PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mike Bessenger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jason Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bessenger comes to the cage accompanied by Hostile Mass. Jason Thomas struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 171.1lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Mike Bessenger is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Bessenger
vs
Thomas

187 cm
19
170 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

182 cm
22
174 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Solid chin

White Gorilla Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mike Bessenger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jason Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Alec Ball and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bessenger cracks Thomas with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

It looks like Jason Thomas has been cut.
Bessenger tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nice defenses there by Thomas.
Bessenger looks to land a left hand but Thomas moved out of range nicely.
Bessenger throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bessenger misses with an uppercut.
Bessenger throws a head kick but Thomas moves out of range.

Thomas bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Thomas wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Bessenger, who protects the arm well.
Thomas looks gassed!

Thomas tries for a kimura but Bessenger is defending well.
Bessenger knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Thomas on the ground.
Thomas tries to advance to mount but Bessenger denies him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bessenger is trying to improve his position.
Bessenger can't do much from the bottom here.
Bessenger is trying to buck Thomas off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Thomas blocks a head kick by Bessenger.
Thomas uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bessenger.
Bessenger tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bessenger throws a head kick that misses.
Bessenger misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bessenger misses with a head kick.
Thomas steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bessenger.
Bessenger misses with a head kick.
Bessenger throws a sloppy head kick and Thomas moves out of range easily.
Bessenger misses with a head kick.
Thomas takes one to the chin there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bessenger drops Thomas with a big left hand and mounts him. Thomas is in big trouble!

Thomas is rocked!
Thomas is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Thomas is still in real trouble! Can Bessenger finish him?
Thomas is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Thomas seems to have recovered his senses.
Bessenger trying to control but Thomas is having none of it.
Thomas working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bessenger tries to control but Thomas wriggling away.
Bessenger tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Thomas tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Bessenger trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Bessenger controlling the pace for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Bessenger dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jason Thomas's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bessenger throws a looping overhand right but Thomas ducks down to avoid it.
Thomas avoids the head kick by Bessenger.
Bessenger misses the jab.
Bessenger misses with a hook. Thomas ducked under it nicely.
Mike Bessenger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bessenger misses with an uppercut.
Bessenger throws a head kick that misses.

Thomas bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bessenger wants to get back to his feet but Thomas drags him back down.

Thomas is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Bessenger is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomas is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Bessenger is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Bessenger wants to get back to his feet but Thomas drags him back down.
I wouldn't like to be where Bessenger is right now.
Bessenger sneaks back into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Bessenger keeping hold of Thomas's head, controlling as best he can.
Thomas tries to pass to full mount but Bessenger defends it.
Bessenger keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thomas is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Thomas is looking to take a break and control but Bessenger is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thomas tries to pass the half guard into mount. Bessenger knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Bessenger wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Thomas wants to pass to mount but Bessenger is defending the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bessenger throws a hook to the side of Thomas's head but Thomas sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bessenger scores with a jab.
Bessenger throws a sloppy head kick and Thomas moves out of range easily.
Bessenger misses with a head kick.
Bessenger lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Bessenger throws a hook but Thomas blocks it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thomas staying out of range there.

Thomas feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Bessenger keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jason Thomas will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Jason Thomas's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Thomas drives through with a takedown into guard.
Bessenger is looking to stand up but Thomas isn't so interested in that idea.
Thomas pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bessenger is keeping the position for now.
Thomas trying to control the position from guard on top but Bessenger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thomas stops Bessenger from standing up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bessenger trying to control the position.
Bessenger wants to stand and escape but Thomas is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas pushing down on Bessenger's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Thomas wants to advance to full mount but Bessenger doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Bessenger is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Thomas stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bessenger swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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.
Bessenger can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Thomas controls the pace.
Bessenger is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Thomas won't allow Bessenger to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Thomas drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Thomas jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Thomas wants to pass the guard but Bessenger is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Thomas throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Bessenger's waist but Bessenger gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Thomas off to one side.
Bessenger pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bessenger throws a head kick that misses.

Thomas feints and as Bessenger raises his hands in defense, Thomas changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Bessenger looking for a sweep. Not yet Bessenger, not yet.
Bessenger is pulling down on Thomas's head to control his posture.
Thomas looking to pass the guard.
Bessenger looking to control.
Bessenger keeping full guard, as Thomas tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bessenger is looking to stand up but Thomas isn't so interested in that idea.

Thomas is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Bessenger is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Bessenger has escaped and now he's on top!
Bessenger wants to stand but Thomas has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Jason 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 28:29
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Jason Thomas!