PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Thompson (ranked 216 p4p, 356 weight class) and Rashid Elkhan (ranked 36 p4p, 56 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?

Thompson
vs
Elkhan

190 cm
30
280
20 - 12 - 0

193 cm
30
267
16 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Warrior Fight Store
Voodoo Nutrition

SynCity Fightwear
Voodoo Nutrition

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 20 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ricky Thompson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Rashid Elkhan!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Daniel Bishop and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Elkhan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Thompson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Elkhan takes a swing at Thompson's ribcage but misses.
Thompson swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Thompson throws a right hand that Elkhan ducks under and follows up with a left that Elkhan also avoids with ease.
Thompson slips a straight right by Elkhan.
Thompson changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Ricky Thompson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thompson takes a swing at Elkhan's ribcage but misses.
Thompson tries to land a front kick but Elkhan steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Elkhan avoids the body shot from Thompson.
Thompson misses with a body shot
enabling Elkhan to counter with a crisp jab.
Nice jab there from Elkhan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elkhan throws a lazy right hand but Thompson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Elkhan takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Elkhan lands a head shot.
Thompson lands a body shot.
Elkhan throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Elkhan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Thompson was well out of range. Poor timing from Elkhan.
Thompson appears to be looking for a big counter.
Elkhan lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Thompson throws a leg kick
and Elkhan counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Elkhan's corner calls for a 1-2. Elkhan obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Thompson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Elkhan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thompson.
A countering left hand to the body from Elkhan misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thompson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Elkhan pinned against the cage. Elkhan gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Thompson throws a shot from downtown. Elkhan moves away and avoids it.
Thompson defending well as Elkhan loads up on a big left hand.
Thompson looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Thompson throws a shot from downtown. Elkhan moves away and avoids it.
Thompson moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Elkhan moves away.
Thompson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Elkhan.
It seemed like Elkhan was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Thompson misses with a left hand
and Elkhan counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Thompson thinking.
Thompson throws a predictable looking body shot
and Elkhan counters with a nice uppercut.
Thompson misses with a left hand
and Thompson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

It looks like Ricky Thompson has been cut.
Thompson slips under a jab.
Thompson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Elkhan is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Thompson with a body shot.
Thompson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Elkhan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Elkhan leaves Thompson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricky Thompson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Thompson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Elkhan sprawls well initially but Thompson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Elkhan really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Thompson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Elkhan keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The fighters are battling for position here. Elkhan manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Thompson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Elkhan's head.
Thompson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Elkhan seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thompson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Elkhan tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Elkhan is pulling down on Thompson's head. It's preventing any offense from Thompson, at least for the moment.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rashid Elkhan dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ricky Thompson's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Thompson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Thompson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Elkhan swivels and escapes.
Elkhan misses with a looping left.
Elkhan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Thompson moves away.
Thompson throws a right and a left that both miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson motions for Elkhan to come forward. Thompson throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Thompson misses the body punch
letting Elkhan counter with a right hand.
Thompson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Elkhan avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricky Thompson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A decent looking cross lands there for Elkhan.
Thompson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Elkhan appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Thompson misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Elkhan to counter with a crisp jab.
Thompson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Elkhan counters with a crisp right hand that drops Thompson! Elkhan lets Thompson back up to his feet, looking for a finish!
Thompson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Elkhan circles away.
Elkhan has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Thompson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Elkhan sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
It seemed like Elkhan was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Elkhan takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Elkhan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Thompson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Elkhan swivels and escapes.
Elkhan uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Thompson.
A nice side step and Elkhan releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Elkhan misses with a hook.
Elkhan connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Thompson momentarily.
Ricky Thompson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thompson throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Elkhan counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Thompson thinking.
Thompson throws a shot to the body.
Thompson looks to score with a jab to the body but Elkhan is just out of range.
It seemed like Elkhan was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Elkhan lands a big right hand that sends Thompson crashing to the mat! Elkhan stays standing though and waves Thompson back to his feet!

Thompson is rocked!
Thompson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Elkhan but Elkhan pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A shot to the body from Thompson misses
and Elkhan scores with a counter punch that sends Thompson to the canvas! Elkhan smells blood - he's punishing Thompson with more strikes and the ref has stopped it! Thompson has no idea where he is - he's tackled the ref... oh dear, poor guy, the crowd is in hysterics!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:31 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rashid Elkhan!
Rashid Elkhan tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.