PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Edolf Smitler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Frank (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Max Frank enters the cage!

Smitler
vs
Frank

150 cm
21
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
25
214 lbs
1 - 1 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Edolf Smitler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Max Frank!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Alec Ball and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smitler tries for a takedown but Frank circles away easily

and Frank counters with a nice double leg into side control. Smitler won't be happy with that.
Frank is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Let's hope that Frank has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smitler is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Frank has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Frank controlling the position.

Max Frank has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Smitler misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Smitler could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Smitler doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Frank counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edolf Smitler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smitler is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Frank pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Frank tries to land knees in the clinch but Smitler avoids the damage to the body.

Frank breaks the clinch.
Smitler fails with the takedown
and Frank counters with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smitler misses with a combination

and Frank counters with a nice double leg into side control. Smitler won't be happy with that.
Frank is staying tight to Smitler's torso, preventing him from escaping.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smitler is trying to buck Frank off.

Frank tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Smitler is trying to buck Frank off.
Smitler is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Frank moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Smitler prevents Frank from improving position.

Frank is trying to get an arm triangle but Smitler is defending well.
Frank controlling from side mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Frank is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Smitler knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Frank misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Smitler tries for a takedown but Frank circles away easily

and Frank counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Frank stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smitler swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smitler wants to stand but Frank is controlling the position.
Frank is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Max Frank hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Smitler shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Frank counters by moving into the clinch.

Frank gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Smitler regains guard.
Frank prevents Smitler from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Frank is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Frank prevents Smitler from getting back to his feet.
Frank must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Smitler can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Frank controls the pace.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Max Frank was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Smitler swinging wildly here.
Smitler with a lazy takedown attempt

and Frank counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Frank.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edolf Smitler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Frank engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Frank looking to pass the guard.
Frank is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Max Frank has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Frank closes the distance and clinches.
Frank drops down looking for an ankle pick but Smitler pulls his leg out and moves away.

Frank clinches up with Smitler and pushes him back against the cage.

Frank manages to break the clinch.
Frank tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smitler swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Smitler misses with a takedown

and Frank holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Frank on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Frank landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Frank prevents a takedown attempt there.
Smitler is pressed up against the cage. Frank has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Smitler down to the mat. Smitler avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Smitler gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Frank holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Frank misses with a body punch.
Frank is leaning against Smitler and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Frank goes for a takedown attempt but Smitler pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Smitler with a lazy takedown attempt

and Frank decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Smitler's guard.
Frank is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Frank showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Frank has closed the distance and engaged Smitler in a clinch.

Frank is trying to trip Smitler. He has hold of a leg but Smitler is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Frank persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Frank has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Frank slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Frank trying to control but Smitler is working from the bottom.
Frank controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Max Frank.
Smitler looks for the body kick but Frank saw that one coming.

Frank is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Smitler's half guard.
Frank performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Frank seems to be working for a kimura but Smitler defends the submission attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Frank looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Max Frank is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Max Frank was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Smitler takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Smitler fails with the takedown

and Frank counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Frank slows the pace down in half guard.
Frank wants to pass the guard but Smitler is defending well.
Well, if Frank is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Max Frank has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Smitler with a lazy takedown attempt

and Frank counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Frank sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Edolf Smitler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Frank comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Frank winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 26:30
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 26:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Max Frank!
After the fight, Max Frank was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.