PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jason Thomson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hamid Zaferani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Thomson
vs
Zaferani

165 cm
23
130 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

170 cm
21
145 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jason Thomson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Hamid Zaferani!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thomson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Thomson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Zaferani swivels and escapes.
Zaferani throws a body kick the misses

and Thomson moves into the clinch.
Thomson blocks an elbow strike from Zaferani.
Thomson looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jason Thomson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thomson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Thomson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Zaferani is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Zaferani blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Zaferani lands with a short shot to the head.
Thomson can't get the takedown.
Zaferani throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Thomson avoids the elbow strike from Zaferani, against the cage.
Zaferani throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Zaferani scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Thomson tries to pull guard but Zaferani holds him up against the cage and eventually Thomson drops back down to his feet.
Zaferani throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Zaferani lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Jason Thomson has been cut.
Thomson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Zaferani pulls his leg out and moves away.

Zaferani has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaferani throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Thomson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Zaferani just stands there and leans against the cage.
Thomson takes an elbow to the forehead.
Zaferani lands a body shot.
Thomson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Zaferani is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Zaferani misses with the head strike.
Zaferani lands a nice uppercut.
Zaferani lands an elbow inside.
Thomson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Zaferani avoids it.
Thomson avoids the elbow strike from Zaferani, against the cage.
Zaferani misses with an elbow strike.
Thomson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Thomson unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Zaferani.
Thomson's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Zaferani misses with the head strike.
Zaferani lands an elbow inside.
Zaferani misses with the head strike.
Zaferani pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaferani pushes Thomson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Thomson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Zaferani.
Zaferani gets through Thomson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Thomson.
Thomson has Zaferani pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Zaferani manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Zaferani just misses with a elbow thrown towards Thomson's brow.
Zaferani lands a hook that snaps the head of Thomson backwards.
Zaferani creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Thomson's defenses.
Zaferani lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Zaferani lands a left hand.
Zaferani throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Thomson goes for a takedown attempt but Zaferani pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Zaferani lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Thomson has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Thomson and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Zaferani fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Thomson on the side of the head.

Jason Thomson's cut is getting worse.
Thomson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Zaferani connects with a leg kick. Thomson looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Zaferani thows a left - swing and a miss!
Thomson shoots for a takedown but Zaferani saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomson shoots in for a takedown but Zaferani shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A combination from Zaferani does no damage.
Zaferani feints and then cracks Thomson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Thomson down.
Thomson is breathing heavily.
Thomson blocks a head kick by Zaferani.
Zaferani throws a head kick that misses

and Thomson counters by clinching up.
Zaferani gets underhooks to prevent Thomson's takedown attempt.
Zaferani creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Thomson's defenses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Thomson.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zaferani creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Thomson goes for a takedown attempt but Zaferani pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Thomson walks into a jab.
Thomson avoids the head kick by Zaferani.
Thomson looks for a takedown but Zaferani sprawls well.
A chopping leg kick lands by Zaferani.
Thomson closes the distance and clinches up with Zaferani, looking for a takedown. Thomson pushes Zaferani against the cage but Zaferani circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Thomson needs to keep his hands up - Zaferani had a free shot at his head there.
Zaferani throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Thomson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zaferani pushes Thomson up against the cage in a clinch.
Zaferani working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Zaferani working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A short left from Zaferani.
Zaferani lands a left hand that snaps the head of Thomson backwards.
Thomson looking for a takedown.
Zaferani misses with an elbow strike.
Zaferani lands a nice uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Zaferani.
Zaferani lands a hook that snaps the head of Thomson backwards.
Thomson avoids the elbow strike from Zaferani, against the cage.
Zaferani is pressed up against the cage. Thomson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Zaferani down to the mat. Zaferani avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Horrible takedown by Thomson or perhaps it was just good defense by Zaferani which made him look bad.
Zaferani connects with an inside leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thomson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Zaferani buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Zaferani misses with a leg kick
and Thomson counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Zaferani lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Zaferani scores with the left hand. Thomson knows he should have avoided that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hamid Zaferani dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jason Thomson's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Zaferani lands a leg kick that knocks Thomson off balance momentarily.
Zaferani misses the jab.
Zaferani thuds his shin into the meat of Thomson's side.
A nice inside leg kick there by Zaferani. That's going to slow Thomson down.
Zaferani stuffs the takedown attempt from Thomson. Thomson gets slowly back to his feet.
Zaferani works the jab nicely.

Zaferani instigates a clinch.
Thomson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Zaferani just stands there and leans against the cage.
Zaferani pushes off an throws an elbow but Thomson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Zaferani comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Thomson dodges an elbow strike from Zaferani.
Zaferani scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Zaferani scores with a shot to the side of Thomson's head.
Thomson wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jason Thomson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thomson fails to pull guard.
Zaferani lands with a short shot to the head.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Zaferani lands a nice elbow.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thomson dodges an elbow strike from Zaferani.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Thomson. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Zaferani scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaferani lands a nice elbow.
Zaferani lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Jason Thomson's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Zaferani lands an elbow inside.
Thomson tries to pull guard but Zaferani won't allow it.
Zaferani pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Zaferani misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Thomson.
Zaferani prevents the takedown attempt.
Thomson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Zaferani walks away with a smile on his face. Thomson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Jason Thomson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zaferani shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Zaferani stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Zaferani wants it to stay on the feet.

Zaferani moves into the clinch.
Thomson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Zaferani misses with an elbow strike.
Zaferani gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Thomson jumps into guard, dragging Zaferani to the mat.
Zaferani works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Zaferani keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomson trying to control but Zaferani postures up.

Zaferani moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Thomson.
Thomson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
A lull in the action here as Zaferani stalls from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomson struggling a bit here.
Zaferani remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Thomson can't do much from the bottom here.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Thomson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Zaferani gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Thomson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Zaferani pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Thomson tries to score a body lock takedown but Zaferani shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Zaferani lands a nice uppercut.
Thomson misses with some punches.
Zaferani working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Zaferani creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Thomson's defenses.
Thomson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Zaferani gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Zaferani lands a right hand that snaps the head of Thomson backwards.
Zaferani misses with an elbow over the top.
Thomson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Zaferani prevents it.
Zaferani throws an elbow that misses.
Thomson trying to land knees to the body.
Thomson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Thomson has Zaferani pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Zaferani manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hamid Zaferani showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jason Thomson's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Zaferani misses with a leg kick

and Thomson counters with a shoot takedown. Zaferani fights it but they end up in guard.
Thomson won't allow Zaferani to sweep him here.
Thomson trying to control the position from guard on top but Zaferani is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thomson looking to sit in guard and control but Zaferani gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Thomson controls Zaferani momentarily but Zaferani frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Jason Thomson just wasn't active enough.
Thomson shoots for a takedown but Zaferani saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Zaferani tests Thomson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Thomson takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

Thomson forces Zaferani back against the cage and clinches.
Zaferani lands a hook that snaps the head of Thomson backwards.
Zaferani throws a head punch that misses.
Thomson dodges an elbow strike from Zaferani.
Zaferani lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
With the fighters up against the cage, Zaferani throws an elbow but misses.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zaferani creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Zaferani throws an elbow but it misses.
Thomson fails to pull guard.
Zaferani is pressed up against the cage. Thomson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Zaferani down to the mat. Zaferani avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jason Thomson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zaferani leaves Thomson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hamid Zaferani seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zaferani displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Thomson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zaferani gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Zaferani pushes off an throws an elbow but Thomson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A short right from Zaferani on the inside.
Zaferani creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Zaferani throws an elbow but misses.
Zaferani lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Zaferani pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Thomson fails to pull guard.
Thomson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Thomson avoids a wild elbow strike from Zaferani.
Zaferani lands an uppercut.
Zaferani scores with a shoulder strike.
Thomson avoids a wild elbow strike from Zaferani.
Thomson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Zaferani prevents a takedown attempt there.
Zaferani lands an elbow inside that Thomson shrugs off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaferani avoiding damage as Thomson throws knees to the body.
A short left from Zaferani.

Jeez, Jason Thomson's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Thomson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Zaferani lands a shoulder strike.
Thomson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Zaferani pushes Thomson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A nice left hand lands by Zaferani.
Thomson is working for takedown but Zaferani is calmly controlling the position for now.
Zaferani comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Zaferani lands an elbow that stopped Thomson in his tracks for a moment.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Jason Thomson's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:41 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Hamid Zaferani!