PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Slater Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carlton Bobandi (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.

Thomas
vs
Bobandi

180 cm
21
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
261 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Prefers ground

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 Montreal, Slater Thomas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Carlton Bobandi!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Alec Ball and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bobandi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bobandi looks for a takedown but Thomas sprawls well.

Thomas gets caught flat footed, as Bobandi shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Thomas wants to stand up but Bobandi is controlling him.
Bobandi wants to stand and escape but instead Thomas has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Thomas has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Bobandi is proving hard to escape from.
Thomas trying to control the position from guard on top but Bobandi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bobandi has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Thomas is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Bobandi.
Bobandi is looking to regain half guard here but Thomas keeps moving and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bobandi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Thomas wants to stand but Bobandi is controlling his arm.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bobandi is looking to reverse the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Thomas darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Bobandi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thomas.
Bobandi trying to control but Thomas postures up.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Bobandi has eaten all the pies!
Bobandi looks gassed!
Thomas working the head and body with strikes.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Thomas lands a nice short elbow.
Thomas is trying to control the action in half guard but Bobandi is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Bobandi tries to get to full guard but Thomas has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thomas stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Thomas tries for a takedown but Bobandi circles away easily

and Bobandi counters with a takedown into side control.

Bobandi thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Thomas tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Thomas takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
A lull in the action here.
Bobandi scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Thomas to see if he's OK.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Bobandi landing strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bobandi tries for a kimura but Thomas is defending well.

Bobandi is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Thomas is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Bobandi is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Thomas has escaped the position, nice work there.
Bobandi tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bobandi trying to control the action but Thomas is working from the bottom.

Bobandi tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bobandi working away.
Bobandi working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Bobandi scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Thomas to see if he's OK.
Thomas manages to get back to half guard.

Thomas kicks Bobandi off and gets back to his feet.

Thomas looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Bobandi is pressing down on Thomas's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bobandi lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Thomas!
Bobandi with good strikes from the mount here!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlton Bobandi dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Thomas gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Thomas keeping moving, preventing Bobandi from controlling successfully.
Bobandi is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Bobandi postures up in Thomas's guard and throws a big left but Thomas blocks it.
Carlton Bobandi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Thomas wants to control the position but Bobandi says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Thomas tries to roll over but Bobandi keeps him under control.

Bobandi seems to be working for a kimura but Thomas defends the submission attempt.
Thomas is looking to control Bobandi's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Thomas avoid being mounted?
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bobandi trying to control the action but Thomas is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas is trying to stand back up but Bobandi is controlling him
Bobandi is looking to advance position but Thomas won't allow it.

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

Bobandi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Thomas avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Thomas is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Bobandi trying to control but Thomas is working from the bottom.
Bobandi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Thomas wants to sweep here but Bobandi controlling him for the moment.
Bobandi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Bobandi landing with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas can't keep his opponent in guard - Bobandi advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Thomas is in trouble now - Bobandi has advanced to mount!

Bobandi working for a guillotine from mount but Thomas is in no mood to give up.
Thomas is in all sorts of trouble here.

Bobandi goes for an armbar but Thomas turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Thomas.
Thomas is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Thomas decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Thomas throws a head kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas fails with the takedown

and Bobandi counters with a single leg into guard. Thomas didn't expect that.
Bobandi passes Thomas's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Bobandi prevents Thomas from improving his position.
Thomas is working hard here to advance position.
Thomas is looking to escape.
Thomas is staying active underneath Bobandi, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Thomas slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Bobandi trying to control but Thomas is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bobandi postures up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Thomas scores with a jab to the body.
Bobandi drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Bobandi wants to clinch up but Thomas keeps it at a distance.
Thomas tries to clinch there but Bobandi circles away.

Bobandi scores with a takedown into Thomas's guard.
Thomas keeping moving, preventing Bobandi from controlling successfully.
Thomas can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Bobandi controls the pace.
Thomas keeping moving, preventing Bobandi from controlling successfully.
Thomas is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Bobandi dives into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlton Bobandi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Thomas wants to clinch but Bobandi slips to the side

and Bobandi counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Thomas!
Bobandi looking to finish Thomas with some ground and pound. This is bad for Thomas!

Bobandi goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Thomas is on top in guard.
Bobandi tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Thomas has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Bobandi is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Thomas dives into side control.
Thomas lands some shots froms side control.
You can see the frustration on Bobandi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Bobandi is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Thomas's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Bobandi is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Thomas pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bobandi moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Thomas won't allow Bobandi to sweep him here.
Thomas trying to control the position from guard on top but Bobandi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bobandi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Bobandi keeps moving.
Thomas is fighting to break Bobandi's control of his arms but Bobandi is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Bobandi looking for a sweep. Not yet Bobandi, not yet.
Thomas knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Bobandi on the ground.
Bobandi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Thomas preventing the sweep.
Bobandi is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Bobandi working over Thomas with some ground and pound. Thomas looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Still in half guard, Bobandi seems content to control.
Bobandi is nestled in close to Thomas, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Thomas regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Bobandi.
Thomas lands a decent punch to the body there.
Thomas is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Thomas is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Thomas is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Bobandi won't allow Thomas to sweep him here.
Bobandi looking to sit in guard and control but Thomas gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bobandi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Thomas can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Thomas trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Thomas stopping the sweep attempt from Bobandi.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Bobandi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Thomas counters with a nice double leg into side control. Bobandi won't be happy with that.
Bobandi wants to control but Thomas postures up.
Bobandi regains half guard.
Thomas tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Bobandi.
Bobandi tries to get to full guard but Thomas has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas wants to take a breather but Bobandi is having none of it.
Bobandi wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Thomas instigates a clinch.
A right hand to the body from Thomas.

Thomas manages to break the clinch.
Thomas shoots and misses

and Bobandi counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Thomas's guard now.
Thomas wants to stand up but Bobandi is controlling him.
Thomas looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bobandi wants to control from the top but Thomas keeps moving.
Slater Thomas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thomas working a defensive guard here.
Bobandi 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.

And that's the end of the fight!
Carlton Bobandi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bobandi 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Carlton Bobandi!