PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Christopher Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Thomas
vs
Thomas

170 cm
28
141 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

167 cm
31
144 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Tokyo United Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Christopher Thomas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sam Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Shirou Masuda and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sam Thomas closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Sam Thomas unloads a knee to the mid-section.

Christopher Thomas jumps into guard, dragging Sam Thomas to the mat.
Christopher Thomas avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sam Thomas throws a big right hand that misses.
Sam Thomas pushes down on Christopher Thomas's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Sam Thomas has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Sam Thomas is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Christopher Thomas doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sam Thomas.
Christopher Thomas blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sam Thomas.
Christopher Thomas is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Sam Thomas is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Christopher Thomas defends it well.
Christopher Thomas avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sam Thomas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Christopher Thomas is trying to maintain the position but Sam Thomas is very close to passing his half guard.
Christopher Thomas is trying to get back to full guard.
Sam Thomas not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Christopher Thomas has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sam Thomas is working away from the top position though.

Sam Thomas is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Sam Thomas is looking for a kimura but Christopher Thomas is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sam Thomas to get the leverage.
Sam Thomas seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Christopher Thomas trying to hold on to Sam Thomas's head to control him but Sam Thomas postures up.
Sam Thomas not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sam Thomas is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Christopher Thomas sees it coming and defends easily.

Sam Thomas is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Christopher Thomas is trying to get back to full guard.

Sam Thomas is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Christopher Thomas still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Christopher Thomas has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Sam Thomas parries the strikes from Christopher Thomas easily there. Christopher Thomas is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Sam Thomas to escape.
Sam Thomas is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Christopher Thomas sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Sam Thomas is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Sam Thomas wants to get back to his feet but Christopher Thomas drags him back down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ground and pound from Christopher Thomas seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

Christopher Thomas is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sam Thomas is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Sam Thomas is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Christopher Thomas is chipping away with strikes.

Christopher Thomas is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sam Thomas is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Check out the look on Christopher Thomas's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Christopher Thomas tries to score with some ground and pound. Sam Thomas controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sam Thomas is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Christopher Thomas asserts his dominance and retains side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The strikes coming from Christopher Thomas are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sam Thomas regains half guard, as Christopher Thomas was trying to land strikes.
Christopher Thomas thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sam Thomas's head.
Sam Thomas keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Christopher Thomas throwing shots but Sam Thomas is blocking nicely.

Sam Thomas kicks off Christopher Thomas and gets to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sam Thomas tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Christopher Thomas fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sam Thomas slips under a jab from Christopher Thomas.
Sam Thomas tries a head kick but it misses.
Sam Thomas fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sam Thomas wants to clinch up but Christopher Thomas keeps it at a distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sam Thomas displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Christopher Thomas throws out the jab.
Christopher Thomas avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sam Thomas fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sam Thomas throws a head kick that misses.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Sam Thomas closes the distance but Christopher Thomas moves to the side

and Christopher Thomas counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Sam Thomas will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Christopher Thomas has a takedown stuffed.
Christopher Thomas looks to land a right hand but Sam Thomas moved out of range.
Christopher Thomas lands with a straight right. Sam Thomas didn't see that one coming.
Sam Thomas doesn't manage to clinch there - Christopher Thomas circles away.
Christopher Thomas avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sam Thomas tries to close the distance and clinch but Christopher Thomas swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Christopher Thomas throws a looping overhand right but Sam Thomas ducks down to avoid it.

Sam Thomas has taken the fight to the clinch.

Christopher Thomas jumps guard.
Sam Thomas postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sam Thomas stands up over Christopher Thomas, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Sam Thomas being controlled here momentarily.
Christopher Thomas overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Christopher Thomas has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Sam Thomas thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sam Thomas has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Christopher Thomas is proving hard to escape from.
Christopher Thomas looking for a sweep. Not yet Christopher Thomas, not yet.
Sam Thomas working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Sam Thomas throws an elbow that misses. Christopher Thomas uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sam Thomas's guard. Nice move by Christopher Thomas!
Christopher Thomas won't allow Sam Thomas to get back to his feet.
Sam Thomas avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Christopher Thomas throwing strikes but missing.
Christopher Thomas stops Sam Thomas from standing up.
Christopher Thomas wants to pass the guard but Sam Thomas is keeping the position.
Christopher Thomas stands up over Sam Thomas, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Christopher Thomas throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Christopher Thomas throwing strikes from guard but Sam Thomas blocks nicely.
Sam Thomas wants to stand and escape but Christopher Thomas is having none of it.
Sam Thomas utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Christopher Thomas throwing strikes from guard but Sam Thomas blocks nicely.
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!
Christopher Thomas throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Christopher Thomas stops Sam Thomas from standing up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Christopher Thomas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Christopher Thomas in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Christopher Thomas wants to pass the guard but Sam Thomas is keeping the position.
Sam Thomas utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Christopher Thomas chips away with some ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Christopher Thomas's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Christopher Thomas keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sam Thomas's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Christopher Thomas won't allow Sam Thomas to get back to his feet.
Christopher Thomas throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sam Thomas works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Christopher Thomas landing some decent shots from guard.
Christopher Thomas in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Christopher Thomas throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Christopher Thomas pushing down on Sam Thomas's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Christopher Thomas connects with a nice short shot to Sam Thomas's temple.
Christopher Thomas takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Christopher Thomas scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Sam Thomas blocking the ground and pound attempt from Christopher Thomas.
Christopher Thomas throwing shots but Sam Thomas is blocking nicely.
Christopher Thomas looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Christopher Thomas looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Sam Thomas keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sam Thomas looks like he's trying to stand up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Christopher Thomas wants to free his trapped foot but Sam Thomas is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sam Thomas blocking the ground and pound attempt from Christopher Thomas.
Christopher Thomas throwing shots but Sam Thomas is blocking nicely.
Christopher Thomas prevents Sam Thomas from standing back up.
Christopher Thomas sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sam Thomas defending well though.
Sam Thomas is trying to stand back up but Christopher Thomas is controlling him
Sam Thomas is breathing heavily.
Christopher Thomas lands strikes from half guard.
Sam Thomas avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Christopher Thomas.
Christopher Thomas throwing shots but Sam Thomas is blocking nicely.
Christopher Thomas missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Christopher Thomas wants to pass the guard but Sam Thomas is defending well.
Ground and pound from Christopher Thomas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christopher Thomas dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Christopher Thomas is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sam Thomas sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sam Thomas darts in trying to clinch

and Christopher Thomas counters with a takedown into side control.
Sam Thomas is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Christopher Thomas throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Christopher Thomas lands a decent elbow from side control.
Christopher Thomas tries to move to mount but Sam Thomas blocks the move with his legs.

Sam Thomas bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sam Thomas avoids the body shot from Christopher Thomas.
Christopher Thomas looks to land a left hand but Sam Thomas moved out of range nicely.
Christopher Thomas misses with a takedown attempt - Sam Thomas sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sam Thomas tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sam Thomas fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sam Thomas is looking to clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Christopher Thomas is defended easily by Sam Thomas.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Christopher Thomas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sam Thomas doesn't manage to clinch there - Christopher Thomas circles away.
Christopher Thomas has a takedown stuffed.
Sam Thomas is looking to clinch but Christopher Thomas is avoiding it.
Christopher Thomas finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Sam Thomas tries to clinch but Christopher Thomas moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Christopher Thomas misses with a double jab.
Sam Thomas uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Christopher Thomas.
Sam Thomas fails with an attempt to clinch.
Christopher Thomas throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sam Thomas sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sam Thomas tries to close the distance and clinch up but Christopher Thomas swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sam Thomas tries to clinch up.
Sam Thomas keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Christopher Thomas.
Sam Thomas is looking to clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Christopher Thomas. No joy for Sam Thomas on that attempt.
Christopher Thomas throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sam Thomas sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Christopher Thomas lunges at Sam Thomas with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Sam Thomas's hand.
Sam Thomas tries to close the distance and clinch but Christopher Thomas swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sam Thomas moves in looking to clinch but Christopher Thomas pushes him off.
Sam Thomas tries to clinch up.
The fighters circling - Christopher Thomas throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A jab from Christopher Thomas misses.
Sam Thomas is looking to clinch but Christopher Thomas is avoiding it.
Christopher Thomas misses with an uppercut
and Sam Thomas counters with a head kick. That will keep Christopher Thomas thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Sam Thomas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sam Thomas ducks under a wild hook from Christopher Thomas.
Christopher Thomas keeps the fight on the outside.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Christopher Thomas enables Sam Thomas to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Christopher Thomas manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Christopher Thomas looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sam Thomas would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Christopher Thomas has Sam Thomas pulled in close to control his posture.

Sam Thomas drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Christopher Thomas manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Sam Thomas has Christopher Thomas in his guard.
Christopher Thomas lands a couple of digs.
Christopher Thomas postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Christopher Thomas wants to pass the guard but Sam Thomas is keeping the position.
Christopher Thomas postures up in Sam Thomas's guard and throws a big left but Sam Thomas blocks it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sam Thomas is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Christopher Thomas loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Christopher Thomas stops Sam Thomas from standing up.
Christopher Thomas loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Christopher Thomas's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sam Thomas wants to get back to his feet but Christopher Thomas is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Christopher Thomas throws a big right hand that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Christopher Thomas throws a big elbow that misses.
Christopher Thomas stops Sam Thomas from standing up.
Sam Thomas working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Christopher Thomas.
Sam Thomas preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Christopher Thomas.
I think Christopher Thomas has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Christopher Thomas!
After winning the bout, Christopher Thomas thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.