PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Blue Steel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Darius Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Darius Thomas will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Steel
vs
Thomas

175 cm
22
221 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

192 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Australian Xtreme - Elite Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Blue Steel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Darius Thomas!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Eliza Hachem and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Thomas!

It looks like Blue Steel has been cut.
Nice takedown defense from Thomas. No joy for Steel on that attempt.

Thomas scores with a takedown into Steel's guard.
Thomas controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Thomas would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Steel keeps moving.
Thomas throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Steel works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Steel is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Thomas defends well.
Thomas slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two 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.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Steel keeps moving.
Thomas controls from within his opponent's guard.
Steel is trying to keep Thomas in close.
Thomas tries to free his leg and advance position but Steel is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas throws a big right hand that misses.
Thomas missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Steel can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Thomas controls the pace.
Steel has a closed guard, preventing Thomas from standing up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Thomas shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Steel napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Steel works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Thomas looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Steel might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darius Thomas dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Blue Steel's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Thomas closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Steel has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Thomas is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Steel tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Thomas tries to score a body lock takedown but Steel shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steel can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Blue Steel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Steel is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Thomas pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Steel stops a takedown attempt from Thomas.
Steel changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Thomas fights it off and pushes away nicely.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Thomas.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomas darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Steel is refusing to be controlled, as Thomas sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Steel looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Thomas wants to stand and escape but instead Steel has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Thomas trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel wants to pass the guard but Thomas is keeping the position.

Steel is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Thomas is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Thomas is pulling down on Steel's head to control his posture.

Steel is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Thomas looking to hit a scissor sweep but Steel is one step ahead there.
Thomas really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Steel. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Thomas tries to clinch up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Steel avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darius Thomas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Blue Steel's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Thomas has managed to clinch.
Thomas tries to pull guard but Steel holds him up against the cage and eventually Thomas drops back down to his feet.
Steel changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Thomas fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Steel tries for a takedown but Thomas circles away easily
and Thomas counters with a two punch combo.
Thomas throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thomas works over Steel's head and body with a nice combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown but Steel shows good takedown defense.

Thomas closes the distance and clinches.

Thomas manages to pull guard.
Steel wants to control from the top but Thomas keeps moving.
Thomas wants to control but Steel passes easily into half guard.
Thomas is looking for a sweep. Steel is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Steel is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Steel is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas tries to roll over but Steel keeps him under control.
Thomas trying to hold on to Steel's head to control him but Steel postures up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Danga de danga de dang - Thomas scores with a four punch combination!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas throws out a leg kick but Steel moves out of range and Thomas only half commits.
Thomas lands with a thumping leg kick.
Thomas attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Steel gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Thomas counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Steel's guard now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Blue Steel. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Thomas trying to control but Steel is working from the bottom.
Blue Steel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thomas showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Darius Thomas is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thomas trying to control the position from guard on top but Steel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
Darius Thomas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Thomas has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 John Mangel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Darius Thomas!