PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mike Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John McClane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Smith
vs
McClane

186 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
25
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Mike Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, John McClane!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Colin Fotheringham and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McClane doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.
McClane scores with a jab to the jaw.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McClane as he avoids it easily.
A head kick misses from McClane.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McClane with a poor takedown
and Smith counters with a head kick. That will keep McClane thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Smith swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McClane lands with a right hand.
No luck with that takedown attempt from McClane.
McClane shoots in for a takedown but Smith shows good takedown defense.
Mike Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John McClane.
Smith takes a swing at McClane's ribcage but misses.
No luck for McClane with that takedown attempt.
Mike Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McClane tries to close the distance and clinch but Smith swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Smith defends well against a solid takedown attempt from McClane.
McClane tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Smith counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Smith thows a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McClane swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McClane keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
McClane trying to keep a closed guard but Smith is proving a slippery customer.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if McClane can do anything to dispel that myth.
Smith content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but McClane is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McClane being controlled here, momentarily.
McClane working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Smith missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but McClane has wrist control.
McClane really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Smith. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
McClane looking for a sweep. Not yet McClane, not yet.
McClane working a defensive guard here.
Smith trying to control but McClane is working from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Smith throws a series of strikes that have McClane backpedaling.
McClane gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Smith throws a big shot that misses.
McClane misses with a takedown attempt

and Smith counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Smith thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McClane on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
McClane is looking for a sweep. Smith is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Smith looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks McClane with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
McClane blocking the ground and pound attempt from Smith.
Smith thows a huge punch but McClane dodges it nicely.
McClane trying to control here.
McClane wants to sweep but Smith has passed to side control!
Smith controlling from side mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McClane wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McClane is trying to get back to half guard.
Smith creates some space and throws a big elbow, but McClane sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
McClane throws a series of strikes that have Smith backpedaling.

Smith shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Smith was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
McClane is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McClane tries to hold on but Smith pushes him away.
Smith lands with some strikes.
Smith unloading with bombs!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Smith dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Smith tries to keep at a distance but McClane has taken the fight into the clinch.
McClane tries to pull guard but Smith holds him up against the cage and eventually McClane drops back down to his feet.
McClane is trying to maintain a safe position but Smith gets an underhook and turns McClane into the cage.
McClane can't break the clinch.
McClane tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
McClane tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Mike Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John McClane.
McClane jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Smith walks away with a smile on his face. McClane gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Mike Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McClane swinging wildly here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McClane tries to clinch up but Smith circles away and keeps his distance.
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.
Smith misses with a head kick.
McClane darts in trying to clinch

and Smith counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Smith connects with a nice short shot to McClane's temple.
McClane wants to improve his position but Smith is controlling well.
McClane is looking to escape.
Smith is trying to control the action in half guard but McClane is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
McClane keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Smith is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's two 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.
Smith not landing any meaningful shots this time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McClane shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Smith counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith tries to pass the half guard into mount. McClane knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Smith has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Smith lands with a punch from half guard.
Smith trying to control the action but McClane is working from the bottom.
McClane is concentrating on defense, preventing Smith from advancing position.
McClane is trying to control but can't.
Smith thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
McClane gets full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McClane avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Smith throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Smith content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Smith wants to pass the guard but McClane is keeping the position.
McClane doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Smith throwing strikes from guard but McClane blocks nicely.
Smith passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
McClane is pushing Smith's head away, looking to escape. Smith manages to hold on to the position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The strikes coming from Smith are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
McClane is trying to control Smith's posture but Smith avoids it.
Smith lands a nice forearm strike.
McClane stops Smith from passing to mount.
McClane wants to control but Smith postures up.
Smith working the body and head with strikes.
McClane is trying to get back to half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
McClane blocks the body kick.

Smith gets a takedown into half guard.
McClane tries to get to full guard but Smith has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Smith dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

McClane doesn't succeed with the takedown

so Smith counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

McClane is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Smith distracts McClane with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
McClane working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Smith.
Smith wants to control from the top but McClane keeps moving.
McClane lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Smith!
Smith tries to lock up and control but McClane gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

McClane jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Smith manages to avoid the submission attempt.
McClane takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
McClane controls the position.
Smith gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
McClane looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Smith is looking to control McClane's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Smith avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Smith wants to get back to full guard.
McClane trying to control from half guard but Smith is working away.
Smith manages to get to full guard.
Mike Smith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McClane trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
McClane is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McClane shoots in for a takedown but Smith shows good takedown defense.
Smith lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McClane circles away quickly and effectively.
Smith defends well against a solid takedown attempt from McClane.
Mike Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John McClane.
Smith throws a looping overhand right but McClane ducks down to avoid it.

Smith feints and as McClane raises his hands in defense, Smith changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Smith preventing the sweep.
Smith stands up over McClane, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
McClane has control of Smith's left arm, preventing Smith from doing any damage.
McClane is looking to stand up but Smith isn't so interested in that idea.
Smith slips nicely into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McClane is trying to stand up here but Smith is controlling him well.
McClane is trying to control but can't.
Smith throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
McClane trying to hold on to Smith's head to control him but Smith postures up.
McClane is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Smith's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Smith's back!
McClane is trying to stick to Smith's back but Smith is turning into McClane. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in McClane's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Smith.
Smith trying to control but McClane is working from the bottom.
McClane can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Smith controls the pace.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Smith showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Smith, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Smith!