PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Niel Seraphim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Travis Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Niel Seraphim has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Seraphim
vs
Thompson

180 cm
23
144 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

193 cm
25
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Niel Seraphim!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Travis Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Santiago Holmes and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Thompson dives in and scores a takedown into Seraphim's guard.
Thompson stops Seraphim from standing up.
Thompson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Thompson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Seraphim is trying to keep Thompson in close.
Thompson stands up over Seraphim, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Seraphim looking to control.
Thompson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Seraphim utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Thompson won't allow Seraphim to get back to his feet.
Thompson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Seraphim not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Thompson throws a big elbow that misses.
Thompson passes Seraphim's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Seraphim looks like he's trying to stand up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson prevents Seraphim from improving his position.
Thompson lands strikes from half guard.
Seraphim is trying to stand back up but Thompson is controlling him
Seraphim wants to get back to full guard.
Thompson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Seraphim with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Seraphim pushes Thompson off looking to stand but Thompson dives back in and keeps control.
Thompson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Thompson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Thompson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Seraphim is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Thompson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Thompson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Thompson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Seraphim wants to get back to his feet.
Thompson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Thompson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Seraphim defending well though.
Thompson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Thompson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Seraphim manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Thompson keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Thompson dodges an elbow strike from Seraphim.
Thompson throws a head punch that misses.
Thompson throws a head punch that misses.
A nice left hand lands by Seraphim.
Seraphim really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Seraphim tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Thompson avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson misses with a hook from the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Seraphim creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Seraphim stalling in the clinch but Thompson improves position.
Thompson throws a head punch that misses.
Thompson throws a punch but it's blocked by Seraphim.
A nice left hand lands by Thompson.
Thompson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Seraphim just misses with a elbow thrown towards Thompson's brow.
Seraphim throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thompson can't break the clinch.
Thompson is trying to push Seraphim away but Seraphim has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Thompson wants to get back to striking at distance but Seraphim won't allow it.
Seraphim throws an elbow but it misses.
Seraphim lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like Travis Thompson has been cut.
A head punch on the inside from Thompson fails to land.
Thompson has had enough of the clinch but Seraphim keeps him there for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson can't break the clinch.
Thompson working aggressively here.
Thompson misses with some punches.
Seraphim lands an elbow inside.
Thompson is trying to push Seraphim away but Seraphim has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Seraphim lands a right hand that snaps the head of Thompson backwards.
Thompson can't break the clinch.
Thompson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Seraphim misses with the head strike.
Thompson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Thompson avoiding damage as Seraphim throws knees to the body.
Seraphim keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Thompson's efforts to push away.
Thompson managing to block the knees to the body from Seraphim.
Thompson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Seraphim lands a nice knee to the body.
Seraphim tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Seraphim throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thompson has had enough of the clinch but Seraphim keeps him there for the moment.
Thompson managing to block the knees to the body from Seraphim.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Seraphim just misses with a elbow thrown towards Thompson's brow.
Seraphim is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Thompson is defending well for now.
Seraphim with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Thompson has a couple of punches blocked by Seraphim.
Thompson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Seraphim lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Seraphim prevents a body shot from Thompson.
Thompson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Seraphim backwards.
Seraphim misses with a knee strike.
Thompson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Seraphim throws a knee to the head but misses.
Seraphim with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Thompson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
We've been informed that Thompson has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Thompson takes an elbow to the temple.
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 Niel Seraphim will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Travis Thompson's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Thompson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Seraphim as he jumps to the side.
Travis Thompson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thompson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Seraphim swivels and escapes.
Nice sprawl there from Seraphim as Thompson shoots in.
Seraphim swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Niel Seraphim has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Travis Thompson.
Seraphim throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Thompson's head.
Seraphim stuffs the takedown attempt from Thompson. Thompson gets slowly back to his feet.
Thompson thows a left - swing and a miss!

Thompson dives in and scores a takedown into Seraphim's guard.
Seraphim wants to sweep but no luck.
Thompson wants to pass the guard but Seraphim is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thompson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Thompson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Seraphim lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Seraphim trying to control but Thompson is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Seraphim is one step ahead there.
Thompson doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Thompson wants to sweep but no luck.
Seraphim seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Seraphim trying to stand up but can't free himself from Thompson's guard.
Thompson trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Thompson tries to strike from the bottom.
Seraphim trying to control but Thompson is working from the bottom.
Seraphim might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.
Seraphim wants to control from the top but Thompson keeps moving.
Thompson doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

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.
Thompson dives in and grabs Seraphim's left leg, looking for a takedown. Seraphim pushes down on Thompson's head and hops out.
Thompson is breathing heavily.
Thompson moves out of range of the body kick from Seraphim.

Thompson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Seraphim's guard.
Seraphim is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Thompson distracts Seraphim with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Seraphim wants to stand up but Thompson is controlling him.
Thompson stopping the sweep attempt from Seraphim.
Seraphim is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Thompson is controlling him.
Thompson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Thompson distracts Seraphim with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Seraphim looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thompson is one step ahead there.
Thompson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson stops Seraphim from standing up.
Seraphim manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Thompson manages to get himself to full guard.

Thompson trying to strike off his back.
Thompson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Thompson throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Thompson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Seraphim lands a couple of elbows.
Thompson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Seraphim's guard.

Thompson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Seraphim preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Seraphim is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Seraphim looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thompson is one step ahead there.
Thompson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Seraphim's head.
Thompson prevents Seraphim from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson throws a big elbow that misses.
Thompson connects with a couple of short punches.
Thompson scoring with some ground and pound.
Thompson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Thompson's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Thompson throws a big elbow that misses.
Thompson landing with the ground and pound.
Seraphim looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thompson is one step ahead there.
Seraphim working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Thompson.
Thompson throwing strikes from guard but Seraphim blocks nicely.
Thompson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thompson postures up.
Thompson postures up in Seraphim's guard and throws a big left but Seraphim blocks it.
Thompson postures up in Seraphim's guard and throws a big left but Seraphim blocks it.
Seraphim looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Travis Thompson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Travis Thompson's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Thompson swats away the attempt to clinch by Seraphim.
Seraphim loads up on a big right hand but Thompson slips the punch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Seraphim looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Thompson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Seraphim is fending him off so far but Thompson persists. Nope, Seraphim circles away and we're back to standing.
Thompson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Thompson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Seraphim has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Seraphim there as he acknowledges the shot.
Thompson avoids a kick to the body.
Thompson misses with a takedown attempt - Seraphim sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Niel Seraphim has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Travis Thompson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Seraphim instigates a clinch.
Seraphim tries a knee to the head but Thompson blocks it.
Nice elbow from Seraphim.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Seraphim misses with a short punch on the inside.
Thompson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Thompson swings wildly with an uppercut but Seraphim uses good head movement to avoid it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Seraphim.
Seraphim landing knees to the head.
Seraphim blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Seraphim throws a knee to the head but misses.
Seraphim lands a nice knee to the body.
Thompson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Seraphim misses with a knee strike.
Thompson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Seraphim tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Thompson is trying to break the clinch but Seraphim has him pressed against the cage.
Niel Seraphim has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Thompson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Seraphim has him pressed against the cage.
Thompson tries to break free but Seraphim pushes him back against the cage.
Seraphim looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Seraphim blocking some punches.
Thompson misses with a punch on the inside.
Thompson dodges an elbow strike from Seraphim.
Seraphim keeps control of Thompson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Thompson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Seraphim tries to land knees in the clinch but Thompson avoids the damage to the body.
Thompson misses with a punch on the inside.
Seraphim lands a hook that snaps the head of Thompson backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Seraphim is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Thompson blocks the elbow strike.
Seraphim lands an elbow inside.

That has opened up Travis Thompson's cut even more.
Seraphim connects with a knee to the head.
Seraphim connects with a knee to the head.
Seraphim tries a knee to the head but Thompson blocks it.
Seraphim misses with a knee strike.
Thompson tries to circle away but Seraphim has him pinned against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Seraphim is pushing Thompson up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Thompson working hard to break the clinch.
Thompson swings wildly with an uppercut but Seraphim uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thompson avoiding damage as Seraphim throws knees to the body.
Seraphim with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Seraphim just misses with a elbow thrown towards Thompson's brow.
Seraphim missing with knees to the body.
Seraphim lands an elbow that stopped Thompson in his tracks for a moment.
Seraphim unloads a knee to the mid-section. Thompson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Thompson lands an uppercut.
Thompson swings wildly with an uppercut but Seraphim uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short right from Thompson on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Seraphim connects with a nasty looking knee right to Thompson's face.
Seraphim controlling the action here for a moment.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Seraphim.
Seraphim using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thompson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Seraphim throws an elbow but it misses.
Seraphim landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Thompson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Seraphim throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Thompson can't find room to land a body shot as Seraphim controls the action.
Seraphim lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

The cut above Travis Thompson's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Thompson blocks an uppercut.
Thompson swings wildly with an uppercut but Seraphim uses good head movement to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Niel Seraphim showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Seraphim 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 29:28
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Niel Seraphim!