PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jyrgen Veber (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Veber
vs
Thomas

185 cm
25
180 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

174 cm
22
171 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jyrgen Veber!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jack Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Robert Douchet and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice body kick there by Thomas.
Thomas with a jab.
Veber doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Veber dives in and grabs Thomas's left leg, looking for a takedown. Thomas pushes down on Veber's head and hops out.

Thomas changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Veber looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
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!

Thomas decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Veber looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Thomas is fending him off so far but Veber persists. Nope, Thomas circles away and we're back to standing.
Veber is breathing heavily.
Veber shoots for a double leg takedown but Thomas sprawls well. He's pushed Veber's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jyrgen Veber. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Veber crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Thomas - the referee stops the clock and Veber gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Thomas. Veber manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Thomas ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Veber on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Thomas. Thomas obviously looking to wear him down.
Thomas thuds a left hand into Veber's body.
Nice body kick there by Thomas.
Thomas misses with a head kick.
Thomas scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Thomas connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A solid leg kick lands there for Thomas.

Oooh a lovely combination from Thomas sends Veber down but not out. Thomas dives into side control looking to finish.

It looks like Jyrgen Veber has been cut.

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

Thomas has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas scores with a spinning back kick!

Thomas drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Veber will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Thomas passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Veber tries to buck Thomas off but Thomas is having none of it.

Thomas stands up and beckons Veber to his feet.
Veber tries to move into range but Thomas moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Thomas lands a glancing blow to the side of Veber's head.
Veber has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Veber there as he acknowledges the shot.

Thomas looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thomas advances to half guard.

Veber actively working from the bottom here.

Thomas seems to be working for a kimura but Veber defends the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Thomas scores with a takedown into Veber's guard.

Thomas stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Thomas scores with a nice body kick.
Veber shoots for a takedown but Thomas saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Thomas shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Thomas stands up from half guard.
Thomas lands a body shot.
Thomas is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Veber rather than just go for the knockout.
Veber fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A thudding body kick lands there by Thomas!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas thumps Veber with a low kick.

Thomas fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Veber sprawls well initially but Thomas persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Thomas is trying to control the action in half guard but Veber is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Thomas works his foot free and advances to mount.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Thomas tries to control but Veber wriggling away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Veber sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Thomas performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Thomas wants to work for an arm triangle but Veber is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Thomas is trying to work for a kimura but Veber is defending well.

Veber is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Thomas pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas passes to full mount!
Thomas controlling the pace for now.
Veber is squirming around, avoiding Thomas's attempts to control the action.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Thomas stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Thomas lands with a thumping leg kick.

Thomas shoots in and bounces Veber off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
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!

Thomas drops back looking for a leg! Veber is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Veber manages to kick Thomas off! Thomas jumps back into Veber's guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thomas is looking to stand up but Veber won't let him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Thomas dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jyrgen Veber's cut.
That's time! Veber's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Thomas fails with the takedown

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

Veber wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Thomas, who protects the arm well.
Thomas sneaks back into half guard.
Thomas manages to get to full guard.
Veber postures up.
Veber looking to pass the guard.
Veber stops Thomas from standing up.
Thomas is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Thomas is pulling down on Veber's head to control his posture.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Veber passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas pushes Veber away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Veber gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Veber tries for a kimura but Thomas is defending well.
Thomas is trying to control Veber's posture but Veber avoids it.
Thomas is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Veber off and has taken his back!

Veber defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Veber manages to reverse the position and now he's in Thomas's guard. Nice work there by Veber.
Thomas is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Thomas has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Veber is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thomas gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Jyrgen Veber is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Veber takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Thomas scores with a hook to the body. Veber takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Thomas throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Thomas scores with a nice body kick.
Thomas scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Veber doesn't seem bothered though.
Veber takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Thomas scores with a shot to the body.
Thomas with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Thomas shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Thomas is working for a guillotine from mount but Veber frees his head quite easily.
Thomas has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Thomas is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Veber to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Veber shrugs it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thomas gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Veber fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Thomas closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Veber did well to prevent Thomas getting side control.

Thomas is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Veber looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Thomas decides to return to a standing position.
Veber shoots in for a takedown but Thomas shows good takedown defense.
Thomas scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Thomas lands a nice looking body kick.
Thomas stuns Veber with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Veber takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Thomas scores with a body shot.

Veber shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Thomas's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Veber is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Thomas looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Thomas looking to control.
Thomas is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Veber wants to pass the guard but Thomas is keeping the position.

Veber is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Thomas manages to escape and get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Thomas is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Veber's half guard.

Veber actively working from the bottom here.
Thomas seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Veber does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Thomas is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Thomas is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Veber to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Veber shrugs it off.
Veber tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Thomas looking to control but Veber is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Thomas working for a guillotine from mount but Veber is in no mood to give up.

Thomas wants to finish this one by submission but Veber is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Thomas.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Veber is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Veber is working hard here to advance position.
Veber has given up his back here. Will Thomas look for the submission or keep pounding away?

Veber fending off the submission attempt from Thomas.
Veber breaks Thomas's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Veber thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Thomas looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Veber wants to pass the guard but Thomas is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thomas is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Veber defends well.
Thomas is looking to stand up but Veber isn't so interested in that idea.
Thomas is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Veber trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

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

Veber thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Jack Thomas has got the better of the ground game so far.

Thomas looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Thomas seems keen to control Veber's posture.
Thomas keeping full guard, as Veber tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas controlling Veber's posture.
Veber stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Thomas swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Veber won't allow Thomas to get back to his feet.
Thomas is trying to keep Veber in close.
Veber advances position into side control!

Veber wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Thomas, who protects the arm well.
Thomas is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Veber has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Thomas is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Veber is looking for a kimura here.
Thomas is trying to maintain the position but Veber is very close to passing his half guard.

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.
Thomas slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Veber prevents Thomas from getting back to his feet.
Thomas pulls Veber in close to prevent any damage.
Veber pushes down on Thomas's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Thomas looks like he's trying to stand up.

Veber seems to be looking for submissions.
Thomas works his way to full guard. Good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Thomas really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jyrgen Veber's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Veber takes a kick to the side of the head.
Jack Thomas seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Thomas wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Thomas leaves Veber with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Veber gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Thomas forces his way into half guard.

Veber looking for submissions off his back.
Veber is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Thomas is working for a submission of some sort.

Veber actively working from the bottom here.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Veber tries to roll over but Thomas keeps him under control.
Thomas passes the guard and advances to mount!

Thomas stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Veber is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Thomas.
Thomas ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Thomas lands a nice looking body shot.
Thomas misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Thomas closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Thomas advances to mount.

Thomas get's back to his feet.
Thomas throws a wild body kick that Veber sees coming a mile off.
Veber shoots for a takedown but Thomas saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Veber will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thomas shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Veber manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Veber looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Thomas advances position into side control!

Thomas tries for a kimura but Veber is defending well.
Veber regains half guard.

Veber looking for submissions off his back.
Thomas works his foot free and advances to mount.

Thomas working for a submission but Veber is keeping him at bay.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thomas is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Veber is surviving well by controlling Thomas's body position as best he can.
Veber keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Thomas trying to control but Veber is having none of it.

Thomas stands up from mount. Strange move.

Thomas drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Veber is trying to improve his position.
Thomas trying to control the action but Veber is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Veber is looking for a sweep.
Thomas has knee on belly and moves into mount.

Thomas is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Veber is surviving well by controlling Thomas's body position as best he can.

Thomas looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Veber sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Veber looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Thomas dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Jyrgen Veber's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Thomas lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Veber at a distance.
Thomas stuns Veber with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Veber keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Veber walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
The fighters circle momentarily. Thomas darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Veber shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Thomas as he avoids it easily.
Thomas sizes up Veber with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Veber has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Veber there as he acknowledges the shot.
Thomas stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Thomas looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Veber!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Thomas stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Thomas scores with a body shot.
Veber moves out of range of the body kick from Thomas.
Veber shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
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 lands with a kick to the ribs.

Thomas shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Thomas was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomas is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!

Thomas closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Thomas is working for a submission of some sort.

Veber looking for submissions off his back.

Thomas stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Veber to get to his feet.
Thomas throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Veber walks into a straight right hand from Thomas.
No luck for Veber with that takedown attempt.

Veber gets caught flat footed, as Thomas shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Veber is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Thomas advances to half guard.

Thomas wants to work for an arm triangle but Veber is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Veber looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Thomas is trying to work for a kimura but Veber is defending well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thomas trying to pass the guard but Veber defending well.
Veber works his way to full guard. Good work.
Veber bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Thomas's guard.
Thomas wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas is trying to keep Veber in close.
Veber looking to pass the guard.
Thomas pulls Veber in close to prevent any damage.

Veber drops back looking for a leg! Thomas is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Thomas manages to kick Veber off! Veber jumps back into Thomas's guard.

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

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

Veber drops back looking for a leg! Thomas is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Thomas manages to kick Veber off! Veber jumps back into Thomas's guard.

Thomas pushes Veber off and scrambles back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Thomas.

Thomas closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Thomas lands in his opponent's guard.
Thomas stands and throws Veber's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Veber is looking to reverse the position.

Thomas is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Veber knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Thomas wants to lay and pray for a moment but Veber keeps working.
Jyrgen Veber has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jack Thomas is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Veber throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Thomas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Thomas 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 43:50
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 43:50
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 43:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Thomas!
Jack Thomas is the new welterweight champion!