PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Xystorophroi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Xystorophroi comes to the cage accompanied by Boom!!!. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Xystorophroi
vs
Smith

185 cm
25
181 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

172 cm
28
172 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Xavier Xystorophroi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mike Smith!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Summer Carpenter and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xystorophroi has his takedown stuffed

and Smith counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Smith stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Xystorophroi shoots in but Smith avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Xystorophroi shoots and misses

and Smith counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Smith.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xavier Xystorophroi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Xystorophroi pulls Smith in close to his closed guard and prevents Smith from doing any damage or advancing position.
Smith is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is working Xystorophroi over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Smith looking to sit in guard and control but Xystorophroi gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Xystorophroi from controlling successfully.
Smith pulls Xystorophroi in close to prevent any damage.

Xystorophroi postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Smith is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Xystorophroi, into his guard.
Xystorophroi keeping full guard, as Smith tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith forces his way into half guard.
Smith scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Smith working Xystorophroi over with strikes.
Smith looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Xystorophroi with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Xystorophroi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Smith.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith is stalling here. Xystorophroi is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Smith seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Xystorophroi has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Xystorophroi wants to control but Smith is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Xystorophroi working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Xystorophroi goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Smith rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Xystorophroi's guard! Nice work there by Smith!
Xystorophroi will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Smith working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Xystorophroi's head.
Xystorophroi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Smith is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith stands up and waves to Xystorophroi to follow him.

Smith feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Smith working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Xystorophroi's head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith won't allow Xystorophroi to sweep him here.
Smith working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith wants to pass the guard but Xystorophroi is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Smith dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Smith displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Xystorophroi.
Smith changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Xystorophroi tries to avoid it but Smith manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Xystorophroi to the ground. Xystorophroi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Xystorophroi closes the distance and clinches up with Smith, looking for a takedown. Xystorophroi pushes Smith against the cage but Smith circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Smith swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Xystorophroi counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Xystorophroi looks to land a body kick but Smith moved away.
Smith avoids the head kick by Xystorophroi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith takes a swing at Xystorophroi's ribcage but misses.
Xystorophroi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Smith sprawls well. Smith wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Xystorophroi gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xavier Xystorophroi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Xystorophroi as he jumps to the side.
Smith tries for a takedown but Xystorophroi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Xavier Xystorophroi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Xystorophroi bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Xystorophroi is trying to get an arm triangle but Smith is defending well.
Smith avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Xystorophroi.
Smith regains half guard.
Smith wants to control but Xystorophroi is keeping busy.
Xystorophroi stops Smith from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xystorophroi trying to mount his opponent but Smith defends it.
Smith trying to hold on to Xystorophroi's head to control him but Xystorophroi postures up.
Smith is trying to get back to full guard.

Xystorophroi is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Smith sees it coming and defends easily.

Xystorophroi looking for a submission but Smith manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Xystorophroi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Smith works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Xystorophroi lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Smith wants to stand but Xystorophroi is controlling the position.
Xystorophroi trying to move into half guard but instead Smith has managed to sweep!
Smith with a flurry of punches that miss.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Xystorophroi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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 Xavier Xystorophroi will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Smith closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Smith lands in his opponent's guard.
Smith lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Smith avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Xystorophroi wants to sweep here but Smith controlling him for the moment.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Xystorophroi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xystorophroi can't keep his opponent in guard - Smith advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Smith sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Xystorophroi defending well though.
Xystorophroi is looking for a sweep. Smith is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Xystorophroi on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Xystorophroi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Smith looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Smith seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xystorophroi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Smith seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Smith looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Xystorophroi with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Smith wants to pass to mount but Xystorophroi is defending the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Xystorophroi is looking for a sweep. Smith is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Smith lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xystorophroi gets back to full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smith accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mike Smith has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Xystorophroi is working an open guard so Smith takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Xystorophroi pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Smith looking to score a takedown here. Xystorophroi is defending well but Smith drives through and ends up in Xystorophroi's guard.
Smith postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Smith stands up over Xystorophroi, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Xystorophroi wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Smith working the ground and pound.
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!
Smith connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Xystorophroi some visible discomfort.
Xystorophroi is looking for a sweep.
Smith taking a breather here.
Smith works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith working the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Smith has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 28:29
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29

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