PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mr Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Thomas (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.

Smith
vs
Thomas

175 cm
22
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mr Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chris Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Cecil Peabody and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smith closes the distance and clinches.
Smith is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Thomas looking to stall.
Smith can't break the clinch.
Thomas is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Smith is defending well for now.

Thomas breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Smith moves into range and clinches up with Thomas.
Smith wants to break free but Thomas has control.
Thomas missing with knees to the body.
Thomas has Smith pressed against the cage, preventing Smith from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Smith has had enough of the clinch but Thomas keeps him there for the moment.
Smith is pressed up against the cage. Thomas has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Smith down to the mat. Smith avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas shoots in looking for a takedown. Smith tries to sprawl out of it but Thomas keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Smith manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Smith as he avoids it easily.
Mr Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Thomas.
Smith scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Smith connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Smith keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Smith drives through and clinches with Thomas against the cage.
Thomas tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thomas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice shot lands for Smith.
Thomas throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Smith's waist but Smith gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Thomas off to one side.
Thomas doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.

Smith clinches with his opponent.
Smith wants to break free but Thomas has control.
Smith wants to get back to striking at distance but Thomas won't allow it.
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!
Thomas tries to pull guard but Smith forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Thomas looks for a takedown but Smith sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Thomas scores with a takedown into Smith's guard.
Smith 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.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith pulls Thomas in close to prevent any damage.
Smith avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Thomas has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thomas works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Thomas is looking for a kimura but Smith is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Thomas to get the leverage.
Thomas seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Smith does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Thomas seems to be working for a kimura but Smith defends the submission attempt.
Thomas looks gassed!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thomas sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Smith defending well though.
Smith knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Thomas on the ground.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Thomas is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Smith trying to control but Thomas postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Chris Thomas will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Smith jabs at Thomas's body.
Smith displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Thomas.
Some wild striking there from Smith.
Smith closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Smith misses with a jab, cross combination.
Smith lands with a right hand.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Thomas closes this distance looking for a takedown but Smith circles away.
No luck for Thomas with that takedown attempt.
Mr Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Thomas.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Smith but Smith pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Smith clobbers Thomas with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Thomas moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Mr Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Smith pushes Thomas up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas can't get the takedown.
Thomas is breathing heavily.
Smith wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Thomas has him pressed against the cage.
Smith prevents a body shot from Thomas.
Smith is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Smith is trying to push Thomas away but Thomas has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Thomas keeps control of Smith as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Thomas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Smith scores with a nice strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas avoids the body shot from Smith.
Smith lands a right hook to the body.
Thomas fails to land the takedown.
Thomas shoots in and drives through. Smith sprawls well.
Smith pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Thomas back to the cage. Smith follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mr Smith is winning the standup battle so far.
Thomas tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smith paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thomas shoots for a double leg takedown but Smith sprawls well. He's pushed Thomas's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mr Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Thomas.
Thomas misses with a takedown attempt - Smith sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Thomas ducks right into an uppercut from Smith.

Thomas tries to keep at a distance but Smith has taken the fight into the clinch.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thomas shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Smith defends it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mr Smith dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Smith clobbers Thomas with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Thomas looks to land a combination but Smith avoids it well.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Smith lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Thomas keeps control of Smith as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Thomas has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Smith uses from the top position.
Smith is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Thomas looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Smith is defending well. Thomas quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Smith has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Thomas celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:43 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Chris Thomas!
A very excited looking Chris Thomas made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.