PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gjergj Kastrioti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Doc Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thomas is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Lunatic Fringe by Red Ryder. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Kastrioti
vs
Thomas

190 cm
27
201 lbs
15 - 7 - 0

182 cm
33
185 lbs
24 - 12 - 1

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
World class boxer
Granite chin

ZUD

KAISER
Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gjergj Kastrioti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Doc Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Wesley Smith and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A cross from Kastrioti lands.
Thomas connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Kastrioti scores with a takedown into Thomas's guard.
Kastrioti in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Thomas is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kastrioti has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kastrioti trying to control but Thomas is working from the bottom.

We're going to have a standup here because Gjergj Kastrioti wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Kastrioti throws a body punch but Thomas moves out of range.
Kastrioti fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thomas manages to avoid it.
Kastrioti misses the shot to the body.
Thomas wants to slow Kastrioti down by chopping away at his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kastrioti checks the leg kick nicely there.
Kastrioti throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kastrioti tries to score a power double leg takedown but Thomas sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kastrioti somewhat.
Thomas misses with an attempted mid kick.
Thomas throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kastrioti walks into a straight right hand from Thomas.
Thomas connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kastrioti takes a swing at Thomas's ribcage but misses.
Kastrioti takes a swing at Thomas's ribcage but misses.
Thomas uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kastrioti.
Thomas scores with a jab to the body.
Kastrioti takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kastrioti blocks a leg kick.
Thomas keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kastrioti misses with a looping right.
Thomas paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Thomas.
Thomas avoids the body shot from Kastrioti.
Kastrioti lands with a cross.
Kastrioti takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Thomas. Kastrioti shrugs it off though.
Kastrioti gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Thomas counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A good leg kick by Thomas.
Thomas cracks Kastrioti with a good jab.
Kastrioti thows a body shot but no joy.
Thomas fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kastrioti checks it well.

Kastrioti scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Thomas is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Thomas trying to control from the bottom.
Kastrioti throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Thomas on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas tries to kick Kastrioti off but Kastrioti keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Thomas is trying is best to control the position here.
Kastrioti prevents Thomas from improving his position.
Thomas trying to control here.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Thomas is looking for a sweep. Kastrioti is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thomas is trying to maintain the position but Kastrioti is very close to passing his half guard.

Doc Thomas has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kastrioti. Thomas does a little dance to reset his feet.
Thomas throws a body punch but Kastrioti moves out of range.
Thomas throws a jab but it's blocked by Kastrioti.
Gjergj Kastrioti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kastrioti takes one to the side of the head.
Kastrioti swings for the body but Thomas moves out of range.
Kastrioti uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Thomas.
Thomas throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kastrioti lands with a straight right. Thomas didn't see that one coming.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thomas. Kastrioti does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kastrioti misses the shot to the body.
Thomas takes a swing at Kastrioti's ribcage but misses.
Thomas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kastrioti was well out of range. Poor timing from Thomas.
Kastrioti misses with a looping left.
Kastrioti tests Thomas's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kastrioti throws a left and a right that both miss
and Thomas makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kastrioti throws a nice looking combination but Thomas bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Thomas avoids the body shot from Kastrioti.
Kastrioti blocks a jab.
Kastrioti swings for the body but Thomas moves out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kastrioti ducks under a wild hook from Thomas.
Thomas lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Thomas throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Good standup being displayed there by Thomas as he connects with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Doc Thomas dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kastrioti shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Thomas but Thomas pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Thomas scores with a hook.
Kastrioti lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Kastrioti tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Thomas was well out of range. Poor timing from Kastrioti.
Kastrioti misses with a two punch combination.
Kastrioti takes one to the side of the head.
Thomas with a nice cross.
Kastrioti thuds a left hand into Thomas's body.
Thomas swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A right-left combo lands from Kastrioti.
Thomas throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kastrioti stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kastrioti ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Thomas moves away.
Kastrioti throws a jab but it's blocked by Thomas.
Kastrioti is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Thomas lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kastrioti's sensitive parts.
Kastrioti on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Thomas. Thomas obviously looking to wear him down.
Thomas stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas misses with a looping right.
Thomas with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Thomas, as that shot connected.
Kastrioti takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kastrioti ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Thomas moves away.
Thomas takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Doc Thomas seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Thomas swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kastrioti looks to score with a jab to the body but Thomas is just out of range.
Thomas dodges the punch combination from Kastrioti.
Thomas looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kastrioti throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Thomas with a jab.
Kastrioti misses with a body shot.
Kastrioti slips under a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kastrioti's sensitive parts.
Kastrioti gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Thomas connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
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 scores with a hook to the body. Kastrioti takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kastrioti misses with a wild body shot.
Thomas swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kastrioti scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Kastrioti drives through with a takedown into Thomas's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Thomas holds on and takes a little breather.
Kastrioti wants to control from the top but Thomas keeps moving.
Kastrioti stays in close to Thomas's body and controls the position.

Thomas is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kastrioti defends well.
Thomas keeping moving, preventing Kastrioti from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Thomas bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kastrioti's guard.
Thomas in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Thomas stays in close to Kastrioti's body and controls the position.
Kastrioti working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Thomas.
Thomas content to stall in guard here.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Kastrioti keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Doc Thomas hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kastrioti.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gjergj Kastrioti. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed right hand from Thomas misses the target.
Kastrioti swings for the body but Thomas moves out of range.
Jab by Thomas.
Kastrioti misses with a jab, cross combination.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Kastrioti shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Thomas has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kastrioti is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Doc Thomas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Kastrioti swings for the body but Thomas moves out of range.
Thomas feints and then cracks Kastrioti's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kastrioti down.
Kastrioti changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kastrioti throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kastrioti tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Thomas was well out of range. Poor timing from Kastrioti.
Thomas scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kastrioti thows a body shot but no joy.
Kastrioti misses with a takedown
and Thomas counters with an inside leg kick.
Thomas leaves Kastrioti with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Thomas fails to land with a series of punches.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kastrioti but Kastrioti pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Thomas misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kastrioti bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Thomas's head backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kastrioti's head backwards.
Thomas keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gjergj Kastrioti. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kastrioti throws a shot from downtown. Thomas moves away and avoids it.
Kastrioti misses with a wild body shot.
Thomas throws a nice inside leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thomas keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Thomas avoids the body shot from Kastrioti.

Thomas is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kastrioti's half guard.
Thomas is thwarting Kastrioti's attempts to control the position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Thomas lands a nice short elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kastrioti is not content to let Thomas control the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thomas missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Thomas working over Kastrioti with some ground and pound. Kastrioti looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Thomas missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Thomas missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Thomas throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Thomas working the head and body with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kastrioti wants to control but Thomas is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Thomas stalling.
Thomas wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kastrioti keeps working.
Doc Thomas is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Doc Thomas has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Thomas is defended easily by Kastrioti.
Kastrioti shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Thomas as he jumps to the side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kastrioti comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kastrioti takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Thomas keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Thomas lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kastrioti will feel that in the morning.
Kastrioti keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A combination from Kastrioti does no damage.
Thomas scores with a hook to the body. Kastrioti takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kastrioti is looking to wear down Thomas with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jab from Thomas.
Thomas lands a right hook to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kastrioti ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gjergj Kastrioti has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kastrioti with a nice cross.

And that's the end of the fight!
Doc 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Doc Thomas!
Doc Thomas really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that - - - - - All Nutrients 160 - - - - - logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.