PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gordon Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrey Aralashnovyisw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gordon Thomas has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Thomas
vs
Aralashnovyisw

225 cm
18
300 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

199 cm
20
298 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Heavy handed

DTD Clothing
DTD 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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gordon Thomas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Andrey Aralashnovyisw!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Luis Engracia and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thomas doesn't manage to clinch there - Aralashnovyisw circles away.

Thomas scores with a takedown into Aralashnovyisw's guard.
Aralashnovyisw looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Thomas stopping the sweep attempt from Aralashnovyisw.
Aralashnovyisw is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Thomas wants to get up but he can't break Aralashnovyisw's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Aralashnovyisw wants to sweep here but Thomas controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aralashnovyisw working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aralashnovyisw throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Aralashnovyisw looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Thomas postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Aralashnovyisw is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Thomas, into his guard.
Thomas is breathing heavily.
Aralashnovyisw wants to stand and escape but instead Thomas has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Thomas throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aralashnovyisw working a defensive guard here.
Thomas will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Aralashnovyisw keeping moving, preventing Thomas from controlling successfully.

Aralashnovyisw looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Thomas trying to control the position from guard on top but Aralashnovyisw is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Aralashnovyisw looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Thomas passes into half guard.
Thomas throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thomas seems to be working for a kimura but Aralashnovyisw defends the submission attempt.
Thomas wants to stand up but Aralashnovyisw has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Aralashnovyisw looks like he's trying to stand up.
Thomas throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Thomas with the ground and pound but Aralashnovyisw uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Aralashnovyisw is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Thomas trying to control but Aralashnovyisw is working from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Aralashnovyisw walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Thomas checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Thomas throws a nice looking combination but Aralashnovyisw bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gordon Thomas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aralashnovyisw misses with a takedown attempt
and Thomas counters with a two punch combo.
Aralashnovyisw is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Thomas wants to clinch up but Aralashnovyisw keeps it at a distance.
Aralashnovyisw throws a series of punches but Thomas avoids them all with ease.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thomas swats away the attempt to clinch by Aralashnovyisw.
Aralashnovyisw moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
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 Gordon Thomas will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A combination from Thomas does no damage.
Aralashnovyisw closes the distance but Thomas moves to the side

and Thomas counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Aralashnovyisw trying to control but Thomas postures up.
Aralashnovyisw is trying to stand back up but Thomas is controlling him
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Aralashnovyisw can do anything to dispel that myth.
Thomas is thwarting Aralashnovyisw's attempts to control the position.
Aralashnovyisw is trying to stand.
Aralashnovyisw tries to roll over but Thomas keeps him under control.
Aralashnovyisw taking some punishment here, with Thomas in his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aralashnovyisw wants to control but Thomas is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thomas is trying to control the action in half guard but Aralashnovyisw is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Thomas doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Aralashnovyisw counters with a nice body shot.
Thomas falls off balance throwing a combination
and Aralashnovyisw counters with a two punch combo.
Thomas lands a jab.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Aralashnovyisw as he jumps to the side.

Thomas looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Aralashnovyisw trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Aralashnovyisw works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Thomas gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Thomas clinches.
Aralashnovyisw drops down looking for an ankle pick but Thomas pulls his leg out and moves away.
Thomas fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gordon Thomas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aralashnovyisw shoots and misses

and Thomas counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Thomas distracts Aralashnovyisw with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Thomas is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Aralashnovyisw has Thomas pulled in close to control his posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aralashnovyisw trying to control the position.
Thomas trying to control the position from guard on top but Aralashnovyisw is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Aralashnovyisw 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.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Thomas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Aralashnovyisw working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Thomas.

Thomas postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Aralashnovyisw is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Thomas, into his guard.
Aralashnovyisw trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Aralashnovyisw postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Aralashnovyisw wants to control from the top but Thomas keeps moving.
Thomas manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Aralashnovyisw looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gordon Thomas dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Aralashnovyisw fails with the takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

Aralashnovyisw gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Thomas fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Aralashnovyisw jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Thomas walks away with a smile on his face. Aralashnovyisw gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Aralashnovyisw gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Thomas counters with a left to the body.
Gordon Thomas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrey Aralashnovyisw.

Thomas closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Thomas tries to pull guard but Aralashnovyisw won't allow it.
Aralashnovyisw tries to pull guard but Thomas holds him up against the cage and eventually Aralashnovyisw drops back down to his feet.
Thomas stops a takedown attempt from Aralashnovyisw.

Thomas pulls guard.
Thomas working a defensive guard here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomas is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Aralashnovyisw jumps guard.

Thomas stands up and waves to Aralashnovyisw to follow him.
Thomas throws a left and a right that both miss

so Aralashnovyisw counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Aralashnovyisw thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thomas controls Aralashnovyisw momentarily but Aralashnovyisw frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thomas working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Aralashnovyisw doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Aralashnovyisw manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Aralashnovyisw pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Thomas is keeping the position for now.
Aralashnovyisw with a flurry of punches that miss.

Aralashnovyisw 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 Aralashnovyisw has Thomas in his guard.
Aralashnovyisw working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aralashnovyisw looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Aralashnovyisw wants to stand up but Thomas is controlling him.
Aralashnovyisw preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Aralashnovyisw throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Thomas trying to control the position from guard on top but Aralashnovyisw is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Aralashnovyisw managing to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Aralashnovyisw keeps moving.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Aralashnovyisw wants to clinch up but Thomas keeps it at a distance.

Thomas scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Gordon Thomas overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Thomas postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Aralashnovyisw to stand up.

Thomas closes the distance and clinches.

Aralashnovyisw manages to pull guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Thomas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Andrey Aralashnovyisw has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gordon Thomas is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thomas stays in close to Aralashnovyisw's body and controls the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Gordon Thomas.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Thomas, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:28
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gordon Thomas!