PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Clay Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ilya Murometz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Clay Thomas has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Thomas
vs
Murometz

200 cm
25
275 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

195 cm
24
280 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Clay Thomas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ilya Murometz!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Dean Styles and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murometz listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

Thomas darts in and clinches Murometz up against the cage.
Thomas blocks a body shot from Murometz.
Murometz throws a head punch that misses.
Thomas is working for takedown but Murometz is calmly controlling the position for now.
Murometz misses with some punches.
Thomas blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Murometz tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Thomas's elbow.
Murometz lands a right hand that snaps the head of Thomas backwards.
Murometz tries to throw a body punch but Thomas avoids it by throwing Murometz back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Murometz.
Murometz prevents a takedown attempt there.
Thomas tries a body shot but Murometz blocks it.
Murometz misses with a punch on the inside.
Murometz lands a body punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Murometz.
Murometz misses with some punches.
Thomas is struggling to control the position.
Thomas jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Murometz walks away with a smile on his face. Thomas gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Clay Thomas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice combination there by Thomas.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomas gets a clinch.
Murometz works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Murometz lands a right hand that snaps the head of Thomas backwards.
Murometz just leaning against Thomas, taking a breather.
Murometz throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Thomas is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Murometz lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Murometz tries to work over Thomas's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Thomas is looking to control Murometz's arms but Murometz gets an underhook and turns him. Now Thomas has his back to the cage.
Murometz tries a body shot but Thomas blocks it.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Murometz lands a body punch in the clinch.
Murometz tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Murometz misses with a punch on the inside.
Murometz lands a hook to the side of the head.
Murometz misses with a body punch.
Murometz tries to throw a body punch but Thomas avoids it by throwing Murometz back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas tries to throw a body punch but Murometz avoids it by throwing Thomas back against the cage.
Murometz is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Thomas is defending well for now.
Thomas blocks a body shot from Murometz.
Murometz looking to throw knees to the head but Thomas is blocking nicely.
Murometz drops down looking for an ankle pick but Thomas pulls his leg out and moves away.
Thomas throws a nice inside leg kick.
No joy there for Thomas, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Thomas lands a lovely overhand right.
Thomas throws a sloppy head kick and Murometz moves out of range easily.
A jab from Murometz misses.
Murometz slips a straight right by Thomas.
Murometz scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Murometz looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Murometz wants to take a breather but Thomas is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murometz wants to pass to mount but Thomas is defending the position.
Thomas has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Murometz is working away from the top position though.
Thomas is trying is best to control the position here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Thomas manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Murometz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Thomas swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Murometz looking to sit in guard and control but Thomas gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Thomas avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Murometz keeps moving.
Thomas stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Murometz swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Murometz looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thomas is one step ahead there.
Thomas working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Thomas stands up from Murometz's guard - Thomas perhaps looking for a knockout.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Thomas tries to bum rush Murometz with a series of wild strikes but Murometz uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Murometz scores with a jab.
Clay Thomas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Thomas instigates a clinch.
Murometz gets underhooks to prevent Thomas's takedown attempt.
A right hand to the body from Murometz.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Murometz lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Thomas.
A shot in the inside from Murometz.
Murometz tries to land knees in the clinch but Thomas avoids the damage to the body.
Murometz tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Murometz misses with a punch to the body.
Murometz lands a right hand.
Thomas goes for a takedown in the clinch but Murometz prevents it.
Murometz works on Thomas's body with a couple of short punches.
Ilya Murometz seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Murometz is leaning against Thomas and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thomas on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murometz misses with a punch to the body.
Murometz is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A body shot lands from Murometz.
Murometz tries to land knees in the clinch but Thomas avoids the damage to the body.
Murometz misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Murometz tries to work over Thomas's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Murometz lands a right hand.
Murometz content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Murometz works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Murometz can't find room to land a body shot as Thomas controls the action.
Murometz throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Murometz goes for a takedown attempt but Thomas pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Clay Thomas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Thomas moves into the clinch.
Thomas blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Murometz.
Murometz lands with a left to the head.
Murometz tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Murometz is stalling here.

Thomas's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Thomas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Murometz was well out of range. Poor timing from Thomas.
Murometz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Murometz has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Thomas misses with a wild body shot.
Murometz lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Thomas circles away quickly and effectively.

Thomas rushes Murometz and presses him up against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Murometz.
Knees to the body from Murometz.
Murometz lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Nice body punch from Murometz.
Murometz lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Murometz throws an elbow but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Murometz turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Murometz wants to control but Thomas is keeping him busy.
Thomas avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Murometz.
You can see the frustration on Thomas's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Murometz is staying tight to Thomas's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Murometz trying to control the position but Thomas is working away.
Murometz controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Murometz is trying to get an arm triangle but Thomas is defending well.
Murometz tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Murometz is staying tight to Thomas's torso, preventing him from escaping.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thomas wants to get back to his feet but Murometz drags him back down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ilya Murometz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Murometz connects with an inside leg kick.
Murometz is looking to chop away at Thomas's legs.

Thomas clinches up against the cage.
Thomas blocks a body shot from Murometz.
Thomas blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Thomas blocks an elbow strike from Murometz.
Murometz scores with a nice hook to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Murometz creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Murometz misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Thomas.
Thomas blocks a body shot from Murometz.
Murometz lands a body punch.
Thomas looking for a takedown.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Murometz lands a hook to the side of the head.

Murometz turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Murometz manages to end up in side control.
Murometz advances to full mount.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Murometz controlling from mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas is squirming around, avoiding Murometz's attempts to control the action.

Murometz working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murometz throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

Murometz jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Thomas is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Thomas and Murometz has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Thomas manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Ilya Murometz is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Murometz trying to control from the bottom.
Murometz tries to roll over but Thomas keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas is just content to waste time from the top position. Murometz takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Clay Thomas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thomas wants to stand but Murometz is controlling his posture from full guard.
Murometz is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Thomas is controlling him.
Thomas's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Murometz is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Murometz keeps moving.

We're going to have a standup here because Clay Thomas wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Thomas throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Murometz's waist but Murometz gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Thomas off to one side.

Murometz moves into the clinch successfully.
Murometz tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Murometz prevents a body shot from Thomas.
Murometz scores with a shot to the side of Thomas's head.
Thomas wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Murometz is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Thomas pulls him back up using the underhooks.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thomas is trying to pull guard but Murometz turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Clay Thomas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Murometz goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Murometz misses with a body punch.
Murometz taking a breather.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ilya Murometz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Murometz 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ilya Murometz!
After the big win, Ilya Murometz made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Mango Nutrition (90% Laundry) and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.