PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Malik Stafford (ranked 9159 p4p, 0 weight class) and Austin Thompson (ranked 6352 p4p, 0 weight class). Austin Thompson will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Stafford
vs
Thompson

179 cm
18
193 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
20
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Malik Stafford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Austin Thompson!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Paul Tew and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thompson moves out of range of the leg kick from Stafford.

Thompson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Thompson pushes Stafford back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Stafford dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Thompson drags the fight down to the ground.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Thompson is on top in guard.

Thompson is stalling in the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stafford trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stafford is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Thompson is concentrating on defense, preventing Stafford from advancing position.
Stafford thows a huge punch but Thompson dodges it nicely.
Stafford wants to take a breather but Thompson is having none of it.
Thompson has hold of Stafford's hands but Stafford slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Stafford tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Thompson.
Thompson is pressing down on Stafford's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Thompson looking to control but Stafford passes into half guard.
Thompson is trying to control but can't.
Thompson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Stafford is looking for a kimura but Thompson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Stafford to get the leverage.
Stafford working the head and body with strikes.
Stafford wants to stand up but Thompson has a hold of him and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stafford lands with a punch from half guard.
Thompson is looking to improve his position.
Thompson is trying to control but Stafford manages to pass to mount!

Stafford goes for an armbar but Thompson turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Thompson.
Stafford being controlled here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson trying to control the position from guard on top but Stafford is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Stafford looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stafford working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Austin Thompson will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Stafford breaks from the clinch.
Thompson dives in and grabs Stafford's left leg, looking for a takedown. Stafford pushes down on Thompson's head and hops out.

Thompson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Stafford tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Thompson's elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Thompson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Stafford has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Thompson jumps guard but Stafford turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stafford is looking to take this one to the mat.
Stafford tries to score a body lock takedown but Thompson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Stafford prevents the takedown attempt.
Malik Stafford has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Austin Thompson.
Thompson jumps guard but Stafford turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Stafford breaks the clinch.
Thompson with a lazy takedown attempt

and Stafford counters by moving into the clinch.

Stafford breaks the clinch.
Thompson shoots in but no luck this time.
Stafford tries for a takedown but Thompson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Left hook, right uppercut from Thompson.

It looks like Malik Stafford has been cut.
Thompson is breathing heavily.
Thompson misses with a kick to the body.
Stafford looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thompson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Stafford has Thompson pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Stafford pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Thompson tumbling to the mat - Stafford dives into Thompson's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thompson has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Stafford has passed into side control.
Thompson keeps Stafford under control for a moment.
Thompson is trying to control Stafford's posture but Stafford avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stafford creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Thompson sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Stafford decides to stand up, so the ref orders Thompson to his feet.

Thompson clinches.
Stafford blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Stafford is working for takedown but Thompson is calmly controlling the position for now.
Stafford has Thompson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Thompson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Thompson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stafford fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Thompson forces Stafford back against the cage and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stafford manages to break the clinch.

Thompson has closed the distance and engaged Stafford in a clinch.
Thompson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Stafford avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Stafford stalling.

Stafford breaks from the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Thompson takes the fight into the clinch.

Stafford breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Austin Thompson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Malik Stafford's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Stafford blocks a head kick by Thompson.
As Thompson tries to get set, Stafford tries to push him back and clinch up but Thompson manages to avoid the attempt.

Thompson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Thompson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Stafford keeps control of Thompson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Stafford looking to stall.
Thompson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Stafford smiles and moves away.
Stafford tries to clinch there but Thompson circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stafford as he avoids it easily.
As Thompson tries to get set, Stafford tries to push him back and clinch up but Thompson manages to avoid the attempt.
Thompson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Stafford circles away.
Stafford is looking for a counter combo.
Malik Stafford has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Austin Thompson.

Stafford tries to keep at a distance but Thompson has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson has Stafford pressed against the cage.

Stafford breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Stafford tries to keep at a distance but Thompson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Thompson tries to pull guard but Stafford holds him up against the cage and eventually Thompson drops back down to his feet.
Thompson is pressed up against the cage. Stafford 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 shoots in for a takedown but Stafford shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Stafford seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Thompson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Thompson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stafford tries to avoid it but Thompson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stafford to the ground. Stafford escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stafford pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Thompson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stafford tries to avoid it but Thompson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stafford to the ground. Stafford escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Horrible takedown attempt by Thompson or perhaps it was just good defense by Stafford, which made it look bad.

Thompson gets a clinch.
Stafford just leaning against Thompson, taking a breather.

Stafford manages to break the clinch.
Thompson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stafford moves into the clinch.
Stafford changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Thompson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Thompson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Stafford tries to counter by clinching up but Thompson breaks away and moves out of range.
Thompson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stafford sprawls well. Stafford wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Thompson gets slowly back to his feet.
As Thompson tries to get set, Stafford tries to push him back and clinch up but Thompson manages to avoid the attempt.

Stafford fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Thompson, pushing him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Stafford closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Stafford lands in his opponent's guard.

Thompson manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thompson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Thompson is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Malik Stafford has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Austin Thompson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Austin Thompson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Stafford landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Malik Stafford.
I think Thompson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29

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