PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joe Thompson (ranked 7127 p4p, 605 weight class) and Blake Hanson (ranked 5147 p4p, 552 weight class). Joe Thompson had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 206.0lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. The key to victory for Joe Thompson has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Thompson
vs
Hanson

199 cm
20
216 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

199 cm
23
215 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Very confident

Arcticus University: London

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joe Thompson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Blake Hanson!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Alyssa Summers and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hanson gets a clinch.

Hanson drags the fight down to the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thompson preventing the sweep.
Thompson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hanson has Thompson pulled in close to control his posture.
Thompson working some strikes from top position.
Thompson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Thompson throwing strikes but missing.
Thompson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Thompson trying to control but Hanson is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hanson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thompson is one step ahead there.
Thompson trying to control but Hanson is working from the bottom.
Thompson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Thompson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We've been hearing that Thompson has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Hanson pulls Thompson in close to prevent any damage.
Thompson postures up in Hanson's guard and throws a big left but Hanson blocks it.
Thompson wants to control from the top but Hanson keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hanson darts in looking for a takedown but Thompson gets double underhooks and turns Hanson into the cage.
It looked like Thompson was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

That's two 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.

Hanson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Hanson trying to control but Thompson is working from the bottom.
Thompson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hanson cracks Thompson with a solid left hand.
Hanson lands a couple of elbows.

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

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thompson wants to control from the top but Hanson keeps moving.
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 Joe Thompson will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Thompson fails with a takedown attempt.
Hanson misses with a double jab.
Thompson slaps away a takedown attempt from Hanson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Thompson is looking to counter punch.
Joe Thompson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thompson throws a left and a right that both miss
and Hanson counters with a two punch combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hanson.
Thompson tries to counter with a takedown but Hanson is quick to defend against it.
Hanson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanson moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Thompson blocks a head kick by Hanson.

Hanson drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Thompson wants to get back to his feet but Hanson drags him back down.

Hanson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Thompson is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Hanson asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson is trying to improve his position.
Thompson is not content to let Hanson control the position.
Thompson regains half guard there - taking advantage of Hanson's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hanson trying to control from half guard but Thompson is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blake Hanson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hanson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Thompson misses with a takedown attempt - Hanson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Thompson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hanson.
Thompson tries to counter with a takedown but Hanson is quick to defend against it.
Hanson misses with the combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hanson connects with a right hand. Thompson shakes it off.
Hanson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanson fails with the takedown.
Thompson tries to counter by clinching up but Hanson breaks away and moves out of range.
Thompson connects with the punch.
Thompson has a takedown stuffed.
A right-left combo lands from Hanson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Thompson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Hanson stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Thompson moves out of range of the body kick from Hanson.
Thompson tries to counter with a takedown but Hanson is quick to defend against it.
Hanson misses with a head kick.
Hanson wants to clinch.
Blake Hanson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hanson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Thompson throws out the jab.
Hanson unleashes a big counter combination but Thompson bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blake Hanson really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Thompson is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Nice takedown defense from Thompson. No joy for Hanson on that attempt.
Thompson appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Thompson misses with a double jab.
Thompson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Thompson fakes the leg kick and cracks Hanson in the body.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Thompson, as that shot connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hanson fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson lands with a right hand.
Thompson swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Hanson forces Thompson back against the cage and clinches.

Thompson pulls guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Thompson is on top in guard.

Thompson is fighting to break Hanson's control of his arms but Hanson is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Thompson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Hanson has his foot on Thompson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Thompson works his way back into a safe position though.

Hanson has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Thompson is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Hanson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Thompson.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Thompson wants to get back to striking at distance but Hanson won't allow it.
Thompson goes for a takedown attempt but Hanson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Nice body punch from Hanson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Thompson had his way with Blake Hanson in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Thompson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Nice sprawl there from Thompson as Hanson shoots in.
Hanson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hanson moves to clinch but Thompson breaks away
and Thompson counters with a nice uppercut.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hanson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson shoots in looking for a takedown. Hanson tries to sprawl out of it but Thompson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hanson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hanson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Thompson to the mat! Thompson manages to get full guard.

Hanson drops back, looking for a kneebar! Thompson looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Thompson looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Thompson!

Thompson is trying to move to mount but Hanson reverses beautifully and ends up in Thompson's guard.

Hanson postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Thompson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Hanson, into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanson trying to keep a closed guard but Thompson is proving a slippery customer.
Thompson looking to sit in guard and control but Hanson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Hanson gets to his feet - Thompson follows without any prompting.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Thompson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Hanson counters with a series of strikes. Thompson will be more careful next time no doubt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Blake Hanson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hanson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight for Blake Hanson!
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight for Blake Hanson!
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight for Blake Hanson!

Blake Hanson wins by unanimous decision!