PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wille Thai (ranked 484 p4p, 841 weight class) and Alex Deigos (ranked 73 p4p, 126 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Thai
vs
Deigos

195 cm
29
212
16 - 12 - 0

196 cm
25
217
12 - 3 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
New Standard

Brooklyn Apothecary
HELLBENT

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 16 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Wille Thai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alex Deigos!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Sosuke Kotani and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thai takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Deigos takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Thai avoids the body shot from Deigos.
Deigos swings widly with a right hand

and Thai counters with a single leg into guard. Deigos didn't expect that.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

Deigos decides to stand back up. Deigos steps back and let's Thai get back to his feet.
Deigos throws a predictable looking body shot

and Thai counters with a nice double leg into side control. Deigos won't be happy with that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Thai swings around for an armbar but Deigos sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Thai's guard.

Thai looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Deigos got a little sloppy there for a moment and Thai has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Deigos has managed to get both his arms back between Thai's legs - danger averted.

Thai is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Thai is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thai escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Deigos gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Thai manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Deigos manages to get himself to full guard.

Deigos is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Thai is controlling him.

Thai thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Thai looking to pass the guard.
Thai forces his way into half guard.

Thai seems to be working for a kimura but Deigos defends the submission attempt.
Deigos looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thai seems to be working for a kimura but Deigos defends the submission attempt.
Deigos pushes Thai off looking to stand but Thai dives back in and keeps control.

Thai has his foot on Deigos's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Deigos works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thai looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Thai wants to sweep but no luck.
Deigos wanted to stand there but Thai had control of the position.

Thai is looking for a triangle but Deigos pushes his legs off easily.

Thai looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Deigos must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Deigos gets to his feet - Thai follows without any prompting.
Thai looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Deigos connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Thai shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deigos bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Deigos scores with a hook.
Thai ducks under a wild hook from Deigos.
Thai slips a jab from Deigos.
Thai drops down looking for a counter takedown but Deigos sprawls and moves away.
Deigos misses with an uppercut.
Deigos throws a right hand that misses

and Thai counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Deigos!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Deigos is trying to get back to his feet.
Deigos felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

Thai is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Deigos is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Thai thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Deigos dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Thai goes for a double leg but Deigos avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Deigos continues to drive forward.
Deigos lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Deigos lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Thai backwards.
Thai looking for a takedown.
Thai is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Deigos pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wille Thai. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thai tries for a takedown. No joy.
Thai can't get the takedown.
Deigos lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Deigos's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Deigos misses with a looping right.
Deigos misses with a body shot

and Thai counters with a nice double leg into side control. Deigos won't be happy with that.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Deigos tries to escape but Thai is in control.

Thai tries for a kimura but Deigos is defending well.

Thai goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Deigos has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Thai but great work by Deigos.

Deigos stands up and beckons Thai to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thai avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Thai half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Deigos 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.
Deigos swings widly with a right hand

and Thai counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Deigos!

Deigos throws Thai to one side and escapes!
No joy there for Deigos, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Thai changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Deigos throws a hook to the side of Thai's head but Thai sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Deigos looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Thai tries to counter with a takedown but Deigos is quick to defend against it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Deigos misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Thai drops down looking for a counter takedown but Deigos sprawls and moves away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Deigos. Thai does a little dance to reset his feet.
Deigos misses with an uppercut.
Deigos wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Alex Deigos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A low kick from Deigos is predictable there

and Thai counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thai is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Deigos pushes Thai off looking to stand but Thai dives back in and keeps control.

Deigos is defending against the submission attempts here by Thai.
Deigos wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Thai is looking for a kimura here.
Deigos wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thai is looking for a kimura here.

Thai wants to work for an arm triangle but Deigos is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Thai tries to pass to full mount but Deigos defends it.

Deigos manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Thai keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Thai is trying to pull guard but Deigos turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Thai wants a takedown.
Thai tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Deigos manages to break the clinch.
Deigos falls off balance throwing a combination

and Thai counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Thai.

Deigos has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Thai is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Deigos pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Deigos throws a poor cross that misses

and Thai counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Thai is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Thai stops Deigos from getting back to his feet.

Thai is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Deigos still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Deigos has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Thai tries to bench press Deigos off him but Deigos keeps the position.
Thai is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Deigos's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Deigos prevents Thai from improving his position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Deigos showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Thai moves out of range as Deigos strikes.
Deigos throws an off balance right hand

and Thai counters with a nice double leg into side control. Deigos won't be happy with that.
Deigos wants to get back to his feet but Thai drags him back down.

Thai tries for a kimura but Deigos is defending well.
Deigos wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Thai goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Deigos rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Thai's guard! Nice work there by Deigos!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Deigos stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Deigos misses with a lunging right hand

and Thai counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Thai.

Deigos has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Thai is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thai tries for a takedown but Deigos manages to get underhooks.
Deigos digs a right hand underneath Thai's ribcage. Thai let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thai has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Deigos avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Thai tries to pull guard but Deigos forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wille Thai. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thai drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Deigos gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A nice left hand lands by Deigos.
Deigos working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Thai takes a shot to the head.
Deigos lands a shoulder strike.
Deigos prevents the takedown attempt.

Deigos's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Deigos connects with a jab.

It looks like Wille Thai has been cut.
Deigos looks to land a combination but Thai avoids it well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thai staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thai takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A swing and a miss from Deigos.
Thai appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Thai keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Thai half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Thai checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Deigos throws a poor cross that misses

and Thai counters with a single leg into guard. Deigos didn't expect that.

Deigos is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Thai presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Deigos escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Thai moves away from the strike by Deigos.
Thai feinted with a counter takedown.
Deigos attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Thai drops down looking for a counter takedown but Deigos sprawls and moves away.
Deigos takes a swing at Thai's ribcage but misses.
Deigos lands with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Deigos misses with a right hand

and Thai counters with a nice double leg into side control. Deigos won't be happy with that.

Thai is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Deigos is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Deigos has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Deigos wants to get back to his feet.
Alex Deigos is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Thai goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Deigos rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Thai's guard! Nice work there by Deigos!

Thai has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Deigos is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Thai.

Deigos stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deigos ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Thai moves away.
Deigos throws a series of punches but Thai avoids them all with ease.
Deigos throws a hook but Thai avoids it easily.
Thai shoots in and drives through. Deigos sprawls well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A jab from Deigos misses.
No joy there for Deigos, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Thai half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Deigos scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Deigos connects with a body shot that sends Thai's belly button to the back.
Deigos cracks Thai with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Wille Thai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Deigos thows a left - swing and a miss!
As Deigos tries to get set, Thai tries to push him back and clinch up but Deigos manages to avoid the attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Deigos comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Deigos has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Deigos!
Post fight, an emotional Alex Deigos said 'Im the man! the king of this zhit '.