PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pete Mercury (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and De Anthony Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thomas has chosen Green & Yellow (Ducks remix) as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Mercury
vs
Anthony Thomas

168 cm
25
188 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
25
192 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Prefers standup

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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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Pete Mercury!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, De Anthony Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Jeff Smith and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mercury looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Thomas lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Thomas.
Thomas misses with a body shot.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mercury.
Mercury dodges the punch combination from Thomas.
Thomas fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Mercury looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Mercury fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Thomas avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pete Mercury. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thomas staying out of range there.
Thomas will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Thomas tries a low kick but Mercury avoids it.
Thomas lands a nice hook to Mercury's body. Mercury takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Thomas misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mercury.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercury takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Thomas lands a nice shot to the body.
Thomas pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Mercury back to the cage. Thomas follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Thomas tries to bum rush Mercury with a series of wild strikes but Mercury uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Thomas uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mercury.
De Anthony Thomas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thomas shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Mercury eats them both and turns towards Thomas to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Thomas digs a good body shot into Mercury's ribs.
Mercury dives in and grabs Thomas's left leg, looking for a takedown. Thomas pushes down on Mercury's head and hops out.
De Anthony Thomas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thomas slaps away a takedown attempt from Mercury, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Thomas misses with a double jab.
Mercury misses with a straight right.
Thomas avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Sloppy strikes from Thomas. Those never looked like landing.

Mercury fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Thomas, pushing him back against the cage.
Mercury tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mercury gets control of Thomas's arms and successfully pulls guard. Mercury will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Thomas wants to pass the guard but Mercury is keeping the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Mercury keeps moving.
Thomas won't allow Mercury to sweep him here.
Mercury is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mercury looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thomas is one step ahead there.
Thomas sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. De Anthony Thomas wasn't active enough on the ground.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Thomas!
Thomas misses with a low kick.
Thomas does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Thomas misses with a series of wild punches.
Thomas throws a series of punches but Mercury moves out of range.
Mercury looks to land a left hand but Thomas moved out of range nicely.
Mercury shoots in and drives through. Thomas sprawls well.
Thomas misses with a jab, cross combination.
Thomas stalks Mercury and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Mercury's face. Mercury staggers backwards, shaken.
Thomas throws a right and a left that Mercury avoids nicely.
Mercury will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Thomas is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Mercury rather than just go for the knockout.
Thomas cracks a nice hook into Mercury's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Thomas. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Thomas.
Mercury avoids the body shot from Thomas.
Mercury takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Thomas's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Thomas duly obliges.
Thomas's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Thomas duly obliges.

Thomas has managed to clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mercury trying to control the position but instead, Thomas has worked for underhooks and has pushed Mercury into the cage.
Thomas tries to break the clinch but Mercury is controlling the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thomas is trying to break the clinch but Mercury has him pressed against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Thomas's face as he tries to break the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Mercury creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Thomas has a couple of punches blocked by Mercury.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

De Anthony Thomas dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Thomas steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mercury.
Mercury throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Thomas fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Thomas uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Mercury has time to react.
De Anthony Thomas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thomas misses with a jab, cross combination.
Thomas fails to land with a series of punches.
Mercury connects with a body shot.
Thomas digs a good body shot into Mercury's ribs.
Mercury tries to close the distance and clinch but Thomas swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Thomas slips under a jab.
Mercury misses with a wild body shot.
Mercury avoids a kick to the body.
Thomas misses with a double jab.
Thomas misses the shot to the body.
Thomas scores with a nice right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercury punishes Thomas's body with a nice straight punch.
Thomas throws a right and a left that Mercury avoids nicely.
Thomas stuffs the takedown.
A combination from Thomas does no damage.
Thomas lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Mercury lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Thomas circles away quickly and effectively.
Thomas misses with a wild body shot.
Mercury misses with a wild body shot.
Thomas misses with a jab, cross combination.
Thomas lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Thomas misses with a jab, cross combination.
Thomas is breathing heavily.
Thomas lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mercury circles away quickly and effectively.
Mercury misses with a hook. Thomas ducked under it nicely.
Mercury is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Thomas's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Nice straight punches there by Thomas. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Thomas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas lands a jab to Mercury's midsection.
Thomas scores with a jab to the jaw.
Mercury shoots in looking for a takedown but Thomas manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mercury's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Thomas rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mercury moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Thomas scores with a jab to the head.
Mercury loads up on a big right hand but Thomas slips the punch.
Left hook, right uppercut from Thomas.
Good work by Mercury as he checks the leg kick.
Mercury takes one on the chin but seems OK.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mercury shoots in for a takedown but Thomas shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pete Mercury. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thomas lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Mercury backs up against the cage.
Thomas staying out of range there.
Mercury cracks Thomas with an open hand slap.
Thomas moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Mercury throws a right and a left that Thomas avoids nicely.
Thomas scores with a jab to the body.
Jab, jab by Thomas - just one landing.
Thomas takes one on the button.
Thomas tries a low kick but Mercury avoids it.
Mercury takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Mercury 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 Mercury off to one side.
Mercury tests Thomas's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Thomas misses with a jab, cross combination.
Thomas tests Mercury's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas throws a series of strikes that have Mercury backpedaling.
Thomas is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Thomas dodges the punch combination from Mercury.
Thomas scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Mercury misses with a straight right.
Thomas feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Mercurys jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Thomas is working the combinations to good effect here.
Mercury throws the left hand but Thomas avoids the punch easily.
Mercury fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Thomas on the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A left and a right from Thomas both land. Nice combination.
Thomas connects with a looping right hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thomas getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Thomas fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Thomas misses with the combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

De Anthony Thomas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Mercury shoots in but no luck this time.
De Anthony Thomas seems to be getting the better of the standup.
An inside leg kick from Thomas misses.
Thomas throws a right hand that Mercury ducks under and follows up with a left that Mercury also avoids with ease.
Thomas lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Mercury lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Thomas scores with a hook to the body. Mercury takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Mercury shoots for a double leg takedown but Thomas sprawls well. He's pushed Mercury's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mercury misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pete Mercury. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mercury shoots in for a takedown but Thomas shows good takedown defense.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thomas misses with a wild combination.
Thomas is looking to slow Mercury down with leg kicks.
A nice combination there by Thomas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas lands a slapping body shot.
A combination from Thomas does no damage.
Mercury looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Thomas will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mercury will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Thomas bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Mercury's head.
Thomas keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mercury takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Thomas lands with a shot to the body.
Thomas wants to clinch up but Mercury keeps it at a distance.
Thomas lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Thomas.
Thomas has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Mercury looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Thomas is fending him off so far but Mercury persists. Nope, Thomas circles away and we're back to standing.
Thomas swinging wildly here.
Danga de danga de dang - Thomas scores with a four punch combination!
Thomas stuffs the takedown.
Mercury dodges the punch combination from Thomas.
Mercury avoids the head kick by Thomas.
Some bone on bone action there as Mercury checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Thomas throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mercury.
Mercury is looking to clinch.
Thomas misses with a few strikes there.
Thomas takes a swing at Mercury's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas fails to land with a series of punches.
Mercury misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mercury misses with a wild body shot.
Mercury has a takedown stuffed.
Thomas connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Mercury's hands.
Thomas throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mercury swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mercury takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Mercury avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Some wild striking there from Thomas.
Thomas misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Mercury shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Thomas digs a good hook to Mercury's body.
Thomas misses with the combination.
Thomas stuffs the takedown attempt from Mercury. Mercury gets slowly back to his feet.
Mercury takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Mercury gets a clinch.
Mercury fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Pete Mercury has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
De Anthony Thomas is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Mercury drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Thomas gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Thomas wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
De Anthony Thomas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Thomas 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... De Anthony Thomas!
Post fight, an emotional De Anthony Thomas said 'First, I wanna shout out to all the Oregon Duck fans and supporters. We couldn't do it without you. Ok maybe. But, the support helps. Next, I'd like to thank my manager David Swain, best manager a fighter could have. Now, I'd like to thank coach Chip Kelley for turning our Ducks into national co'.