PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Max Thomas (ranked 6983 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yernardo Mill (ranked 5447 p4p, 0 weight class). Yernardo Mill has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Thomas
vs
Mill

185 cm
23
200 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

193 cm
25
217 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Very confident

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Max Thomas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yernardo Mill!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Chris Downing and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mill moves into the clinch successfully.
Mill with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Mill tries to land a knee to the head but Thomas blocks with his arms.
Thomas changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mill fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Thomas pushes Mill up against the cage in a clinch.
Mill misses with a knee strike.
Mill throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mill looking to throw knees to the head but Thomas is blocking nicely.
Thomas wants to take the fight to the mat but Mill manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Mill throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mill looking to throw knees to the head but Thomas is blocking nicely.
Mill throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Thomas blocks it with crossed arms.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mill with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Mill with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Thomas trying to land knees to the body.
Thomas tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Max Thomas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thomas changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mill fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mill rushes Thomas and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Mill misses with a knee strike.
Thomas has Mill pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Mill manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Mill using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Thomas has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Thomas breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Thomas is defended easily by Mill.
Mill keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Mill moves into the clinch.
Thomas misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mill with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Thomas is trying to break the clinch but Mill is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mill tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Mill throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mill looking to throw knees to the head but Thomas is blocking nicely.
Mill throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Thomas blocks it with crossed arms.
Thomas wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Thomas has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Mill uses from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mill trying to control but Thomas is working from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Thomas is on top in guard.

The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Thomas trying to control the position from guard on top but Mill is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas is really struggling to control Mill but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Thomas prevents Mill from getting back to his feet.
Mill looking to control.

Mill looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Mill really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Thomas. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Thomas got a little sloppy there for a moment and Mill has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Thomas has managed to get both his arms back between Mill's legs - danger averted.
Thomas sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Mill's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Thomas sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Mill defending well though.
Mill is looking for a sweep. Thomas is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Thomas tries to pass to full mount but Mill defends it.
Mill trying to control from the bottom.
Mill might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Thomas haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Thomas fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A nice inside leg kick there by Thomas. That's going to slow Mill down.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Thomas gets tackled into the cage by Mill. Mill maintains the clinch.
Mill with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Mill throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Thomas blocks it with crossed arms.
Mill keeps control of Thomas as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yernardo Mill dominated that round.
That's time! Thomas's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Mill gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Mill tries a knee to the head but Thomas blocks it.
Mill throws a knee to the head but misses.

Thomas manages to break the clinch.
No luck for Thomas with that takedown attempt.

Mill has managed to clinch.
Mill with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Thomas is trying to push Mill away but Mill has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Thomas looking for a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Mill looking to throw knees to the head but Thomas is blocking nicely.
Thomas tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mill just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Max Thomas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thomas goes for a takedown attempt but Mill pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Mill gets a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mill with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Thomas has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Mill with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Mill using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Thomas has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Mill throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mill misses with a knee strike.
Mill tries to land a knee to the head but Thomas blocks with his arms.
Mill keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Thomas's efforts to push away.
Mill throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Thomas blocks it with crossed arms.
Mill using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Thomas has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Thomas wants to stall.
Thomas has had enough of the clinch but Mill keeps him there for the moment.
Yernardo Mill seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Thomas is trying to pull guard but Mill has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mill throws a knee to the head but misses.

Thomas pulls guard successfully.
Mill forces his way into half guard.
Mill controlling the action here.
Mill looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Thomas trying to control but Mill postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mill is trying to control. Thomas wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Mill is pressing down on Thomas's thigh, looking to free his foot. Thomas is holding on for now.
Thomas gets back to full guard.
Mill stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Thomas swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Thomas trying to keep a closed guard but Mill is proving a slippery customer.
Mill looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Thomas is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mill is aware though and is defending well.
Mill with a flurry of punches that miss.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Yernardo Mill seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Thomas moves into the clinch.
Mill throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Thomas blocks it with crossed arms.
Mill tries a knee to the head but Thomas blocks it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mill using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Thomas has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Mill looking to throw knees to the head but Thomas is blocking nicely.
Mill tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Thomas is trying to drag Mill to the mat but Mill just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yernardo Mill showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Mill closes the distance and clinches.
Mill looking to throw knees to the head but Thomas is blocking nicely.
Mill misses with a knee to the head.
Thomas has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Mill is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Mill tries to land a knee to the head but Thomas blocks with his arms.

Thomas breaks the clinch.
No luck for Thomas with that takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mill closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Thomas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown but Mill shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Max Thomas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thomas fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mill darts in and clinches Thomas up against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mill throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mill tries to land a knee to the head but Thomas blocks with his arms.
Mill looking to throw knees to the head but Thomas is blocking nicely.
Thomas wants to take the fight to the mat but Mill manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Mill tries a knee to the head but Thomas blocks it.
Mill misses with a knee to the head.
Mill throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mill misses with a knee strike.

Thomas pulls guard successfully.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Thomas is on top in guard.

Mill is trying to control the position but Thomas postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mill wants to sweep here but Thomas controlling him for the moment.
Mill thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Mill can do anything to dispel that myth.
Thomas loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Thomas sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Mill's guard.
Mill is trying is best to control the position here.
Mill wants to get back to full guard.
Thomas passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Mill!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mill tries to buck Thomas off but he can't manage it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mill tries to reverse the position but Thomas maintains control.
Mill tries to lock up and control but Thomas gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Thomas thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Max Thomas overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Thomas unloads with some shots from mount but Mill bucks and avoids them well.
Mill keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Mill is trying to reverse the position but instead Thomas has taken his back - oops!
Mill just trying to survive but Thomas is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thomas patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Thomas tries to get the hooks in deep but Mill pushed the leg off.
Thomas somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.

Mill defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thomas has the hooks in. Mill is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Max Thomas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

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 Max Thomas.
I think Mill 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yernardo Mill!