PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Arturs Shelby (ranked 3828 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeremy Thomas (ranked 4715 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Shelby
vs
Thomas

201 cm
23
200 lbs
2 - 0 - 1

185 cm
25
209 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
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 2 - 0 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Arturs Shelby!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jeremy Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Santiago Holmes and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thomas tests Shelby's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A left lands for Thomas.
Shelby looks to land a body kick but Thomas moved away.
A little jabbing left from Thomas on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Shelby takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Thomas bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Shelby's head.
Shelby's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Thomas connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Shelby scrambles back to his feet.
Shelby dives in and grabs Thomas's left leg, looking for a takedown. Thomas pushes down on Shelby's head and hops out.
Thomas scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Nice jab there from Thomas.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thomas swings for the body but Shelby moves out of range.
Shelby's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Thomas connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Shelby scrambles back to his feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shelby. Thomas does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nice uppercut lands for Thomas. That snapped Shelby's head back.
Thomas scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Thomas throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Thomas lands with an uppercut that bounces Shelby off the cage and back into range.
Thomas connects with a good right hand that stumbles Shelby. Shelby circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Shelby has been working on his balance at Cozad The Island, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Thomas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shelby shoots for a double leg takedown but Thomas sprawls well. He's pushed Shelby's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Shelby looks to land a combination but Thomas avoids it well.
Thomas scores with a nice head shot.
Jeremy Thomas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shelby walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Shelby really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Thomas misses with a series of wild punches.
Shelby will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Thomas avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Thomas is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Shelby had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Thomas displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Nice defenses there by Thomas.
Thomas swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Shelby looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arturs Shelby. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shelby tries to clinch but Thomas is having none of it.
Thomas throws out a counter right but Shelby avoids it with no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas lands a lovely overhand right.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thomas keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Shelby dodges the punch combination from Thomas.
Thomas connects with a single shot there.
Thomas lands a lovely overhand right.
Thomas ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shelby moves away.

Shelby throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Thomas tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Shelby is in Thomas's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Shelby drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shelby jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Thomas wants to stand but Shelby is controlling the position.
Thomas working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shelby.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas keeping moving, preventing Shelby from controlling successfully.
Shelby pushes down on Thomas's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Shelby perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Shelby is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Thomas!
Shelby will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Shelby can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Thomas is looking to escape.
Shelby looking to finish Thomas with some ground and pound. This is bad for Thomas!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shelby looking to control but Thomas is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Thomas is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Shelby lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Shelby trying to control but Thomas is having none of it.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Thomas can do anything to dispel that myth.
Thomas is bucking up trying to escape but Shelby cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Shelby is looking to work his way around to Thomas's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeremy Thomas dominated that round.
That's time! Shelby's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Shelby has a takedown stuffed.
Thomas shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Shelby eats them both and turns towards Thomas to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Thomas lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Thomas slaps away a takedown attempt from Shelby, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Thomas has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Shelby cracks Thomas with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Thomas looks to land a combination but Shelby avoids it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shelby takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Shelby fails in his attempt to clinch.
Thomas throws a right hand that Shelby ducks under and follows up with a left that Shelby also avoids with ease.
Shelby throws a head kick but Thomas moves out of range.
Arturs Shelby is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thomas scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas lands with a cross.
Shelby fails to land with a series of punches.
Shelby doesn't manage to clinch there - Thomas circles away.
Thomas cracks Shelby with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Shelby is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Shelby tries to move into range but Thomas moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Thomas throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Shelby on the side of the head.
Thomas's jab looks to have found its range, popping Shelby under the eye.
Shelby fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Thomas avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arturs Shelby. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thomas dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thomas lands a jab to the head.
Shelby looks to score with a jab to the body but Thomas is just out of range.
Thomas scores with a sloppy right hand. Shelby should have avoided that one.
Thomas might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
A combination from Thomas does no damage.
Thomas avoids the head kick by Shelby.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Shelby is defended easily by Thomas.
Thomas scores with a hook to the body. Shelby takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Thomas misses with a series of wild punches.
Shelby is looking to counter the offense by Thomas and move into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas jabs at Shelby's body.
No luck for Shelby with that takedown attempt.
A little jabbing left from Thomas on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Shelby.
Thomas lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Shelby tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Thomas swivels and escapes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thomas shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Shelby eats them both and turns towards Thomas to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Jeremy Thomas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thomas lands a jab-cross combination.
Thomas rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Shelby moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Shelby takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thomas lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Horrible takedown attempt by Shelby or perhaps it was just good defense by Thomas, which made it look bad.
Shelby tries to clinch up but Thomas circles away and keeps his distance.
Thomas swinging wildly here.
Thomas defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Shelby.
Thomas defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Shelby.
Despite the aggression on Thomas's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Thomas listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Thomas throws a series of strikes that have Shelby backpedaling.
Thomas throws a combination that misses

and Shelby counters by moving into the clinch.
Shelby is working for takedown but Thomas is calmly controlling the position for now.
Thomas prevents a takedown attempt there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeremy Thomas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Thomas's jab looks to have found its range, popping Shelby under the eye.
Shelby gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Shelby is looking to clinch but Thomas is avoiding it.
Thomas lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Shelby misses with a takedown
and Thomas counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Thomas feints a jab promting Shelby to slip. Thomas then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Shelby slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Shelby dodges the punch combination from Thomas.
Thomas scores with a shot to the body.
Shelby misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fight stays on the outside here - Shelby looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Thomas looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas lands an overhand right.

Shelby fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Thomas sprawls well initially but Shelby persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Shelby 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.

Shelby decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thomas swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Shelby.
Shelby with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Thomas to score with a decent uppercut.
Shelby fails with an attempt to clinch.
Thomas connects with a body shot.
Thomas misses with a wild combination.
Thomas displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Shelby.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shelby 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 looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Thomas throws a nice looking combination but Shelby bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sloppy strikes from Shelby. Those never looked like landing.
Nice cross by Thomas.
Shelby is looking to clinch.
Shelby takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Thomas misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Shelby is looking to counter with head kicks.
Jab, jab by Thomas - just one landing.
Shelby looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Shelby shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Thomas looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arturs Shelby. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice uppercut there from Thomas.
Shelby shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Shelby tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shelby has his takedown stuffed
and Thomas counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas scores with a hook to the body. Shelby takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Thomas lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Thomas scores with a nice strike.
Jeremy Thomas is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Thomas throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Shelby doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Thomas scores with a nice right hand.
Thomas misses with a wild body shot.
Shelby misses with a wild combination.
Thomas is looking for the big counter here.
Jeremy Thomas seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Thomas throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Shelby has closed the distance and engaged Thomas in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shelby looking for a takedown.
Shelby has had enough of the clinch but Thomas keeps him there for the moment.
Thomas keeps control of Shelby as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Thomas blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Thomas prevents a takedown attempt there.
Shelby tries to pull guard but Thomas holds him up against the cage and eventually Shelby drops back down to his feet.
Arturs Shelby has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Shelby breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jeremy Thomas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Thomas winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 26:30
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jeremy Thomas!
Jeremy Thomas was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.