PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Aamek Lion (ranked 5315 p4p, 4192 weight class) and Kai Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 486 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Lion
vs
Smith

188 cm
25
170
0 - 2 - 0

186 cm
25
175
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aamek Lion!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kai Smith!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Jorge Garcia and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lion as he avoids it easily.
Smith wants to clinch.

Lion bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Smith dodges the ground and pound from Lion.
Lion working away.
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.
Lion trying to control the action but Smith is working from the bottom.
Lion has knee on belly and moves into mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lion putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Lion avoids the attempt from Smith to control.
Lion lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Smith hang on?
Smith is squirming around, avoiding Lion's attempts to control the action.
Lion tries to push Smith's head away but Smith is holding on tight.
Smith can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

Lion is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Smith knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Smith for a finish.
Smith tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Smith can do anything to dispel that myth.
Lion in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Smith tries to hold on but Lion pushes him away.
Smith flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Lion trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Smith is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lion breaks from Smith's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Lion postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Smith looks a forlorn figure.
Lion lands a big shot there that rocks Smith but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Smith looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

Lion is looking for the choke from the back position but Smith is controlling his hands well.
Smith wants to get back to his feet.

Smith showing good submission defense here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lion looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Lion has the hooks in. Smith is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Lion is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lion has the hooks in. Smith is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lion slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aamek Lion dominated that round.
That's time! Lion's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Lion defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Smith.

Smith closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Lion manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Smith keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Lion dodges the punch combination from Smith.
Smith shoots in but Lion avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Lion shoots in looking for a takedown. Smith tries to sprawl out of it but Lion keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Smith manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Smith darts in looking for a takedown but Lion gets double underhooks and turns Smith into the cage.
A quick step to the side and Lion tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Aamek Lion has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kai Smith.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lion is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith shoots in and drives through. Lion sprawls well.
Lion feinted with a counter takedown.
Aamek Lion is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lion fails with a takedown attempt.
Lion misses with a hook. Smith ducked under it nicely.
Lion rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smith moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice takedown defense from Smith. No joy for Lion on that attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Smith.
Lion seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt - Lion sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Smith jabs at Lion's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to clinch up but Lion keeps it at a distance.
Smith moves in looking to clinch but Lion pushes him off.
Smith misses with a body kick.
Smith tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Lion decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Smith's guard.
Smith wants to sweep but no luck.
Smith has control of Lion's left arm, preventing Lion from doing any damage.
Smith is looking to stand up but Lion isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Lion trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Smith is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Lion is controlling him.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Lion fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Smith tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Lion swivels and escapes.
Lion fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Smith throws a solid leg kick but Lion takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Smith.
Lion is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Smith can do to turn this around?
Smith darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Smith throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Lion's waist but Lion gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Smith off to one side.
Smith looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Lion throws a sloppy head kick and Smith moves out of range easily.
Smith throws out a counter right but Lion avoids it with no problem.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lion as he avoids it easily.
Smith throws a shot to the body.
Lion displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Smith.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aamek Lion dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Smith tries a head kick but it misses.
Lion stuffs the takedown.
Lion drops down looking for a counter takedown but Smith sprawls and moves away.
Smith displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lion.
Lion darts in looking for a takedown but Smith gets double underhooks and turns Lion into the cage.
Smith trying to land knees to the body.
Smith is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Lion pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Smith jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Lion walks away with a smile on his face. Smith gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Aamek Lion has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kai Smith.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Smith gets a clinch.
Come on Smith - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Lion escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith tries to score a power double leg takedown but Lion sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Smith somewhat.
Smith stuffs the takedown.
Smith lands a jab to Lion's midsection.
Smith changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lion tries to avoid it but Smith manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lion to the ground. Lion escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Smith slaps away a takedown attempt from Lion, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Smith is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Lion pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Smith throws a one two combo.
Lion defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Smith.
Lion shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Smith but Smith pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lion as he jumps to the side.
Smith looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Smith throws a low kick but it's checked well by Lion.
Lion leaves Smith with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Lion as Smith shoots in.
Lion looks for a takedown but Smith sprawls well.
Smith wants to counter with a clinch but Lion pushes him away.
Smith throws a right and a left that Lion avoids nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith shoots in but no luck this time.
Smith throws a sloppy head kick and Lion moves out of range easily.
Smith fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Lion rushes Smith and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Smith drops down looking for an ankle pick but Lion pulls his leg out and moves away.
Smith stuffs the takedown.
Smith jabs at Lion's body.

Smith clinches.
Lion fails to pull guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith manages to pull guard.
Lion trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Smith managing to control the position.

Smith has his foot on Lion's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lion works his way back into a safe position though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lion distracts Smith with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Kai Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aamek Lion is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Smith is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Lion is aware though and is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kai Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lion 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aamek Lion!