PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Art Ist (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ash Thomas Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Ist
vs
Thomas Jr

172 cm
21
193 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

187 cm
23
200 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)

Museum of Monsters & Madmen

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Art Ist!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ash Thomas Jr!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, George Francis and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thomas Jr throws a leg kick

and Ist counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Ist is working for a kimura but Thomas Jr is defending it quite comfortably.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ist missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Thomas Jr wants to get back to full guard.

Ist is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Thomas Jr has managed to free his arm - good work.

Ist is trying to work for a kimura but Thomas Jr is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thomas Jr is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ist's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ist's back!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ist tries to escape but Thomas Jr has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Ist is working hard here to advance position.
Thomas Jr is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Ist manages to reverse the position and now he's in Thomas Jr's guard. Nice work there by Ist.
Ist throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Thomas Jr works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Thomas Jr keeping full guard, as Ist tries to pass.
Ist is fighting to break Thomas Jr's control of his arms but Thomas Jr is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ist throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Thomas Jr works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Thomas Jr pulls Ist in to control the position.
Ist preventing the sweep.
Ist pushes down on Thomas Jr's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Ist is working for a kimura but Thomas Jr is defending it quite comfortably.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ist tries to pass to full mount but Thomas Jr defends it.

Ist is looking for a kimura but Thomas Jr is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ist to get the leverage.

Ist seems to be looking for submissions.
Thomas Jr gets back to full guard.
Thomas Jr utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ist might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Thomas Jr keeping full guard, as Ist tries to pass.
Ist is looking to work some ground and pound but Thomas Jr has wrist control.
Ist is looking to work some ground and pound but Thomas Jr has wrist control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ist shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Thomas Jr pinned against the cage. Thomas Jr gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ist or perhaps it was just good defense by Thomas Jr, which made it look bad.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Thomas Jr attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Ist half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Ist takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Art Ist dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ist takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

It looks like Art Ist has been cut.
Thomas Jr misses with a head kick.
Ist shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Ist dives in for a single leg takedown but Thomas Jr sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Thomas Jr misses with a leg kick

and Ist counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Ist missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ist in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Thomas Jr holds on and takes a little breather.
Thomas Jr keeping full guard, as Ist tries to pass.
Thomas Jr bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ist's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ist had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Thomas Jr defends it easily.

Ist has his foot on Thomas Jr's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Thomas Jr works his way back into a safe position though.
Ist 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.

Ist looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Thomas Jr controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Thomas Jr passes into half guard.
Thomas Jr scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Ist is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Thomas Jr pulls his head out easily.
Thomas Jr working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Ist's thigh. Ist counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Thomas Jr wants to control from the top but Ist keeps moving.
Thomas Jr works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Ist looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ist looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Thomas Jr pushes past his half guard into mount!
Thomas Jr takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Ist working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas Jr controlling his opponent.
Ist tries to reverse the position but Thomas Jr maintains control.
Ist is squirming around, avoiding Thomas Jr's attempts to control the action.
Ist tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Thomas Jr tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ist tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ash Thomas Jr showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Art Ist's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Ist slips a jab from Thomas Jr.
Thomas Jr is looking to land body kicks.
Thomas Jr throws a leg kick that misses.
Thomas Jr cracks Ist with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Thomas Jr looks for the body kick but Ist saw that one coming.
Ist changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Ist looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Thomas Jr is fending him off so far but Ist persists. Nope, Thomas Jr circles away and we're back to standing.
Ist moves out of range of the leg kick from Thomas Jr.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thomas Jr attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Ist avoids the head kick by Thomas Jr.
Ist avoids a kick to the body.
Ist attempts a counter takedown but Thomas Jr avoids it well and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Ist blocks the leg kick.
Ist feinted with a counter takedown.
Ist shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Thomas Jr sprawls well. Thomas Jr wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ist gets slowly back to his feet.
Thomas Jr flicks out a counter leg kick but Ist steps away.
Ist on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Thomas Jr. Thomas Jr obviously looking to wear him down.
Ist changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Thomas Jr tries to avoid it but Ist manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Thomas Jr to the ground. Thomas Jr escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Art Ist. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thomas Jr lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Ist has his takedown stuffed
and Thomas Jr finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas Jr scores with a nice right hand.
Thomas Jr has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ist on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Thomas Jr throws a head kick that Ist semi-blocks.
Ist looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ist checks a low kick from Thomas Jr.
A head kick misses from Thomas Jr.
Thomas Jr throws a head kick that misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thomas Jr misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Thomas Jr tries a head kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas Jr fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Ist checks a low kick from Thomas Jr.
Ist tries to close the distance and clinch up but Thomas Jr swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Thomas Jr throws a leg kick that misses.
Thomas Jr throws a head kick that half lands.

Art Ist's cut is getting worse.
Thomas Jr throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ist fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Thomas Jr is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Ist blocks a head kick by Thomas Jr.
Thomas Jr connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Ist momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas Jr throws a solid leg kick but Ist takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Thomas Jr.
Ash Thomas Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thomas Jr is looking to chop away at Ist's legs.
Ist tries to counter with a takedown but Thomas Jr is quick to defend against it.
Thomas Jr is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Ist throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Thomas Jr's waist but Thomas Jr gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ist off to one side.
Thomas Jr throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Thomas Jr looks for the body kick but Ist saw that one coming.
Thomas Jr displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ist.
Thomas Jr throws a head kick but Ist moves out of range.
Ist half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thomas Jr lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

And that's the end of the fight!
Ash Thomas Jr comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Thomas Jr 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ash Thomas Jr!
A less than humble Ash Thomas Jr misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.