PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Phil Gravus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and AJ Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gravus
vs
Thompson

188 cm
22
200 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

188 cm
19
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Phil Gravus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, AJ Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Paul Tew and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gravus moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Gravus shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Gravus showed some decent athleticism there.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Gravus is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Thompson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Gravus seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Phil Gravus just wasn't active enough.
Gravus scores with a head kick. Thompson tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

It looks like AJ Thompson has been cut.

Gravus bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Gravus takes a little break here. Thompson wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Gravus working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as Gravus stalls from top position.
Thompson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Thompson trying to remain calm as Gravus controls from the top position.
Thompson manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gravus is looking to improve his position.

Thompson wants to work for an arm triangle but Gravus is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gravus wants to get back to his feet.
Gravus is trying to get back to full guard.
Thompson tries to stand and escape but Gravus is controlling the position.
Thompson prevents Gravus from improving his position.
Thompson has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Gravus works to full guard.
Thompson trying to control the position from guard on top but Gravus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gravus pulls Thompson in close to his closed guard and prevents Thompson from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gravus wants to sweep but no luck.
Thompson trying to control the position from guard on top but Gravus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up. AJ Thompson was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Gravus misses with a head kick.
Gravus takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Phil Gravus has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thompson is looking to clinch but Gravus is avoiding it.
Thompson moves into range and connects with a jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thompson takes a swing at Gravus's ribcage but misses.
AJ Thompson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thompson dives in and grabs Gravus's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gravus pushes down on Thompson's head and hops out.
Thompson's corner calls for a 1-2. Thompson obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Phil Gravus will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Thompson misses with a takedown

and Gravus counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Thompson!
Gravus prevents Thompson from getting the reversal.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gravus controlling from the full mount.
Gravus has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Gravus has control of Thompson's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Thompson regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gravus lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Gravus controlling the pace for now.
Thompson really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Gravus misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson is looking to get to half guard.

Gravus is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Thompson has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Thompson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gravus raining down shots from the mount!
Gravus controlling the pace for now.
Thompson holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Gravus tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gravus thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Gravus unloads with some shots from mount but Thompson bucks and avoids them well.
Thompson bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Thompson trying to control the position from guard on top but Gravus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Phil Gravus overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Thompson tries to stand but Gravus is controlling from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gravus is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Thompson looking to sit in guard and control but Gravus gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Gravus controls from within his opponent's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thompson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phil Gravus dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Gravus tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Thompson paws at him with a jab and circles away.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Thompson enables Gravus to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Thompson manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Gravus's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Thompson wants to sweep here but Gravus controlling him for the moment.
Gravus loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Thompson is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Thompson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gravus wants to pass the guard but Thompson is keeping the position.
Gravus would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson trying to control the position.

Thompson is looking to sinch up a triangle. Gravus throws the leg off to one side though and gets in tight to Thompson's body to avoid the submission. Thompson has instead reached around Gravus's neck and now has a guillotine! Oh, this is biiiig trouble! Thompson arches his back and squeezes and forces the tap from his hapless opponent.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:39 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). AJ Thompson!
AJ Thompson seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.