PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Johnathan Maddison (ranked 5516 p4p, 5514 weight class) and Benson Thatch (ranked 557 p4p, 556 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.

Maddison
vs
Thatch

178 cm
25
163
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
165
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Johnathan Maddison!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Benson Thatch!
The judges for this bout are Topper Green, Eliza Hachem and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thatch shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Maddison sprawls well. Maddison wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Thatch gets slowly back to his feet.
Maddison tries to counter with a takedown but Thatch is quick to defend against it.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Maddison enables Thatch to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Maddison manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Thatch missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Thatch really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Maddison. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Thatch postures up.
Maddison can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Thatch controls the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thatch wanted to stand there but Maddison had control of the position.
Thatch must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thatch trying to control the position from guard on top but Maddison is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Thatch accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Thatch fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Maddison avoids it really well and circles away.
Thatch shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Maddison defends it nicely.
Johnathan Maddison has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benson Thatch.

That's two 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.
Thatch throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Maddison's waist but Maddison gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Thatch off to one side.
Maddison throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Thatch's waist but Thatch gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Maddison off to one side.
Thatch shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Maddison as he jumps to the side.
Maddison gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Thatch counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Thatch.
Maddison trying to control the position but instead, Thatch has worked for underhooks and has pushed Maddison into the cage.

Thatch breaks the clinch.
Maddison shoots for a double leg takedown but Thatch sprawls well. He's pushed Maddison's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Thatch looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Maddison!
Thatch looks winded!
Maddison is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Thatch is one step ahead and moves to full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maddison is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Maddison is working hard here to advance position.
Thatch trying to control but Maddison is having none of it.
Maddison wants to control but Thatch is having none of it.
Maddison's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

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.
Thatch throws some wild stikes that Maddison manages to avoid easily.
Maddison tries to buck Thatch off but he can't manage it.
Maddison wants to control but Thatch is having none of it.
Maddison is wriggling around trying to escape.
Thatch looking to control but Maddison is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Maddison is trying to escape the mount.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Benson Thatch dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Thatch bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Thatch fails with a takedown attempt.
Maddison tries for a takedown but Thatch circles away easily

and Thatch counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Thatch successfully pulls guard.
Thatch is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Maddison missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Thatch working for a triangle but Maddison defends it easily.
Maddison trying to control the position from guard on top but Thatch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maddison postures up.
Maddison trying to control but Thatch is working from the bottom.
Maddison trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Maddison forces his way into half guard.
Maddison wants to stand up but Thatch is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Maddison is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Maddison thows a huge punch but Thatch dodges it nicely.

Maddison is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Maddison passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Thatch!
Maddison trying to control but Thatch is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maddison misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thatch has given up his back here.
Maddison punches the canvas rather than the man.
Thatch is trying to break free.
Thatch is breathing heavily.

Maddison looking for the choke from the back.

Thatch is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Maddison gets his way!
Thatch avoids the strikes from Maddison.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thatch is keeping busy.
Maddison missing with strikes from the back.

Maddison sinks in the hooks and is looking for the choke. He's got it! Thatch taps out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:51 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Johnathan Maddison!