PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dominique Bell (ranked 3876 p4p, 396 weight class) and Ignatius Thistlewhite (ranked 2416 p4p, 282 weight class). Ignatius Thistlewhite will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Bell
vs
Thistlewhite

170 cm
30
139 lbs
17 - 11 - 0

175 cm
23
152 lbs
9 - 10 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 11 - 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 9 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ignatius Thistlewhite!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bell changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Thistlewhite tries to avoid it but Bell manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Thistlewhite to the ground. Thistlewhite escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Bell scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Thistlewhite is trying to improve his position.
Bell has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Thistlewhite wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.

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 throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
Bell connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Thistlewhite some visible discomfort.
Thistlewhite tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Thistlewhite keeps trying to improve his position.
Thistlewhite tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thistlewhite managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Bell.

Bell is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Thistlewhite knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Thistlewhite connects with an elbow from the bottom.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thistlewhite throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
Thistlewhite throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Thistlewhite is looking for a sweep.
Bell avoids the strikes from the bottom by Thistlewhite.

Bell looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Bell avoids the strikes from the bottom by Thistlewhite.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Bell wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Thistlewhite, who protects the arm well.
Thistlewhite tries to improve position but can't.
Bell takes advantage of some sloppy striking from Thistlewhite to pass into mount.
Bell in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Thistlewhite regains half guard.
Bell wants to free his trapped foot but Thistlewhite is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bell is working hard here to advance position.
Thistlewhite punching from the bottom.
Thistlewhite avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bell.
Thistlewhite throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Thistlewhite regains full guard. Nicely done.
Bell wants to control from the top but Thistlewhite keeps moving.
Thistlewhite wants to sweep but no luck.

Thistlewhite escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bell gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Bell lands a couple of digs.
Bell pushes down on Thistlewhite's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Thistlewhite flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Thistlewhite throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Bell 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.
Bell throwing shots but Thistlewhite is blocking nicely.
Thistlewhite misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Bell passes the guard and advances to mount!
Bell takes Thistlewhite's back, avoiding a couple of desperation strikes from the bottom.
Thistlewhite tries to break free.
Will Bell go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

Bell has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Bell is looking for the choke from the back position but Thistlewhite is controlling his hands well.

Bell is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Thistlewhite knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Thistlewhite for a finish.

Bell looking for the choke from the back.

Bell is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Thistlewhite knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Thistlewhite for a finish.
Thistlewhite tries to escape but Bell has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thistlewhite manages to reverse the position and now he's in Bell's guard. Nice work there by Thistlewhite.
Bell utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Thistlewhite loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thistlewhite lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Thistlewhite postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Bell throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Thistlewhite is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Thistlewhite trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bell has momentary wrist control but Thistlewhite slips an elbow through the middle.
Thistlewhite keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bell's head.
Thistlewhite landing some decent shots from guard.
Thistlewhite postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Bell is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Thistlewhite has his hands clasped together but Bell extends and breaks Thistlewhite's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Bell.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Dominique Bell!