PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Shimura Tenko (ranked 24915 p4p, 25103 weight class) and Ieuan Thomas (ranked 514 p4p, 534 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Tenko
vs
Thomas

175 cm
19
145
0 - 2 - 0

168 cm
26
151
0 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Intelligent

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Shimura Tenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Ieuan Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Bruno Lombardi and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tenko checks the leg kick.
Tenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thomas manages to avoid it.
Thomas changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Tenko drives through and clinches with Thomas against the cage.
Tenko is working Thomas over against the cage.
Thomas tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Tenko just stands there and leans against the cage.
Tenko tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tenko with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Thomas is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Tenko gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Thomas is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Tenko is defending well.
Shimura Tenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ieuan Thomas.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Tenko creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Tenko tries to land knees in the clinch but Thomas avoids the damage to the body.
Thomas is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tenko tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tenko misses with a knee to the head.
Thomas is working for takedown but Tenko is calmly controlling the position for now.
Thomas wants a takedown.
Thomas goes for a takedown in the clinch but Tenko prevents it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tenko with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Tenko gets through Thomas's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Tenko works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Thomas doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Thomas tries for a takedown but Tenko manages to get underhooks.
Thomas has Tenko pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Tenko manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Tenko tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Thomas is looking to take this one to the mat.
Tenko softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Tenko blocking some punches.
Nice body punch from Tenko.
A short body shot lands from Tenko as the two fighters clinch.
Tenko lands a nice knee to the body.
Thomas looks winded!
Tenko lands a hook that snaps the head of Thomas backwards.
Tenko lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Tenko is leaning against Thomas and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Thomas blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tenko scores with a knee to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thomas is trying to drag Tenko to the mat but Tenko just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Tenko throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tenko landing knees to the body.
Tenko works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Tenko tries to land a knee to the head but Thomas blocks with his arms.
Tenko throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tenko lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Tenko tries a knee to the head but Thomas blocks it.
Thomas avoiding damage as Tenko throws knees to the body.
A body shot lands from Tenko.
Tenko throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thomas is working for takedown but Tenko is calmly controlling the position for now.
Thomas is trying to pull guard but Tenko has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas managing to block the knees to the body from Tenko.
Tenko lands a body punch in the clinch.
Tenko lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Thomas backwards.
Knees to the body from Tenko.
Tenko connects with a knee to the head.
Tenko landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Tenko tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Thomas tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tenko lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Thomas tries to pull guard but Tenko holds him up against the cage and eventually Thomas drops back down to his feet.
Tenko tries a knee to the head but Thomas blocks it.
Tenko with a knee to the head.
Thomas jumps guard but Tenko stands there with Thomas around his waist. Thomas gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tenko looking to throw knees to the head but Thomas is blocking nicely.
Tenko scores with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tenko gets underhooks to prevent Thomas's takedown attempt.
Thomas changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tenko fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Tenko jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Thomas attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Tenko fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Tenko connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Tenko fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Thomas tries to counter with a clinch but Tenko shakes him off and moves away.

Tenko moves into the clinch.
Tenko lands a nice knee to the body.
Tenko landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Tenko lands a body punch in the clinch.
Tenko gets underhooks to prevent Thomas's takedown attempt.
Tenko lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Tenko lands a left hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shimura Tenko dominated that round.
That's time! Tenko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Tenko uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Tenko misses with a few strikes there.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tenko is defended easily by Thomas.
We've been informed that Thomas has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Tenko avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A right-left combo lands from Tenko.

Tenko gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Tenko struggles to land a body shot inside as Thomas controls his hands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tenko digs a right hand into Thomas's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Thomas's gas tank.
Thomas tries to pull guard but Tenko holds him up against the cage and eventually Thomas drops back down to his feet.
Thomas on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Thomas tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tenko smiles and moves away.
Tenko swings for the body but Thomas moves out of range.
Thomas looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tenko displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Thomas displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Tenko.
Tenko lands a jab-cross combination.
Tenko with a nice cross.

Tenko gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Tenko throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tenko scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Tenko misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Shimura Tenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ieuan Thomas.
Thomas tries for a takedown. No joy.
Thomas is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Tenko pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Tenko trying to land knees to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tenko lands a body punch.
A right hook to the body lands for Tenko.
Tenko lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Thomas or not.
Thomas is breathing heavily.
Tenko lands a body shot in the clinch.
Thomas is trying to pull guard but Tenko has him pressed against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Tenko obliges.
Tenko looking to throw knees to the head but Thomas is blocking nicely.
Nice body punch from Tenko - that landed with a thud.
Tenko landing knees to the head.
Tenko throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Thomas blocks it with crossed arms.
A left hand lands to the body for Tenko.
Thomas blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thomas pulls Tenko into guard.
Tenko connects with a couple of short punches.
Tenko scoring with some ground and pound.
Tenko content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Tenko trying to control but Thomas is working from the bottom.
Tenko makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Thomas is trying to control the position but Tenko postures up.
Tenko is in close to Thomas's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Tenko lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Tenko makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Tenko with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Thomas has momentary wrist control but Tenko slips an elbow through the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tenko working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Thomas's head.
We've been hearing that Tenko has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Tenko postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Tenko is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Thomas can do to turn this around?

Thomas working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tenko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tenko manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Tenko postures up.
Tenko trying to control but Thomas is working from the bottom.
Tenko lands a couple of digs.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Tenko stands up from Thomas's guard - Tenko perhaps looking for a knockout.

Tenko fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Thomas to the ground. Tenko is now in Thomas's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tenko content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Tenko lands a couple of elbows.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shimura Tenko dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Tenko has Thomas up against the cage in a clinch.
Tenko presses Thomas against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Thomas jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Tenko walks away with a smile on his face. Thomas gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Tenko throws a nice looking combination but Thomas bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Thomas slips a jab and a cross from Tenko.
Tenko with a jab.

Tenko moves into the clinch successfully.
Nice body punch from Tenko - that landed with a thud.
Thomas is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A hook to the body from Tenko.
Thomas is working for takedown but Tenko is calmly controlling the position for now.
Thomas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tenko presses Thomas against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Tenko lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Tenko misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Thomas.
Tenko throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Thomas blocks it with crossed arms.
Thomas tries to stall but Tenko uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Thomas goes for a takedown in the clinch but Tenko prevents it.
Shimura Tenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ieuan Thomas.
Tenko lands a nice uppercut.
Tenko pushes Thomas back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A short right from Tenko on the inside.
Tenko is working Thomas over against the cage.
Thomas fails to pull guard.
Tenko lands a body shot.
Tenko tries a knee to the head but Thomas blocks it.
Tenko scores with a knee to the head.
Thomas is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Good body shot from Tenko.
Ieuan Thomas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shimura Tenko has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Tenko.
Tenko lands a body shot.
Tenko throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Tenko misses with a knee to the head.
Tenko missing with knees to the body.
Tenko lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Tenko presses Thomas against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Tenko putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Thomas in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Tenko throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Thomas tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Tenko lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A short left from Tenko.
Tenko tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Thomas takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Tenko obliges.
Tenko tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Thomas avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Tenko.
Thomas tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A short right from Thomas on the inside.
Tenko lands a nice knee to the body.
Tenko lands an uppercut.
Tenko scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Thomas looking for a takedown.
Tenko lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tenko connects with a knee to the head.

Thomas is rocked!
Tenko lands a body punch in the clinch.
Thomas is still on wobbly legs! Can Tenko finish him?
Tenko with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tenko putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Thomas in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Tenko missing with knees to the body.
Thomas seems to have recovered his senses.
Tenko connects with a nasty looking knee right to Thomas's face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tenko landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Thomas looking for a takedown.
Tenko tries a knee to the head but Thomas blocks it.
Tenko tries to land a knee to the head but Thomas blocks with his arms.
Tenko landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Thomas tries to work over Tenko's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tenko putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Thomas in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Tenko tries a knee to the head but Thomas blocks it.
Thomas tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Tenko makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Tenko lands a left hand.
Shimura Tenko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thomas managing to block the knees to the body from Tenko.
Tenko tries to land a knee to the head but Thomas blocks with his arms.
Tenko blocking some punches.
Tenko putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Thomas in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Tenko lands a nice shot to the body.
Thomas blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shimura Tenko showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tenko 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:24
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:24
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shimura Tenko!