PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Eli Thompson (ranked 3344 p4p, 4838 weight class) and Bryon Wickline (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.

Thompson
vs
Wickline

186 cm
25
150
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
152
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Eli Thompson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bryon Wickline!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, David Schapiro and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thompson lands a body shot.

Thompson pushes Wickline up against the cage in a clinch.

Thompson pulls guard.
Wickline controls from within his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wickline trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Wickline content to stall in guard here.
Wickline sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Thompson's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wickline tries to stand and escape but Thompson is controlling the position.
Thompson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Wickline.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Wickline in particular looking to stall.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thompson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Wickline.
Wickline controlling the action here.
It looks like Wickline might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

Wickline is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Thompson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Wickline.
Wickline uses his free foot to push down on Thompson's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Thompson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wickline throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Thompson because Wickline loaded up on that one.
Wickline controlling the position easily from mount.
Wickline unloads with some shots from mount but Thompson bucks and avoids them well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wickline throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Thompson sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Wickline is controlling the pace.
Wickline missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Wickline not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Thompson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Wickline prevents Thompson from improving his position.

Wickline stands up and beckons Thompson to join him on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wickline shoots in for a takedown but Thompson shows good takedown defense.
Thompson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Wickline decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Wickline with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Wickline throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Wickline wants to free his trapped foot but Thompson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Thompson punching from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Wickline slows the pace down in half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bryon Wickline dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A decent looking body kick lands there for Thompson.
Wickline throws a lazy head kick
and Thompson counters with a nice uppercut.
A shot to the body from Wickline misses
and Thompson counters with a one-two to the body.

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

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

Thompson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Wickline looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Wickline throws Thompson to one side and escapes!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thompson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Thompson wants to clinch up but Wickline keeps it at a distance.
Wickline with the counter takedown but Thompson avoids it easily.
Thompson throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Wickline.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wickline moves in looking to clinch but Thompson pushes him off.
Thompson lands a nice shot to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Thompson gets caught flat footed, as Wickline shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Wickline 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.
Wickline stops Thompson from standing up.
Wickline controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Thompson is working an open guard so Wickline takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Wickline misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thompson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Wickline's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Thompson will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Wickline up against the cage.
Wickline tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Thompson smiles and moves away.
Thompson shoots in and drives through. Wickline sprawls well.
Thompson circles away from the clinch attempt
and Thompson counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Wickline will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Wickline throws a low kick but Thompson avoids it.
Wickline throws the kick towards the body but Thompson avoids it.
Eli Thompson is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wickline looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Wickline in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Thompson tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Wickline!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:27 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Bryon Wickline!