PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Clay Thompson (ranked 5699 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mahamadou Diarra (ranked 4430 p4p, 0 weight class). Clay Thompson has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Thompson
vs
Diarra

180 cm
18
165 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

178 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good knees
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Clay Thompson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mahamadou Diarra!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Dirk Anderson and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diarra fails to land the takedown.
Diarra fails with a takedown attempt.
Thompson feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Diarra's calf.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diarra misses with a takedown attempt
and Thompson counters with a low kick, right behind Diarra 's knee.
Clay Thompson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mahamadou Diarra.
Diarra slips under a jab.
Diarra shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Thompson counters with a nice kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A countering left hand to the body from Diarra misses.
Diarra closes this distance looking for a takedown but Thompson circles away.
Thompson misses with a body shot.
Thompson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Diarra is trying hard to land a takedown here. Thompson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Thompson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Thompson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but Diarra blocks it.
Thompson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Diarra keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Thompson's efforts to push away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diarra drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Thompson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Thompson has had enough of the clinch but Diarra keeps him there for the moment.
Thompson is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Thompson misses with a knee to the head.
Thompson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Diarra blocks it with crossed arms.
A frustrated look appears on Thompson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Thompson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Thompson misses with a knee strike.
Diarra has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Thompson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Diarra blocks an elbow strike.
Diarra has Thompson pressed against the cage, preventing Thompson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Thompson misses with an elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson misses with a knee to the head.
Diarra looking for a takedown.
Diarra has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Thompson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Diarra looks winded!
Diarra tries for a takedown. No joy.
Thompson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Diarra dodges an elbow strike from Thompson.
Diarra is looking to take this one to the mat.
Diarra takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Mahamadou Diarra has been cut.
Thompson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Thompson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Thompson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Diarra drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Thompson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diarra looking for a takedown.
Thompson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Diarra blocks the elbow strike.
Diarra has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Thompson after a bit of a struggle.
Diarra is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Thompson is defending well.
Thompson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Diarra is trying to drag Thompson to the mat but Thompson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Thompson tries to break free but Diarra pushes him back against the cage.
Diarra looking for a takedown.
Thompson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thompson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Thompson working hard to break the clinch.
Thompson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Clay Thompson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mahamadou Diarra's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Diarra fails with a takedown attempt.
No luck for Diarra with that takedown attempt.
That kick from Thompson tenderised Diarra's leg. Diarra is trying to keep his angry face on.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diarra misses with a takedown attempt
and Thompson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Clay Thompson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mahamadou Diarra.
Thompson stuffs the takedown.
Diarra is breathing heavily.
Thompson throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thompson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Thompson looking to throw knees to the head but Diarra is blocking nicely.
Thompson looking to throw knees to the head but Diarra is blocking nicely.
Diarra is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Thompson connects with a knee to the head.
Thompson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Thompson stops a takedown attempt from Diarra.
Diarra has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Thompson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Thompson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Diarra tries to score a body lock takedown but Thompson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Thompson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Thompson clinches up with Diarra and pushes him back against the cage.

Thompson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Clay Thompson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Thompson drives through and clinches with Diarra against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thompson breaks from the clinch.
Clay Thompson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thompson misses with an uppercut. Diarra saw that one coming.

Thompson moves into range and clinches up with Diarra.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Thompson pushes off an throws an elbow but Diarra leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Diarra wants a takedown.
Diarra keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Thompson's efforts to push away.
Diarra is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Thompson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Thompson misses with a knee to the head.
Diarra goes for a takedown attempt but Thompson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Diarra fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Thompson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Thompson rushes Diarra and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Diarra.
Thompson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Diarra drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Thompson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but Diarra blocks it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
With the fighters up against the cage, Thompson throws an elbow but misses.
Diarra is looking to take this one to the mat.
Thompson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Diarra's face.
Thompson throws a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Clay Thompson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mahamadou Diarra's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Diarra takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Diarra.
Thompson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Diarra can do to turn this around?
Diarra will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Diarra moves out of range of the body kick from Thompson.
Thompson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Diarra has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Diarra takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A cross from Thompson lands.
Thompson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Thompson wants it to stay on the feet.
Clay Thompson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mahamadou Diarra.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thompson has managed to clinch.
Thompson throws an elbow but it misses.
Thompson is pressed up against the cage. Diarra has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Thompson down to the mat. Thompson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Thompson clinches.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but Diarra blocks it.
Thompson looking to stall.
Diarra tries for a takedown but Thompson manages to get underhooks.
Thompson stalling in the clinch but Diarra improves position.
Thompson is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Diarra takes a knee right on the jaw!
Thompson taking a breather.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson has had enough of the clinch but Diarra keeps him there for the moment.
Thompson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Thompson looking to throw knees to the head but Diarra is blocking nicely.
Thompson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Thompson taking a breather.
Diarra tries to score a body lock takedown but Thompson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Thompson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Diarra has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Diarra changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Thompson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Nice straight punches there by Thompson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Thompson.
Diarra shoots for a double leg takedown but Thompson sprawls well. He's pushed Diarra's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Thompson.

Diarra tries to keep at a distance but Thompson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Thompson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Diarra drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Thompson scores with a knee to the head.

Diarra has hold of one of Thompson's legs. Thompson is fighting the takedown attempt but Diarra gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Thompson wants to get back to his feet but Diarra is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Mahamadou Diarra has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Diarra in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson wants to get back to his feet but Diarra is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Diarra trying to control the position from guard on top but Thompson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Diarra keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Thompson's head.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Diarra's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Diarra is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Diarra keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Thompson's head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Diarra with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Diarra lands a couple of elbows.
Clay Thompson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Diarra is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Diarra chips away with some ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Clay Thompson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Thompson, 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 David Hoff scores the fight 30:25
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:25
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Clay Thompson!