PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gage Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arturo Rojas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rojas is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Brother Ali - Uncle Sam Goddamn. Both these fighters are unbeaten, so somebody's 0 has got to go!These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Thomas
vs
Rojas

183 cm
21
190 lbs
8 - 0 - 0

185 cm
21
193 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)

XTREME PWNAGE: Down Under!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gage Thomas!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Arturo Rojas!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Russell Pearce and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rojas throws a head kick but Thomas moves out of range.
Rojas tries to bum rush Thomas with a series of wild strikes but Thomas uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Thomas throws a hook but Rojas blocks it.
Thomas is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Thomas steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rojas.
Thomas stalks Rojas and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Rojas's face. Rojas staggers backwards, shaken.
Rojas lands a nice leg kick that just misses Thomas's sensitive parts.
Rojas misses with a low kick.
Rojas lands with a slapping head kick.
Thomas fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Thomas closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rojas circles away.
Rojas lands a nice shot to the body.
Thomas takes a swing at Rojas's ribcage but misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Thomas, as that shot connected.
Rojas uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Thomas.
Thomas moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas avoids the head kick by Rojas.
Thomas throws a wild body kick that Rojas sees coming a mile off.
Arturo Rojas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rojas fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Thomas has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Rojas throws a low kick but Thomas avoids it.

Thomas fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rojas, pushing him back against the cage.
Thomas lands an elbow that stopped Rojas in his tracks for a moment.
Rojas misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Rojas fails to land.
Rojas wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Thomas has him pressed against the cage.
Rojas misses with a short punch on the inside.
Thomas blocks a body shot from Rojas.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Rojas.
Thomas lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rojas scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rojas works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Thomas blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Thomas.
Rojas throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Thomass head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thomas blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rojas manages to break the clinch.
Rojas checks a low kick from Thomas.
Rojas keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Thomas throws a front kick aimed at Rojas's knee but Rojas avoids it well.
Thomas misses with a hook. Rojas ducked under it nicely.
Arturo Rojas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thomas swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Thomas swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Thomas jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Thomas walks into a straight right hand from Rojas.

Thomas drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Thomas throws a strike but Rojas rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Thomas has a closed guard, preventing Rojas from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thomas working for submissions but it's allowed Rojas to get to half guard.
Thomas regains full guard. Nicely done.
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.
Rojas controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Rojas wants to control from the top but Thomas keeps moving.
Thomas pulls Rojas in close to prevent any damage.
Thomas wants to stand up but Rojas is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas controls Rojas momentarily but Rojas frees himself.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Thomas throws a jab but it's blocked by Rojas.
Rojas keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Thomas.
Thomas swings for the body but Rojas moves out of range.
Thomas throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Thomas walks into a straight right hand from Rojas.
Thomas throws a nice inside leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rojas lands a front kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rojas pivots, looking for a leg kick but Thomas is out of range and Rojas settles back down.
Rojas slips under a jab from Thomas.
Thomas sizes up Rojas with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Thomas fails with an attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Gage Thomas will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Thomas checks a leg kick.
Rojas misses with a low kick.
Rojas throws a low kick but it's checked well by Thomas.
Thomas moves out of range of the leg kick from Rojas.
Rojas scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Jab by Thomas.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rojas.
Rojas lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Thomas backs up against the cage.
Thomas slips a straight right by Rojas.
Thomas throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rojas's waist but Rojas gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Thomas off to one side.
Rojas throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Thomas.
Thomas looks to land a right hand but Rojas moved out of range.
Rojas lands a jab-cross combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Thomas throws a series of punches but Rojas avoids them all with ease.
Thomas throws the left hand but Rojas avoids the punch easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas lands a jab to Rojas's midsection.
A nice leg kick lands there from Rojas.
Thomas throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rojas throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rojas connects with a solid leg kick.
Thomas misses with a looping right.
A nice leg kick lands there from Thomas.
Thomas throws a body kick that misses.
Thomas moves out of range of the strikes.
Thomas swings for the body but Rojas moves out of range.
Rojas wants to slow Thomas down by chopping away at his legs.
That kick from Rojas tenderised Thomas's leg. Thomas is trying to keep his angry face on.
A left lands for Rojas.
Thomas feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rojas's calf.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Thomas misses with a looping left.
Thomas swings for the body but Rojas moves out of range.
Rojas throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Thomas tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rojas swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Thomas scores with a hook to the body. Rojas takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Thomas throws a body punch but Rojas moves out of range.
Rojas misses with a looping left.
Thomas checks a leg kick.
Thomas uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rojas.
Rojas looks to land a body kick but Thomas moved away.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rojas. That's going to slow Thomas down.
Thomas blocks a low kick nicely.
Good work by Thomas as he checks the leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rojas thows a leg kick but Thomas checks it
and Thomas makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Rojas throws a leg kick but Thomas sees it coming and moves out of range.
A low kick from Rojas misses
and Thomas counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Thomas throws a body punch but Rojas moves out of range.
Thomas is looking to clinch.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rojas.
Rojas tests Thomas's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rojas connects with a leg kick. Thomas looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Rojas finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Rojas checks a low kick from Thomas.
Rojas misses with a double jab.
Thomas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rojas was well out of range. Poor timing from Thomas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas throws a big shot that misses.
Thomas connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Thomas blocks a head kick by Rojas.
Thomas blocks a leg kick.
Good exchange - Thomas coming out on top.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rojas scores with a leg kick.
Good work by Thomas as he checks the leg kick.
Rojas throws a head kick but Thomas moves out of range.
Rojas thuds his right hand into Thomas's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Thomas ducks under a wild hook from Rojas.
Arturo Rojas seems to be getting the better of the standup.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thomas missing with a left hand there. Rojas was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Thomas throws a body punch but Rojas moves out of range.
Thomas throws a sloppy head kick and Rojas moves out of range easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Thomas misses the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arturo Rojas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rojas lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Good standup being displayed there by Rojas as he connects with a hook.
Nice jab there from Thomas.
Rojas scoring well with a low kick there.
Thomas misses the jab.
Rojas shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Rojas misses with a wild body shot.
The fighters circling - Thomas throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rojas throws a leg kick but Thomas sees it coming and checks it nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thomas. Rojas does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rojas throws a leg kick but Thomas moved away.
Thomas is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Rojas throws a sloppy head kick and Thomas moves out of range easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rojas. Thomas does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rojas takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rojas throws a leg kick but Thomas sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Thomas throws a nice looking combination but Rojas bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rojas throws a leg kick
and Thomas counters with a nice body shot.
Thomas scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Thomas throws a series of punches but Rojas avoids them all with ease.
Thomas throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rojas connects with an inside leg kick.
Rojas feints and then cracks Thomas's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Thomas down.
Rojas connects with a crisp jab.
Rojas tries to move into range but Thomas moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Rojas throws a right hand that Thomas ducks under and follows up with a left that Thomas also avoids with ease.
Rojas throws out a leg kick but Thomas moves out of range and Rojas only half commits.
Thomas misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Rojas both land. Nice combination.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rojas moves out of range as Thomas throws a body kick.
Rojas throws a low kick but Thomas moves out of range easily.
Rojas is looking to score with low kicks.
Rojas explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Thomas on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rojas. Rojas obviously looking to wear him down.
Thomas avoids the head kick by Rojas.
Rojas looks to land a body kick but Thomas moved away.
Thomas throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rojas.
Rojas avoids the body shot from Thomas.
Rojas throws a right and a left that both miss.
Thomas loads up on a big right hand but Rojas slips the punch.
Thomas doesn't manage to clinch there - Rojas circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rojas throws a nice looking combination but Thomas bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rojas displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Thomas throws out the jab.
Thomas is looking to clinch.
Thomas wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Rojas thumps Thomas with a low kick.
Thomas takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Rojas connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Thomas momentarily.
Rojas misses with an uppercut. Thomas saw that one coming.
Thomas looks to score with a jab to the body but Rojas is just out of range.
Thomas misses with a head kick.
Thomas slips a jab from Rojas.
Thomas just misses with a punch to the body.
Rojas jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rojas buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Thomas.
Rojas swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rojas moves out of range of the body kick from Thomas.
A clash of legs there as Thomas blocks the low kick.
Good work by Thomas as he checks the leg kick.
Thomas uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rojas.
Rojas looks to land a right hand but Thomas moved out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rojas throws a sloppy head kick and Thomas moves out of range easily.
Thomas avoids the head kick by Rojas.
Rojas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rojas misses with an uppercut. Thomas saw that one coming.
Rojas scores with a decent looking hook.
Thomas dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rojas. That did some damage!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arturo Rojas really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Thomas throws a body punch but Rojas moves out of range.
Rojas throws a jab but it's blocked by Thomas.
Rojas misses with a low kick.
A jab from Thomas misses.
Rojas throws a front kick aimed at Thomas's knee but Thomas avoids it well.
Thomas takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Thomas blocks a head kick by Rojas.
Rojas throws a lazy head kick
and Thomas counters with a stiff right hand.
Thomas misses with a hook. Rojas ducked under it nicely.
Thomas tries to clinch
and Rojas counters with a nice leg kick.
Thomas throws a leg kick but Rojas moved away.
Rojas keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice cross by Rojas.
Rojas thows a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rojas avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Thomas blocks a head kick by Rojas.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Rojas 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 Thomas has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Thomas and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

Thomas shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Thomas prevents Rojas from getting the reversal.
Thomas trying to control but Rojas is having none of it.
Rojas regains half guard.
Thomas not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas looks to land a strike but Rojas avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Rojas keeps moving.
Thomas throws a strike but Rojas rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Rojas wants to control from the top but Thomas keeps moving.
Rojas wanted to stand there but Thomas had control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rojas controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Rojas tries to stand but Thomas is controlling from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thomas pulls Rojas in close to his closed guard and prevents Rojas from doing any damage or advancing position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Rojas wants to pass the guard but Thomas is keeping the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Arturo Rojas was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Thomas takes a swing at Rojas's ribcage but misses.
Rojas scores with a head kick.
Thomas shoots in but no luck this time.
Thomas fails to land the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rojas.
Thomas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rojas was well out of range. Poor timing from Thomas.
Thomas looks to score with a jab to the body but Rojas is just out of range.
Thomas stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rojas.
Thomas takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Thomas keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Thomas checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Thomas tries to land a front kick but Rojas steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Rojas throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rojas circles away from the clinch attempt
and Rojas makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arturo Rojas dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Thomas throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rojas sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Thomas throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rojas sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rojas has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Rojas there as he acknowledges the shot.
Thomas checks a low kick from Rojas.
Rojas takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Rojas misses with a left hand
and Thomas counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Rojas rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Thomas moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rojas avoids the body shot from Thomas.
Rojas lands with a thumping leg kick.
Rojas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Thomas was well out of range. Poor timing from Rojas.
Thomas fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rojas manages to avoid it.
Thomas wants to clinch up but Rojas keeps it at a distance.
Rojas throws a lazy head kick
and Thomas counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas walks into a left hand.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Thomas. Rojas shrugs it off though.
Thomas throws a low kick but Rojas avoids it.
Rojas scores with a leg kick.
An inside leg kick from Rojas misses.
Rojas looks to throw the jab but Thomas is out of range.
Thomas missing with a left hand there. Rojas was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Both fighters circling a little - Rojas finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Thomas throws a shot from downtown. Rojas moves away and avoids it.
A big left from Thomas misses.
Rojas works the jab nicely.
Thomas avoids the body shot from Rojas.
Rojas misses with a low kick as Thomas jumps back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas checks a leg kick.
Thomas lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rojas circles away quickly and effectively.
Thomas blocks a low kick nicely.
Rojas takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Thomas throws a right hand that misses
and Rojas counters with a left to the body.
Thomas lands a jab to the nose.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rojas throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Thomas blocks a head kick by Rojas.
Rojas looks to land a left hand but Thomas moved out of range nicely.
Thomas lands an overhand right.
Thomas throws a shot from downtown. Rojas moves away and avoids it.
Rojas tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Thomas is able to avoid easily.
A low kick from Rojas misses
and Thomas counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rojas thinking.
Gage Thomas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas slips a jab from Rojas.
Rojas throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Thomas shoots for a takedown but Rojas saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Thomas ducks right into an uppercut from Rojas.
The fighters circle momentarily. Thomas darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Rojas takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Thomas misses with a body shot.
Thomas blocks a leg kick.
Rojas fails to land with a series of punches.
Rojas connects with the punch.
Rojas shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Rojas throws a front kick that sends Thomas stumbling back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rojas has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Rojas fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Thomas is out of range.
Rojas lands with a thumping leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rojas throws a leg kick but Thomas moved away.
Thomas throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rojas lands a leg kick that knocks Thomas off balance momentarily.
Rojas thumps Thomas with a low kick.
Thomas looks to score with a jab to the body but Rojas is just out of range.
Rojas bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A clash of legs there as Thomas blocks the low kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rojas scores with a head kick.
Rojas scores with a punch to the head.
Thomas blocks a head kick by Rojas.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Arturo Rojas.
I think Rojas has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 46:49
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 47:49
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arturo Rojas!
Arturo Rojas is the new middleweight champion!
Post fight, Arturo Rojas took to the microphone: 'I won? I didn't expect that one! Much respect to my opponent and his manager! Shout out to XTREME PWNAGE!! Go buy their clothes in Sydney!'.