PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chance Cervantes (ranked 6330 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Thomas (ranked 5956 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Cervantes
vs
Thomas

188 cm
24
215 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

182 cm
24
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid 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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Chance Cervantes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Arvi Lind and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cervantes gets a takedown into half guard.
Thomas trying to control here.
Thomas blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cervantes.
Thomas wants to control but Cervantes is keeping busy.
Thomas regains full guard. Nicely done.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thomas looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Thomas is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Thomas pulls Cervantes in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cervantes is looking to work some ground and pound but Thomas has wrist control.
Cervantes postures up in Thomas's guard and throws a big left but Thomas blocks it.
Cervantes won't allow Thomas to sweep him here.
Cervantes trying to control the position from guard on top but Thomas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Cervantes closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Thomas struggling a bit here.
Thomas tries to control but Cervantes manages to take his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cervantes has the hooks in. Thomas is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Thomas manages to reverse the position and now he's in Cervantes's guard. Nice work there by Thomas.
Cervantes working a defensive guard here.
Cervantes wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Thomas with a flurry of punches that miss.
Thomas slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Thomas with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cervantes preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Thomas is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Cervantes holds on and takes a little breather.
Thomas controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Thomas throws a strike but Cervantes rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

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.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Thomas trying to control the position.
Cervantes won't allow Thomas to sweep him here.
Thomas is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Thomas wants to sweep but no luck.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Thomas tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Cervantes counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
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 Chance Cervantes will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Cervantes gets a double leg takedown into Thomas's guard.
Cervantes working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thomas tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Thomas is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Chance Cervantes overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Thomas holds on and takes a little breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cervantes trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Thomas pulls Cervantes in close to prevent any damage.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cervantes won't allow Thomas to get back to his feet.

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

Cervantes dives in and scores a takedown into Thomas's guard.
Thomas is wriggling around but Cervantes manages to pass to half guard.

Cervantes takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Thomas holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

Thomas looking for submissions off his back.
Thomas avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cervantes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Cervantes there.
Thomas trying to control from the bottom.
Cervantes is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Thomas can do to turn this around?
Thomas is trying to get back to full guard.
Cervantes content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Thomas blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cervantes.

Cervantes stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cervantes scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Thomas can do anything to dispel that myth.
Thomas trying to control here.
Cervantes trying to control from half guard but Thomas is working away.
Cervantes not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cervantes trying to control the pace.
Thomas is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Cervantes scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Thomas is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Cervantes trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Thomas is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Thomas is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chance Cervantes dominated that second round.
That's time! Cervantes's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Thomas dodges the punch combination from Cervantes.

Thomas closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Cervantes's guard.
Cervantes looking to control.
Cervantes keeping moving, preventing Thomas from controlling successfully.
Cervantes is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Cervantes keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Thomas throws a strike but Cervantes rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Thomas is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Thomas looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Cervantes passes into side control.
Cervantes just content to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas sneaks back into half guard.
Cervantes lands with a punch from half guard.
Nice strikes from Cervantes there.
Thomas tries to roll over but Cervantes keeps him under control.
Cervantes is trying to control. Thomas wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Cervantes thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Cervantes not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Thomas trying to control from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Cervantes has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cervantes not landing any meaningful shots this time.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Cervantes gets the takedown into side control.
Cervantes tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Cervantes working away.
Thomas is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Cervantes is staying active.
Thomas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cervantes landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Thomas controls the position for a moment.
Cervantes lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Cervantes decides to stand up, so the ref orders Thomas to his feet.

Cervantes decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Cervantes throwing shots but Thomas is blocking nicely.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Thomas is looking for a sweep. Cervantes is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
John Thomas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Chance Cervantes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thomas is staying active underneath Cervantes, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chance Cervantes showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Cervantes 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chance Cervantes!