PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between David Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dolph Ziggler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Thomas
vs
Ziggler

180 cm
22
225 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, David Thomas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dolph Ziggler!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Tiny Johnson and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ziggler moves into range and clinches up with Thomas.
Ziggler fails to pull guard.

Ziggler pulls guard effortlessly.
Ziggler has a closed guard, preventing Thomas from standing up.
Ziggler trying to control the position.
Ziggler is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Ziggler will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Ziggler wants to sweep but no luck.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ziggler manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Thomas manages to get himself to full guard.
Ziggler should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Ziggler is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas is looking to stand up but Ziggler isn't so interested in that idea.
Ziggler looking to pass the guard.
Ziggler controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Thomas is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ziggler tries to free his leg and advance position but Thomas is retaining full guard.
Ziggler wants to control from the top but Thomas keeps moving.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Thomas defending well as Ziggler loads up on a big left hand.
David Thomas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ziggler tries to close the distance and clinch up but Thomas swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ziggler avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ziggler fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ziggler pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Thomas ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ziggler moves away.
Ziggler showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Thomas.
Ziggler shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Thomas but Thomas pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziggler misses with a body shot.
Ziggler avoids a punch combination nicely.

Ziggler bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Thomas wants to get back to his feet but Ziggler drags him back down.
Ziggler staying calm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ziggler landing strikes.
Ziggler working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

Ziggler decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Thomas throws a series of punches but Ziggler moves out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ziggler feints and as Thomas raises his hands in defense, Ziggler changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Thomas wants to stand up but Ziggler is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dolph Ziggler dominated that 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.

Thomas throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Ziggler scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Ziggler cracks Thomas with a big elbow.

Ziggler is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Thomas has escaped the position, nice work there.
Thomas wants to get back to his feet but Ziggler is dominant here and he's now got Thomas's back!
Thomas is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Ziggler.
Thomas finds himself mounted whilst avoiding strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ziggler lands a big shot there that rocks Thomas but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ziggler lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Ziggler landing strikes, looking to finish!
Ziggler sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ziggler with good strikes from the mount here!
Ziggler looking to control and managing it successfully.
You get the feeling that Thomas really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Ziggler scoring with strikes but Thomas is staying in there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziggler moves to the back position.

Thomas is trying escape back to his feet. He turns into his opponent's guard and eventually finds his way back to his feet.
Ziggler showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Thomas.
Ziggler misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Thomas fails to land with a series of punches.
A shot to the body from Thomas misses

and Ziggler counters with a takedown into side control.
Ziggler controls the position from side control.

Ziggler tries for a kimura but Thomas is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ziggler controlling the position.
Ziggler laying and praying for a moment but Thomas takes advantage and regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dolph Ziggler showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Thomas fails to land with a series of punches.

Ziggler pushes Thomas up against the cage in a clinch.

Ziggler breaks the clinch.
Thomas misses with a double jab

and Ziggler counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Thomas!
Thomas is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Thomas has given up his back here. Will Ziggler look for the submission or keep pounding away?
Ziggler biding his time, controlling Thomas.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas trying to get back to his feet but Ziggler is in full control for now.
Thomas is taking damage to the body and head.

Ziggler sinks in the hooks and is looking for the choke. He's got it! Thomas taps out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:47 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Dolph Ziggler!