PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kevin Hart (ranked 1242 p4p, 126 weight class) and Tom Thomas (ranked 1521 p4p, 153 weight class). Kevin Hart had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Hart
vs
Thomas

178 cm
30
155 lbs
17 - 11 - 0

160 cm
28
140 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 17 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kevin Hart!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Tom Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thomas wants to clinch.
Hart pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Thomas has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Thomas works the jab nicely.
Hart throws a solid leg kick but Thomas takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Hart.

Hart forces Thomas back against the cage and clinches.
Hart fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Hart breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hart connects with a single shot there.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hart looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hart has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Damage Inc. in the buildup to the fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thomas throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Hart misses with a left hand
and Thomas counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hart looks to land a right hand but Thomas moved out of range.
Hart tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Thomas paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nice shot by Hart.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas scores with a shot to the body.
Thomas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hart was well out of range. Poor timing from Thomas.
Thomas tries to clinch there but Hart circles away.
Thomas throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hart is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Thomas.

Thomas moves into the clinch successfully.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Thomas.
Come on Thomas - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
A hook to the body from Thomas.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Thomas.
Hart misses with a punch to the body.
Thomas pushes Hart back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hart takes a shot to the head.
Hart lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hart swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hart lands with a light punch inside.

Thomas breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Thomas throws out a loose jab but Hart uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thomas jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hart throws a nice inside leg kick.
Hart cracks Thomas with a good jab.

Thomas darts in and clinches Hart up against the cage.
Thomas working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A head punch on the inside from Thomas fails to land.
Thomas misses with a punch on the inside.
Hart keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Thomas's efforts to push away.
Hart tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Thomas working aggressively here.
Hart lands an uppercut.
Hart misses with some punches.
Hart blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Thomas misses with some punches.
Hart misses with some punches.
Thomas is looking to control Hart's arms but Hart gets an underhook and turns him. Now Thomas has his back to the cage.
Thomas wants to stall.
Thomas working aggressively here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hart working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hart is trying to break free.
Hart lands a nice uppercut.
Hart tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hart lands a nice shot to the body.
Hart lands a shot to the body.
Thomas blocks an uppercut.
Thomas misses with a hook from the clinch.
Thomas misses with a punch on the inside.
Hart makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Thomas misses with some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hart.
Hart blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Thomas is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
A short right from Hart on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hart.

Hart breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hart misses with an uppercut
and Thomas counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hart bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hart gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Thomas uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hart.
Thomas throws an overhand right that lands on Hart's shoulder, as Hart tries to avoid the shot.
Thomas misses with an uppercut.
Hart tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Thomas manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Thomas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hart was well out of range. Poor timing from Thomas.
Thomas throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Hart counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Thomas misses with a left hand
and Hart counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Hart lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Hart tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Thomas was well out of range. Poor timing from Hart.
Hart moves into range and connects with a jab.
Hart uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Thomas.
Hart blocks a leg kick.
Hart was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Thomas misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hart.
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 Kevin Hart will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nice defenses there by Hart.
Hart bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Thomas looks to land a left hand but Hart moved out of range nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hart looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Thomas throws out a counter right but Hart avoids it with no problem.
Hart is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Hart lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Thomas scores with a jab.
Hart takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Hart has taken the fight to the clinch.
Thomas tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hart's elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hart misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Hart escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hart lands the left hand.
A slow jab from Thomas misses its intended target.
Thomas checks a leg kick.
Thomas thuds his right hand into Hart's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas misses with a straight right.
Thomas scores with a nice head shot.
Hart swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hart lands with a straight right. Thomas didn't see that one coming.
Thomas throws a hook to the side of Hart's head but Hart sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hart moves away from the strike by Thomas.
Thomas ducks under a wild hook from Hart.
A big left from Hart misses.
Thomas keeps the fight on the outside.
Thomas throws a nice inside leg kick.
Thomas fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Hart is out of range.

Hart darts in and clinches Thomas up against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Thomas.
Hart doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hart wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Thomas lands a hook that snaps the head of Hart backwards.
Thomas blocks a body shot from Hart.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A head punch on the inside from Hart fails to land.
Hart lands a right hand that snaps the head of Thomas backwards.
Thomas throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Harts head.
Thomas misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hart stalls.
Hart can't find room to land a body shot as Thomas controls the action.
Hart misses with a body punch.
Thomas swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Thomas fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Thomas swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hart tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kevin Hart has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Thomas lands a shot to the body.
Thomas prevents a body shot from Hart.
Thomas scores with a shot to the side of Hart's head.
Hart presses Thomas against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Thomas lands with a right to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas has a couple of punches blocked by Hart.
Thomas is trying to break free.
Hart lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Thomas backwards.
Hart goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Thomas fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Thomas has a couple of punches blocked by Hart.
Hart lands a left hand.
Thomas swings wildly with an uppercut but Hart uses good head movement to avoid it.

Hart pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Thomas throws a hook but Hart avoids it easily.
Thomas lands a nice hook to Hart's body. Hart takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Nice shot lands for Hart.
Hart is looking to slow Thomas down with leg kicks.

Hart moves into the clinch.
A short left from Hart.
Hart working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hart working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hart misses with a punch on the inside.
A short right from Thomas on the inside.

Thomas breaks the clinch.
Hart darts in trying to clinch
and Thomas counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Hart lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Thomas with a nice cross.
Thomas avoids the body shot from Hart.
Hart keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Thomas lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Thomas lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Thomas bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hart's head.
Thomas moves out of range of the body kick from Hart.
Thomas swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Hart throws a leg kick but Thomas moved away.
Thomas is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tom Thomas will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Thomas checks the leg kick.

Hart gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Thomas tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Thomas tries to work over Hart's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch on the inside from Hart fails to land.
Hart doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hart tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Thomas's elbow.
Thomas misses with a punch on the inside.
Thomas lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hart backwards.
Thomas can't break the clinch.
Thomas is trying to break free.
Hart stalling against the cage.
Hart blocks an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hart swings wildly with an uppercut but Thomas uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thomas swings wildly with an uppercut but Hart uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Thomas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas slowing the pace effectively.
Thomas misses with a punch on the inside.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Thomas.
A body shot lands from Thomas.
Thomas taking a breather.
Hart throws a punch but it's blocked by Thomas.
Thomas softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hart misses with some punches.
Hart fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Thomas tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hart's elbow.
Hart blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Thomas swings wildly with an uppercut but Hart uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thomas is trying to break free.
Hart pushes Thomas back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hart misses with a short punch on the inside.
Thomas tries to throw a body punch but Hart avoids it by throwing Thomas back against the cage.

Hart breaks the clinch.

Thomas moves into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Thomas fails to land.
Thomas is trying to push Hart away but Hart has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hart.
Thomas misses with a punch on the inside.
Thomas struggles to land a body shot inside as Hart controls his hands.
Thomas misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hart misses with the head strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thomas tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hart is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Hart wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Thomas misses with a punch on the inside.
Thomas is looking to control Hart's arms but Hart gets an underhook and turns him. Now Thomas has his back to the cage.
Thomas misses with some punches.
Thomas cracks Hart with a nice body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hart misses with a short punch on the inside.
Thomas lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hart is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Thomas is keeping busy.
A short left from Thomas.
Hart misses with a punch on the inside.
Hart misses with the head strike.
Thomas throws a punch but it's blocked by Hart.
Hart has a couple of punches blocked by Thomas.
Thomas blocking some punches.
Thomas tries to throw a body punch but Hart avoids it by throwing Thomas back against the cage.
Thomas tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Thomas working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Hart pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hart wants to land a leg kick but Thomas is out of range.
Thomas is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hart.
Hart tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Thomas manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Hart drives through and clinches with Thomas against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hart swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Hart breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Thomas lands a glancing blow to the side of Hart's head.
Thomas throws a jab but it's blocked by Hart.
Thomas swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hart blocks a jab.
Thomas throws a hook but Hart blocks it.
Hart connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Thomas is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hart.
Hart tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Thomas manages to circle out of the way.
Hart fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thomas manages to avoid it.
Hart looks to throw the jab but Thomas is out of range.
Thomas scores with a jab. Hart acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Thomas misses with a looping left.
Thomas on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hart. Hart obviously looking to wear him down.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tom Thomas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Thomas 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Tom Thomas!
Tom Thomas decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.