PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Erik Andersen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thompson has chosen The game as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Andersen
vs
Thompson

182 cm
26
192 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

190 cm
25
201 lbs
13 - 9 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Erik Andersen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joe Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Alan Glass and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Andersen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Andersen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Thompson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Andersen somewhat.
Andersen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erik Andersen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Andersen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Andersen walks into a left hand.
Nice takedown defense from Thompson. No joy for Andersen on that attempt.
Andersen avoids the head kick by Thompson.
Andersen fails to land the takedown.
Andersen shoots for a takedown but Thompson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Thompson paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Andersen throws a hook to the side of Thompson's head but Thompson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
No luck for Andersen with that takedown attempt.
Thompson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Andersen was well out of range. Poor timing from Thompson.
Joe Thompson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Andersen shoots for a double leg takedown but Thompson sprawls well. He's pushed Andersen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Thompson tries a head kick but it misses.
Thompson lands with a nice combination. Andersen backs away looking to recover.
Thompson misses with a double jab.
Thompson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Andersen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thompson clinches up with Andersen and pushes him back against the cage.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Thompson lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Andersen is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thompson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Thompson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Andersen tries to land knees in the clinch but Thompson avoids the damage to the body.
Thompson lands an elbow just above Andersen 's eye.
Thompson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Andersen backwards.
Thompson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Andersen is rocked!
Thompson lands a knee to the body.
Thompson presses Andersen against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Thompson works on Andersen's body with a couple of short punches.
Thompson lands a good knee to the midsection. Andersen won't want to take too many of those.
Thompson scores with a hook to the body.
Thompson digs a right hand into Andersen's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Andersen's gas tank.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Thompson.
Thompson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Thompson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Thompson crunches a lovely knee into Andersen's ribcage.
Nice body punch from Thompson.
Thompson lands a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Thompson obliges.
Thompson working Andersen over with knees to the body.
Thompson lands a knee to the body.
Nice body punch from Thompson.
Thompson lands a damaging elbow.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Thompson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Thompson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Thompson lands a body punch.
Thompson lands an uppercut.
Thompson scores with a knee to the head.
Thompson scores with a shot to the side of Andersen's head.
Thompson keeps control of Andersen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Thompson cracks Andersen with a nice body shot.
Thompson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Thompson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Thompson lands a shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A right hook to the body lands for Thompson.
Thompson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Andersen lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Thompson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A short uppercut from Thompson.
Thompson misses with a knee strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson lands a shot to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Thompson.
Thompson scores with a shoulder strike.
Thompson with a knee to the head.
Andersen jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Thompson walks away with a smile on his face. Andersen gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Thompson rushes Andersen and presses him up against the cage.
Thompson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Thompson is working Andersen over against the cage.
Andersen tries to circle away but Thompson has him pinned against the cage.
Good body shot from Thompson.
Andersen tries to break free but Thompson pushes him back against the cage.
Thompson connects with a knee to the head.
Andersen wants to get back to striking at distance but Thompson won't allow it.
Andersen fails to pull guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thompson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Thompson lands a right hand.
Thompson with a knee to the head.
Thompson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thompson lands a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Thompson dominated that round.
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.

A swing and a miss from Thompson.
The fighters circling - Thompson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Thompson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Andersen is defended easily by Thompson.
Andersen shoots in and drives through. Thompson sprawls well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Andersen sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Thompson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Andersen, pushing him back against the cage.
Thompson presses Andersen against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Andersen tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erik Andersen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Andersen backwards.
Thompson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Thompson throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Andersens head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Thompson.
Thompson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thompson lands a nice uppercut.
Thompson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Thompson.
Thompson presses Andersen against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Thompson works on Andersen's body with a couple of short punches.
Thompson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Thompson lands a body punch.
Thompson lands a nice knee to the body.
Thompson lands an elbow just above Andersen 's eye.
Thompson crunches a lovely knee into Andersen's ribcage.
Thompson lands an elbow just above Andersen 's eye.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thompson is leaning against Andersen and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Thompson.
Thompson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Joe Thompson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Thompson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Thompson crunches a lovely knee into Andersen's ribcage.
Thompson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Thompson.
Andersen tries to pull guard but Thompson won't allow it.
Thompson lands an elbow just above Andersen 's eye.
Thompson scores with a shoulder strike.
Thompson lands a body punch in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Thompson - that landed with a thud.
Thompson is leaning against Andersen and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Thompson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Thompson lands a knee to the body.
Andersen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Andersen drops down looking for an ankle pick but Thompson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Thompson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Andersen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Thompson tries to close the distance and clinch but Andersen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Andersen is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Thompson's half guard.
Thompson wants to get back to his feet.
Andersen controlling the action here.
Andersen is trying to control. Thompson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Andersen sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Andersen stops Thompson from getting back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Andersen shoots for a double leg takedown but Thompson sprawls well. He's pushed Andersen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Thompson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Thompson lands a head kick. Andersen smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Thompson throws a right and a left that Andersen avoids nicely.
Thompson misses with a kick to the body.
Andersen shoots in for a takedown but Thompson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Erik Andersen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thompson throws a looping overhand right but Andersen ducks down to avoid it.
Andersen shoots in for a takedown but Thompson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Thompson darts in and clinches Andersen up against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Thompson as the two fighters clinch.
Thompson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Good body shot from Thompson.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Thompson obliges.
A right handed body shot lands from Thompson.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A short uppercut from Thompson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Thompson lands an uppercut.
Thompson scores a nice knee to the body.
Thompson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Thompson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Thompson digs a right hand into Andersen's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Andersen's gas tank.
Thompson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Andersen takes a knee to the side of the body.
Thompson lands an elbow inside that Andersen shrugs off.
A short right from Thompson on the inside.
Thompson presses Andersen against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Thompson pushes Andersen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Andersen tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Thompson smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erik Andersen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thompson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Thompson takes the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Andersen backwards.
Andersen stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Andersen tries to score a body lock takedown but Thompson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A short right from Thompson on the inside.
Andersen takes a knee to the side of the body.
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!
Thompson utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Thompson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but Andersen blocks it.
Thompson crunches a lovely knee into Andersen's ribcage.
Thompson lands with a light punch inside.
A short right from Thompson on the inside.
Thompson lands a body shot in the clinch.
Andersen tries to pull guard but Thompson holds him up against the cage and eventually Andersen drops back down to his feet.
Thompson digs a right hand into Andersen's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Andersen's gas tank.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Andersen's face.
Thompson unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A shot in the inside from Thompson.
Thompson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Andersen tries to pull guard but Thompson holds him up against the cage and eventually Andersen drops back down to his feet.
Andersen jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Thompson walks away with a smile on his face. Andersen gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Thompson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Andersen on the side of the head.
Thompson tries to clinch but Andersen is having none of it.
Andersen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Thompson.
Thompson stuffs the takedown attempt from Andersen. Andersen gets slowly back to his feet.
Erik Andersen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A head kick misses from Thompson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Thompson avoids the body shot from Andersen.
Thompson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Andersen.
Andersen wants to land a leg kick but Thompson is out of range.
Thompson throws a shot from downtown. Andersen moves away and avoids it.
Thompson is looking to clinch.
Andersen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Thompson pinned against the cage. Thompson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thompson fails in his attempt to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Thompson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Thompson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 25:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 25:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Thompson!