PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Isreal Haley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Peter Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Peter Thomas told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Haley
vs
Thomas

209 cm
18
214 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

185 cm
19
203 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Isreal Haley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Peter Thomas!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, David Schapiro and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thomas goes for a double leg but Haley avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Haley continues to drive forward.
Haley tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The fight stays on the outside here - Haley looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Thomas.
Peter Thomas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thomas misses with a head kick.
Haley lands a head kick!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thomas tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Haley closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Thomas content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Haley has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Thomas regains guard immediately.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas wants to stand but Haley is controlling the position.
Haley really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Haley loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Thomas holds on and takes a little breather.
Haley has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Thomas is looking for a triangle but Haley pushes his legs off easily.

Thomas throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Haley escapes and throws Thomas's legs to the side, diving into side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Haley swings around for an armbar but Thomas sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Haley's guard.
Thomas postures up in Haley's guard and throws a big left but Haley blocks it.
Thomas trying to control but Haley is working from the bottom.
Thomas engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Haley looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Haley will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Thomas controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Thomas might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Haley looking for a sweep. Not yet Haley, not yet.
Thomas stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Haley swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Thomas throws a big elbow that misses.
Haley looking for a sweep. Not yet Haley, not yet.
Thomas looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Thomas instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
The referee is keeping an eye on Thomas - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Thomas tries a knee to the head but Haley blocks it.
Haley has Thomas pressed against the cage, preventing Thomas from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Haley has picked Thomas up - he's going for a ride! Haley dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Thomas has one foot on Haley's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Haley stuffs the takedown attempt from Thomas. Thomas gets slowly back to his feet.
Haley appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Peter Thomas will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Thomas closes the distance and clinches up with Haley, looking for a takedown. Thomas pushes Haley against the cage but Haley circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Thomas misses with an attempted mid kick.
Haley throws a big counter combination but Thomas scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

Thomas shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Haley napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Haley gets back to half guard.
Haley is trying to maintain the position but Thomas is very close to passing his half guard.
Haley is trying to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thomas tries to pass to full mount but Haley defends it.
Peter Thomas has got the better of the ground game so far.

Thomas is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Haley doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Thomas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haley is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Haley is looking to control Thomas's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Haley avoid being mounted?
Thomas content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Haley is pressing down on Thomas's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

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.
Haley is trying to keep Thomas in close.
Thomas stays in close to Haley's body and controls the position.
Thomas won't allow Haley to sweep him here.

Thomas drops back looking for a leg! Haley is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Haley manages to kick Thomas off! Thomas jumps back into Haley's guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Haley swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Haley displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Thomas.
Haley changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
As Thomas looks to move away, Haley throws a big counter combo but Thomas just gets out of the way.
Haley tries to clinch but Thomas moves out of range.

Thomas clinches up against the cage.
Haley wants a takedown but no success here.
Thomas wants to take the fight to the mat but Haley manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Isreal Haley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Peter Thomas.

Thomas jumps guard and drags Haley to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Thomas is breathing heavily.
Haley trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Haley with a flurry of punches that miss.
Thomas wants to hit a switch here but Haley passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Thomas there!
Thomas keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Haley moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Thomas has worked his arm free - good work by Thomas!
Thomas is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Haley off and has taken his back!

Thomas working for a choke but Haley is defending well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Thomas biding his time, looking for the opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Peter Thomas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Thomas closes this distance looking for a takedown but Haley circles away.
Haley stuffs the takedown attempt from Thomas. Thomas gets slowly back to his feet.
Haley appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Thomas shoots in but Haley avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Isreal Haley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Peter Thomas.
Thomas fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Haley rushes Thomas and presses him up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thomas takes a knee to the side of the body.
Thomas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Haley has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Thomas is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Haley jumps guard but Thomas turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Thomas wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Haley slows down the pace here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Haley smiles and moves away.

Haley clinches with his opponent.

Haley decides to pull guard.
Haley trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Thomas drops back, looking for a kneebar! Haley looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Haley looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Haley!

Haley grinds an elbow into Thomas's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haley working the ground and pound.

Haley is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Thomas has escaped the position, nice work there.
Thomas misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Haley creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Thomas sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
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Haley working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Haley thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Thomas is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Haley's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Haley wants to work for an arm triangle but Thomas is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Thomas slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Thomas throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

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.
Thomas lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Thomas avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Thomas engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Thomas's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

And that's the end of the fight!
Isreal Haley showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Thomas 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 John Roberts scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Peter Thomas!