PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Stevenson (ranked 4704 p4p, 5518 weight class) and James Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Stevenson
vs
Thomas

185 cm
24
193
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
18
184
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Thomas Stevenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, James Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Bruno Hogan and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stevenson gets a double leg takedown into Thomas's guard.

Thomas is looking for a triangle but Stevenson pushes his legs off easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thomas being controlled here, momentarily.
Stevenson passes Thomas's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Stevenson performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Stevenson tries to stand but can't do so whilst Thomas controls his leg.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stevenson trying to control from half guard but Thomas is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson working Thomas over with strikes.

Stevenson seems to be working for a kimura but Thomas defends the submission attempt.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Stevenson connects with a nice short shot to Thomas's temple.
Stevenson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Stevenson 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.
Stevenson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Stevenson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Thomas is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Stevenson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Thomas wants to control but Stevenson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Stevenson is staying active.

Thomas actively working from the bottom here.
Stevenson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Thomas is staying active underneath Stevenson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Stevenson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Stevenson winds up and cracks Thomas with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Stevenson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Thomas with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Thomas won't allow Stevenson to pass to mount.
Stevenson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Stevenson there.
Stevenson drops an elbow to the side of Thomas's head.

Stevenson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Thomas has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Stevenson is working away from the top position though.
Still in half guard, Stevenson seems content to control.
Stevenson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Stevenson slips a nice elbow through Thomas's hands, connecting with Thomas's forehead.
Stevenson tries to pass to full mount but Thomas defends it.
Thomas is refusing to be controlled, as Stevenson sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas wants to control but Stevenson is keeping busy.

Stevenson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Stevenson passes to side control.
Thomas prevents Stevenson from improving position.

Stevenson tries for a kimura but Thomas is defending well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stevenson working the head with strikes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Stevenson dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Stevenson looking to score a takedown here. Thomas is defending well but Stevenson drives through and ends up in Thomas's guard.
Stevenson trying to control the position from guard on top but Thomas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thomas looking to control.
Stevenson distracts Thomas with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Stevenson preventing the sweep.
Thomas trying to control the position.
Stevenson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stevenson chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Thomas will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Thomas manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Stevenson wants to take the fight to the mat but Thomas manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Thomas swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Thomas looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Thomas is trying to pull guard but Stevenson has him pressed against the cage.

Stevenson pulls guard successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thomas is one step ahead there.
Thomas must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Stevenson is working hard here to advance position.
Thomas wants to control from the top but Stevenson keeps moving.
Thomas trying to stand up but can't free himself from Stevenson's guard.
Thomas stops Stevenson from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Stevenson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Stevenson looking for a sweep. Not yet Stevenson, not yet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Stevenson closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Thomas did well to prevent Stevenson getting side control.

Thomas has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Stevenson is on him like a limpet, forcing Thomas back against the cage.
Stevenson can't get the takedown.

Stevenson jumps guard and drags Thomas to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Thomas is fighting to break Stevenson's control of his arms but Stevenson is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Stevenson trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas slips nicely into half guard.
Thomas trying to pass the guard but Stevenson defending well.
Thomas throwing shots but Stevenson is blocking nicely.
Stevenson keeps control of the position for the meantime.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stevenson is trying to maintain the position but Thomas is very close to passing his half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but James Thomas will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Stevenson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Thomas looks for a takedown but Stevenson sprawls well.
Stevenson feinted with a counter takedown.

Thomas clinches up against the cage.

Stevenson lands a takedown into guard.
Thomas keeping moving, preventing Stevenson from controlling successfully.
Thomas is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Thomas being controlled here, momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stevenson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas pulls Stevenson in close to prevent any damage.
Stevenson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Stevenson is looking to work some ground and pound but Thomas has wrist control.
Stevenson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Stevenson trying to control the position from guard on top but Thomas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Stevenson's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Stevenson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Stevenson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Stevenson wants to pass the guard but Thomas is keeping the position.
Thomas throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson tries to stand but Thomas is controlling from the bottom.
Thomas Stevenson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Stevenson passes Thomas's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Thomas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stevenson is nestled in close to Thomas, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Stevenson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Thomas is not content to let Stevenson control the position.

Stevenson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stevenson seems to be working for a kimura but Thomas defends the submission attempt.
Stevenson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Stevenson controlling the pace.
Thomas is in trouble now - Stevenson has advanced to mount!
Thomas sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas taking some punishment here, with Stevenson in his half guard.
Stevenson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Thomas trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!

Stevenson wants to finish this one by submission but Thomas is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Stevenson.
Stevenson controlling the pace for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Stevenson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Stevenson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 29:27
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 29:27
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 29:27

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