PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rex Junior (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam 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.

Junior
vs
Smith

200 cm
19
132 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
21
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Rex Junior!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Sam Smith!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Colin Fotheringham and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith throws a nice outside leg kick.
Junior 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.
Smith stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Smith wants it to stay on the feet.
Junior slips a straight right by Smith.
Junior tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smith paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Junior tries to clinch up.
Smith fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Smith is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Junior tries for a takedown but Smith circles away easily

and Smith counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Junior is staying active underneath Smith, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Smith tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Smith throwing shots but Junior is blocking nicely.
Junior blocking the ground and pound attempt from Smith.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Junior wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Junior is trying to maintain the position but Smith is very close to passing his half guard.
Junior gets full guard.
Junior is trying to keep Smith in close.
Junior working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Smith.
Junior throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Smith must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Junior is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Smith postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Smith decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Junior misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rex Junior. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Junior fails with a takedown attempt.
Junior is breathing heavily.
Smith loads up on a big right hand but Junior slips the punch.
Junior tries to clinch up but Smith circles away and keeps his distance.

Junior gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Smith to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Smith looking to pass the guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Junior is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to control from the top but Junior keeps moving.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Smith is looking to stand up but Junior won't let him.
Junior will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Junior striking off his back but it's not causing Smith any problems.
Smith wants to control from the top but Junior keeps moving.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Junior is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Junior lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Smith!

Junior is working for a guillotine from mount but Smith frees his head quite easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Smith slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Junior prevents Smith from standing back up.

Junior is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith is refusing to be controlled, as Junior sits in half guard.
Smith is trying to stand back up but Junior is controlling him
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nice sprawl there from Smith as Junior shoots in.
Junior throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Smith.

Smith instigates a clinch.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
A slapping body kick lands there for Smith.
Smith defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Junior.
Junior misses with a right hand

and Smith counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Junior being controlled here, momentarily.
Smith tries to free his leg and advance position but Junior is retaining full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Junior trying to keep a closed guard but Smith is proving a slippery customer.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Junior controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Smith stands up and waves to Junior to follow him.
Junior tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Smith bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Junior's head backwards.
Junior shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rex Junior. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith looks for a takedown but Junior sprawls well.
Smith shoots in for a double leg but Junior sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Junior tries to score a power double leg takedown but Smith sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Junior somewhat.

Smith takes the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith looking for a takedown.
Smith avoiding damage as Junior throws knees to the body.
Junior is trying to pull guard but Smith has him pressed against the cage.
Junior really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Smith drops down looking for an ankle pick but Junior pulls his leg out and moves away.
Junior shoots in for a takedown but Smith shows good takedown defense.
A combination from Smith does no damage.
Smith misses with a jab, cross combination.
Smith tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Junior manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Junior misses with a takedown attempt - Smith sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Smith moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Smith misses with a jab, cross combination.
Junior shoots in for a double leg but Smith sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Smith misses with a few strikes there.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Junior wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Junior fails with a takedown attempt.
Junior with a lazy takedown attempt

and Smith counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Smith looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith got a little sloppy there for a moment and Junior has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Smith has managed to get both his arms back between Junior's legs - danger averted.
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 gets to his feet - Junior follows without any prompting.
Junior avoids a punch combination nicely.
Junior keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Smith keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Junior shoots in and drives through. Smith sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Smith closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Smith is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Junior drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Junior is trying to maintain a safe position but Smith gets an underhook and turns Junior into the cage.

Smith breaks the clinch.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Junior as he avoids it easily.
Junior throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.
Smith fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Junior manages to avoid it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Junior looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Smith.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith jabs at Junior's body.
Smith fails to land the takedown.
Smith throws an overhand right that lands on Junior's shoulder, as Junior tries to avoid the shot.
Rex Junior is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smith rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Junior moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Smith tries to clinch but Junior is having none of it.
Junior lands with a shot to the body.
Junior finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Smith misses with a body shot.
Smith drops his hands momentarily and Junior takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Junior lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Smith backs up against the cage.
Junior tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Junior fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Smith looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Junior tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smith paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Junior fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Junior throws a good cross that connects.
Junior fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rex Junior. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice takedown defense from Smith. No joy for Junior on that attempt.

Smith gets a clinch.
Junior tries to score a body lock takedown but Smith shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith scores with a shot to the side of Junior's head.
Smith working aggressively here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Junior pressing his opponent against the cage.
Smith doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Smith trying to land knees to the body.
Junior is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Smith tries to work over Junior's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Junior tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Smith lands a nice knee to the body.
Junior looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Junior tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Smith smiles and moves away.

Junior closes the distance and clinches.

Junior jumps guard.
Smith postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sam Smith has got the better of the ground game so far.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Junior is keeping the position.
Smith passes into half guard.
Sam Smith is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Smith is working for a kimura but Junior is defending it quite comfortably.
Rex Junior has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Smith throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Sam Smith.
Well Smith has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30

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