PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Miroslav Aleksander (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aleksander comes to the cage accompanied by "Dies Irae". John Thompson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Aleksander
vs
Thompson

186 cm
19
193 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
23
188 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Miroslav Aleksander!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, John Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Elvis Blanc and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thompson throws a nice inside leg kick.
Thompson scores with a nice body kick.
A solid body kick from Thompson.
Thompson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Aleksander shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Thompson sprawls well. Thompson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Aleksander gets slowly back to his feet.
Aleksander is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Thompson.
Aleksander takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Aleksander misses with a hook. Thompson ducked under it nicely.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Aleksander.
Thompson throws a leg kick but Aleksander moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson looks to score with a jab to the body but Aleksander is just out of range.
Aleksander throws a body punch but Thompson moves out of range.
Thompson throws a head kick that half lands.
Thompson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Thompson throws a head kick that misses.
Thompson misses with a body kick.
John Thompson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thompson lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Aleksander backs up against the cage.
Thompson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Thompson wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miroslav Aleksander. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thompson throws a half hearted mid kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Aleksander.
Thompson throws out a loose jab but Aleksander uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aleksander dives in and grabs Thompson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Thompson pushes down on Aleksander's head and hops out.
Thompson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aleksander moves away.
Aleksander uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Thompson.
A head kick misses from Thompson.
Thompson throws a sloppy head kick and Aleksander moves out of range easily.
Aleksander will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Thompson tries to land a leg kick but Aleksander saw it coming and moves away.

Aleksander looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Aleksander is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Thompson reverses the position - he's now on top in Aleksander's guard.
Aleksander is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson wants to stand but Aleksander has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Aleksander bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Thompson's guard.
Thompson looking for a sweep. Not yet Thompson, not yet.
Aleksander lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Aleksander is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Aleksander working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Aleksander not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Thompson wants to stand but Aleksander is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Thompson trying to keep a closed guard but Aleksander is proving a slippery customer.
Aleksander trying to control the position from guard on top but Thompson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thompson pulls Aleksander in to control the position.
Aleksander 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.
Aleksander trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Aleksander content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Thompson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Thompson dominated that round.
That's time! Aleksander's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Aleksander is defended easily by Thompson.
Thompson stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Thompson fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Thompson chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Aleksander changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Thompson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Aleksander 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.
Thompson prevents Aleksander from moving into mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thompson tries to buck Aleksander off but Aleksander is having none of it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Aleksander trying to control the position but Thompson is working away.
Thompson is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Aleksander is one step ahead and moves to full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aleksander scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Aleksander has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Thompson's face.
Aleksander landing strikes from the mount and Thompson is in trouble!
Thompson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Aleksander controlling the position easily from mount.
Thompson working to try and regain half guard.
Aleksander controlling his opponent.
Aleksander landing punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson tries to lock up and control but Aleksander gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Thompson is looking to improve his position but Aleksander isn't that keen on the idea.
Aleksander raining down shots from the mount!
Aleksander connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Aleksander has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
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!
Aleksander lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Thompson hang on?
Thompson is bucking up trying to escape but Aleksander cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

Aleksander looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Thompson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Aleksander. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aleksander prevents Thompson from getting the reversal.
Thompson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Aleksander landing strikes from the mount and Thompson is in trouble!
Aleksander landing strikes from the mount.
Aleksander wants to control the pace but Thompson is squirming around nicely.
Aleksander landing shots from mount.
The referee warns Thompson that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Aleksander working Thompson over with strikes here.
Aleksander breaks from Thompson's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aleksander looking to control and managing it successfully.
Thompson wants to control but Aleksander is having none of it.
Aleksander tries to control but Thompson wriggling away.
Thompson wants to hold on but Aleksander pushes him away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Aleksander controlling from mount.
The referee warns Thompson that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Miroslav Aleksander dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Thompson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Thompson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Thompson lands a really nice looking cross but Aleksander seems unphased.
Thompson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Aleksander was well out of range. Poor timing from Thompson.
Thompson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Aleksander moves out of range of the body kick.
Thompson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Aleksander shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Aleksander stops Thompson from standing up.
Aleksander trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Aleksander slips nicely into half guard.
Aleksander is pressing down on Thompson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Thompson is holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aleksander not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Aleksander trying to control the action but Thompson is working from the bottom.
Aleksander controlling the pace.
Thompson tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Thompson wants to control but Aleksander is keeping busy.
Thompson is refusing to be controlled, as Aleksander sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Aleksander looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Thompson is fending him off so far but Aleksander persists. Nope, Thompson circles away and we're back to standing.
Aleksander closes the distance and clinches up with Thompson, looking for a takedown. Aleksander pushes Thompson against the cage but Thompson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Thompson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Aleksander fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miroslav Aleksander. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aleksander stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Thompson.
Nice body punch from Thompson.
Good leg kick by Thompson there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Thompson lands a head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Thompson lands a high kick!
Thompson misses with a series of wild punches.
Aleksander tries for a takedown but Thompson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Aleksander changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Thompson tries to avoid it but Aleksander manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Thompson to the ground. Thompson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Thompson throws a sloppy head kick and Aleksander moves out of range easily.
Aleksander looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Thompson is fending him off so far but Aleksander persists. Nope, Thompson circles away and we're back to standing.
Aleksander missing with a left hand there. Thompson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A thudding body kick lands there by Thompson!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Aleksander ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson throws a shot to the body.
Aleksander misses with a hook to the body
and Thompson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Thompson avoids the body shot from Aleksander.
Thompson avoids the body shot from Aleksander.
Aleksander changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Thompson tries to avoid it but Aleksander manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Thompson to the ground. Thompson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Thompson throws a leg kick which misses Aleksander's front leg but catches the back leg as Aleksander tries to avoid it.
Aleksander fails with the takedown
and Thompson counters with a slapping leg kick.
Aleksander avoids the head kick by Thompson.
Aleksander slips a jab and a cross from Thompson.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Thompson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Thompson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29

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