PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mario Thomas (ranked 4809 p4p, 5022 weight class) and Akshath Chauhan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Thomas
vs
Chauhan

172 cm
24
160
0 - 0 - 0

179 cm
21
160
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mario Thomas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Akshath Chauhan!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chauhan closes the distance and clinches up with Thomas, looking for a takedown. Chauhan pushes Thomas against the cage but Thomas circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mario Thomas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thomas defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Chauhan.
Chauhan changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Thomas tries to avoid it but Chauhan manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Thomas to the ground. Thomas escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Mario Thomas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akshath Chauhan.
Thomas lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Chauhan at a distance.
Thomas's corner calls for a 1-2. Thomas obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Chauhan walks into a jab.
Thomas connects with a body shot that sends Chauhan's belly button to the back.

Thomas tries to keep at a distance but Chauhan has taken the fight into the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Chauhan content to slow the pace in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Chauhan manages to break the clinch.
Thomas fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
As Thomas backs off Chauhan throws a huge counter combo but Thomas manages to avoid it all.
Chauhan dodges the punch combination from Thomas.
Thomas dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chauhan throws a left and a right that both miss
and Thomas cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Chauhan.

Chauhan rushes Thomas and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Thomas is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Thomas is trying to force a seperation but Chauhan has the dominant position.

Chauhan pulls guard effortlessly.

Chauhan working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Thomas doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Thomas manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Chauhan looking for a guillotine here but Thomas defends easily.
Chauhan looks winded!
Chauhan is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas wanted to stand there but Chauhan had control of the position.
Thomas trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Thomas works the jab nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chauhan moves in looking to clinch but Thomas pushes him off.
Chauhan tries to clinch up but Thomas circles away and keeps his distance.

Chauhan darts in and clinches Thomas up against the cage.

Chauhan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Thomas throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Chauhan moves in looking to clinch but Thomas pushes him off.
Chauhan darts in looking for a takedown but Thomas gets double underhooks and turns Chauhan into the cage.
Thomas punishes Chauhan's body with a nice straight punch.
Thomas ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Thomas is looking to wear down Chauhan with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Thomas connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Thomas lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Chauhan shoots in but no luck this time.
Chauhan throws a right hand that Thomas ducks under and follows up with a left that Thomas also avoids with ease.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thomas lands with an overhand left.
Thomas scores with a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Thomas decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Thomas tries to stand but can't do so whilst Chauhan controls his leg.
Chauhan wants to improve his position but Thomas is controlling well.
Thomas wants to stand up but Chauhan has a hold of him and won't allow it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

Thomas decides to return to a standing position.
Thomas lands a glancing blow to the side of Chauhan's head.

Thomas shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Thomas dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Thomas keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice body punch from Thomas.
Chauhan is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Thomas.
Thomas fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Thomas closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Thomas lands in his opponent's guard.
Chauhan is trying to keep Thomas in close.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Chauhan is on top in guard.

Thomas wants to stand and escape but Chauhan is having none of it.
Thomas wants to get back to his feet but Chauhan passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chauhan is keen to just control but Thomas is a slippery customer.
Thomas is trying to stand.
Chauhan is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Chauhan missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Chauhan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Thomas keeps working.
Thomas pushes Chauhan off looking to stand but Chauhan dives back in and keeps control.

Chauhan postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Thomas to stand up.

That's two 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 scores with a three punch combo!
Chauhan shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Thomas defends it nicely.
Chauhan is breathing heavily.
Chauhan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Thomas bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Thomas lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Thomas connects with the punch.
Thomas misses with a jab, cross combination.
Chauhan takes one to the side of the head.
Chauhan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Thomas.
Thomas tries to bum rush Chauhan with a series of wild strikes but Chauhan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chauhan shoots in but Thomas avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Mario Thomas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akshath Chauhan.
Chauhan wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Chauhan takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A cross from Thomas lands.
Thomas catches Chauhan with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Thomas swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Chauhan.
Thomas lands with a good body shot.
Good shot there by Thomas.
Thomas scores with the left hand. Chauhan knows he should have avoided that one.

Chauhan is rocked!

Thomas gets a double leg takedown into Chauhan's guard.
Chauhan is still in real trouble! Can Thomas finish him?
Mario Thomas overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thomas has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Chauhan is proving hard to escape from.
Chauhan throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas tries to stand but Chauhan is controlling from the bottom.
Chauhan seems to have recovered his senses.
Thomas has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Chauhan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Thomas would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Thomas is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Chauhan can do to turn this around?
Chauhan is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Thomas has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Chauhan is proving hard to escape from.
Chauhan trying to control the position here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Chauhan gets cracked there but stands up to it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Thomas dominated that second round.
That's time! Thomas's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Thomas!
Thomas with a nice cross.

Thomas shoots in and gets a takedown into Chauhan's guard.

Chauhan escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Thomas gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Thomas trying to stand up but can't free himself from Chauhan's guard.

Thomas stands up and waves to Chauhan to follow him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chauhan misses with the combination.
Chauhan shoots for a takedown but Thomas saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Thomas scores with a shot to the body.
Chauhan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nice uppercut lands for Thomas. That snapped Chauhan's head back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
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.
Chauhan has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Chauhan there as he acknowledges the shot.
Chauhan shoots in looking for a takedown but Thomas manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Chauhan's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Thomas displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Chauhan.
Mario Thomas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akshath Chauhan.
Thomas works Chauhan's body with a nice hook.
Thomas clobbers Chauhan with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Thomas works over Chauhan's head and body with a nice combination.
Thomas jabs Chauhan to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Chauhan gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Thomas to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Thomas stands up and waves to Chauhan to follow him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A cross from Thomas lands.
Thomas jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Thomas changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Jab, jab by Thomas - just one landing.
Thomas cracks Chauhan with a right hand to the side of the head.
Chauhan looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Thomas lands with a shot to the body.
Thomas cracks Chauhan with an open hand slap.
Thomas lands a jab-cross combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Thomas does it's job there.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Thomas!
Thomas cracks Chauhan with a good jab.
Thomas cracks Chauhan with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Thomas looks to land a combination but Chauhan avoids it well.
Thomas throws a series of punches but Chauhan moves out of range.

Chauhan forces Thomas back against the cage and clinches.
Chauhan putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Thomas in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Thomas wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Chauhan has him pressed against the cage.
Chauhan drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Thomas has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Thomas working hard to break the clinch.
Chauhan with a knee to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Chauhan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Thomas.
Chauhan looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Thomas cracks Chauhan with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Thomas fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Chauhan steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Thomas.
Chauhan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mario Thomas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thomas scores with a hook to the body. Chauhan takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Akshath Chauhan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mario Thomas is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thomas lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Chauhan backs up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mario Thomas showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Thomas, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Mario Thomas!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Mario Thomas!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Mario Thomas!

Mario Thomas wins by unanimous decision!