PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gray Maynard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Smith (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.

Maynard
vs
Smith

173 cm
24
162 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
20
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Gray Maynard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Ryan Smith!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, James Atkins and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Maynard shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Smith is trying to defend but Maynard finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Maynard seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Maynard prevents Smith from improving his position.
Maynard controlling the action here.
Maynard missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Maynard sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Smith defending well though.
Maynard slows the pace down in half guard.
Smith is trying to get back to full guard.
Maynard content to control rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maynard wants to pass to mount but Smith is defending the position.
Smith is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Maynard scores with a couple of nice shots.
Maynard not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Maynard is controlling the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maynard prevents Smith from improving his position.
Maynard keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Maynard thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

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 manages to get to full guard.
Smith is trying to control the position but Maynard postures up.
Maynard controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Smith wants to sweep here but Maynard controlling him for the moment.
Smith controls Maynard momentarily but Maynard frees himself.
Smith keeping full guard, as Maynard tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Maynard drives through with a takedown into guard.
Maynard has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Maynard is stalling in the full guard.
Maynard trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Maynard stopping the sweep attempt from Smith.
Maynard missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith trying to control the position.
Maynard looking to pass the guard.
Maynard preventing the sweep.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Maynard gets the takedown into side control.
Maynard knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Smith on the ground.
Maynard taking a breather here.
Smith manages to get back to half guard.
Smith trying to control but Maynard postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gray Maynard dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Smith fails in his attempt to clinch.
Good standup being displayed there by Maynard as he connects with a hook.

Maynard is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Smith's half guard.
Maynard content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Smith is looking to improve his position.
Maynard seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Maynard working over Smith with some ground and pound. Smith looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Smith manages to get to full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Smith is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maynard trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Smith drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Smith jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Maynard throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Maynard managing to control the position.
Smith missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Maynard wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

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 trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Maynard 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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Maynard changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Smith looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Maynard is looking to take a break and control but Smith is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Maynard lands a decent elbow from side control.
Maynard wants to lay and pray for a moment but Smith keeps working.
Smith gets back to half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Maynard controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith trying to control here.
Smith wants to improve his position but Maynard is controlling well.
Maynard wants to pass the guard but Smith is defending well.
Maynard lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Maynard stalling away here and it's allowed Smith to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Smith lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Maynard!
Maynard is working to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Smith is looking to work his way around to Maynard's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Maynard wants to control but Smith is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Smith has hold of Maynard's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Maynard manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Maynard is working to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Maynard wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Smith.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gray Maynard dominated that second round.
That's time! Maynard's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Maynard tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gray Maynard is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Maynard misses with a wild combination.
Maynard tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
Smith gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Maynard counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Smith's guard now.
Smith is trying to control the position but Maynard postures up.
Smith might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Maynard kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Smith tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Maynard stays in close to Smith's body and controls the position.

Smith has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Maynard can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Smith takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maynard working some strikes from top position.
Maynard content to stall in guard here.
Maynard preventing the sweep.
Maynard throwing strikes but missing.
Maynard postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Maynard controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Smith working a defensive guard here.

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.
Maynard tries to free his leg and advance position but Smith is retaining full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Smith is on top in guard.
Maynard has control of Smith's left arm, preventing Smith from doing any damage.
Maynard wants to sweep but no luck.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Maynard is keeping the position.
Smith wants to control from the top but Maynard keeps moving.
Maynard is trying to control the position but Smith postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maynard managing to control the position.
Maynard has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Maynard 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.
Smith is fighting to break Maynard's control of his arms but Maynard is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Smith pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maynard is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Maynard trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Maynard throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

Smith drops back looking for a leg! Maynard is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Maynard manages to kick Smith off! Smith jumps back into Maynard's guard.
Maynard tries to land a sweep but no joy.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Maynard tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ryan Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gray Maynard is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Gray Maynard showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Maynard has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 James Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gray Maynard!