PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jonathan Sparks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thomas has chosen Muse - Knights of Cydonia as his entrance music. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Sparks
vs
Thomas

172 cm
29
163 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

190 cm
25
166 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jonathan Sparks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ryan Thomas!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Russell Pearce and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sparks misses the body punch

and Thomas counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Sparks wants to control but Thomas passes easily into half guard.

Thomas is looking for a kimura but Sparks is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Thomas to get the leverage.

Thomas wants to work for an arm triangle but Sparks is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Thomas is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Thomas trying to control from half guard but Sparks is working away.
Sparks wants to improve his position but Thomas is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomas is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Thomas is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Sparks is trying to get back to full guard.

Sparks looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Sparks is defending against the submission attempts here by Thomas.
Thomas is thwarting Sparks's attempts to control the position.

That's two 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.

Thomas seems to be working for a kimura but Sparks defends the submission attempt.
Sparks might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Thomas is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Sparks doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Thomas.
Thomas looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Sparks is pressing down on Thomas's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Thomas has gone for a leg lock! Sparks slips out almost immediately though and dives into Thomas's guard.

Sparks avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas 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.
Sparks trying to control but Thomas is working from the bottom.
Thomas looking for a sweep. Not yet Thomas, not yet.
Sparks 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.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Thomas is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Thomas trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Thomas loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Sparks looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sparks bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Thomas's guard.

Thomas is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Sparks rolls with it to try and escape but Thomas cranks on the arm and Sparks is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ryan Thomas!