PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Cole Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seppo Kova (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kova has chosen Jääkärimarssi as his entrance music. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Thompson
vs
Kova

182 cm
25
166 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

180 cm
27
169 lbs
13 - 18 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Cole Thompson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Seppo Kova!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Roger Salmon and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thompson is looking to clinch.
A head kick misses from Kova.
Thompson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Kova throws a right hand that Thompson ducks under and follows up with a left that Thompson also avoids with ease.
Thompson lands with a nice combination. Kova backs away looking to recover.
Kova tried to score with a low kick but Thompson checks it.
Thompson lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kova misses with a combination

and Thompson counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Kova!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Kova is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thompson postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Kova looks a forlorn figure.
Thompson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kova is squirming around, avoiding Thompson's attempts to control the action.
Kova is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Thompson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

We're going to have a standup here because Cole Thompson wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Thompson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Kova manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kova swinging wildly here.
Kova ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Thompson moves away.
Thompson blocks a head kick by Kova.
Kova connects with a leg kick. Thompson looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Kova throws a leg kick that is checked
and Thompson counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kova throws a one two combo.
Kova throws a right hand that Thompson ducks under and follows up with a left that Thompson also avoids with ease.
Kova tries to work over Thompson's front leg with a kick but Thompson checks it.
Thompson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kova takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kova throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

so Thompson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Kova working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Thompson has passed into half guard!
Kova is looking to improve his position.
Thompson works his way into side control.
Thompson landing a few strikes.
Kova is pushing Thompson's head away, looking to escape. Thompson manages to hold on to the position though.
Thompson is working Kova over with some ground and pound from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thompson wants to control but Kova is keeping him busy.
Kova is trying to control Thompson's posture but Thompson avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Thompson slows the pace down.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Thompson is looking to take a break and control but Kova is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Thompson controls the position.
Kova gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Kova moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Kova looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Thompson wants to control from the top but Kova keeps moving.
Thompson is in close to Kova's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Kova had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Thompson defends it easily.
Thompson works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson is trying to control the action in half guard but Kova is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kova tries to roll over but Thompson keeps him under control.
Thompson is trying to control the action in half guard but Kova is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Thompson working over Kova with some ground and pound. Kova looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kova is looking to control Thompson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kova avoid being mounted?
Kova gets full guard.
Thompson works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Thompson stands up and beckons Kova to join him on the feet.
Sloppy strikes from Thompson. Those never looked like landing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kova throws a body kick that misses.
Kova throws a combination that misses

and Thompson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Kova keeping full guard, as Thompson tries to pass.
Thompson 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.
Thompson wants to control from the top but Kova keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Thompson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Thompson tries to close the distance and clinch but Kova swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kova swings for the body but Thompson moves out of range.
Thompson checks a low kick from Kova.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kova.
Sloppy strikes from Kova. Those never looked like landing.

Thompson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Thompson wants to control but Kova is keeping him busy.
Thompson landing strikes.
Kova is looking to reverse the position.
Thompson takes a little break here. Kova wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Kova is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thompson stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Thompson gets the takedown into side control.
Kova avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Thompson.
Thompson lands some shots froms side control.
Kova regains half guard.
Thompson wants to free his trapped foot but Kova is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Thompson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Thompson is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Kova!
Kova really wants to buck Thompson off and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thompson controlling from mount.
Thompson putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Thompson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Kova keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Thompson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Kova tries to hold on but Thompson pushes him away.
Thompson cracks Kova with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kova can't escape the position.
Thompson punishing his opponent with strikes.
Thompson is landing with some decent strikes but Kova is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Thompson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Kova tries to hold on but Thompson pushes him away.
Thompson controlling the position easily from mount.
Thompson scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Kova?
Kova bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Kova stops Thompson from standing up.

Thompson scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Kova tries to land a leg kick but Thompson saw it coming and moves away.
Kova misses with a jab, cross combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kova misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson shoots for a double leg takedown but Kova sprawls well. He's pushed Thompson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Thompson shoots for a double leg takedown but Kova sprawls well. He's pushed Thompson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A right-left combo lands from Thompson.
Kova misses with a wild combination.
Kova lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Thompson throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Kova misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Thompson throws a low kick, looking for Kova's leg but Kova calmly moves out of range.
Thompson shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Kova eats them both and turns towards Thompson to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kova walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Thompson checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Kova swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Thompson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cole Thompson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kova keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cole Thompson dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Thompson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kova throws a leg kick
and Thompson counters with a nice leg kick.
Kova tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kova tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thompson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kova.
Kova throws a lazy head kick
enabling Thompson to counter with a crisp jab.
Kova has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Thompson.

Thompson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Thompson lands in his opponent's guard.
Thompson is pushing down on Kova's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kova is fighting to maintain full guard but Thompson has managed to sneak the leg through.

Kova looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Thompson lands with a punch from half guard.
Kova takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kova is staying active underneath Thompson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Thompson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Thompson stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson wants to stand but Kova has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Thompson controlling the action here.

Kova is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Thompson pulls his head out easily.

Kova with the active half guard here but Thompson passes nicely into side control.
Thompson controls the position.
Kova is not content to let Thompson control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Kova's face as Thompson controls the position.
Kova is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Thompson asserts his dominance and retains side control.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Thompson controlling the position.

Cole Thompson has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Kova takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kova will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Thompson is looking to clinch but Kova is avoiding it.
Kova throws a one two combo.
Kova throws a head kick that misses
and Thompson counters with a left and a right that stings Kova.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kova fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Seppo Kova seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kova misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson tries to clinch up.
Thompson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kova scores with a nice strike.
Thompson throws a right hand that Kova ducks under and follows up with a left that Kova also avoids with ease.
Kova throws a leg kick which misses Thompson's front leg but catches the back leg as Thompson tries to avoid it.
Kova throws a combination that misses
and Thompson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Thompson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kova keeps the fight on the outside.
Kova dodges the punch combination from Thompson.
Thompson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kova circles away quickly and effectively.
Kova ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Thompson moves away.

Thompson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kova is not content to let Thompson control the position.
Kova is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Thompson asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Kova gets back to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thompson lands with a punch from half guard.
Thompson works his way into side control.
You can see the frustration on Kova's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thompson creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Thompson controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cole Thompson clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Thompson is defended easily by Kova.
Seppo Kova seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Thompson closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kova did well to prevent Thompson getting side control.
Thompson trying to control the action but Kova is working from the bottom.
Thompson trying to mount his opponent but Kova defends it.
Thompson is thwarting Kova's attempts to control the position.
Kova is refusing to be controlled, as Thompson sits in half guard.
Thompson slows the pace down in half guard.

Cole Thompson has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Kova swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kova tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Thompson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Thompson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kova throws a front kick aimed at Thompson's knee but Thompson avoids it well.
Kova is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Thompson rather than just go for the knockout.
A combination from Thompson does no damage.
Thompson has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Kova misses with a low kick.
Thompson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kova moves away.
Kova throws a one two combo.
Kova misses with a double jab

and Thompson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Thompson is keen to just control but Kova is a slippery customer.

Kova is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Thompson pulls his head out easily.
Thompson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kova can do to turn this around?
Kova is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson wants to pass the guard but Kova is defending well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thompson stops Kova from getting back to his feet.
Kova moves into full guard.

Thompson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kova has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Thompson has managed to get both his arms back between Kova's legs - danger averted.
Kova keeping full guard, as Thompson tries to pass.
Thompson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Kova keeping moving, preventing Thompson from controlling successfully.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Thompson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Thompson throws a big right hand that misses.
Thompson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Cole Thompson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson postures up.

Kova escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Thompson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Thompson wants to control from the top but Kova keeps moving.
Thompson content to stall in guard here.
Thompson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kova's guard.
Kova wants to get back to his feet.

Thompson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Thompson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Kova is staying active underneath Thompson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kova is holding on to half guard well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kova wants to control but Thompson is keeping busy.
Thompson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kova with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Thompson is controlling the pace.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Thompson catches Kova with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kova misses with a head kick.
Kova takes a body punch but keeps moving.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thompson tries to clinch up but Kova circles away and keeps his distance.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kova. That's going to slow Thompson down.
Thompson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kova.
Kova attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cole Thompson had his way with Seppo Kova in that round.
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!

Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kova 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 Thompson has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Thompson and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kova throws a leg kick

and Thompson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Thompson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Thompson is trying to force a seperation but Kova has the dominant position.
Kova is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Thompson is defending well for now.
Thompson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Thompson lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Thompson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kova keeps working.
Thompson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Thompson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kova does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kova wants to get back to full guard.
Thompson trying to control from half guard but Kova is working away.
Kova is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kova is not content to let Thompson control the position.

Cole Thompson has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Thompson throws a head kick that half lands.
Thompson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kova misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Thompson checks a leg kick.
Kova throws a one two combo.
Kova throws a series of punches but Thompson avoids them all with ease.
Cole Thompson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kova tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kova is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Thompson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kova sprawls well. Kova wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Thompson gets slowly back to his feet.
Thompson throws a leg kick but Kova sees it coming and checks it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kova misses with a series of wild punches.
Kova misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kova throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kova throws a leg kick that misses.
Thompson moves in looking to clinch but Kova pushes him off.
Seppo Kova is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kova throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Thompson scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Kova misses with a wild combination.
Thompson misses with the combination.
Thompson fails with a takedown attempt.
Seppo Kova has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cole Thompson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kova tries to avoid it but Thompson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kova to the ground. Kova escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cole Thompson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thompson fails with a takedown attempt.

Thompson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Kova is refusing to be controlled, as Thompson sits in half guard.

Thompson is trying to work for a kimura but Kova is defending well.
Kova manages to get to full guard.
Thompson wants to pass the guard but Kova is keeping the position.
Thompson prevents Kova from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kova is looking for a triangle but Thompson pushes his legs off easily.
Thompson trying to control but Kova is working from the bottom.
Kova tries to strike from the bottom.
Kova can't keep his opponent in guard - Thompson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Kova tries to get to full guard but Thompson has control of the leg.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thompson passes the guard and advances to mount!
Thompson trying to control but Kova is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thompson landing strikes from the mount and Kova is in trouble!

And that's the end of the fight!
Cole Thompson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Thompson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight for Cole Thompson!
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight for Cole Thompson!
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight for Cole Thompson!

Cole Thompson wins by unanimous decision!
A relieved looking Cole Thompson thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.