PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ronnie Dio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thomas comes into the arena with a violent reaction blaring out of the sound system. James Thomas could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Ronnie Dio's chin.

Thomas
vs
Dio

225 cm
18
281 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Thomas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ronnie Dio!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Chris Downing and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dio throws a left and a right that both miss

and Thomas holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Thomas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dio should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Dio shoots in for a takedown but Thomas shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Thomas has Dio up against the cage in a clinch.

Dio pulls guard effortlessly.
Dio looking for a sweep. Not yet Dio, not yet.

Dio working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Thomas doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Thomas manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thomas not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thomas trying to control but Dio is working from the bottom.
Thomas slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomas drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Thomas jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Dio has his foot on Thomas's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Thomas works his way back into a safe position though.
Thomas stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dio swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Dio managing to control the position.
Thomas really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Thomas avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dio utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Thomas trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Thomas stands up and waves to Dio to follow him.
Dio stuffs the takedown attempt from Thomas. Thomas gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice sprawl there from Dio as Thomas shoots in.

Thomas gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dio changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Thomas fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Thomas fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Thomas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dio fails with the takedown.
Thomas throws a leg kick but Dio sees it coming and moves out of range.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Dio as he avoids it easily.
Thomas is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Thomas slaps away a takedown attempt from Dio, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown but Dio shows good takedown defense.
Thomas is breathing heavily.
Thomas stuffs the takedown.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Dio.
Dio tries to score a power double leg takedown but Thomas sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dio somewhat.
Dio misses with a takedown attempt - Thomas sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Dio moves into the clinch.
Thomas prevents the takedown attempt.
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 James Thomas will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Thomas fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Dio has his takedown stuffed

and Thomas counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Thomas trying to control the position from guard on top but Dio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of James Thomas.
Dio misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Dio.
Dio shoots in for a double leg but Thomas sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
James Thomas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ronnie Dio.
Dio lands a two punch combo.

It looks like James Thomas has been cut.

Dio gets tackled into the cage by Thomas. Thomas maintains the clinch.
Thomas tries to work over Dio's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Come on Dio - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Thomas stalling the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dio fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Dio tries for a takedown but Thomas manages to get underhooks.
Thomas tries to score a body lock takedown but Dio shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Thomas breaks from the clinch.
Dio stuffs the takedown.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Horrible takedown by Dio or perhaps it was just good defense by Thomas which made him look bad.
Thomas tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Dio swivels and escapes.
Dio tries to close the distance and clinch but Thomas swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Thomas shoots in and gets a takedown into Dio's guard.
Thomas makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Dio wants to stand but Thomas is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dio keeping moving, preventing Thomas from controlling successfully.
Dio wants to sweep here but Thomas controlling him for the moment.
Dio is looking to stand up but Thomas isn't so interested in that idea.
Dio pulls Thomas in close to prevent any damage.
Dio looking for a sweep. Not yet Dio, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Thomas shoots in but Dio avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Thomas shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Thomas is defended easily by Dio.
Thomas tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Dio tries to clinch up but Thomas circles away and keeps his distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Dio. Thomas shrugs it off though.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Thomas gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Dio to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Dio trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ronnie Dio will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on James Thomas's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

A head kick misses from Dio.
Dio staying out of range there.
Dio throws a series of punches but Thomas avoids them all with ease.
Dio dives in and grabs Thomas's left leg, looking for a takedown. Thomas pushes down on Dio's head and hops out.
Dio tries for a takedown but Thomas circles away easily
and Thomas counters with a solid body kick.
Dio displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Thomas.
Thomas dives in and grabs Dio's left leg, looking for a takedown. Dio pushes down on Thomas's head and hops out.
Thomas looks to score with a jab to the body but Dio is just out of range.
Dio shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dio fails to land the takedown.
James Thomas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ronnie Dio.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas blocks a head kick by Dio.
Thomas stuns Dio with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Thomas jabs Dio to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Dio misses with a kick to the body

and Thomas counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Thomas will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Thomas working the head and body with strikes.
Dio wants to get back to full guard.
Dio is trying to maintain the position but Thomas is very close to passing his half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thomas wants to take a breather but Dio is having none of it.
Dio is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Dio.
Dio blocking the ground and pound attempt from Thomas.
Dio tries to roll over but Thomas keeps him under control.
Dio trying to control here.
Thomas wants to take a breather but Dio is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Dio fails with the takedown.
Dio shoots in but no luck this time.
Dio wants to clinch.
Dio stuffs the takedown.
Dio tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Thomas misses with a takedown attempt - Dio sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nice sprawl there from Thomas as Dio shoots in.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Thomas looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Dio changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Thomas tries to avoid it but Dio manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Thomas to the ground. Thomas escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Thomas misses with a head kick.

Dio closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Thomas's guard.
Thomas is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Dio trying to control but Thomas is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dio wants to stand but Thomas is controlling his posture from full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Thomas showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Thomas has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Thomas!
James Thomas took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.