PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Veljko Bakocevic (ranked 3988 p4p, 342 weight class) and Felix Thompson (ranked 6253 p4p, 416 weight class). Felix Thompson is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Bakocevic
vs
Thompson

177 cm
20
154 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

169 cm
23
146 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Veljko Bakocevic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Felix Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bakocevic shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Thompson wants to get back to his feet.
Thompson is refusing to be controlled, as Bakocevic sits in half guard.
Bakocevic wants to free his trapped foot but Thompson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Thompson gets back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bakocevic wants to control from the top but Thompson keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakocevic wants to stand but Thompson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Thompson keeping full guard, as Bakocevic tries to pass.
Thompson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Thompson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Thompson seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Thompson trying to control from half guard but Bakocevic is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Thompson moves into side control, avoiding the strikes from Bakocevic.
Bakocevic is trying to control Thompson's posture but Thompson avoids it.
Bakocevic is working to avoid the ground and pound but Thompson connects with a decent elbow.
Bakocevic is looking to regain half guard here but Thompson keeps moving and retains side control.
You can see the frustration on Bakocevic's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Bakocevic sneaks out the side door and pushes Thompson away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bakocevic drives through with a takedown into Thompson's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Bakocevic stops Thompson from standing up.
Bakocevic trying to control but Thompson is working from the bottom.

Bakocevic avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Bakocevic connects with a couple of short punches.
Thompson being controlled here, momentarily.

Thompson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson trying to keep a closed guard but Bakocevic is proving a slippery customer.
Bakocevic wants to control from the top but Thompson keeps moving.
Bakocevic wants to pass the guard but Thompson is keeping the position.
Thompson working a defensive guard here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Thompson might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Bakocevic haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Bakocevic sitting in guard, not really doing much.
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 Veljko Bakocevic will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bakocevic rushes Thompson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Thompson is trying to pull guard but Bakocevic turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Thompson stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Bakocevic jumps into guard, dragging Thompson to the mat.
Thompson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson trying to control but Bakocevic is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Bakocevic not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Bakocevic throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Bakocevic is controlling Thompson's posture.
Bakocevic looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bakocevic wants to sweep here but Thompson controlling him for the moment.

Bakocevic is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Thompson defends well.
Bakocevic wants to sweep here but Thompson controlling him for the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Thompson throws a sloppy head kick and Bakocevic moves out of range easily.
Bakocevic feinted with a counter takedown.

Bakocevic closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Thompson did well to prevent Bakocevic getting side control.
Bakocevic tries to pass to full mount but Thompson defends it.
Bakocevic stalling away here and it's allowed Thompson to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson working a defensive guard here.
Bakocevic trying to control the position from guard on top but Thompson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bakocevic stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Thompson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Thompson controlling Bakocevic's posture.
Bakocevic trying to move into half guard but instead Thompson has managed to sweep!

Bakocevic wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Bakocevic trying to control the position.

Bakocevic looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Thompson passes into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thompson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Bakocevic wants to control but Thompson is keeping busy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bakocevic is trying to get back to full guard.
Thompson wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Felix Thompson 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!

Thompson closes the distance and clinches.
Bakocevic is trying to force a seperation but Thompson has the dominant position.

Bakocevic lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Thompson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Bakocevic stopping the sweep attempt from Thompson.
Thompson keeping full guard, as Bakocevic tries to pass.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bakocevic postures up.
Thompson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bakocevic is one step ahead there.
Thompson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thompson looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Thompson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bakocevic keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Thompson thows a huge punch but Bakocevic dodges it nicely.
Bakocevic wants to control but Thompson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Thompson throwing shots but Bakocevic is blocking nicely.
Bakocevic is not content to let Thompson control the position.
Bakocevic wants to control but Thompson is keeping busy.
Bakocevic wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bakocevic actively working from the bottom here.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Thompson is just content to waste time from the top position. Bakocevic takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Bakocevic has a closed guard, preventing Thompson from standing up.
Bakocevic wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Thompson is now in half guard.

Bakocevic actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Thompson with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Thompson moves into the clinch.
Thompson tries for a takedown. No joy.

Bakocevic pulls guard.
Bakocevic is trying to keep Thompson in close.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bakocevic preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Felix Thompson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Thompson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Felix Thompson!