PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dominique Bell (ranked 1259 p4p, 134 weight class) and Ignatius Thistlewhite (ranked 4610 p4p, 361 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Bell
vs
Thistlewhite

170 cm
28
139 lbs
15 - 5 - 0

175 cm
21
152 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dominique Bell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ignatius Thistlewhite!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Daniel Franklin and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Thistlewhite throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Bell tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Thistlewhite is in Bell's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thistlewhite postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Thistlewhite wants to control from the top but Bell keeps moving.

Bell has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Thistlewhite can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Bell definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Bell is trying to control the position but Thistlewhite postures up.

Bell looking for a guillotine here but Thistlewhite defends easily.

Bell had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Thistlewhite defends it easily.
Thistlewhite sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Bell's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Thistlewhite is trying to work for a kimura but Bell is defending well.

Thistlewhite seems to be looking for submissions.
Bell wants to improve his position but Thistlewhite is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thistlewhite takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Bell looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Thistlewhite wants to take a breather but Bell is having none of it.
The fighters are battling for position here. Bell manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Bell is trying to keep Thistlewhite in close.
Thistlewhite trying to control the position from guard on top but Bell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bell is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Bell is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Thistlewhite is aware though and is defending well.
Thistlewhite working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bell's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thistlewhite landing with the ground and pound.
Thistlewhite stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bell swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Bell has his foot on Thistlewhite's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Thistlewhite works his way back into a safe position though.
Bell working a defensive guard here.
Thistlewhite preventing the sweep.

Bell has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Thistlewhite can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Bell working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Thistlewhite.
Thistlewhite postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Thistlewhite engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Thistlewhite trying to control the position from guard on top but Bell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bell had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Thistlewhite defends it easily.

Thistlewhite stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Bell.
Bell advances to full mount.
Bell avoids the attempt from Thistlewhite to control.
Thistlewhite is wriggling around trying to escape.
Thistlewhite is squirming around, avoiding Bell's attempts to control the action.
Thistlewhite punching to the body and holding on for dear life.
Thistlewhite regains half guard.
Thistlewhite is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Bell is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Thistlewhite defends it well.
Bell seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Thistlewhite does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thistlewhite has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bell is working away from the top position though.
Thistlewhite missing with punches from the bottom.
Bell is trying to control the action in half guard but Thistlewhite is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Thistlewhite wants to control but Bell is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Bell is trying to work for a kimura but Thistlewhite is defending well.
Bell not doing much here.
Thistlewhite landing a few short strikes.

Thistlewhite looking for submissions off his back.
Bell thows a huge punch but Thistlewhite dodges it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ignatius Thistlewhite will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Bell fails with a takedown attempt.
Thistlewhite connects with a body shot.

Thistlewhite scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Bell manages to work his way to half guard, despite Thistlewhite's best efforts.

Thistlewhite is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Bell is just riding it out for now. Thistlewhite eventually gives up the hold.

Thistlewhite decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bell dodges the punch combination from Thistlewhite.

Bell shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Thistlewhite napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thistlewhite tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Thistlewhite is looking to regain half guard here but Bell keeps moving and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bell is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Thistlewhite knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Bell wants to control but Thistlewhite is keeping him busy.
Thistlewhite wants to control but Bell postures up.

Bell tries for a kimura but Thistlewhite is defending well.
Thistlewhite is trying to control Bell's posture but Bell avoids it.
Bell throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Thistlewhite is trying to improve his position.
Dominique Bell overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Bell thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thistlewhite regains half guard.
Bell is pressing down on Thistlewhite's thigh, looking to free his foot. Thistlewhite is holding on for now.
Thistlewhite trying to control from the bottom.

Bell seems to be working for a kimura but Thistlewhite defends the submission attempt.

Thistlewhite looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Bell looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Bell seems to be looking for submissions.
Thistlewhite is pressing down on Bell's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thistlewhite is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bell wants to pass the guard but Thistlewhite is keeping the position.

Thistlewhite isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Bell stacks Thistlewhite on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Bell!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Bell tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Bell has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Thistlewhite tries to bench press Bell off him but Bell keeps the position.
Thistlewhite is still trying to improve position.
Thistlewhite can't do much from the bottom here.
Thistlewhite is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bell thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Thistlewhite sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Bell has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Bell can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Thistlewhite is looking to escape.
Thistlewhite tries to hold on but Bell postures up.
Bell won't let Thistlewhite get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Bell jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Thistlewhite manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Bell is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Thistlewhite is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Thistlewhite tries to bench press Bell off him but Bell keeps the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dominique Bell dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Thistlewhite throws a nice looking combination but Bell bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Bell scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Thistlewhite tries to buck Bell off but Bell is having none of it.

Bell is trying to get an arm triangle but Thistlewhite is defending well.
Bell advances to full mount.
Bell trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Thistlewhite is working to get back to half guard.
Bell trying to control but he's not successful this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bell mounts Thistlewhite! Really nice guard pass there!
Thistlewhite is in all sorts of trouble here.
Thistlewhite bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bell tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Thistlewhite with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bell looking for a sweep. Not yet Bell, not yet.
Bell looking to control.
Thistlewhite stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bell swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Thistlewhite trying to control but Bell is working from the bottom.
Thistlewhite working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bell's head.

Thistlewhite avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Bell is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bell keeping full guard, as Thistlewhite tries to pass.

Thistlewhite thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thistlewhite seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Thistlewhite throwing strikes but missing.

Bell looking for a guillotine here but Thistlewhite defends easily.
Bell 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.

Bell is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Thistlewhite is aware though and is defending well.
Thistlewhite trying to control the position from guard on top but Bell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bell working a defensive guard here.
Thistlewhite content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thistlewhite working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bell's head.

Thistlewhite avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Bell has momentary wrist control but Thistlewhite slips an elbow through the middle.

Thistlewhite thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Bell wants to sweep here but Thistlewhite controlling him for the moment.
Thistlewhite trying to control but Bell is working from the bottom.
Thistlewhite cracks Bell with a solid left hand.

Bell is looking for a triangle but Thistlewhite pushes his legs off easily.
Thistlewhite lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Bell controls Thistlewhite momentarily but Thistlewhite frees himself.

Bell looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bell looking for a sweep. Not yet Bell, not yet.
Thistlewhite seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Thistlewhite lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Thistlewhite stands up over Bell, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Thistlewhite must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Bell keeping moving, preventing Thistlewhite from controlling successfully.
Bell looking for a sweep. Not yet Bell, not yet.
Bell is working hard here to advance position.
Thistlewhite throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Bell has his foot on Thistlewhite's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Thistlewhite works his way back into a safe position though.
Thistlewhite trying to control the position from guard on top but Bell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bell working a defensive guard here.

Thistlewhite thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Bell throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ignatius Thistlewhite.
I think Thistlewhite 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Ignatius Thistlewhite!
Ignatius Thistlewhite seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.