PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jose Aldo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jim Smithers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aldo comes to the cage accompanied by Rough Rida. The crowd seem to be enjoying Smithers's choice of entrance music: Metallica - No Leaf Clover. Jose Aldo could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Jim Smithers's chin.

Aldo
vs
Smithers

180 cm
24
179 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

190 cm
27
175 lbs
12 - 8 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jose Aldo!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Jim Smithers!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Gregory Folan and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aldo throws a right and a left that Smithers avoids nicely.
Smithers moves away from the strike by Aldo.
Aldo swinging wildly here.
Aldo misses with a wild combination.

Smithers drives through and clinches with Aldo against the cage.
Aldo tries to break the clinch but Smithers is controlling the position.
Smithers blocks a body shot from Aldo.
Aldo working hard to break the clinch.
Smithers keeps control of Aldo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Smithers gets control of Aldo's arms and successfully pulls guard. Smithers will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Aldo wants to stand but Smithers has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smithers is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smithers looking for a sweep. Not yet Smithers, not yet.
Smithers is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Aldo seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Smithers is on top in guard.
Smithers postures up in Aldo's guard and throws a big left but Aldo blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Smithers is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Smithers is looking to work some ground and pound but Aldo has wrist control.
Aldo wants to stand but Smithers is controlling the position.
Aldo wants to sweep here but Smithers controlling him for the moment.
Smithers working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Smithers has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Aldo pushes Smithers off and scrambles back to his feet.
Smithers shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Aldo as he avoids it easily.

Aldo instigates a clinch.
Aldo is looking to break free of the clinch but Smithers has double underhooks.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Aldo.

Aldo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aldo clinches but Smithers breaks the clinch
and Smithers counters with a left to the body.
A shot to the liver by Aldo. Beautiful body shot.
Aldo tries to clinch but Smithers moves away
and Smithers counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Aldo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smithers moves away.
Smithers slips a jab from Aldo.
A big left from Smithers misses.
Aldo throws a right and a left that both miss.
Aldo throws out a loose jab but Smithers uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smithers keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Aldo.
Aldo throws a left and a right that both miss
and Smithers counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Aldo digs a good hook to Smithers's body.
Aldo works the jab nicely.

It looks like Jim Smithers has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aldo leaves Smithers with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Aldo falls off balance throwing a combination
and Smithers counters with a nice uppercut.
Aldo misses with a combination
enabling Smithers to counter with a crisp jab.
Aldo throws a shot to the body.
Aldo clinches but Smithers breaks the clinch
and Smithers counters with a stiff right hand.
Smithers takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Smithers looks gassed!
Aldo throws a jab but it's blocked by Smithers.
Aldo is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Smithers's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
A punch combination from Aldo misses.
A big right from Aldo misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Aldo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jim Smithers's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Aldo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smithers missing with a left hand there. Aldo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Aldo throws a combination that misses

and Smithers counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Smithers.
Smithers makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Aldo is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Smithers is controlling him.
Aldo looking for a sweep. Not yet Aldo, not yet.

Aldo wriggles free and stands up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Aldo. Smithers does a little dance to reset his feet.
Smithers dodges the punch combination from Aldo.
Smithers lands with an overhand left.
Aldo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Smithers.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Aldo misses.
Aldo throws a shot to the body.
Aldo lands a body shot.
Smithers will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Aldo darts in trying to clinch
and Smithers counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Aldo thinking.
Smithers tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Aldo was well out of range. Poor timing from Smithers.
Aldo just misses with a punch to the body.
Aldo tries to clinch up

and Smithers counters with a shoot takedown. Aldo fights it but they end up in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smithers has gone for a leg lock! Aldo slips out almost immediately though and dives into Smithers's guard.
Smithers is breathing heavily.

Aldo stands up and waves to Smithers to follow him.
Aldo throws out a loose jab but Smithers uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smithers dives in and grabs Aldo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Aldo pushes down on Smithers's head and hops out.
Aldo misses with a series of wild punches.
Aldo lands a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aldo throws a right and a left that Smithers avoids nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aldo misses with a jab to the body
and Smithers counters with a straight right hand.
Nice defenses there by Smithers.
Smithers wants to clinch up but Aldo keeps it at a distance.
Smithers scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Aldo doesn't seem bothered though.
Aldo goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Smithers moves out of range as Aldo strikes.
Jose Aldo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A punch lands to the side of Smithers 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Aldo moves in looking to clinch but Smithers pushes him off.

Aldo closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Aldo fails to land.
Smithers has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Aldo is trying to break the clinch but Smithers is controlling him.
Aldo struggles to land a body shot inside as Smithers controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aldo swings wildly with an uppercut but Smithers uses good head movement to avoid it.
Aldo misses with a hook from the clinch.
Aldo tries to land knees in the clinch but Smithers avoids the damage to the body.
Smithers wants a takedown but no success here.
Jose Aldo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jim Smithers.
Smithers drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Aldo gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Good body shot from Aldo.
Aldo lands a nice uppercut.

Aldo breaks the clinch.
A big left from Smithers misses.
Smithers misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Aldo throws out a powerful jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Aldo swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Smithers counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Aldo's guard now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aldo pulls Smithers in to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jose Aldo will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jim Smithers's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Aldo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A jab from Smithers misses.
Aldo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smithers moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Smithers avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Aldo leaves Smithers with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Aldo tries to bum rush Smithers with a series of wild strikes but Smithers uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Smithers looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Aldo is fending him off so far but Smithers persists. Nope, Aldo circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aldo misses with a series of wild punches.
Smithers takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Aldo keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aldo misses with a wild combination.
Smithers takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Aldo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Smithers.
Aldo leaves Smithers with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Jose Aldo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jim Smithers.
Aldo misses with a wild combination.
Jose Aldo is winning the standup battle so far.
Aldo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Aldo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Aldo with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Aldo scores with a one two! Smithers had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Aldo connects with a looping right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aldo misses with a series of wild punches.
Aldo scores with a jab to the body.
Aldo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Aldo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smithers moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Smithers throws a body punch but Aldo moves out of range.
Aldo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Smithers.
Aldo connects with the punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aldo lands a nice hook to Smithers's body. Smithers takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Smithers slips a jab from Aldo.
Aldo thuds a left hand into Smithers's body.
Aldo bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Smithers's head backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aldo slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Aldo misses with a combination
and Smithers counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Smithers shoots for a takedown but Aldo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Aldo throws a series of punches but Smithers moves out of range.
Jose Aldo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Aldo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Aldo looks to land a combination but Smithers avoids it well.
Aldo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Smithers.
Aldo digs a good hook to Smithers's body.
Jose Aldo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aldo lands a slapping body shot.
Aldo wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aldo is looking to clinch.
Aldo misses with a double jab.
Smithers takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Aldo throws an overhand right that lands on Smithers's shoulder, as Smithers tries to avoid the shot.
A jab from Aldo finds it's way through Smithers's defenses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Aldo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Aldo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Aldo throws a looping overhand right but Smithers ducks down to avoid it.
Aldo thows a body shot but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Aldo clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Jim Smithers's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Smithers closes this distance looking for a takedown but Aldo circles away.
Smithers tries for a takedown but Aldo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Smithers rushes Aldo and presses him up against the cage.

Aldo breaks the clinch.
Aldo throws a series of punches but Smithers avoids them all with ease.
Aldo slips a straight right by Smithers.
Smithers looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Aldo is fending him off so far but Smithers persists. Nope, Aldo circles away and we're back to standing.
Jose Aldo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jim Smithers.
Smithers walks into a straight right hand from Aldo.
Aldo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Smithers circles away quickly and effectively.
Aldo stuns Smithers with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Aldo takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Smithers is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Aldo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Aldo lands a nice hook to Smithers's body. Smithers takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smithers keeps the fight on the outside.
Aldo punishes Smithers's body with a nice straight punch.
Aldo throws a good cross that connects.
Aldo tries to clinch but Smithers moves away

and Smithers counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Aldo wants to stand and escape but Smithers is having none of it.

Aldo working for a triangle but Smithers defends it easily.
Aldo manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Smithers manages to get himself to full guard.
Aldo is looking to stand up but Smithers won't let him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aldo postures up.

Aldo drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Aldo jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Aldo has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Smithers is proving hard to escape from.
Aldo has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Smithers is working an open guard so Aldo takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Aldo looks to land a combination but Smithers avoids it well.
Aldo looks to land a right hand but Smithers moved out of range.
Aldo swings for the body but Smithers moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aldo misses with a wild combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - Smithers looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Aldo digs a good hook to Smithers's body.
Smithers has a takedown stuffed.
Aldo connects with a nice looking jab.
Aldo tries to clinch but Smithers moves away
and Smithers counters with a straight right hand.
Aldo misses with a few strikes there.
Aldo lands a nice hook to Smithers's body. Smithers takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aldo throws a jab but it's blocked by Smithers.
Smithers ducks under a wild hook from Aldo.
Aldo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Aldo clinches but Smithers breaks the clinch
and Smithers cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Smithers on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Aldo throws a sloppy body shot
and Smithers counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Aldo swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Smithers counters with a nice body shot.
Aldo dips to his left and cracks Smithers with an uppercut!
Smithers takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Aldo throws a combination. Smithers tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Aldo had his way with Jim Smithers in that round.
The cut man is working on Jim Smithers's cut.
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!

Aldo connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A big right from Aldo misses.
Smithers tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Aldo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Smithers has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Smithers doesn't manage to clinch there - Aldo circles away.
Aldo misses with a combination

and Smithers counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Aldo pushes Smithers off looking to stand but Smithers dives back in and keeps control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Aldo kicks Smithers off and gets back to his feet.
Smithers lands a jab.
Smithers ducks under a wild hook from Aldo.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smithers misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Aldo looks to land a left hand but Smithers moved out of range nicely.
Horrible takedown by Smithers or perhaps it was just good defense by Aldo which made him look bad.
Aldo misses with a few strikes there.
Smithers tries to close the distance and clinch up but Aldo swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Aldo lands with a hook. Smithers tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Aldo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smithers swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Aldo throws a series of punches but Smithers moves out of range.
Aldo is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Aldo misses with a few strikes there.
Aldo misses with a combination

and Smithers counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Aldo is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Aldo utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Smithers drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Aldo dives on top into guard.
Aldo trying to stand up but can't free himself from Smithers's guard.
Jim Smithers has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aldo controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aldo trying to stand up but can't free himself from Smithers's guard.
Aldo looking to pass the guard.
Aldo wants to stand but Smithers has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Smithers looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Jose Aldo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Aldo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Aldo swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Smithers counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Aldo's corner calls for a 1-2. Aldo obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Aldo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Aldo moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jim Smithers comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Aldo 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 49:45
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 49:45
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 49:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jose Aldo!
Jose Aldo is the new welterweight champion!