PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Arvo Elukka (ranked 8214 p4p, 511 weight class) and Blane Thomas (ranked 24772 p4p, 548 weight class). Arvo Elukka has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Elukka
vs
Thomas

210 cm
19
270 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
25
226 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Arvo Elukka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Blane Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, James Glass and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Elukka shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Thomas pinned against the cage. Thomas gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Thomas clinches with his opponent.
A short uppercut from Thomas.

Thomas breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Elukka looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Thomas shoots in but Elukka avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Elukka shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thomas is trying to maintain the position but Elukka is very close to passing his half guard.
Elukka scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Elukka scores with a couple of nice shots.
Thomas moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Thomas trying to keep a closed guard but Elukka is proving a slippery customer.
Elukka is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Elukka landing some decent shots from guard.

Thomas is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Elukka defends well.
Thomas bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Elukka's guard.

Elukka looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Thomas puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Thomas has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Elukka on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Elukka tries to get out of the position.
Elukka is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Elukka is working hard here to advance position.
Elukka tries to hold on but Thomas postures up.
Elukka is looking to improve his position but Thomas isn't that keen on the idea.
Thomas controlling from the full mount.
Elukka tries to reverse the position but Thomas maintains control.
Thomas throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Thomas takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Elukka tries to reverse the position but Thomas maintains control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thomas avoids the attempt from Elukka to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Thomas stands up from mount. Strange move.
Horrible takedown attempt by Thomas or perhaps it was just good defense by Elukka, which made it look bad.
Elukka fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Thomas avoids it really well and circles away.
Elukka tries for a takedown but Thomas sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arvo Elukka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Elukka doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Thomas counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Elukka is breathing heavily.
Thomas shoots in looking for a takedown but Elukka manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Thomas's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Thomas, as that shot connected.
Thomas misses with a body kick.
Elukka misses with a takedown attempt - Thomas sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Thomas changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Arvo Elukka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas has a takedown stuffed.
Thomas doesn't manage to clinch there - Elukka circles away.
Elukka tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Thomas swivels and escapes.
Elukka fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Thomas misses with a low kick.
Elukka half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Elukka shoots in for a double leg but Thomas sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Elukka shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Elukka tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Thomas defends well and Elukka ends up having to push Thomas into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Elukka but Elukka pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Thomas uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Elukka.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Elukka waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Thomas.
Thomas tries a head kick but it misses.

Thomas closes the distance and pushes Elukka back into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blane Thomas dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Thomas tries for a takedown but Elukka sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Thomas. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Thomas pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Elukka fails with a takedown attempt.

Elukka drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Thomas has his feet on Elukka's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Blane Thomas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Elukka tries for a takedown but Thomas sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Elukka.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arvo Elukka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Elukka shoots for a double leg takedown but Thomas sprawls well. He's pushed Elukka's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
No luck for Elukka with that takedown attempt.
Thomas has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Elukka misses with a two punch combination.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Thomas drives through and clinches with Elukka against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Thomas is looking for a triangle but Elukka pushes his legs off easily.
Thomas has his hands on Elukka's head, controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Elukka throwing strikes from guard but Thomas blocks nicely.
Thomas has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Thomas is continuing to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Thomas tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Thomas is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Elukka defends well.
Thomas looking to control.
Elukka working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Elukka chips away with some ground and pound.
Elukka trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Thomas trying to keep a closed guard but Elukka is proving a slippery customer.
Thomas is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Thomas utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Elukka chips away with some ground and pound.
Elukka being controlled here momentarily.
Elukka loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Elukka is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Elukka lands a couple of elbows.
Elukka will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Thomas is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Elukka defends well.
Elukka content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Thomas wants to stand up but Elukka is controlling him.
Elukka stands up over Thomas, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Elukka postures up and lands a big shot to Thomas's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Elukka is in close to Thomas's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Elukka stands up over Thomas, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Thomas utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Elukka working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Thomas's head.
Elukka throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Thomas works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Elukka distracts Thomas with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Elukka lands a couple of digs.

Thomas had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Elukka defends it easily.
Elukka with a nice head shot there.
Elukka knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Thomas on the ground.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Elukka makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Elukka is working Thomas over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Thomas is rocked!
Thomas not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Elukka is working Thomas over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arvo Elukka dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Elukka goes for a double leg but Thomas avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Thomas continues to drive forward.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Elukka sprawls well. Elukka wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Thomas gets slowly back to his feet.
Thomas throws a leg kick but Elukka checks it.
Elukka is trying hard to land a takedown here. Thomas sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Thomas misses with a takedown attempt - Elukka sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Thomas misses with a few strikes there.

Elukka manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Thomas on his heels. He'll look to pass Thomas's guard now, I'm sure.
Elukka postures up and lands a big shot to Thomas's brow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Elukka content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Thomas bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Elukka's guard.

Thomas won't allow Elukka to sweep him here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas tries to stand but Elukka is controlling from the bottom.
Thomas preventing the sweep.
Thomas is fighting to break Elukka's control of his arms but Elukka is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Thomas trying to control but Elukka is working from the bottom.
Thomas 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.
Elukka wants to improve his position but Thomas is controlling well.
Elukka is trying is best to control the position here.

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.
Elukka trying to hold on to Thomas's head to control him but Thomas postures up.
Thomas trying to control the pace.
Elukka is not content to let Thomas control the position.

Thomas is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Elukka has managed to free his arm - good work.
Thomas wants to stand but Elukka has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Elukka avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Elukka shoots in and drives through. Thomas sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arvo Elukka. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Elukka drives through with a takedown into guard.

Thomas escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Elukka gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Elukka lands a couple of elbows.
Thomas is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Elukka loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Elukka lands a couple of elbows.
Elukka keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Thomas's head.
Elukka landing some decent shots from guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Elukka's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Elukka landing with the ground and pound.
Elukka working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Elukka throws an elbow that misses. Thomas uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Elukka's guard. Nice move by Thomas!

Elukka wants to sweep here but Thomas controlling him for the moment.
Elukka has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Thomas trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Elukka working a defensive guard here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Elukka has control of Thomas's left arm, preventing Thomas from doing any damage.
Thomas won't allow Elukka to sweep him here.

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 Arvo Elukka.
I think Elukka 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arvo Elukka!