PBP Commentary

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

Mason
vs
Thigpen

170 cm
24
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

165 cm
18
135 lbs
2 - 2 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ben Mason!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Michael Thigpen!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Leandro Rodrigues and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mason takes a kick to the side of the head.
Mason tries to clinch up.
Mason shoots in for a takedown but Thigpen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Thigpen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Thigpen is defended easily by Mason.
Thigpen closes the distance and lands a one-two.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thigpen throws a right hand that Mason ducks under and follows up with a left that Mason also avoids with ease.
Mason shoots in looking for a takedown but Thigpen manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mason's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Thigpen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Thigpen is working for takedown but Mason is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mason tries to pull guard but Thigpen forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Mason. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mason is looking to take this one to the mat.
Thigpen lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Mason tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Thigpen smiles and moves away.

Thigpen clinches up with Mason and pushes him back against the cage.

Thigpen ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Thigpen no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Mason trying to control but Thigpen is working from the bottom.

Mason gets to his feet. Thigpen looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Mason.
Mason fails with the takedown

and Thigpen moves into the clinch.

Thigpen breaks from the clinch.
Thigpen jabs Mason right on the nose. Mason blinks but takes it well.
Thigpen throws a wild body kick that Mason sees coming a mile off.
Mason moves in looking to clinch but Thigpen pushes him off.
Thigpen misses with a jab, cross combination.
A head kick misses from Mason.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mason shoots in looking for a takedown. Thigpen tries to sprawl out of it but Mason keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Thigpen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thigpen fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Mason, pushing him back against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Mason is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Thigpen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mason prevents it.
Thigpen is leaning against Mason and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Mason takes a shot to the head.
Mason has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Thigpen is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Mason jumps guard but Thigpen turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Mason goes for a takedown in the clinch but Thigpen prevents it.
Thigpen taking a breather.
Thigpen prevents the takedown attempt.

Thigpen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Thigpen leaves Mason with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Thigpen steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Mason.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thigpen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mason pinned against the cage. Mason gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Thigpen dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Thigpen closes the distance and pushes Mason back into the cage.
Thigpen gets underhooks to prevent Mason's takedown attempt.
Mason gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Thigpen.

Mason has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Thigpen uses from the top position.

Thigpen gets to his feet - Mason follows without any prompting.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thigpen fails with a takedown attempt.
Thigpen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mason.
Thigpen only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Ben Mason seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thigpen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mason.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Mason. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mason shoots in for a double leg but Thigpen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mason fails with the takedown

and Thigpen moves into the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thigpen lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Thigpen.
Mason looking to stall.
Mason is trying to pull guard but Thigpen turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Thigpen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mason misses with a leg kick

and Thigpen counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thigpen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Thigpen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Mason counters with a three punch combo that has Thigpen backing up. Thigpen nods at Mason to acknowledge the strikes.
Michael Thigpen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Thigpen throws a quick inside leg kick.
Mason moves out of range as Thigpen throws a body kick.
Mason swings for the body but Thigpen moves out of range.
Thigpen connects with a solid leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Thigpen rushes Mason and presses him up against the cage.
Mason is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Thigpen to keep the fight standing.

Thigpen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Thigpen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Thigpen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Thigpen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thigpen keeps the fight on the outside.
Mason tries to clinch but Thigpen is having none of it.
Thigpen is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Mason looks for a takedown but Thigpen sprawls well.
Thigpen is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Mason tries a low kick but Thigpen avoids it.
Thigpen connects with an inside leg kick.
Thigpen shoots in and drives through. Mason sprawls well.
Mason throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
An inside leg kick lands from Thigpen.
Thigpen tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Mason defends well and Thigpen ends up having to push Mason into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mason working hard to break the clinch.
Mason tries to pull guard but Thigpen forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Thigpen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Thigpen misses with a wild combination.
A quick step to the side and Mason tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

Thigpen clinches.
Thigpen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Mason avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Thigpen manages to break the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thigpen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mason manages to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Thigpen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Thigpen defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mason.
Mason fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Thigpen tries to counter by closing the distance.

Thigpen pushes Mason up against the cage in a clinch.

Thigpen breaks from the clinch.

Mason decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Thigpen holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thigpen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Thigpen wants to get back to full guard but Mason has passed into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thigpen wants to get back to his feet but Mason drags him back down.
Thigpen is trying to improve his position.
Thigpen manages to work his way to half guard, despite Mason's best efforts.

Thigpen kicks Mason off and gets back to his feet.
Thigpen misses with a double jab
and Mason cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Thigpen shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Mason is trying to defend but Thigpen finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Thigpen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mason wants to control but Thigpen is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mason is trying to stand back up but Thigpen is controlling him
Thigpen not doing much here.
Mason wants to control but Thigpen is keeping busy.

Thigpen stands up from half guard.
Ben Mason is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mason is looking to clinch but Thigpen is avoiding it.
Mason fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Mason. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mason tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mason wants to clinch.
Thigpen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mason avoids it really well and circles away.
Mason tries to counter by clinching up but Thigpen breaks away and moves out of range.
Mason tries to clinch but Thigpen is having none of it.
Thigpen misses with a takedown attempt
and Mason finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thigpen misses with a leg kick
and Mason counters with a low kick, right behind Thigpen 's knee.
Mason shoots in but Thigpen avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A head kick by Mason misses

and Thigpen counters with a single leg into guard. Mason didn't expect that.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mason wants to hit a switch here but Thigpen passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Mason there!
Thigpen can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Mason is looking to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Thigpen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Thigpen has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 27:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Thigpen!