PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Damien Stones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ash Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stones comes to the cage accompanied by T2 Theme by Austrian Death Machine. Damien Stones has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Stones
vs
Thomas

175 cm
25
166 lbs
13 - 5 - 1

182 cm
25
165 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Damien Stones!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ash Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Trevor Gratis and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thomas avoids the body shot from Stones.
Stones tries to bum rush Thomas with a series of wild strikes but Thomas uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Thomas lands with a good body shot.
A big left from Stones misses.
Stones scores with a jab to the body.
Thomas misses the jab.
Damien Stones seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thomas stuffs the takedown attempt from Stones. Stones gets slowly back to his feet.
Thomas circles away from the clinch attempt.
Thomas tries to clinch up but Stones circles away and keeps his distance.
Stones misses with an uppercut.
Stones uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Thomas.
Stones swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Stones throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Thomas displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Stones throws out the jab.
Thomas moves away from the strike by Stones.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stones looks to land a right hand but Thomas moved out of range.
Stones moves out of range of the strikes.
Ash Thomas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thomas slaps away a takedown attempt from Stones, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Stones slips a jab and a cross from Thomas.
Stones throws a sloppy head kick and Thomas moves out of range easily.
Stones misses with a hook to the body
and Thomas connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Thomas connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Stones's hands.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Stones.
Stones misses with a body kick.
Thomas lands a jab-cross combination.

It looks like Damien Stones has been cut.
Stones throws a jab but it's blocked by Thomas.
Thomas checks the leg kick.
Stones is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Thomas's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Stones thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stones.
A big left from Stones misses.
Thomas uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stones.
Thomas throws a jab but it's blocked by Stones.
Stones attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Thomas looks to score with a jab to the body but Stones is just out of range.
Stones tries to clinch but Thomas moves away
and Thomas connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Thomas misses with a hook.
Stones throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Thomas missing with a left hand there. Stones was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Stones throws a body punch but Thomas moves out of range.
Stones staying out of range there.
Stones throws a head kick that misses.
Stones just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Stones can pounce on him.
Thomas lands with a hook. Stones tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Stones misses with a looping right.
Stones looks to land a left hand but Thomas moved out of range nicely.
Stones closes the distance looking to clinch
and Thomas counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Stones thinking.
Stones is looking to clinch but Thomas is avoiding it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Stones.
No joy there for Thomas, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stones tries to clinch up.
Stones will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damien Stones. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stones uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Thomas.
A jab from Thomas misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stones falls off balance throwing a combination
enabling Thomas to counter with a crisp jab.
Stones misses with a combination
letting Thomas counter with a right hand.
Stones shoots in but no luck this time.
Stones ducks under a wild hook from Thomas.
A jab from Thomas misses.
Thomas dips to his left and cracks Stones with an uppercut!
Stones shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Thomas counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Stones misses with a jab to the body
and Thomas counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stones attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Thomas scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Stones moves into the clinch successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ash Thomas dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Damien Stones's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Thomas lands a nice shot to the body.
Thomas misses with an uppercut.
Stones takes a jab right on the kisser.
Stones lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Thomas throws a series of punches but Stones moves out of range.
Thomas paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Thomas looks to throw the jab but Stones is out of range.
Stones moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Stones throws a looping overhand right but Thomas ducks down to avoid it.
Stones doesn't manage to clinch there - Thomas circles away.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Stones. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Thomas thuds a left hand into Stones's body.
Stones tries to land a front kick but Thomas steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Stones misses with a straight right.
Thomas lands a jab to Stones's midsection.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thomas throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Stones on the side of the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas looks to throw the jab but Stones is out of range.
Stones takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Stones slips under a jab from Thomas.
Thomas cracks Stones with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Thomas pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nice defenses there by Stones.
Stones slips under a jab.
A jab from Thomas misses.
Thomas throws a big shot that misses.
Thomas misses the jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stones. Thomas does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stones lands with a nice combination. Thomas backs away looking to recover.
Thomas ducks under a wild hook from Stones.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Thomas, as that shot connected.
Stones throws a leg kick
and Thomas cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Thomas steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stones.
Stones steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Thomas.
Thomas slips under a jab.
Stones misses with a looping right.
Stones tries to work over Thomas's front leg with a kick but Thomas checks it.
A jab from Stones misses.
Thomas fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Stones looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Thomas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stones was well out of range. Poor timing from Thomas.
Thomas uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stones.
Thomas missing with a left hand there. Stones was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Stones closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Thomas did well to prevent Stones getting side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thomas wants to control but Stones is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Thomas wants to get back to his feet.
Thomas is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stones missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Stones thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Thomas's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thomas wants to control but Stones is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Stones thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four 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.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nice body kick there by Stones.
Stones lands an overhand right.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Stones.
Stones avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Stones attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Thomas slips a straight right by Stones.
Stones tests Thomas's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Stones misses the target.
Thomas bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Stones's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stones steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Thomas.
Stones falls off balance throwing a combination
and Thomas counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Stones swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Thomas counters with a series of strikes. Stones will be more careful next time no doubt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ash Thomas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Damien Stones's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

The fight stays on the outside here - Stones looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Thomas uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Stones has time to react.
Stones throws a big shot that misses.
A bone on bone clash there as Thomas blocks the leg kick.
Stones throws a head kick that misses.
Thomas is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Stones.
Stones avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Thomas misses with a wild body shot.
Nice straight punches there by Thomas. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Thomas.
Thomas slips under a jab.
The fighters circling - Stones throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Thomas loads up on a big right hand but Stones slips the punch.
Stones throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas misses with a combination

and Stones counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Stones throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Stones throwing strikes from guard but Thomas blocks nicely.
Stones tries to free his leg and advance position but Thomas is retaining full guard.
Stones connects with a couple of short punches.
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 keeping moving, preventing Stones from controlling successfully.
Thomas pulls Stones in to control the position.
Stones 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.
Stones prevents Thomas from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stones won't allow Thomas to sweep him here.
Stones trying to control but Thomas is working from the bottom.
Stones pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Thomas is keeping the position for now.
Stones sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Thomas's guard.
Stones controlling the pace.
Stones tries to pass the half guard into mount. Thomas knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stones missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Stones passes the guard and advances to mount!
Stones landing strikes from the mount and Thomas is in trouble!
Stones punishing his opponent with strikes.
Stones looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Stones lands with some strikes.
Stones cracks Thomas with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stones thowing shots but they're missing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thomas is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Stones unloads with some shots from mount but Thomas bucks and avoids them well.
Stones trying to control but Thomas is having none of it.
Stones scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Stones landing strikes from the mount and Thomas is in trouble!
Thomas can't escape the position.
Stones postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Thomas looks a forlorn figure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Damien Stones clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Damien Stones's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Thomas throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Thomas uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stones.
Stones moves out of range as Thomas strikes.
Stones throws a combination that misses
enabling Thomas to counter with a crisp jab.
Thomas throws the left hand but Stones avoids the punch easily.
Thomas throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Stones bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Stones fails in his attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stones scores with a spinning back kick!
Stones lands a jab.
Stones throws a leg kick but Thomas checks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stones has Thomas up against the cage in a clinch.
Stones misses with a hook to the ribs.
Stones misses with a hook to the ribs.
Thomas working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Stones struggles to land a body shot inside as Thomas controls his hands.
Stones takes a shot to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Thomas fails to land.
Thomas wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Thomas lands a nice uppercut.
Thomas stalling against the cage.
Stones misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from Stones fails to land.
Stones looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Stones swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Thomas has Stones pressed against the cage, preventing Stones from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Nice body punch from Stones.
Stones managing to block the knees to the body from Thomas.
Thomas swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Thomas lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A short left from Thomas.
Stones wants a takedown but no success here.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Thomas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stones throws a head punch that misses.
Thomas prevents a body shot from Stones.
Stones being controlled against the cage.

Thomas breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Thomas misses with a two punch combination.
A jab lands there for Thomas.
Stones misses with a looping right.
Thomas moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Stones swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Stones misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Thomas counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A jab from Stones misses.
Stones ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Thomas moves away.
A punch lands to the side of Thomas 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A nice inside leg kick there by Stones. That's going to slow Thomas down.
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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stones darts in trying to clinch
and Thomas counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Thomas looks to land a right hand but Stones moved out of range.
Thomas lands an overhand right.
Thomas misses with an uppercut.
Stones scores with a leg kick.
Thomas slips under a jab.
Thomas is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Stones slips a straight right by Thomas.
Thomas is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas cracks Stones with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Thomas throws a shot to the body.
Stones fails with an attempt to clinch.
Thomas moves out of range of the strikes.
Thomas avoids the head kick by Stones.
Thomas slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Stones ducks under a wild hook from Thomas.
Thomas scores with the left hand. Stones knows he should have avoided that one.
Stones looks to land a right hand but Thomas moved out of range.
Stones throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A head kick by Stones misses
and Thomas counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A big left from Thomas misses.

Thomas has managed to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ash Thomas dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Damien Stones'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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Thomas throws a lazy right hand but Stones sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Stones throws a quick inside leg kick.
Thomas throws a jab but it's blocked by Stones.
Stones fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Thomas misses with a looping left.
Thomas looks to throw the jab but Stones is out of range.
Stones slips a jab from Thomas.
Thomas throws a lazy right hand but Stones sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stones throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Thomas's waist but Thomas gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Stones off to one side.
Stones swinging wildly here.
Stones tries to clinch but Thomas is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas slips under a jab.
Stones misses with a body shot.
Thomas lands a jab to Stones's midsection.
Thomas keeps the fight on the outside.
Stones misses with a body shot
and Thomas connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Thomas dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Thomas thows a left - swing and a miss!
Thomas tests Stones's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Some wild striking there from Stones.
Thomas scores with a jab to the body.
Thomas scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stones throws a big shot that misses.
Stones misses the body punch
enabling Thomas to counter with a crisp jab.
Thomas looks to land a combination but Stones avoids it well.
Stones tries to land a front kick but Thomas steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A telegraphed right hand from Stones misses the target.
Ash Thomas seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stones is looking to score with low kicks.
Stones misses with a jab, cross combination.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thomas. Stones does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stones throws a left and a right that both miss
and Thomas counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Thomas stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Thomas wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damien Stones. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thomas lands with a straight right. Stones didn't see that one coming.
Thomas throws a lazy right hand but Stones sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Thomas ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Stones has time to react.
Thomas lands a glancing blow to the side of Stones's head.
Thomas punishes Stones's body with a nice straight punch.
Thomas looks to land a left hand but Stones moved out of range nicely.
Stones misses with a wild body shot.
Thomas misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stones.
Stones needs to keep his hands up - Thomas had a free shot at his head there.
Stones misses the jab.
Stones throws a leg kick but Thomas sees it coming and moves out of range.
Thomas throws a shot from downtown. Stones moves away and avoids it.
Thomas lands a lovely overhand right.
Stones has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Thomas finds it's way round the side to connect with Stones's head.
Thomas uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stones.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stones shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Thomas manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Thomas really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Stones. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Thomas is trying to control the position but Stones postures up.
Damien Stones has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stones being controlled here momentarily.
Thomas working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stones.
Thomas has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Stones stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Thomas swivels though and keeps the full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ash Thomas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Thomas has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 46:49
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 46:49
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ash Thomas! Ash Thomas retains his lightweight title!