PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sam Spencer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Spencer
vs
Thomas

193 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
182 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Sam Spencer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Chris Thomas!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Paul Tew and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spencer circles away from the clinch attempt.
Spencer avoids a kick to the body.
Spencer tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Thomas paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Spencer has a takedown stuffed.
Thomas tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Spencer paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thomas fails in his attempt to clinch.
Spencer wants to clinch
and Thomas counters with an inside leg kick.
Spencer really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Thomas tries to clinch there but Spencer circles away.

Spencer clinches up with Thomas and pushes him back against the cage.
Nice elbow from Thomas.
Thomas with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Sam Spencer has been cut.
Thomas lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Spencer backwards.
Spencer has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Thomas avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Spencer tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam Spencer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Spencer takes a knee right on the jaw!
Thomas works on Spencer's body with a couple of short punches.
Thomas tries a knee to the head but Spencer blocks it.
Thomas scores with a nice hook to the head.
Spencer takes a shot to the head.

Thomas breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A solid leg kick lands there for Thomas.

Thomas closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Thomas lands in his opponent's guard.
Spencer is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Thomas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas chips away with some ground and pound.
Thomas connects with a couple of short punches.
Thomas controls from within his opponent's guard.
Spencer is looking to stand up but Thomas isn't so interested in that idea.
Thomas content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Spencer will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Thomas stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Spencer fails in his attempt to clinch.
Thomas is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Thomas keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

Thomas has taken the fight to the clinch.
Spencer takes a knee right on the jaw!

Thomas manages to break the clinch.

Thomas closes the distance and pushes Spencer back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A short right from Thomas on the inside.
Spencer takes a knee right on the jaw!
Spencer stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Thomas obliges.
Thomas tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Spencer drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Thomas gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Thomas with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Spencer pulls Thomas into guard.
Thomas landing with the ground and pound.
Thomas must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Thomas is looking to work some ground and pound but Spencer has wrist control.
Spencer is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Spencer has his feet on Thomas's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Thomas doesn't manage to clinch there - Spencer circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thomas moves into the clinch.
Spencer takes an elbow to the forehead.
Thomas tries a knee to the head but Spencer blocks it.
Spencer tries to break the clinch but Thomas is controlling the position.
Thomas prevents a takedown attempt there.
Thomas throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thomas working Spencer over with knees to the body.
Thomas is looking to control Spencer's arms but Spencer gets an underhook and turns him. Now Thomas has his back to the cage.
Thomas scores with a nice hook to the head.
Thomas fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Thomas tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Thomas throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thomas trying to land knees to the body.
Spencer has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Thomas avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Thomas is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Thomas looking to throw knees to the head but Spencer is blocking nicely.
Thomas gets underhooks to prevent Spencer's takedown attempt.
Thomas with an attempt at a knee that misses.

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.
Thomas scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Spencer doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Thomas landing knees to the head.
Thomas throws a knee to the head but misses.
A frustrated look appears on Spencer's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Thomas with a knee to the head.
Thomas throws a knee to the head but misses.
Spencer stalling in the clinch but Thomas improves position.
Spencer takes a knee right on the jaw!
A frustrated look appears on Spencer's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Thomas has clasped his hands together around Spencer's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Spencer takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Thomas in side control lands a decent elbow.
Thomas scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Spencer to see if he's OK.

Thomas tries for a kimura but Spencer is defending well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Spencer is trying to buck Thomas off.
Spencer takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Thomas dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sam Spencer's cut.
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.

Thomas is looking to clinch but Spencer is avoiding it.

Thomas rushes Spencer and presses him up against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Thomas.
Thomas landing knees to the head.
Thomas tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Thomas breaks from the clinch.
Spencer swats away the attempt to clinch by Thomas.
Spencer doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Thomas counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Spencer is trying to stand.
Spencer is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Thomas scores with a couple of nice shots.
Thomas trying to control the action but Spencer is working from the bottom.
Thomas sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Spencer defending well though.
Spencer is trying to stand.

Spencer kicks Thomas off and gets back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spencer tries to clinch up.
Spencer with a lazy takedown attempt

and Thomas counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Thomas misses with a knee to the head.
Thomas scores with a knee to the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Thomas working Spencer over with knees to the body.

Thomas manages to break the clinch.
Spencer with a lazy takedown attempt

and Thomas counters by moving into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam Spencer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thomas tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Spencer has Thomas pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Thomas manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Thomas with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Thomas pushes Spencer back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Thomas crunches a lovely knee into Spencer's ribcage.
Spencer jumps guard but Thomas stands there with Spencer around his waist. Spencer gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Thomas.
Thomas with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Spencer avoids a wild elbow strike from Thomas.

Spencer works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Spencer stands up and waves to Thomas to follow him.
Thomas tries to clinch but Spencer moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Spencer scores with a takedown into Thomas's guard.

Spencer stands up and waves to Thomas to follow him.

Thomas clinches up with Spencer and pushes him back against the cage.
Thomas lands a good knee to the midsection. Spencer won't want to take too many of those.

Spencer decides to pull guard.
Thomas trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Thomas won't allow Spencer to get back to his feet.
Chris Thomas has got the better of the ground game so far.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Spencer keeps moving.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Spencer is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Knees in the clinch landing for Thomas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spencer tries to stall but Thomas uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Thomas obliges.
Spencer managing to block the knees to the body from Thomas.
Spencer has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Thomas avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Spencer is looking to break free of the clinch but Thomas has double underhooks.
Spencer tries to break the clinch but Thomas is controlling the position.
Thomas gets through Spencer's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Thomas tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Thomas tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Thomas with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Thomas scores with a knee to the head.
Spencer jumps guard but Thomas stands there with Spencer around his waist. Spencer gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Thomas is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Spencer fails to pull guard.
Thomas using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Spencer has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Thomas.
Thomas misses with a knee to the head.
Thomas scores with a knee to the head.
Thomas tries to land a knee to the head but Spencer blocks with his arms.
Thomas with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Thomas lands a knee to the head.
Thomas misses with a knee to the head.
A shot in the inside from Thomas.
Thomas works on Spencer's body with a couple of short punches.
Thomas trying to stall but Spencer improves his position.
Spencer managing to block the knees to the body from Thomas.
Thomas tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Spencer tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Spencer tries to pull guard but Thomas won't allow it.
Thomas misses with a knee to the head.
Thomas lands a knee to the head.
Spencer takes a knee right on the jaw!
Spencer has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Spencer takes a knee right on the jaw!
Thomas has Spencer pressed against the cage, preventing Spencer from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Spencer looking to stall.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thomas lands a knee to the head.

Spencer manages to break the clinch.
Spencer shoots in but no luck this time.
Thomas checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Chris Thomas will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Sam Spencer's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Spencer gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Thomas counters with a slapping leg kick.
Thomas throws a head kick that misses.

Thomas clinches up with Spencer and pushes him back against the cage.
Spencer can't break the clinch.
Thomas connects with a nasty looking knee right to Spencer's face.
Thomas lands an elbow just above Spencer 's eye.
Thomas connects with a nasty looking knee right to Spencer's face.
Thomas blocks an elbow strike from Spencer.
Spencer is trying to drag Thomas to the mat but Thomas just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Spencer wants to break the clinch but can't.
Thomas tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spencer has had enough of the clinch but Thomas keeps him there for the moment.
Thomas lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Thomas utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

Thomas has picked Spencer up - he's going for a ride! Thomas dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Spencer manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Thomas shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Spencer's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spencer is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Thomas dives into side control.
Spencer wants to get back to his feet but Thomas drags him back down.
Thomas landing a few strikes.
Thomas cracks Spencer with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Thomas 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.
Spencer is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Thomas asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Thomas is looking to take a break and control but Spencer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Spencer is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Thomas is controlling him well.

That's two 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.

Thomas stands up and beckons Spencer to his feet.
Thomas fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Spencer thumps Thomas with a low kick.
Thomas tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Spencer misses with a takedown attempt

and Thomas counters by clinching up.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam Spencer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Spencer can't break the clinch.
A knee to the head by Thomas.
Thomas lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Thomas unloads a knee to the mid-section. Spencer lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
A bit of stalling here from Thomas.
Spencer tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Thomas avoids it.
Thomas is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Spencer gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Spencer as Thomas tries to tie him up.
Thomas lands a nice elbow.
Thomas lands a nice knee to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas tries a knee to the head but Spencer blocks it.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Thomas managing to block the knees to the body from Spencer.

Thomas lands a takedown into guard.
Chris Thomas is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Spencer preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Spencer wants to get back to his feet but Thomas is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Spencer is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Thomas with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Spencer blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Thomas lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Thomas with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Come on Spencer - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Thomas tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Spencer manages to pull guard.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Spencer keeps moving.

Spencer wriggles free and stands up.

Thomas gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Thomas doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Thomas is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Thomas as Spencer tries to tie him up.
Thomas throws a knee to the head but misses.
Chris Thomas seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Spencer prevents the takedown attempt.
Thomas misses with a knee strike.

Spencer breaks the clinch.
Sam Spencer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thomas wants to clinch.
Spencer shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Thomas but Thomas pushes him off and we're back to square one.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chris 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 James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30

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