PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jack Brannon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daz Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Brannon
vs
Thompson

195 cm
22
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 London, Jack Brannon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Daz Thompson!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Daniel Bishop and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thompson throws a head kick that misses.
Thompson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Brannon pinned against the cage. Brannon gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Brannon uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

It looks like Daz Thompson has been cut.
Brannon tries to clinch up but Thompson circles away and keeps his distance.
Thompson slips a straight right by Brannon.

Thompson clinches.
The referee calls for Brannon to work.

Brannon is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Thompson can't fight it off and eventually Brannon manages to take the fight to the floor. Thompson looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Brannon lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Brannon throwing strikes from guard but Thompson blocks nicely.
Brannon loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Brannon landing some decent shots from guard.
Brannon scoring with some ground and pound.

Brannon got a little sloppy there for a moment and Thompson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Brannon has managed to get both his arms back between Thompson's legs - danger averted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brannon loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Brannon thows a big elbow that misses.
Brannon trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Thompson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Brannon manages to get himself to full guard.
Thompson trying to control the position from guard on top but Brannon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thompson wants to stand but Brannon is controlling his posture from full guard.
Brannon doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Brannon doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Brannon striking off his back but it's not causing Thompson any problems.
Brannon thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Thompson gets to his feet. Brannon looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Thompson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Thompson looks gassed!

Brannon takes the fight into the clinch.
Brannon is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Thompson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Brannon's face.
Thompson should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Thompson is trying to maintain a safe position but Brannon gets an underhook and turns Thompson into the cage.
The referee calls for Brannon to work.
Thompson is looking to break free of the clinch but Brannon has double underhooks.
Thompson tries to pull guard but Brannon holds him up against the cage and eventually Thompson drops back down to his feet.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson slowing the pace effectively.
Thompson is trying to maintain a safe position but Brannon gets an underhook and turns Thompson into the cage.
Thompson tries to pull guard but Brannon holds him up against the cage and eventually Thompson drops back down to his feet.
Jack Brannon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daz Thompson.

Brannon turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Brannon manages to end up in side control.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Brannon connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Thompson some visible discomfort.

Brannon tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Brannon is chipping away with strikes.
Brannon scoring with punches from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thompson can't do much from the bottom here.
Thompson on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Brannon wants to lay and pray for a moment but Thompson keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brannon tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Thompson manages to get back to half guard.
Brannon thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Thompson to regain full guard.
Thompson throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

Brannon stands up and waves to Thompson to follow him.
Thompson looks for a takedown but Brannon sprawls well.

Thompson gets the takedown into side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Thompson tries for a kimura but Brannon is defending well.
Brannon sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Brannon dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Daz Thompson's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Brannon wants to clinch.
Thompson wants to clinch but Brannon slips to the side

and Brannon decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Thompson's guard.
Brannon tries to free his leg and advance position but Thompson is retaining full guard.
Brannon scoring with punches to the head and body.
Brannon with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Thompson is trying to keep Brannon in close.
Thompson pulls Brannon in to control the position.
Thompson is trying to control the position but Brannon postures up.
Brannon is in close to Thompson's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Thompson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Brannon doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Brannon manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Brannon stands up over Thompson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brannon pushing down on Thompson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Brannon connects with a nice short shot to Thompson's temple.
Brannon takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Brannon takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Thompson is trying to stand up here but Brannon is controlling him well.
Thompson tries to get to full guard but Brannon has control of the leg.
Brannon looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Thompson pushes Brannon off looking to stand but Brannon dives back in and keeps control.
The fighters are battling for position here. Thompson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Thompson keeping moving, preventing Brannon from controlling successfully.
Brannon trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brannon throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Thompson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Brannon lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Thompson circles away quickly and effectively.
Thompson wants to clinch.
Brannon lands a body shot.

Thompson gets a clinch.
Thompson wants to break free but Brannon has control.
Thompson tries to circle away but Brannon has him pinned against the cage.

Brannon wants the takedown. Thompson is fighting it off but Brannon persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Thompson's guard against the cage.
Brannon distracts Thompson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Thompson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Brannon passes into side control.
Thompson sneaks back into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson is looking to control Brannon's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Thompson avoid being mounted?
Brannon wants to control but Thompson is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thompson wants to get back to full guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Brannon connects with a nice short shot to Thompson's temple.
Thompson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Brannon scores with a couple of nice shots.
Brannon wants to lay and pray for a moment but Thompson keeps working.
Brannon missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Brannon winds up and cracks Thompson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Brannon with a lazy takedown attempt

and Thompson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Thompson is keen to just control but Brannon is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson passes to side control.
Thompson trying to control the position but Brannon is working away.

Thompson stands up and beckons Brannon to his feet.

Brannon fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Thompson sprawls well initially but Brannon persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Brannon thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Thompson's head.
Brannon is nestled in close to Thompson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Thompson controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Brannon dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Daz Thompson's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Brannon throws a left and a right that both miss

and Thompson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Thompson.

Thompson postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Brannon is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Thompson, into his guard.
Jack Brannon overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Thompson has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Brannon has passed into side control.
Thompson struggling a bit here.
Brannon lands a nice forearm strike.
Brannon in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Thompson taking a bit of punishment here - Brannon scoring with strikes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thompson takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Thompson struggling a bit here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Thompson's face as Brannon controls the position.
Brannon in side control lands a decent elbow.
Brannon working the ground and pound.
Thompson is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Brannon asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Brannon looking to control but instead Thompson has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Thompson is refusing to be controlled, as Brannon sits in half guard.
Brannon lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Brannon trying to mount his opponent but Thompson defends it.
Thompson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Thompson keeping moving, preventing Brannon from controlling successfully.
Thompson has momentary wrist control but Brannon slips an elbow through the middle.
Thompson keeping moving, preventing Brannon from controlling successfully.
Brannon stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Thompson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Brannon postures up in Thompson's guard and throws a big left but Thompson blocks it.
Brannon has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thompson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Brannon with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Brannon stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Thompson swivels though and keeps the full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Brannon is looking to clinch.
Brannon tries to close the distance and clinch up but Thompson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Brannon looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Brannon blocks a head kick by Thompson.

Brannon is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Thompson's half guard.
Brannon throwing shots but Thompson is blocking nicely.
Thompson trying to hold on to Brannon's head to control him but Brannon postures up.
Thompson is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Brannon is staying active.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Brannon.
Brannon missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Brannon is taking a breather. Thompson says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Thompson manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Thompson is looking to clinch but Brannon is avoiding it.

Thompson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Brannon!
Brannon is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

Thompson jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Brannon is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Brannon and Thompson has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Daz Thompson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jack Brannon is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Thompson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Brannon has escaped the position, nice work there.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Daz Thompson.
I think Brannon has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 William Gold scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Brannon!