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson trying to control but Pennington is working from the bottom.
Pennington is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Thompson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Thompson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Pennington does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Pennington is holding on to half guard well.
Pennington is staying active underneath Thompson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Thompson feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Pennington working for a triangle but Thompson defends it easily.
Pennington looking for a sweep. Not yet Pennington, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carl Thompson dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Thompson lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

Thompson closes the distance and clinches.

Thompson manages to pull guard.
Pennington is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Pennington has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Pennington postures up.
Pennington controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Pennington stands up and waves to Thompson to follow him.

Thompson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson wants to take a breather but Pennington is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pennington regains full guard. Nicely done.
Thompson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Pennington's guard.
Thompson wants to control from the top but Pennington keeps moving.

Pennington is looking for a triangle but Thompson pushes his legs off easily.
Pennington manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Thompson manages to get himself to full guard.

Pennington decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Pennington misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pennington gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Pennington looking for a guillotine here but Thompson defends easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Pennington has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Thompson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Thompson works over Pennington with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson wants to stand and escape but instead Pennington has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Pennington trying to control but Thompson is working from the bottom.
Thompson is trying to control the position but Pennington postures up.

Pennington avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Pennington stands and steps away. Thompson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Thompson closes the distance and pushes Pennington back into the cage.
Pennington doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Thompson jumps guard and drags Pennington to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson wants to sweep but no luck.
Thompson trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Pennington stands up and waves to Thompson to follow him.
Thompson lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

It looks like Clarence Pennington has been cut.
Thompson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Thompson moves into range and clinches up with Pennington.
Thompson blocks a body shot from Pennington.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Pennington pulls guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Thompson is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Pennington is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Pennington has escaped and now he's on top!

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carl Thompson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Clarence Pennington's cut.
That's time! Pennington's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Pennington closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Thompson's guard.
Pennington tries to stand but Thompson is controlling from the bottom.

Thompson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Thompson trying to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pennington is looking to stand up but Thompson won't let him.
Pennington is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Pennington has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Thompson is proving hard to escape from.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pennington content to stall in guard here.

Pennington stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Thompson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Pennington. That did some damage!
Thompson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Thompson drives through with a takedown into guard.

Pennington wriggles free and stands up.
Thompson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Thompson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Pennington, pushing him back against the cage.
Pennington taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson blocks a body shot from Pennington.
Pennington misses with a hook to the ribs.
Thompson managing to block the knees to the body from Pennington.
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!
Pennington keeps control of Thompson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Thompson managing to block the knees to the body from Pennington.
Thompson being controlled against the cage.

Thompson works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pennington looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Thompson stopping the sweep attempt from Pennington.
Carl Thompson has got the better of the ground game so far.

Pennington looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Thompson slips nicely into half guard.
Pennington wants to get back to full guard.
Thompson wants to control but Pennington is keeping him busy.
Pennington wants to improve his position but Thompson is controlling well.
Pennington makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Pennington.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Thompson trying to control the position from guard on top but Pennington is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thompson distracts Pennington with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Pennington has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Thompson is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Pennington.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thompson working the head with strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Carl Thompson.
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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Carl Thompson!