PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dog Hercules (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Barry Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smith is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: When Will They Shoot. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hercules
vs
Smith

210 cm
25
300 lbs
14 - 5 - 1

190 cm
30
270 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Dog Hercules!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Barry Smith!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Seu Braga and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith falls off balance throwing a combination

and Hercules counters by moving into the clinch.
Hercules stalling the fight.
Hercules lands a shot to the body.
Hercules is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Smith is defending well for now.
Hercules landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Smith looks gassed!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A hook to the body from Hercules.
Hercules throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Hercules unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A hook to the body from Hercules.
Hercules leaning against his opponent.
Hercules landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Smith blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hercules stalling against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hercules.
Hercules misses with a knee to the head.
Smith managing to block the knees to the body from Hercules.
Smith tries for a takedown but Hercules manages to get underhooks.
A short body shot lands from Hercules as the two fighters clinch.
Hercules lands a nice knee to the body.
Smith takes a knee to the side of the body.
Hercules stalling in the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hercules.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith takes a knee right on the jaw!

It looks like Barry Smith has been cut.
Hercules is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Smith is defending well for now.
Hercules lands a shoulder strike.
Smith managing to block the knees to the body from Hercules.
Hercules using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Hercules putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Smith in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hercules displaying some good clinch control by pressing Smith up against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hercules.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Hercules takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
A right hook to the body lands for Hercules.
Hercules unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Hercules will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Smith up against the cage.
Hercules misses with a knee to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Hercules obliges.
Hercules leaning against his opponent.
Hercules lands with a left to the head.
Smith takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hercules connects with a nasty looking knee right to Smith's face.
Hercules is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
A hook to the body from Hercules.
Smith managing to block the knees to the body from Hercules.
Hercules prevents the takedown attempt.
A right hook to the body lands for Hercules.
Hercules lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hercules stalling against the cage.
Hercules connects with a nasty looking knee right to Smith's face.
Hercules misses with an elbow over the top.
Hercules cracks Smith with a nice body shot.
Hercules misses with a knee to the head.
Hercules pushes Smith back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hercules scores with a knee to the head.
Hercules lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hercules is struggling to control the position.
Hercules lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Hercules missing with knees to the body.
Hercules lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Hercules stalls.
Smith changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hercules fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Dog Hercules has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Barry Smith.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Hercules takes the fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dog Hercules dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Barry Smith's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Barry Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smith misses with a right hand
and Hercules counters with a stiff right hand.
Smith shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hercules defends it nicely.
Hercules connects with a body shot.
Dog Hercules is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Smith is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hercules is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hercules wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
Smith lands a glancing blow to the side of Hercules's head.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt.

Hercules moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hercules putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Smith in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Hercules misses with a knee strike.
Hercules looking to throw knees to the head but Smith is blocking nicely.
Hercules slows down the pace here.
Hercules misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hercules lands a shot to the body.
Hercules lands a knee to the head.
Hercules works on Smith's body with a couple of short punches.
Hercules putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Smith in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Hercules is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Smith can do to turn this around?
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!
Hercules cracks Smith with a nice body shot.
Knees to the body from Hercules.
Dog Hercules has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Hercules is pressed up against the cage. Smith has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hercules down to the mat. Hercules avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Hercules lands with a kick to the temple. Smith shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a right hand that misses

and Hercules counters by moving into the clinch.
A hook to the body from Hercules.
Hercules lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Hercules.
Smith takes a knee to the side of the body.
Hercules utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hercules leaning against his opponent.
A short right from Hercules.
Hercules stalling.
Hercules stops a takedown attempt from Smith.
Dog Hercules has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Barry Smith.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hercules.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for Hercules to work.
Hercules putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Smith in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Hercules lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Hercules tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Smith avoids it.
Hercules is pushing Smith up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Hercules lands a good knee to the midsection. Smith won't want to take too many of those.
Hercules just leaning against Smith, taking a breather.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Dog Hercules.
Hercules tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Hercules closes the distance and pushes Smith back into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dog Hercules dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Barry Smith's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hercules wants to clinch but Smith slips to the side
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

Hercules gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Smith to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Hercules keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smith accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hercules pulls Smith in close to prevent any damage.
Smith thows a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hercules controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Dog Hercules wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Hercules tries to clinch

and Smith counters with a takedown into side control.

Smith swings around for an armbar but Hercules sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Smith's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hercules stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Hercules tries to clinch up.
Hercules tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Smith counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hercules moves into the clinch successfully.
Smith is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hercules pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hercules utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A short body shot lands from Hercules as the two fighters clinch.
Hercules stalling the fight.
Hercules digs a right hand into Smith's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Smith's gas tank.
Hercules with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Hercules.
Stalling in the clinch from Hercules.
Smith blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hercules missing with knees to the body.
Hercules has Smith pushed against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hercules creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hercules misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Smith.
Smith blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hercules trying to land knees to the body.
Hercules is looking to control Smith's arms but Smith gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hercules has his back to the cage.
Hercules works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Hercules takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Hercules digs a right hand into Smith's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Smith's gas tank.
Hercules leaning against his opponent.
Hercules scores with a knee to the head.
Smith avoids a wild elbow strike from Hercules.
Hercules manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Smith is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hercules pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hercules tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Smith avoids it.
Hercules is trying to maintain a safe position but Smith gets an underhook and turns Hercules into the cage.
Smith wants a takedown.
Dog Hercules has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Barry Smith.
Hercules slows down the pace here.
Hercules doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hercules lands a body punch.
Hercules stops a takedown attempt from Smith.
Hercules scores a nice knee to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hercules lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hercules connects with a knee to the head.

That has opened up Barry Smith's cut even more.
Hercules lands a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dog Hercules clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Barry Smith's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Hercules tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Smith manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hercules doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.
Smith throws a left and a right that both miss
and Hercules counters with a head kick.
Hercules scores with a shot to the body.

Hercules pushes Smith up against the cage in a clinch.
Hercules leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith looking for a takedown.
Smith is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Hercules crunches a lovely knee into Smith's ribcage.
The referee calls for Hercules to work.
Hercules gets underhooks to prevent Smith's takedown attempt.
Hercules pushes Smith back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hercules is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Dog Hercules.
Hercules closes the distance looking to clinch
and Smith counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith has his takedown stuffed
and Hercules makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Smith really felt that one!
Dog Hercules has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Barry Smith.
Hercules tries to close the distance and clinch but Smith swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hercules tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Smith manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hercules is looking to clinch.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt

and Smith counters with a single leg into guard. Hercules didn't expect that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hercules managing to control the position.
Smith missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hercules will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hercules is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Hercules is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four 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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hercules looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Smith misses with a hook
and Hercules counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Hercules tries to close the distance and clinch but Smith swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Smith shoots and misses

and Hercules counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hercules.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Dog Hercules will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Barry Smith's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Hercules looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Smith misses with a combination
and Hercules counters with a head kick. That will keep Smith thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Smith throws a left and a right that both miss
and Hercules counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Smith is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Hercules looks to clinch

and Smith counters with a takedown into side control.
Hercules tries to improve position but can't.
Hercules tries to escape but Smith is in control.
Smith has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Smith working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Smith is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hercules is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
Hercules tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Smith cracks Hercules with a big elbow.
Smith fails to land a wild elbow strike.

Smith tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Dog Hercules is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hercules tries to improve position but can't.

Smith is trying to get an arm triangle but Hercules is defending well.
Hercules is trying to get back to half guard.

Smith goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Hercules has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Smith but great work by Hercules.
Smith is letting Hercules control him for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hercules's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Hercules stands up and beckons Smith to his feet.
Barry Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four 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.
Hercules lands a high kick!
Hercules wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
Hercules tries to clinch up.
Smith throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hercules counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Hercules tries to clinch up.

Hercules gets in close and instigates a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Dog Hercules.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hercules, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 50:43
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 50:45
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 50:43

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dog Hercules!
Dog Hercules retains his super heavyweight title!