PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kenneth Francis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tam Thomson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kenneth Francis has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Francis
vs
Thomson

177 cm
25
200 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

190 cm
25
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Big heart

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kenneth Francis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Tam Thomson!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Donald Grub and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thomson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Francis avoids it really well and circles away.
Francis slaps away a takedown attempt from Thomson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Francis avoids the head kick by Thomson.
Francis swats away the attempt to clinch by Thomson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thomson uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Francis has time to react.
Francis is trying hard to land a takedown here. Thomson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Thomson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Francis is looking to counter with head kicks.
Kenneth Francis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tam Thomson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Francis misses the shot to the body.
Francis fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Thomson avoids it really well and circles away.
Francis takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Thomson tries to clinch up.
Francis throws a counter high kick but Thomson was just alert enough to avoid it.
Francis throws a left and a right that both miss
and Thomson counters with a left and a right that stings Francis.
Francis shoots in and drives through. Thomson sprawls well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Francis feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Francis thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Francis is breathing heavily.

Francis drops back looking for a leg! Thomson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Thomson manages to kick Francis off! Francis jumps back into Thomson's guard.
Francis pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Thomson is keeping the position for now.
Francis sitting in guard here, content to control.
Thomson doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Thomson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Thomson looking to control.
Thomson keeping full guard, as Francis tries to pass.
Thomson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Francis lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Thomson keeping full guard, as Francis tries to pass.
Thomson doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Francis wants to pass the guard but Thomson is keeping the position.
Francis trying to control the position from guard on top but Thomson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thomson working a defensive guard here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
No luck for Thomson with that takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Francis darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Francis trying to pass the guard but Thomson defending well.
Francis perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Thomson wants to improve his position but Francis is controlling well.
Francis moves into full mount! Thomson won't be happy about that!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Thomson is looking to get to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
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 Kenneth Francis will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Francis closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Thomson to the mat! Thomson manages to get full guard.
Thomson trying to keep a closed guard but Francis is proving a slippery customer.
Thomson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Francis. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Francis is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Francis thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Francis might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Thomson throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Francis is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Francis works over Thomson with some ground and pound from guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Francis working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Thomson keeping full guard, as Francis tries to pass.

Thomson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Francis postures up and lands a big shot to Thomson's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Francis being controlled here momentarily.
Francis is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Thomson can do to turn this around?
Francis is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Francis thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Francis wants to control from the top but Thomson keeps moving.
Thomson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Francis passes Thomson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Francis works his foot free and advances to mount.
Thomson takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Francis dominating with strikes here.
BOOM! Francis connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Francis lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

Thomson is flailing around, obviously not happy about being mounted. Francis locks hold of one of his arms and spins for an armbar. He's got it! Thomson is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:49 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Kenneth Francis!