PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Josh Thomison (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Josh Thomison could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to James Smith's chin.

Thomison
vs
Smith

190 cm
22
194 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

183 cm
22
192 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Josh Thomison!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, James Smith!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Robert Douchet and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thomison lands a jab to the head.
Smith tries to clinch there but Thomison circles away.
Smith throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smith cracks the inside of Thomison's front leg.
Thomison looks for a takedown but Smith sprawls well.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A jab from Thomison misses.
Thomison swats away the attempt to clinch by Smith.
Thomison fails in his attempt to clinch.
Thomison misses with a wild combination.
Smith misses with a jab, cross combination.
Thomison fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Smith.
Smith throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Thomison counters with a one-two to the body.
Thomison tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Smith throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Thomison fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Smith checks it well.
Smith walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Thomison checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Some wild striking there from Smith.
Thomison waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Smith.
Smith works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Smith misses with a double jab.
Thomison misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Thomison dodges the punch combination from Smith.
Smith looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomison keeps the fight on the outside.
Thomison misses with a wild combination.
Thomison closes this distance looking for a takedown but Smith circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Thomison. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Thomison moves into range and clinches up with Smith.
Thomison on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Smith trying to land knees to the body.
Smith lands an elbow inside that Thomison shrugs off.

Smith has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Thomison clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Thomison turns into Smith and is now in his guard.
Thomison wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
Thomison connects with a couple of short punches.
Thomison landing with the ground and pound.

Thomison is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Thomison throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Smith works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomison won't allow Smith to sweep him here.
Thomison trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thomison is really struggling to control Smith but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Thomison.
A nice leg kick lands there from Thomison.
Thomison shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Smith but Smith pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Thomison looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.
Thomison 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 Thomison off to one side.
Thomison tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Smith has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Thomison scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A right-left combo lands from Thomison.
Thomison avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Thomison fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thomison 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 Thomison off to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith scores a takedown into full mount!
Smith with good strikes from the mount here!

Thomison is rocked!
Thomison swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Thomison 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.
Smith landing punches.
Oh Thomison is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Smith looking to finish Thomison with some ground and pound. This is bad for Thomison!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thomison is in a horrible position here. Smith smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Thomison taking shots to the head.
A nice elbow there by Smith.
Smith landing strikes from the mount and Thomison is in trouble!
Thomison is working to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith looking to control but Thomison is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Thomison is in a horrible position here. Smith smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Smith prevents Thomison from getting the reversal.
Thomison seems to have got his legs back now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee warns Thomison that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Thomison is in all sorts of trouble here.
Smith lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Thomison hang on?
Smith with a couple of short strikes.
Smith wants to control the pace but Thomison is squirming around nicely.
Smith controlling the pace for now.
Smith scores with a couple of good head shots there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
BOOM! Smith connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Thomison is working to get back to half guard.
Smith cracks Thomison with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Smith dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Smith pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Smith blocks a jab.
Thomison fails to land with a series of punches.
Thomison looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Smith is fending him off so far but Thomison persists. Nope, Smith circles away and we're back to standing.
Thomison fails with the takedown

and Smith counters by clinching up.
Thomison is trying to break free.
Smith lands an elbow just above Thomison 's eye.

Smith lands a takedown into guard.

Thomison is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Smith sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Thomison wants to stand up but Smith is controlling him.
Smith postures up.
Smith is breathing heavily.
Thomison with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Smith can't handle though.
Smith postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomison is looking for a triangle but Smith pushes his legs off easily.

Thomison working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Smith doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Smith manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Smith must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Thomison manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Thomison landing strikes, looking to finish!
Smith wants to control but Thomison is having none of it.
Thomison lands a big shot there that rocks Smith but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Thomison postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Smith looks a forlorn figure.
Smith wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomison is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Smith. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Thomison doesn't have the hooks in and Smith manages to turn into his guard.
Thomison is trying to keep Smith in close.
Smith is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Thomison is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Thomison is not content to let Smith control the position.
Thomison takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smith creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Smith cracks Thomison with a big right hand but Thomison just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Thomison tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith cracks Thomison with a big elbow.
Thomison sneaks back into half guard.
Smith trying to control the action but Thomison is working from the bottom.
Smith content to control rather than advance.
Thomison regains full guard. Nicely done.
Smith won't allow Thomison to sweep him here.

Smith stands and steps away. Thomison gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Smith's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Smith duly obliges.
Thomison scores with a jab to the head.

Smith fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Thomison sprawls well initially but Smith persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Thomison has hold of Smith's hands but Smith slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Thomison is trying to get back to full guard.
Thomison is looking to control Smith's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Thomison avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Thomison is defending well.
Thomison punching from the bottom.

Smith is trying to work for a kimura but Thomison is defending well.
Thomison misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Thomison tries to roll over but Smith keeps him under control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt - Thomison sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A chopping leg kick lands by Thomison.
Thomison tries to clinch up.
Thomison moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Thomison fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but James Smith will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Thomison lands with a nice body punch.
Thomison tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.

Thomison closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Thomison working the body and head with strikes.
Smith is not content to let Thomison control the position.
Smith is trying to improve his position.
Thomison creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Smith managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Thomison.
Smith struggling a bit here.
Smith manages to get back to half guard.
Smith trying to control but Thomison postures up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thomison throws a strike but Smith avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Smith trying to control the position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith wants to sweep but no luck.
Smith manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Smith putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Thomison takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
A nice elbow there by Smith.
Thomison keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Smith landing strikes, looking to finish!
Smith lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thomison throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Thomison working to try and regain half guard.
Thomison tries to lock up and control but Smith gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomison sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Thomison regains full guard. Nicely done.
Thomison is trying to keep Smith in close.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Thomison has wrist control.
Thomison working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Smith.
Thomison working a defensive guard here.

Thomison is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Thomison keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Smith postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Thomison's head.
Smith content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Smith trying to control but Thomison is working from the bottom.
Smith postures up.
Smith postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Smith lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Smith pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Thomison is keeping the position for now.
Thomison throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Thomison working a defensive guard here.

Smith thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Thomison controls Smith momentarily but Smith frees himself.

Thomison is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thomison had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Smith is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Thomison Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Smith's back instead.
Smith trying to control the position but Thomison manages to sink in the hooks.
Smith is trying to break free.
Thomison wants to control but Smith is keeping busy.
Josh Thomison has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Smith tries to escape but Thomison has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Smith manages to reverse the position and now he's in Thomison's guard. Nice work there by Smith.
Smith is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Smith works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Smith moves nicely into side control.
Thomison parries the strikes from Smith easily there. Smith is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Thomison to escape.
Thomison prevents Smith from improving position.
Thomison regains half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Smith winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:30
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Smith!