PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between John Paul Thiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vartan West Side (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). John Paul Thiago had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Paul Thiago
vs
West Side

182 cm
22
154 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
19
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 1

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

FNF Energy - (Sale!)

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, John Paul Thiago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vartan West Side!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

West Side rushes Thiago and presses him up against the cage.
West Side lands a body punch in the clinch.
West Side looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

West Side pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Thiago is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in West Side's half guard.
Thiago prevents West Side from standing back up.
Thiago controlling the action here.

Thiago is working for a submission of some sort.
Thiago keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
West Side wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thiago is looking for a kimura here.
West Side blocking the ground and pound attempt from Thiago.
West Side scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Thiago manages to mount him!
West Side trying desperately to get to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
West Side has given up his back, trying to stand up. Not clever.
What can West Side do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
West Side is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Thiago looking to break West Side's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. West Side remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Thiago will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Thiago is breathing heavily.
West Side has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Thiago trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure West Side doesn't escape.

Thiago is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but West Side has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
A lull in the action here.
West Side wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thiago working for a choke but West Side is defending well.
West Side trying to get back to his feet but Thiago is in full control for now.
A lull in the action here.
West Side controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

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.

Thiago is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
West Side has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
West Side prevents Thiago from getting a body triangle.
West Side is trying to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Paul Thiago dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

West Side gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Thiago counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for West Side!
Thiago 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.
Thiago throwing strikes here but West Side is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Thiago landing strikes from the mount.
West Side is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

Thiago stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
West Side with a poor takedown

so Thiago counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Thiago stands and steps away. West Side gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Thiago circles away from the clinch attempt

and Thiago counters with a nice double leg into guard.

West Side scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Thiago closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Thiago lands in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
West Side is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Thiago is controlling him.
Thiago is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

West Side pushes Thiago off and gets back to his feet.
West Side clinches but Thiago breaks the clinch

and Thiago counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
West Side is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Thiago is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thiago stands up and waves to West Side to follow him.
West Side closes the distance but Thiago moves to the side

and Thiago counters with a nice double leg into side control. West Side won't be happy with that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thiago takes a little break here. West Side wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
West Side is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Thiago asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Thiago misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
West Side is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thiago takes a little break here. West Side wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thiago trying to control the position but West Side is working away.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
West Side wants to clinch

and Thiago counters with a shoot takedown. West Side fights it but they end up in guard.
Thiago missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
West Side wants to stand up but Thiago is controlling him.
West Side is looking to stand back up but Thiago counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by West Side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
West Side is trying to stand back up but Thiago is controlling him
West Side tries to kick Thiago off in order to stand up. Thiago Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
West Side trying to remain calm as Thiago controls from the top position.
West Side wants to get back to his feet but Thiago is dominant here and he's now got West Side's back!

West Side is trying escape back to his feet. He turns into his opponent's guard and eventually finds his way back to his feet.
Thiago swinging wilding here.
West Side clinches but Thiago breaks the clinch

and Thiago holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

West Side manages to break the clinch.
West Side tries to clinch but Thiago moves out of range.
West Side misses with a two punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Paul Thiago dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

West Side tries to clinch but Thiago is having none of it.
West Side tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
West Side throws a series of punches but Thiago moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Thiago.
West Side has his takedown stuffed

and Thiago counters with a single leg into guard. West Side didn't expect that.
West Side is wriggling around but Thiago manages to pass to half guard.
Thiago takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
West Side wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thiago keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
West Side pushes Thiago off looking to stand but Thiago dives back in and keeps control.
Thiago slows the pace down in half guard.
Thiago seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but West Side does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

West Side kicks Thiago off and gets back to his feet.
West Side swats away the attempt to clinch by Thiago.
West Side closes the distance looking to clinch

and Thiago counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
West Side wants to get back to his feet but Thiago is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Thiago gets to his feet - West Side follows without any prompting.
West Side tries to clinch but Thiago moves out of range.
West Side tries to clinch up but Thiago circles away and keeps his distance.

Thiago darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
West Side keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
West Side wants to get back to his feet.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thiago is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Thiago trying to control the action but West Side is working from the bottom.
West Side tries to kick Thiago off but Thiago keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Thiago has a takedown stuffed.

West Side closes the distance and clinches.
Vartan West Side has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
John Paul Thiago is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

West Side breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Thiago fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
West Side tries to clinch but Thiago is having none of it.
West Side closes the distance looking to clinch

and Thiago counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in West Side's guard now.
West Side wants to stand but Thiago is controlling the position.
Thiago is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Paul Thiago showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Thiago, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Paul Thiago!