PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mike Okafor (ranked 1598 p4p, 2925 weight class) and Raw Smoker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Okafor
vs
Smoker

189 cm
26
195
7 - 2 - 0

182 cm
25
191
6 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mike Okafor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Raw Smoker!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Sandra Marshall and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smoker throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Okafor's waist but Okafor gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Smoker off to one side.
Okafor tries to counter by clinching up but Smoker breaks away and moves out of range.

Smoker shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Smoker showed some decent athleticism there.

Smoker seems to be looking for submissions.
Okafor is looking for a sweep. Smoker is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Okafor regains full guard. Nicely done.

Smoker postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Okafor is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Smoker, into his guard.

Smoker had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Okafor defends it easily.
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.

Smoker had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Okafor defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okafor keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Smoker's head.
Okafor keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Smoker's head.
We've been hearing that Okafor has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

Smoker is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Okafor defends well.
Okafor scoring with some ground and pound.
Okafor pushing down on Smoker's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Okafor lands with a punch from half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Smoker has one foot on Okafor's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Okafor shoots in and bounces Smoker off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Okafor distracts Smoker with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Okafor keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Smoker's head.
Smoker keeping moving, preventing Okafor from controlling successfully.
Okafor prevents Smoker from getting back to his feet.
Okafor with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Smoker keeping moving, preventing Okafor from controlling successfully.
Okafor cracks Smoker with a solid left hand.
Okafor postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Okafor works over Smoker with some ground and pound from guard.
Okafor makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Okafor landing with the ground and pound.
Okafor chips away with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okafor scoring with some ground and pound.
Okafor lands a couple of elbows.

Smoker is rocked!
Okafor landing some decent shots from guard.
Smoker is still in real trouble! Can Okafor finish him?
Okafor trying to control but Smoker is working from the bottom.
Smoker is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Okafor advances to half guard.
Smoker seems to have recovered his senses.
Smoker on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Okafor looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Okafor takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Okafor prevents Smoker from standing back up.
Okafor frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Smoker wants to control but Okafor is having none of it.
Smoker is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smoker is bucking up trying to escape but Okafor cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Smoker is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Okafor postures up and connects with a big shot that has rocked Smoker badly. He's trying desperately to grab hold of Okafor around the waist but Okafor pushes him off and unloads with more strikes, forcing the referee to jump in and save him! Okafor is the winner by TKO! Okafor jumps onto the cage and shouts into the camera. "We did it momma!"

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mike Okafor!
During a confident post fight interview, Mike Okafor thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.