PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tommy Tate (ranked 25273 p4p, 851 weight class) and Will Thomas (ranked 6715 p4p, 713 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Tate
vs
Thomas

180 cm
18
212 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

180 cm
18
212 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tommy Tate !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Will Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Stewart Dunkirk and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Thomas.

Tate darts in and clinches Thomas up against the cage.
Thomas drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tate gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Thomas drops down looking for an ankle pick but Tate pulls his leg out and moves away.
Tommy Tate has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will Thomas.

Tate has managed to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tate tries to pull guard but Thomas forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Thomas tries to pull guard but Tate holds him up against the cage and eventually Thomas drops back down to his feet.

Thomas manages to break the clinch.
Tate could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tate has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Thomas.
Horrible takedown attempt by Thomas or perhaps it was just good defense by Tate , which made it look bad.
Thomas looks to score with a jab to the body but Tate is just out of range.
Thomas throws a shot from downtown. Tate moves away and avoids it.
Tate avoids a punch combination nicely.
Thomas shoots in but Tate avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Tate scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

It looks like Will Thomas has been cut.
Tate keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Tate misses with a body kick.
A head kick misses from Tate .
Thomas tries to counter by closing the distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tate closes the distance and pushes Thomas back into the cage.
Thomas tries to pull guard but Tate holds him up against the cage and eventually Thomas drops back down to his feet.
Tate is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Thomas is defending well for now.
Thomas drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Thomas is trying to drag Tate to the mat but Tate just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Thomas has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Tate avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Tate is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Thomas pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Tate prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Tate 's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Thomas has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Tate is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Thomas looks winded!
Thomas jumps guard but Tate turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Tate lands a body punch.
Tate is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Thomas is defending well for now.
Tate is looking to break free of the clinch but Thomas has double underhooks.
Tate is trying to force a seperation but Thomas has the dominant position.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Tate on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Thomas goes for a takedown in the clinch but Tate prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Thomas wants to stall.

Thomas breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Thomas tries for a takedown but Tate sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Tate rushes Thomas and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Tate is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Thomas is defending well.
Tate lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Thomas backwards.
Thomas gets underhooks to prevent Tate 's takedown attempt.
Thomas has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Tate is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thomas stalling in the clinch but Tate improves position.
Thomas has Tate pressed against the cage, preventing Tate from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A frustrated look appears on Tate 's face as he tries to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Tate dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Will Thomas's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Thomas displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Tate .
Tate misses with a takedown attempt

and Thomas counters by moving into the clinch.
Tate tries for a takedown but Thomas manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tommy Tate . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thomas gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Tate .
Thomas is looking for a takedown.
Thomas wants to take the fight to the mat but Tate manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tate stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Thomas breaks from the clinch.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown but Tate shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomas darts in and clinches Tate up against the cage.
Thomas tries for a takedown. No joy.
Tommy Tate has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Thomas is breathing heavily.
Thomas is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Tate to keep the fight standing.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Tate as Thomas tries to tie him up.
Tate is trying to break free.
Tate stalling.
Tate has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Thomas avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Thomas tries to land a knee to the head but Tate blocks with his arms.
Thomas has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Tate after a bit of a struggle.
Thomas working hard to break the clinch.
Tate pushes Thomas back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas stalling in the clinch.
Tate pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Tate drops down looking for an ankle pick but Thomas pulls his leg out and moves away.
Tate tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Thomas manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Thomas misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Tate shoots in for a double leg but Thomas sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tate moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromThomas.

Thomas instigates a clinch.
Thomas wants to get back to striking at distance but Tate won't allow it.
Tate tries to break the clinch but Thomas is controlling the position.
Thomas drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tate gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Tate goes for a takedown in the clinch but Thomas prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tate has Thomas pressed against the cage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Tate is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Thomas gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Thomas has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Tate after a bit of a struggle.
Tate is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Thomas can do to turn this around?

Thomas's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tate doesn't manage to clinch there - Thomas circles away.
Thomas has a takedown stuffed.

Tate closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tate is trying to pull guard but Thomas turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Thomas has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Tate clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Tate manages to stand up with Thomas still on his back. Eventually Thomas drops to his feet and we're back in the standing position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thomas goes for a double leg but Tate avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Tate continues to drive forward.
Thomas takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Tate takes the fight into the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tate tries to pull guard but Thomas won't allow it.

Tate has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Thomas uses from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Tate dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Will Thomas's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Thomas has Tate up against the cage in a clinch.
Thomas is pressed up against the cage. Tate has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Thomas down to the mat. Thomas avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Tommy Tate is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tate takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Tate shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Thomas pinned against the cage. Thomas gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Thomas avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nice takedown defense from Tate . No joy for Thomas on that attempt.
Tate is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Thomas.
Will Thomas seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Thomas is defended easily by Tate .
Thomas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tate slips under a jab from Thomas.
Tate seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tate displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Thomas.
Tommy Tate has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will Thomas.
Thomas looks for a takedown but Tate sprawls well.
Thomas slaps away a takedown attempt from Tate , before circling back to the center of the mat.
Thomas looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Tate fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tate shoots in looking for a takedown but Thomas manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Tate 's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Thomas is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Thomas swats away the attempt to clinch by Tate .
Thomas changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tate tries to avoid it but Thomas manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tate to the ground. Tate escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Thomas stuffs the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas stuffs the takedown attempt from Tate . Tate gets slowly back to his feet.
Tate will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Thomas shoots for a takedown but Tate saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Tate scores with a one two! Thomas had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Tate .
Thomas drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Tate defends it well.
Thomas throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Tate .
Thomas darts in looking for a takedown but Tate gets double underhooks and turns Thomas into the cage.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thomas's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tate fails to land the takedown.
Thomas throws a right hand that Tate ducks under and follows up with a left that Tate also avoids with ease.
Tate misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tate tries to clinch up but Thomas circles away and keeps his distance.
Thomas drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Tate defends it well.
Tate takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Tate shoots in and drives through. Thomas sprawls well.
Thomas dives in and grabs Tate 's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tate pushes down on Thomas's head and hops out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas leaves Tate with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Thomas misses with the combination.
Tate stuns Thomas with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Tate shoots in looking for a takedown. Thomas tries to sprawl out of it but Tate keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Thomas manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thomas shoots for a takedown but Tate saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Will Thomas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tommy Tate is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tate fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Will Thomas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tate 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tommy Tate !
Tommy Tate took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.