PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andrew Golota (ranked 4510 p4p, 4606 weight class) and Johnny Smith (ranked 443 p4p, 454 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.

Golota
vs
Smith

210 cm
24
265
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
250
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight 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, Andrew Golota!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Johnny Smith!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Sam Margolis and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Golota shoots in for a double leg but Smith sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Smith swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Golota displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Smith.
Nice takedown defense from Smith. No joy for Golota on that attempt.
A lazy left from Smith finds it's target.
Smith misses with the combination.
Golota takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Golota shoots in looking for a takedown but Smith manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Golota's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andrew Golota. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith lands a jab to the nose.
Golota shoots in for a double leg but Smith sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Smith misses with a few strikes there.
As Smith looks to move away, Golota throws a big counter combo but Smith just gets out of the way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Golota's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Smith connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Golota scrambles back to his feet.
Golota throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Smith's waist but Smith gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Golota off to one side.
Smith throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
As Smith tries to get set, Golota tries to push him back and clinch up but Smith manages to avoid the attempt.
Smith swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Smith lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Smith pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Golota back to the cage. Smith follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

It looks like Andrew Golota has been cut.
Golota takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Golota.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smith throws a nice looking combination but Golota bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Smith lands a jab-cross combination.
Golota closes the distance and clinches up with Smith, looking for a takedown. Golota pushes Smith against the cage but Smith circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Smith looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Golota is breathing heavily.
Sloppy strikes from Smith. Those never looked like landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Golota at a distance.
Smith throws a right and a left that Golota avoids nicely.
Smith scores with a shot to the body.

Golota closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Smith bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Golota with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Smith to score with a decent uppercut.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Golota.
Smith throws a counter combo.
Smith misses with a jab, cross combination.
Golota with a poor takedown
and Golota takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Golota gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Smith to counter with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith moves into range and connects with a jab.
Smith lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Golota has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Golota there as he acknowledges the shot.
Golota fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Smith pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Golota back to the cage. Smith follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Smith scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Smith scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Golota walks into a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Golota tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Smith defends well and Golota ends up having to push Smith into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Golota is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Smith gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Smith pulls guard successfully.
Smith throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Smith is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Golota missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Golota controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith wants to sweep here but Golota controlling him for the moment.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Smith dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Andrew Golota's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

No luck for Golota with that takedown attempt.
Smith connects with a nice looking jab.
Golota shoots in looking for a takedown but Smith manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Golota's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Golota shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Smith napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Smith is not content to let Golota control the position.
Smith should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Smith wants to get back to his feet but Golota drags him back down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith tries to bench press Golota off him but Golota keeps the position.
Johnny Smith has got the better of the ground game so far.
Golota fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Smith struggling a bit here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Golota wants to control but Smith is keeping him busy.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Smith jabs Golota to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Smith looks to land a combination. Golota sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Smith fails to land with a series of punches.
Golota shoots in and drives through. Smith sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andrew Golota. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Smith lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Golota fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Smith lands with a nice combination. Golota backs away looking to recover.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Golota moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Smith misses with a jab, cross combination.
Smith keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Smith is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Smith moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Golota.
Smith shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Golota eats them both and turns towards Smith to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Golota with a lazy takedown attempt
and Smith counters with a stiff right hand.
A right-left combo lands from Smith.
Smith lands a jab-cross combination.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt.
Smith scores with a three punch combo!
Golota looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
No joy there for Smith, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Smith moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Smith throws a nice looking combination but Golota bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Smith dips to his left and cracks Golota with an uppercut!
Golota shoots for a double leg takedown but Smith sprawls well. He's pushed Golota's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Smith with a hook.
Golota avoids a punch combination nicely.
Golota ducks right into an uppercut from Smith.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Andrew Golota's cut.
That's time! Golota's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Golota with a poor takedown
enabling Smith to counter with a crisp jab.
Smith lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Smith might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Smith throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Smith throws a combination that misses
and Golota counters with a one-two to the body.
Golota dives in for a single leg takedown but Smith sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Smith pulls guard.
Smith trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Golota wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Golota stops Smith from standing up.
Golota will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Golota is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Golota trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Golota shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Smith as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andrew Golota. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Smith defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Golota.
Smith leaves Golota with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Golota gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Smith.
Smith stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Smith wants it to stay on the feet.
Smith throws a series of strikes that have Golota backpedaling.
Smith lands a nice shot to the body.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but Golota shows good takedown defense.
Some wild striking there from Smith.
Golota blocks a low kick nicely.
Smith has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Golota misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Smith to counter with a crisp jab.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Golota walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Smith goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Golota takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Smith throws a series of strikes that have Golota backpedaling.
Smith pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Golota back to the cage. Smith follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Golota walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Smith's jab looks to have found its range, popping Golota under the eye.
Golota on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Golota sprawls well. Golota wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Smith gets slowly back to his feet.
Smith lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Golota fails with a takedown attempt.
Smith misses with a series of wild punches.
Andrew Golota has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnny Smith is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Smith throws a one two combo.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Smith has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 for Johnny Smith!
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight for Johnny Smith!
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight for Johnny Smith!

Johnny Smith wins by unanimous decision!
Johnny Smith seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.