PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Harry Kane (ranked 2917 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Thompson (ranked 5659 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Kane
vs
Thompson

180 cm
18
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
23
245 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Harry Kane!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Chris Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Sosuke Kotani and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kane misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kane changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Thompson tries to avoid it but Kane manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Thompson to the ground. Thompson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kane shoots in but no luck this time.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Thompson has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harry Kane. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kane doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Thompson counters by clinching up.

Thompson decides to pull guard.
Thompson keeping full guard, as Kane tries to pass.
Kane trying to control but Thompson is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kane is one step ahead there.
Kane tries to free his leg and advance position but Thompson is retaining full guard.
Thompson keeping moving, preventing Kane from controlling successfully.
Kane could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Thompson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kane is one step ahead there.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kane is defended easily by Thompson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Nice sprawl there from Thompson as Kane shoots in.
Thompson wants to counter with a clinch but Kane pushes him away.
Kane fails with the takedown

so Thompson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kane might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Kane is breathing heavily.
Thompson pushing down on Kane's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Thompson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Thompson decides to stand and escape the position.
Kane gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

so Thompson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Thompson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Thompson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kane avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kane doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Thompson to counter with a crisp jab.

Thompson closes the distance and clinches.

Thompson breaks from the clinch.

Thompson instigates a clinch.

Thompson pulls guard effortlessly.
Thompson has Kane pulled in close to control his posture.

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

Thompson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kane doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kane manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson being controlled here, momentarily.
Kane trying to control but Thompson is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Thompson dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Thompson closes the distance and pushes Kane back into the cage.
Kane is looking for a takedown.
Kane is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Thompson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kane drops down looking for an ankle pick but Thompson pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harry Kane. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Thompson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Kane slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thompson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Harry Kane is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kane stuffs the takedown.
Kane shoots in for a takedown but Thompson shows good takedown defense.
Thompson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kane is fending him off so far but Thompson persists. Nope, Kane circles away and we're back to standing.
Kane shoots in looking for a takedown. Thompson tries to sprawl out of it but Kane keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Thompson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Thompson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thompson lands a nice looking kick to the body. Kane takes a step back to recover.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kane closes this distance looking for a takedown but Thompson circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kane is defended easily by Thompson.
Thompson wants to counter the offense by Kane and move into the clinch position.
Thompson shoots in and drives through. Kane sprawls well.
Kane fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Thompson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Kane's guard.
Thompson connects with a couple of short punches.
Thompson postures up.
Thompson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thompson stands up from Kane's guard - Thompson perhaps looking for a knockout.

Thompson shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Thompson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Kane is trying to control but can't.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kane actively working from the bottom here.
Thompson prevents Kane from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Thompson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Thompson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Kane is trying to maintain the position but Thompson is very close to passing his half guard.
Thompson is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Thompson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kane manages to get to full guard.
Thompson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Thompson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Thompson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Kane tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Thompson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Thompson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Thompson prevents Kane from getting back to his feet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Thompson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Thompson stops a takedown attempt from Kane.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thompson is looking to take this one to the mat.
Kane prevents a takedown attempt there.
Thompson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kane gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Harry Kane has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Thompson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thompson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Kane looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Thompson!
Thompson is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Kane controlling the action here.
Thompson wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kane wants to lay and pray for a moment but Thompson keeps working.
Kane stops Thompson from getting back to his feet.
Kane is thwarting Thompson's attempts to control the position.
Kane passes to full mount!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Thompson is looking to improve his position but Kane isn't that keen on the idea.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Chris Thompson.
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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Thompson!