PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ash Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bam Margera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Margera has chosen Slacker as his entrance music. Ash Thomas has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Thomas
vs
Margera

182 cm
39
178 lbs
34 - 16 - 0

183 cm
30
173 lbs
23 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 34 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ash Thomas!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bam Margera!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Elvis Blanc and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Donk. Thomas catches Margera right on the button with a cross.
Thomas misses with a low kick.

Thomas lands a big head kick that sends Margera tumbling to the mat! Thomas takes a step backwards and waves Margera back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Margera is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thomas scores with a leg kick.
Margera is still on wobbly legs! Can Thomas finish him?
Margera shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Thomas sprawls well. Thomas wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Margera gets slowly back to his feet.
Margera tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Thomas defends well and Margera ends up having to push Thomas into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Margera blocks an uppercut.
Margera seems to have recovered his senses.
Margera takes a shot to the head.
Thomas misses with a body punch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Thomas.

Margera pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Thomas throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
We've been told by Thomas's head coaches at Cus' Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Ash Thomas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Thomas with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Thomas swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A low kick from Thomas misses
and Margera counters with a nice leg kick.
Thomas uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Thomas fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Margera.
Thomas has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Margera finds it's way round the side to connect with Thomas's head.
Margera misses with a double jab
and Margera takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Margera uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Thomas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Margera misses with a series of wild punches.
Margera will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Margera fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Thomas to the ground. Margera is now in Thomas's guard.
Margera is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Margera working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Margera advances position into side control!
Margera lands some shots froms side control.

Margera tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Margera misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Margera throwing strikes but Thomas manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Thomas wants to lay and pray for a moment but Margera keeps working.
Margera is letting Thomas control him for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas wants to lay and pray for a moment but Margera keeps working.
Margera is looking to regain half guard here but Thomas keeps moving and retains side control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thomas staying calm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ash Thomas dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Thomas attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Margera blocks a jab.
Thomas slips a straight right by Margera.
Thomas lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Thomas slips a straight right by Margera.
Margera misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Thomas throws a half hearted mid kick.

Margera looking to score a takedown here. Thomas is defending well but Margera drives through and ends up in Thomas's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Margera preventing the sweep.
Margera with a flurry of punches that miss.
Margera is looking to work some ground and pound but Thomas has wrist control.
Margera connects with a couple of short punches.
Thomas looking for a sweep. Not yet Thomas, not yet.
Margera has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Thomas lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Margera!
Margera regains half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Margera is trying is best to control the position here.
Margera is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Thomas's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Thomas's back!
Margera softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Margera throwing sloppy strikes.
Margera is hanging on to Thomas's back as he tries to escape.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Margera. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Thomas covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Thomas trying to control the hands but Margera breaks the grip.
Margera looking to hold on to the position here but Thomas rolls and ends up regaining guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Margera is in close to Thomas's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Margera landing some decent shots from guard.
Thomas looking to control.
Margera is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Thomas on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Thomas tries to get out of the position.
Thomas working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Margera.
Thomas tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Margera trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Margera throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Margera trying to control but Thomas is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Margera loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Margera trying to control but Thomas is working from the bottom.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Thomas utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Margera throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Margera throws a strike but Thomas rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thomas stopping the sweep attempt from Margera.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thomas trying to control but Margera is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bam Margera showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Margera shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Thomas but Thomas pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Thomas looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Margera takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Margera displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Thomas scores with a push kick.
Margera goes for a double leg but Thomas avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Thomas continues to drive forward.
Margera letting Thomas take a breather here.
Margera looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Thomas misses with a punch on the inside.
Thomas tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Margera blocks a body shot from Thomas.
Thomas swings wildly with an uppercut but Margera uses good head movement to avoid it.
Margera has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Thomas after a bit of a struggle.
Ash Thomas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bam Margera.
Margera has Thomas pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Thomas manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Margera blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Thomas working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Margera tries to break free but Thomas pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Margera is trying to drag Thomas to the mat but Thomas just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Margera wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Margera is trying to drag Thomas to the mat but Thomas just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Thomas is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Margera is keeping busy.
Nice body punch from Thomas.

Margera breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Margera.
Margera throws a series of punches but Thomas moves out of range.
Thomas clobbers Margera with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Thomas lands with an overhand left.
Thomas scores with a shot to the body.
Margera misses with a combination
and Margera takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Thomas dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Margera. That did some damage!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Margera misses with a combination
and Thomas counters with an outside leg kick.
Margera takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thomas cracks Margera with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Margera looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Thomas finish him?
Margera lands with a good body shot.
Thomas misses with a hook.
Thomas lands a body shot.
Margera keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Thomas misses with a hook. Margera ducked under it nicely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thomas motions for Margera to come forward. Thomas throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Margera jabbing away but nothing is landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ash Thomas clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A lazy left from Thomas finds it's target.
Thomas scores with a hook to the body. Margera takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Thomas thows a leg kick but Margera checks it

and Margera counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Thomas looking to hit a scissor sweep but Margera is one step ahead there.

Margera drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Thomas dives on top into guard.
Thomas tries to free his leg and advance position but Margera is retaining full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
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 stopping the sweep attempt from Margera.
Thomas tries to free his leg and advance position but Margera is retaining full guard.

Thomas stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Thomas attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Thomas misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Margera throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Thomas tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Margera with a nice cross.
Ash Thomas is winning the standup battle so far.
Thomas throws a head kick that misses.
Thomas misses with a leg kick

so Margera counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Bam Margera has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Margera distracts Thomas with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Margera scoring with some ground and pound.
Thomas wants to sweep but no luck.
Thomas keeping moving, preventing Margera from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Margera drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Thomas manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Margera has Thomas in his guard.

Margera looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Margera keeping full guard, as Thomas tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Margera keeping moving, preventing Thomas from controlling successfully.
Thomas is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Ash Thomas has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Thomas uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Margera.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Margera digs a good hook to Thomas's body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bam Margera dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Margera with a hook.
Thomas looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Margera takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Margera throws a big shot that misses.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Margera crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Thomas - the referee stops the clock and Margera gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Thomas. Margera manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Margera drops his hands momentarily and Thomas takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Thomas fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Margera.
Margera throws a nice looking combination but Thomas bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Good leg kick by Thomas there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Margera misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Thomas counters with an inside leg kick.
Margera is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Margera has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Thomas.
Bam Margera is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thomas is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
No joy there for Margera, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Thomas connects with the punch.
Margera shoots for a double leg takedown but Thomas sprawls well. He's pushed Margera's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Margera throws a body punch but Thomas moves out of range.
Thomas scores with a kick to the midsection.
Thomas throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Margera has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Thomas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thomas throws a head kick but Margera moves out of range.
Thomas scores with a kick to the body.
Thomas looks to land a left hand but Margera moved out of range nicely.
Thomas throws a nice inside leg kick.
A left lands for Thomas.
Thomas cracks Margera with a nasty uppercut that draws ooohs from the crowd and sends Margera tumbling backwards onto the mat. He tries to recover but Thomas pounces and lands a hail of unanswered strikes that forces the referee to step in to end the fight! Margera is not happy but he gave the referee no choice!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:53 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ash Thomas!
Ash Thomas retains his welterweight title!
In his post fight interview, Ash Thomas started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.