PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Claudemir Bonanza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tim Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bonanza
vs
Thomas

181 cm
31
166 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

175 cm
30
163 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Claudemir Bonanza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tim Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Glass and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bonanza is defended easily by Thomas.
Thomas cracks a nice hook into Bonanza's ribs.
Thomas pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Bonanza attempts a counter takedown but Thomas avoids it well and moves away.
Thomas throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Bonanza counters with a nice double leg into guard.

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

Thomas stands up and beckons Bonanza to his feet.
Thomas leaves Bonanza with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Bonanza seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.

Bonanza closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Thomas did well to prevent Bonanza getting side control.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thomas is looking for a sweep. Bonanza is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas wants to control but Bonanza is keeping busy.
Thomas wants to improve his position but Bonanza is controlling well.
Thomas is staying active underneath Bonanza, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Bonanza is looking for a kimura but Thomas is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Bonanza to get the leverage.
Thomas is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Bonanza's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Bonanza's back!
Thomas controlling from the back.
Bonanza wants to escape the position.
Bonanza is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Thomas.

Thomas stands up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas throws a good cross that connects.
Tim Thomas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thomas misses with a hook. Bonanza ducked under it nicely.

Thomas closes the distance and clinches.
Bonanza tries for a takedown but Thomas manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Claudemir Bonanza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bonanza has Thomas pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Thomas manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Thomas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Some wild striking there from Thomas.
Thomas has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Thomas throws a leg kick

and Bonanza counters with a takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bonanza wants to lay and pray for a moment but Thomas keeps working.
Thomas manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Bonanza actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Bonanza.
Bonanza is trying to control but can't.
Bonanza slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Thomas would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Bonanza is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Thomas wanted to stand there but Bonanza had control of the position.

Thomas gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

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.
Thomas misses with a jab, cross combination.
Thomas throws a leg kick

and Bonanza decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Thomas's guard.
Bonanza wants to pass the guard but Thomas is keeping the position.
Bonanza stops Thomas from standing up.
Bonanza wants to pass the guard but Thomas is keeping the position.
Bonanza stopping the sweep attempt from Thomas.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bonanza trying to control but Thomas is working from the bottom.

Bonanza drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bonanza jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tim Thomas dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Thomas misses with the combination.
Bonanza feinted with a counter takedown.
No luck for Bonanza with that takedown attempt.
Bonanza takes one to the chin there.
Some wild striking there from Thomas.
Thomas scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Thomas tried to score with a low kick but Bonanza checks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thomas scores with a jab to the body.
Thomas bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Bonanza moves away from the strike by Thomas.
Bonanza dodges the punch combination from Thomas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bonanza looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Horrible takedown attempt by Bonanza or perhaps it was just good defense by Thomas, which made it look bad.
Bonanza is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Thomas gets caught flat footed, as Bonanza shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Thomas keeping moving, preventing Bonanza from controlling successfully.
Thomas bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bonanza's guard.

Thomas stands and steps away. Bonanza gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Tim Thomas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thomas lands a jab-cross combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Bonanza looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Bonanza 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas is controlling Bonanza's trapped leg to prevent Bonanza from advancing to side control.
The fighters are battling for position here. Thomas manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Bonanza trying to control the position from guard on top but Thomas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonanza trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Thomas wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Bonanza pushes down on Thomas's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Thomas wants to control but Bonanza is keeping busy.

Bonanza is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Thomas has managed to free his arm - good work.
Tim Thomas has got the better of the ground game so far.

Bonanza seems to be looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Thomas works his way to full guard. Good work.
Bonanza trying to control but Thomas is working from the bottom.
Thomas is looking to stand up but Bonanza isn't so interested in that idea.
Bonanza passes into half guard.
Bonanza stops Thomas from getting back to his feet.
Bonanza is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Thomas desperately trying to maintain half guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tim Thomas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Bonanza checks a leg kick.

Bonanza shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Thomas pushes Bonanza off and gets back to his feet.
Bonanza shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Thomas defends it nicely.
Nice uppercut there from Thomas.
Thomas lands a front kick.
Bonanza darts in looking for a takedown but Thomas gets double underhooks and turns Bonanza into the cage.
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!
Thomas keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Claudemir Bonanza. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nice jab there from Thomas.

Thomas fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bonanza, pushing him back against the cage.
Thomas prevents the takedown attempt.

Thomas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Thomas connects with a crisp jab.
Thomas throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Thomas looks to land a combination but Bonanza avoids it well.
Bonanza changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Thomas throws a head kick that misses

and Bonanza counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Thomas kicks off Bonanza and gets to his feet.
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!
Bonanza fails with a takedown attempt.
Thomas steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Thomas falls off balance throwing a combination

and Bonanza counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Bonanza.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas is controlling Bonanza's posture.

Bonanza drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Thomas manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Bonanza has Thomas in his guard.

Thomas wants to stand but Bonanza has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Thomas gets to his feet. Bonanza looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Bonanza has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Bonanza doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Thomas counters with a stiff right hand.
Tim Thomas seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Thomas - that will leave a mark!
Tim Thomas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thomas scores with a three punch combo!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonanza ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Thomas misses with an uppercut

and Bonanza counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Thomas wants to get back to his feet.
Thomas makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Thomas.
Bonanza wants to control from the top but Thomas keeps moving.
Bonanza postures up.
Thomas is adopting a defensive guard.
Bonanza won't allow Thomas to sweep him here.
Tim Thomas is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Thomas wants to stand but Bonanza has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Bonanza wants to sweep here but Thomas controlling him for the moment.
Thomas would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Bonanza looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Thomas gets to his feet. Bonanza looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Claudemir Bonanza has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bonanza has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tim Thomas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Thomas 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tim Thomas!
Tim Thomas decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.