PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Micheal Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carlos Aldo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Thomas
vs
Aldo

169 cm
18
140 lbs
2 - 2 - 1

190 cm
25
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 1, fighting out of New York, Micheal Thomas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Carlos Aldo!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Russell Pearce and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Aldo closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Thomas is trying to stand up here but Aldo is controlling him well.
Thomas might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Aldo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Thomas keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thomas is trying to maintain the position but Aldo is very close to passing his half guard.
Thomas punching from the bottom.
Thomas keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Thomas avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Aldo.
Aldo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Thomas. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thomas trying to hold on to Aldo's head to control him but Aldo postures up.
Aldo is keen to just control but Thomas is a slippery customer.
Thomas is looking to escape.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aldo trying to control the action but Thomas is working from the bottom.

Aldo is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Thomas is just riding it out for now. Aldo eventually gives up the hold.
Aldo prevents Thomas from improving his position.
Thomas is positioning himself well to prevent Aldo advancing to mount.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Aldo.
As Aldo tries to get set, Thomas tries to push him back and clinch up but Aldo manages to avoid the attempt.
Aldo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Thomas throws a quick counter head kick but Aldo was just out of range.
Aldo shoots in and drives through. Thomas sprawls well.
Micheal Thomas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Carlos Aldo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Thomas shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Thomas working over Aldo with some ground and pound. Aldo looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Aldo regains full guard. Nicely done.
Thomas pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Aldo is keeping the position for now.

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

Thomas is working an open guard so Aldo takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aldo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Thomas tries to avoid it but Aldo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Thomas to the ground. Thomas escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Aldo closes the distance and clinches.
Aldo tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Thomas smiles and moves away.
Aldo is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Aldo wants to clinch.

Aldo feints and as Thomas raises his hands in defense, Aldo changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Aldo trying to stand up but can't free himself from Thomas's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thomas has his feet on Aldo's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Thomas darts in and clinches Aldo up against the cage.
Aldo is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Thomas is defending well.
Aldo is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Thomas pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Aldo is trying to break the clinch but Thomas is controlling him.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Thomas takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thomas has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Aldo avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Micheal Thomas will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Thomas feints and as Aldo raises his hands in defense, Thomas changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Thomas is standing up over Aldo. Aldo looks to escape but Thomas dives into side control.

Thomas is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Aldo knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Aldo struggling a bit here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aldo is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Thomas is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Aldo is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Thomas is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Aldo has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Aldo!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aldo is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Carlos Aldo has got the better of the ground game so far.
Aldo looking to pass the guard.
Aldo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Thomas looking to control.
Aldo trying to control the position from guard on top but Thomas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thomas wants to stand but Aldo is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thomas is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Aldo has his hands clasped together around Thomas's back. He's all about the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thomas is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Aldo wants to control but Thomas passes into side.

Thomas swings around for an armbar but Aldo sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Thomas's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas controlling Aldo's posture.

Aldo is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Thomas is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Aldo gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Aldo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Thomas throws a big counter combination but Aldo scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

That's four 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.

Aldo closes the distance and clinches.
Aldo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Aldo blocking some punches.
Aldo tries a knee to the head but Thomas blocks it.
Aldo tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Thomas smiles and moves away.
Aldo fails with a takedown attempt.
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 Micheal Thomas will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Aldo tries to close the distance and clinch but Thomas swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Thomas throws a head kick that misses

and Aldo counters with a takedown into side control.

Thomas explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Thomas wants to clinch up but Aldo keeps it at a distance.
Aldo throws a counter combo.
Thomas avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Aldo manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Thomas on his heels. He'll look to pass Thomas's guard now, I'm sure.

Thomas has his feet on Aldo's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Aldo looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Thomas has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Aldo has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Aldo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aldo tries to work over Thomas's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Aldo jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Thomas walks away with a smile on his face. Aldo gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Aldo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Thomas is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Aldo.
Thomas throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Aldo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Thomas keeps the fight on the outside.
Thomas looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Aldo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Thomas is looking for a counter combo.

Thomas gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Aldo is trying to break the clinch but Thomas is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aldo jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Thomas walks away with a smile on his face. Aldo gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Aldo is trying hard to land a takedown here. Thomas sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Micheal Thomas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Carlos Aldo.
Aldo moves in looking to clinch but Thomas pushes him off.
Aldo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Thomas throws a counter high kick but Aldo was just alert enough to avoid it.
Micheal Thomas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Aldo throws a nice looking combination but Thomas bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Aldo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Thomas throws a big counter combination but Aldo scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Thomas throws a wild body kick that Aldo sees coming a mile off.
Thomas misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Thomas feints and as Aldo raises his hands in defense, Thomas changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Thomas is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Aldo can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Thomas postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Thomas stands up over Aldo, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Thomas is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Aldo keeps moving.

Thomas gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Aldo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Thomas swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aldo throws a head kick but Thomas moves out of range.
Aldo wants to clinch
and Thomas counters with a left and a right that stings Aldo.

Thomas looking to score a takedown here. Aldo is defending well but Thomas drives through and ends up in Aldo's guard.
Thomas missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Thomas distracts Aldo with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Thomas is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Thomas trying to move into half guard but instead Aldo has managed to sweep!

And that's the end of the fight!
Micheal Thomas showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Thomas has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Micheal Thomas!