PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joao Sousa (ranked 839 p4p, 91 weight class) and Thurgood Jenkins (ranked 1765 p4p, 194 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Sousa
vs
Jenkins

180 cm
21
157 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

165 cm
21
150 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

Mockstar Energy Drinks 160Q
Fanatic Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joao Sousa!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Thurgood Jenkins!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Daniel Franklin and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sousa is looking to clinch but Jenkins is avoiding it.
Jenkins misses with a jab, cross combination.
A slapping leg kick lands for Jenkins.

Sousa fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Jenkins, pushing him back against the cage.
A short uppercut from Jenkins.
Sousa misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jenkins blocking some punches.
Jenkins misses with a body punch.
Sousa lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Jenkins is working Sousa over against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Jenkins.
Jenkins lands a shot to the body.
Sousa is trying to pull guard but Jenkins has him pressed against the cage.
Jenkins blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Jenkins lands with a light punch inside.
Sousa swings wildly with an uppercut but Jenkins uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've been hearing reports that Sousa has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Jenkins lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jenkins lands a left hand.
Sousa working aggressively here.
Jenkins lands a body shot in the clinch.
Sousa taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jenkins lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Jenkins creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Jenkins tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A body shot lands from Jenkins.
Jenkins lands a hook that snaps the head of Sousa backwards.
Nice body punch from Jenkins - that landed with a thud.
Jenkins lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Sousa backwards.

Jenkins escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jenkins fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Sousa throws a hook but Jenkins avoids it easily.
Jenkins moves into range and connects with a jab.
Sousa gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Jenkins counter with a right hand.

It looks like Joao Sousa has been cut.
Sousa darts in looking for a takedown but Jenkins gets double underhooks and turns Sousa into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joao Sousa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jenkins lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sousa backs up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Jenkins.
Sousa lands with a hook. Jenkins tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sousa pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Jenkins swings away with a body shot that misses

and Sousa counters by moving into the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Jenkins creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Sousa lands a shoulder strike.
Sousa jumps guard but Jenkins stands there with Sousa around his waist. Sousa gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Jenkins.
Jenkins lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Sousa backwards.
Sousa throws a punch but it's blocked by Jenkins.
Jenkins scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A short right from Sousa.
Jenkins blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jenkins blocks an uppercut.
Jenkins throws a head punch that misses.
Sousa blocks an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jenkins.
Sousa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sousa has a couple of punches blocked by Jenkins.
Jenkins lands a hook that snaps the head of Sousa backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Jenkins fails to land.
Jenkins swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jenkins scores with a nice hook to the head.
Sousa misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jenkins scores with a nice hook to the head.

Sousa is rocked!

Sousa ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Sousa no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Oh Sousa is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

Sousa had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Jenkins defends it easily.
Sousa seems to have got his legs back now.
Jenkins must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Jenkins forces his way into half guard.
Jenkins wants to control but Sousa is keeping him busy.
Sousa taking some punishment here, with Jenkins in his half guard.
Jenkins performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Jenkins wants to free his trapped foot but Sousa is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Jenkins prevents Sousa from improving his position.

Sousa is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Jenkins pulls his head out easily.
Jenkins seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sousa does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Jenkins decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Sousa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Sousa moves into the clinch successfully.
Jenkins throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Sousas head.
Jenkins blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jenkins lands a body punch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jenkins lands a shoulder strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thurgood Jenkins dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joao Sousa's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Jenkins lands a nice looking body shot.
Sousa on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Sousa throws a hook but Jenkins avoids it easily.
Jenkins lands with a good body shot.
Jenkins pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sousa throws a hook to the side of Jenkins's head but Jenkins sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Jenkins has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sousa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jenkins.
Sousa swings widly with a right hand
and Jenkins counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A telegraphed right hand from Jenkins misses the target.
Jenkins throws a jab but it's blocked by Sousa.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sousa or perhaps it was just good defense by Jenkins, which made it look bad.
Sousa drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sousa looks to land a left hand but Jenkins moved out of range nicely.
Thurgood Jenkins seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jenkins missing with a left hand there. Sousa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Sousa moves into range and clinches up with Jenkins.
Sousa blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jenkins works on Sousa's body with a couple of short punches.
Jenkins lands a body shot in the clinch.

Jenkins breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice uppercut there from Jenkins.
Sousa doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Jenkins connects with an inside leg kick.
Sousa throws a body shot but no joy.
Sousa throws an overhand right that lands on Jenkins's shoulder, as Jenkins tries to avoid the shot.
Jenkins dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sousa. That did some damage!
Jenkins uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sousa.
Sousa fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Jenkins looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jenkins loads up on a big right hand but Sousa slips the punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jenkins lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sousa lands a really nice looking cross but Jenkins seems unphased.

Sousa gets a clinch.
Jenkins lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Sousa.
Sousa misses with a short punch on the inside.
Jenkins lands a body shot.

Jenkins's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jenkins throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sousa thuds his right hand into Jenkins's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Jenkins misses with a hook.
Jenkins connects with an inside leg kick.
Jenkins uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sousa.
Sousa misses with a takedown
and Sousa takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jenkins looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Jenkins moves out of range of the strikes.
Jenkins looks to score with a jab to the body but Sousa is just out of range.
Jenkins throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jenkins misses the shot to the body.
Sousa jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Jenkins misses with an attempted mid kick.
Sousa misses with a looping left.
Jenkins connects with an inside leg kick.
Jenkins bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A countering left hand to the body from Jenkins misses.
Sousa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jenkins swats away the attempt to clinch by Sousa.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sousa loads up on a big right hand but Jenkins slips the punch.
Sousa gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Jenkins.
The fighters circling - Jenkins throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Sousa clinches up against the cage.
Jenkins lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Sousa backwards.
Sousa goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sousa blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Sousa gets control of Jenkins's arms and successfully pulls guard. Sousa will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Sousa looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sousa will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Jenkins controlling from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thurgood Jenkins showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Joao Sousa's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sousa needs to keep his hands up - Jenkins had a free shot at his head there.
Good leg kick by Jenkins there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Jenkins moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A jab lands there for Sousa.
Sousa lands a nice looking body shot.

Sousa takes the fight into the clinch.
Sousa lands a shoulder strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sousa misses with the head strike.

Jenkins escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sousa scores with a jab to the head.
Jenkins throws a hook but Sousa blocks it.
Jenkins throws the left hand but Sousa avoids the punch easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sousa throws a hook but Jenkins blocks it.
Sousa doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Jenkins counter with a right hand.
Jenkins cracks Sousa with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Sousa misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Jenkins to counter with a crisp jab.
Jenkins throws a lazy right hand but Sousa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Jenkins connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Sousa lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Sousa ducks under a wild hook from Jenkins.
Sousa pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sousa swings away with a body shot that misses
letting Jenkins counter with a right hand.
Jenkins throws a lazy uppercut

so Sousa counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Jenkins is looking to stand back up but Sousa counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Jenkins.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Sousa passes to side control.
You can see the frustration on Jenkins's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Sousa wants to control but Jenkins is keeping him busy.
Sousa tries to advance to mount but can't.
Sousa is staying tight to Jenkins's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Sousa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Jenkins keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jenkins is looking for a sweep.

Sousa thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Jenkins regains half guard.
Jenkins scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Sousa manages to mount him!
Jenkins is looking to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sousa avoids the attempt from Jenkins to control.
Sousa can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Jenkins is looking to escape.

Sousa is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Jenkins to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Jenkins shrugs it off.
Joao Sousa overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Jenkins tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sousa looking to control and managing it successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Joao Sousa did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Joao Sousa's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Jenkins misses with an uppercut.
Sousa misses the shot to the body.
Jenkins raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Jenkins lands with a hook. Sousa tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Sousa throws a hook but Jenkins blocks it.
Jenkins connects with a solid leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Jenkins.
Jenkins uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sousa.
Sousa avoids the head kick by Jenkins.
Jenkins throws a jab but it's blocked by Sousa.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jenkins looks to land a left hand but Sousa moved out of range nicely.
Sousa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Jenkins was well out of range. Poor timing from Sousa.
Jenkins moves out of range as Sousa strikes.
Sousa misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sousa tries to clinch up.
A big left from Sousa misses.
Jenkins jabs Sousa right on the nose. Sousa blinks but takes it well.
Sousa throws a hook but Jenkins blocks it.
Jenkins ducks under a wild hook from Sousa.
A nice leg kick lands there from Jenkins.
Jenkins misses with a wild body shot.
A swing and a miss from Sousa.
Jenkins throws the left hand but Sousa avoids the punch easily.
Jenkins pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Sousa half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Jenkins throws a shot from downtown. Sousa moves away and avoids it.
Jenkins keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sousa.

Sousa gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sousa wants to stall.
Sousa swings wildly with an uppercut but Jenkins uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sousa.
Sousa is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Sousa makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Sousa tries to pull guard but Jenkins forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Jenkins tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sousa's elbow.
Sousa fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sousa lands a right hand that snaps the head of Jenkins backwards.
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!
Sousa is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Jenkins to keep the fight standing.
Jenkins misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sousa tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Jenkins misses with a hook to the ribs.

Jenkins breaks the clinch.
Sousa moves forwards but Jenkins connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Jenkins throws a nice looking combination but Sousa bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sousa takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Jenkins.
Jenkins dips to his left and cracks Sousa with an uppercut!
Sousa scores with a nice strike.
Jenkins misses with a hook. Sousa ducked under it nicely.
Jenkins throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sousa is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Jenkins goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Jenkins throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sousa is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Jenkins.
Jenkins uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sousa.
Jenkins lands with a thumping leg kick.
Jenkins takes a swing at Sousa's ribcage but misses.
Sousa tries to clinch
and Jenkins counters with a one-two to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jenkins walks into a left hand.
Sousa swings for the body but Jenkins moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jenkins takes one to the chin there.
Sousa shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Jenkins pinned against the cage. Jenkins gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joao Sousa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jenkins lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sousa dives in for a single leg takedown but Jenkins sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Sousa throws a jab when Jenkins was well out of range.
Sousa tries to clinch there but Jenkins circles away.
Jenkins connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Jenkins misses the jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thurgood Jenkins dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Joao Sousa's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Sousa takes a swing at Jenkins's ribcage but misses.
Jenkins throws a hook but Sousa avoids it easily.
Jenkins connects with a leg kick. Sousa looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

Sousa feints and as Jenkins raises his hands in defense, Sousa changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sousa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jenkins is keeping the position for now.
Sousa stays in close to Jenkins's body and controls the position.
Jenkins 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jenkins wants to stand but Sousa is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sousa works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Sousa is working for a submission of some sort.
Jenkins really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sousa. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sousa trying to control from half guard but Jenkins is working away.
Jenkins is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sousa trying to control the action but Jenkins is working from the bottom.

That's two 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.
Sousa frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sousa controlling from the full mount.

Sousa is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Jenkins to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Jenkins shrugs it off.
Jenkins tries to lock up and control but Sousa gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Thurgood Jenkins is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sousa controlling the position easily from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jenkins is in all sorts of trouble here.
Sousa controlling from mount.
Jenkins prevents Sousa from taking his back.
Sousa tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Sousa is trying to take his opponent's back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Jenkins is trying desperately to improve position.
Sousa controlling the pace for now.
Sousa fails to take his opponent's back.
Jenkins felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Sousa is working hard here to advance position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Jenkins tries to lock up and control but Sousa gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joao Sousa showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Jenkins has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 47:48
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 47:48
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thurgood Jenkins!
Thurgood Jenkins is the new featherweight champion!
A victorious Thurgood Jenkins thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.