PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rufus Thompson (ranked 4336 p4p, 4510 weight class) and Usada Usada (ranked 0 p4p, 458 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Thompson
vs
Usada

200 cm
25
265
0 - 0 - 0

198 cm
21
265
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Heavy handed

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 Hilo, Rufus Thompson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Usada Usada!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Jeff Smith and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thompson connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Usada tries to keep at a distance but Thompson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Thompson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Thompson breaks the clinch.
Usada tried to score with a low kick but Thompson checks it.
Thompson swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Thompson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Usada on his heels. He'll look to pass Usada's guard now, I'm sure.
Usada wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Thompson manages to pass to side control.

Thompson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Usada has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Thompson is working away from the top position though.
Usada tries to get to full guard but Thompson has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Usada is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Thompson is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Usada tries to roll over but Thompson keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thompson slows the pace down in half guard.
Usada wants to get back to his feet.

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.
Still in half guard, Thompson seems content to control.
Thompson prevents Usada from standing back up.
Thompson not doing much here.
Thompson prevents Usada from improving his position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Usada misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Usada shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Thompson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Thompson moves out of range of the leg kick from Usada.
Usada looks for a takedown but Thompson sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Usada closes this distance looking for a takedown but Thompson circles away.
Rufus Thompson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Usada Usada.

Thompson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Usada's guard.
Thompson throwing strikes but missing.
Usada is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Thompson seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Thompson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thompson clinches with his opponent.

Thompson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Thompson shoots and misses
and Usada counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Thompson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Usada circles away.

Thompson gets the takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thompson is looking to take a break and control but Usada is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Usada trying his best to control but Thompson has mounted him.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Thompson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Thompson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Thompson throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Thompson scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Usada shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Usada takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Usada tries to clinch but fails miserably
enabling Thompson to counter with a crisp jab.
Usada wants to clinch up but Thompson keeps it at a distance.
Usada shoots in but Thompson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Usada fails with the takedown
and Thompson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rufus Thompson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Usada Usada.

Thompson shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Thompson showed some decent athleticism there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thompson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Usada doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Thompson.

Usada actively working from the bottom here.

Thompson stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Thompson has his takedown stuffed
and Thompson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Thompson closes the distance and clinches.
Usada is trying to break free.
Usada is trying to pull guard but Thompson turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Thompson scores a nice knee to the body.

Thompson has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Usada uses from the top position.
Usada being controlled here momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Usada's guard.

Thompson sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Thompson wants to control from the top but Usada keeps moving.
Thompson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Usada is trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thompson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Usada knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Usada is not content to let Thompson control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thompson is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Usada is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rufus Thompson dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Usada misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Thompson to counter with a crisp jab.
Usada is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Thompson moves into the clinch.

Thompson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Thompson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Thompson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Usada tries for a takedown but Thompson circles away easily
and Thompson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson moves out of range of the leg kick from Usada.
Thompson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Usada as he jumps to the side.
Thompson staying out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Usada looks to clinch
and Thompson counters with a nice uppercut.
A head kick by Usada misses
and Thompson counters with a nice uppercut.

Thompson drives through and clinches with Usada against the cage.
Thompson stalling against the cage.
Thompson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Usada can do to turn this around?

Thompson breaks the clinch.

Thompson drives through with a takedown into Usada's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Thompson scoring with some ground and pound.

Usada working for submissions but it's allowed Thompson to get to half guard.

Thompson is trying to work for a kimura but Usada is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Usada trying to control but Thompson postures up.

Thompson seems to be working for a kimura but Usada defends the submission attempt.
Thompson not doing much here.
Rufus Thompson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Usada holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Usada punching from the bottom.
Thompson working Usada over with strikes.
Thompson slips a nice elbow through Usada's hands, connecting with Usada's forehead.
Thompson with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Usada is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Thompson is figuring out what he wants to do next.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Usada is looking for a sweep. Thompson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Usada moves in looking to clinch but Thompson pushes him off.
Usada pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Some wild striking there from Thompson.
It seemed like Usada was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Thompson scores with a head kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Usada fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A little feinted left hand from Thompson on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Usada Usada has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rufus Thompson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rufus Thompson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Usada Usada.
A left and a right from Usada both land. Nice combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rufus Thompson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Thompson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Josh West scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 30:27

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