PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Egor Kochergin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Egor Kochergin will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Thomas
vs
Kochergin

190 cm
25
215 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
205 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Paul Thomas!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Egor Kochergin!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kochergin gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Thomas to score an easy takedown into full guard.

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 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 avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kochergin looks gassed!
Thomas passes Kochergin's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Thomas is working for a submission of some sort.
Thomas passes to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas cracks Kochergin with a big elbow.
Thomas cracks Kochergin with a big elbow.
Thomas working the body and head with strikes.
Thomas wants to control but Kochergin is keeping him busy.

Thomas is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kochergin has escaped the position, nice work there.
Check out the look on Thomas's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Thomas working the body and head with strikes.
Thomas taking a break here but Kochergin is having none of it and regains half guard.
Kochergin is staying active underneath Thomas, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Kochergin actively working from the bottom here.

Thomas is trying to work for a kimura but Kochergin is defending well.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Thomas connects with a nice short shot to Kochergin's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thomas is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kochergin sees it coming and defends easily.
Thomas seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Thomas is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kochergin has managed to free his arm - good work.

Thomas is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kochergin defends it well.
Thomas is nestled in close to Kochergin, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Thomas seems to be working for a kimura but Kochergin defends the submission attempt.
Kochergin has a hand on Thomas's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Thomas takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thomas swings around for an armbar and he's got it! Wow, that came out of nowhere! What a finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:30 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Paul Thomas!
Paul Thomas retains his light heavyweight title!
Paul Thomas decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.