PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ross Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Hunter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Thompson
vs
Hunter

167 cm
24
279 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

193 cm
25
260 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ross Thompson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mark Hunter!
The judges for this bout are Topper Green, Winston Howard and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Thompson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Hunter on his heels. He'll look to pass Hunter's guard now, I'm sure.
Thompson is looking to work some ground and pound but Hunter has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thompson trying to control the position from guard on top but Hunter is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thompson throws a big right hand that misses.
Thompson looking to sit in guard and control but Hunter gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Hunter is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Thompson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hunter passes Thompson's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Thompson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Thompson tries to roll over but Hunter keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunter slows the pace down in half guard.
Thompson could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Hunter prevents Thompson from standing back up.
Still in half guard, Hunter seems content to control.
Hunter passes into side control, despite Thompson's attempt to control the position.
Thompson tries to buck Hunter off but Hunter is having none of it.
Thompson is pushing Hunter's head away, looking to escape. Hunter manages to hold on to the position though.

Hunter is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Thompson has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's two 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.
Thompson is looking to reverse the position.
Thompson wants to get back to his feet.

Hunter has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Hunter shoots in for a takedown but Thompson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Thompson seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Thompson circles away from the clinch attempt

and Thompson counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Hunter!

Hunter throws Thompson to one side and escapes!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Thompson. No joy for Hunter on that attempt.

Hunter throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Thompson tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Hunter is in Thompson's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thompson trying to keep a closed guard but Hunter is proving a slippery customer.
Thompson is really struggling to control Hunter but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Hunter pushing down on Thompson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunter sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Thompson missing with punches from the bottom.
Thompson has hold of Hunter's hands but Hunter slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Thompson looking for subs from the bottom but Hunter mounts him!
Hunter tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Hunter dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hunter fails with the takedown.

Hunter gets a double leg takedown into Thompson's guard.

Thompson has an active guard here but Hunter has managed to pass into half guard.

Thompson kicks off Hunter and gets to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hunter moves into the clinch successfully.
Hunter keeps control of Thompson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Thompson looking for a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hunter breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hunter shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Thompson as he jumps to the side.
Hunter tries to clinch but Thompson is having none of it.
Thompson tries to counter with a takedown but Hunter is quick to defend against it.
Hunter tries for a takedown but Thompson circles away easily
and Hunter takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ross Thompson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Hunter.
Thompson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hunter tries to avoid it but Thompson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hunter to the ground. Hunter escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Thompson has a takedown stuffed.
Thompson circles away from the clinch attempt
and Thompson counters with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunter gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Thompson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hunter goes for a double leg but Thompson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Thompson continues to drive forward.
Hunter dives in for a single leg takedown but Thompson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Thompson swats away the attempt to clinch by Hunter.
Hunter has a takedown stuffed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunter shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Thompson as he jumps to the side.
Hunter is breathing heavily.

Thompson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Hunter trying to hold on to Thompson's head to control him but Thompson postures up.
Thompson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Thompson thows a huge punch but Hunter dodges it nicely.
Thompson is trying to control. Hunter wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Thompson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Thompson content to control rather than advance.
Thompson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thompson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Hunter actively working from the bottom here.
Hunter avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thompson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ross Thompson dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Hunter gets a clinch.
Thompson wants a takedown but no success here.

Hunter breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hunter on the wrong end of a nice hook.

Thompson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Hunter is doing well to control the position and prevent Thompson from advancing to side control.
Thompson thows a huge punch but Hunter dodges it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hunter is staying active underneath Thompson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hunter blocking the ground and pound attempt from Thompson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson is nestled in close to Hunter, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Hunter moves into full guard.
Thompson landing some decent shots from guard.
Hunter seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Thompson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hunter has momentary wrist control but Thompson slips an elbow through the middle.
Thompson cracks Hunter with a solid left hand.
Hunter working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Thompson wants to control from the top but Hunter keeps moving.
Mark Hunter has got the better of the ground game so far.

Hunter escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Thompson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hunter is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hunter can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Thompson controls the pace.
Hunter is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thompson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Thompson trying to control but Hunter postures up.
Thompson is looking to escape.
Hunter trying to control from half guard but Thompson is working away.
Thompson is looking to escape.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

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.
Thompson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hunter working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Thompson.
Thompson is stalling in the full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hunter wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Thompson is now in half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hunter is looking for a sweep. Thompson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hunter is looking to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ross Thompson.
I think Thompson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Topper Green scores the fight 29:28
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 29:28

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