PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jack Swift (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thompson has chosen Yo Yo Scrape by Skinny Puppy as his entrance music. Jack Swift has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Swift
vs
Thompson

188 cm
19
170 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

165 cm
25
170 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jack Swift!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tom Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, William Peck and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thompson swats away the attempt to clinch by Swift.

Thompson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Swift is wriggling around trying to escape.
Swift flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Thompson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Thompson wants to control the pace but Swift is squirming around nicely.
Swift is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Thompson tries to control but Swift wriggling away.
Swift working to try and regain half guard.

Thompson is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Swift is surviving well by controlling Thompson's body position as best he can.
Thompson controlling the pace for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thompson wants to finish this one by submission but Swift is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Thompson.
Thompson with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Thompson wants to control the pace but Swift is squirming around nicely.
Swift is desperately trying to improve his position but Thompson has a good base and remains in mount.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Thompson working for a guillotine from mount but Swift is in no mood to give up.
Thompson blocks Swift's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Swift is trying desperately to improve position.

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.
Swift swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.

Thompson looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Swift reaches up to try and control the position but Thompson seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Swift rolls and tries to escape and now Thompson has his back!
Swift 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.
Thompson is trying to stick to Swift's back but Swift is turning into Thompson. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Thompson's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Swift.

Swift stands up and waves to Thompson to follow him.

Swift rushes Thompson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Thompson wants a takedown.

Swift wants the takedown. Thompson is fighting it off but Swift persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Thompson's guard against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Swift is one step ahead there.

Swift stands and steps away. Thompson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Thompson moves into the clinch successfully.
Thompson goes for a takedown attempt but Swift pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Swift misses with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Thompson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Swift was covering up waiting for the punch and Thompson finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Swift can't keep his opponent in guard - Thompson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Thompson blocks the strikes from Swift.

Thompson is trying to work for a kimura but Swift is defending well.
Thompson trying to mount his opponent but Swift defends it.
Swift is trying to control but can't.
Swift throws a sloppy strike from the bottom. He's now off balance and Thompson manages to pass to side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Thompson dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Thompson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Swift wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.
Thompson controls the position from side control.
Thompson is looking to take a break and control but Swift is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Swift striking from the bottom but nothing landed.

Thompson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Swift knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Swift is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thompson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Swift knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Swift sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Thompson is breathing heavily.
Swift has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Thompson is working away from the top position though.
Swift missing with punches from the bottom.
Thompson trying to pass the guard but Swift defending well.
Swift is looking for a sweep. Thompson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Swift tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Swift wants to control but Thompson passes into side.
Swift tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Thompson presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Swift is wriggling around trying to escape.
Thompson content just to control the position here.
Swift is in all sorts of trouble here.

Thompson with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Swift slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Swift is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Thompson wants to control but Swift is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swift throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Swift is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Thompson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Thompson blocks the strikes from Swift.
Thompson with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Thompson works his way into side control.
Swift is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Thompson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Swift tries to bench press Thompson off him but Thompson keeps the position.
Swift wants to control but Thompson postures up.
Thompson has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Swift tries to lock up and control but Thompson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Tom Thompson has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thompson content just to control the position here.
Thompson avoids the attempt from Swift to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Thompson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Swift is looking to clinch.
Thompson throws an overhand right that lands on Swift's shoulder, as Swift tries to avoid the shot.
Swift gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Thompson counters with a takedown into side control.
Swift wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.
Swift is looking to reverse the position.
Swift is working hard here to advance position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thompson trying to control the action but Swift is working from the bottom.

Thompson tries for a kimura but Swift is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thompson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Swift has escaped the position, nice work there.
Swift throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
You can see the frustration on Swift's face as Thompson controls the position.
Swift is trying to control Thompson's posture but Thompson avoids it.
Thompson blocks the strikes from Swift.
Swift prevents Thompson from improving position.
Swift tries to strike from the bottom but misses.

Thompson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Swift, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Thompson working away.
Swift manages to work his way to half guard, despite Thompson's best efforts.
Thompson not doing much here.
Thompson trying to control the action but Swift is working from the bottom.
Swift tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Thompson trying to pass the guard but Swift defending well.
Thompson looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Thompson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Swift has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swift missing with punches from the bottom.
Swift works his way to full guard. Good work.
Thompson wants to pass the guard but Swift is keeping the position.
Swift is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Swift trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Swift trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Swift will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Swift is trying to keep Thompson in close.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Swift tries to clinch but Thompson is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Swift is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Thompson misses with a takedown

and Swift holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Thompson avoiding damage as Swift throws knees to the body.
Thompson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Swift throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Thompson blocks it with crossed arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Thompson really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Thompson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Thompson tries for a takedown but Swift circles away easily

and Swift counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Swift.

Swift breaks from the clinch.

Swift moves into the clinch.
Swift with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Swift with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Swift lands a right hand that snaps the head of Thompson backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swift looking to throw knees to the head but Thompson is blocking nicely.
Thompson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Swift gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Thompson blocks the elbow strike.
Swift using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Thompson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Swift misses with a knee to the head.

Swift has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Thompson regains guard immediately.

Thompson working for a triangle but Swift defends it easily.
Thompson is trying to control the position but Swift postures up.

Thompson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Thompson is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

Swift stands and steps away. Thompson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swift shoots and misses

and Thompson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Swift throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Swift looking to control.
Thompson trying to control the position from guard on top but Swift is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thompson passes Swift's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Swift tries to get to full guard but Thompson has control of the leg.

Thompson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Swift trying to control here.
Swift is refusing to be controlled, as Thompson sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Swift kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Swift missing with punches from the bottom.
Swift striking from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Thompson swats away the attempt to clinch by Swift.

Swift pushes Thompson up against the cage in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Tom Thompson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Thompson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Swift finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Swift tries to clinch up.
Swift gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Thompson counters with a shoot takedown. Swift fights it but they end up in guard.
Thompson stays in close to Swift's body and controls the position.
Thompson trying to control the position from guard on top but Swift is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thompson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Thompson wants to pass the guard but Swift is keeping the position.
Thompson is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swift throws some shots to the body, keeping his opponent honest.
Swift keeping moving, preventing Thompson from controlling successfully.
Swift striking from his own guard.
Swift doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Swift has closed the distance and engaged Thompson in a clinch.
Thompson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Swift avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
A knee to the head by Swift.
Swift lands a shoulder strike.
Nice elbow from Swift.
Swift connects with a nasty looking knee right to Thompson's face.
Swift connects with a nasty looking knee right to Thompson's face.
Swift tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swift with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Swift with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Thompson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Jack Swift has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Thompson.
Swift lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Swift misses with an elbow strike.
A knee to the head by Swift.
Swift tries a knee to the head but Thompson blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Swift connects with a knee to the head.
Thompson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Swift smiles and moves away.

Swift shoots in and bounces Thompson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thompson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tom Thompson.
I've got Thompson 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 47:48
Judge William Peck scores the fight 45:50
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 47:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tom Thompson! Tom Thompson retains his welterweight title!