PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ben Bitag (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Bitag
vs
Thomas

182 cm
27
150 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

190 cm
30
215 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

Damnfield clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ben Bitag!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Paul Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Josh West and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Thomas as Bitag shoots in.

Bitag gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Thomas to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Bitag 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. Bitag swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Thomas stands and throws Bitag's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Bitag tries to bench press Thomas off him but Thomas keeps the position.

Thomas working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Thomas working away.

Thomas wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Bitag, who protects the arm well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitag manages to work his way to half guard, despite Thomas's best efforts.

Thomas is looking for a kimura but Bitag is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Thomas to get the leverage.
Bitag is trying to get back to full guard.
Bitag is trying to maintain the position but Thomas is very close to passing his half guard.
Bitag is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Bitag on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Bitag trying to control here.

Thomas is looking for a kimura but Bitag is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Thomas to get the leverage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bitag trying to control here.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ben Bitag wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Thomas keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Thomas feints and as Bitag raises his hands in defense, Thomas changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bitag working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Thomas.
Thomas tries to free his leg and advance position but Bitag is retaining full guard.

Bitag escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Thomas gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Thomas trying to control but Bitag is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bitag is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Thomas defends well.
Bitag has momentary wrist control but Thomas slips an elbow through the middle.
Thomas scoring with punches to the head and body.

Thomas got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bitag has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Thomas has managed to get both his arms back between Bitag's legs - danger averted.
Bitag utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Thomas is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Bitag is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Bitag has escaped and now he's on top!
Bitag engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bitag in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bitag scoring with some ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thomas tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Thomas has his foot on Bitag's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bitag works his way back into a safe position though.
Thomas really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bitag. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Bitag wants to control from the top but Thomas keeps moving.
Bitag keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Thomas's head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bitag trying to control but Thomas is working from the bottom.
Thomas is trying to keep Bitag in close.
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 Ben Bitag will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Bitag shoots and misses

so Thomas counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Thomas prevents Bitag from getting back to his feet.

Bitag is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Bitag utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Bitag is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Thomas is aware though and is defending well.
Thomas wants to pass the guard but Bitag is keeping the position.
Bitag looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thomas stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bitag swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bitag wants to sweep but no luck.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thomas passes Bitag's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Bitag slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas cracks Bitag with a solid left hand.
Bitag tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bitag is trying to control the position but Thomas postures up.
Thomas looking to pass the guard.

Bitag 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. Oh but Bitag is tightening it up a little... Thomas has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Thomas reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Thomas taps out! Nice BJJ there by Bitag!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:45 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Ben Bitag!
Ben Bitag got down on his knees post fight and begged the management for a title shot. 'Please, I want that title shot so bad! Give it to me!'