PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jacob Strifes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smith comes to the cage accompanied by The Bleeding. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Smith
vs
Strifes

185 cm
23
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
26
210 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Intelligent

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 Las Vegas, Paul Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jacob Strifes!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Daniel Franklin and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Strifes slaps away a takedown attempt from Smith, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Strifes throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Strifes scores a takedown into full mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Strifes wants to control the pace but Smith is squirming around nicely.
Strifes really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Smith. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Strifes scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Smith is in a horrible position here. Strifes smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Strifes avoids the attempt from Smith to control.
Strifes with good strikes from the mount here!
Smith tries to lock up and control but Strifes gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Smith taking shots to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Strifes thowing shots but they're missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith tries to hold on but Strifes pushes him away.
Smith is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Smith really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Strifes is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Strifes unloads with some shots from mount but Smith bucks and avoids them well.
Strifes throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Smith slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Strifes missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Strifes looks to land a strike but Smith avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Strifes trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strifes wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.

Smith is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Strifes defends well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smith looking to control.
Strifes looking to pass the guard.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Strifes from controlling successfully.
Strifes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Smith is keeping the position for now.
Smith preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strifes wants to pass the guard but Smith is keeping the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Strifes is trying hard to land a takedown here. Smith sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Strifes scores with a takedown into Smith's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Strifes won't allow Smith to get back to his feet.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Strifes from controlling successfully.
Strifes won't allow Smith to get back to his feet.

Smith is looking for a triangle but Strifes pushes his legs off easily.
Strifes must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Strifes wants to stand but Smith has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to sweep here but Strifes controlling him for the moment.
Strifes postures up in Smith's guard and throws a big left but Smith blocks it.
Smith looking for a sweep. Not yet Smith, not yet.
Smith lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Strifes!
Smith is breathing heavily.
Smith content just to control the position here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Strifes can do anything to dispel that myth.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith is landing with some decent strikes but Strifes is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacob Strifes dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Strifes closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Smith quickly recovers to half guard.
Smith regains full guard. Nicely done.
Smith has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Strifes trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Strifes postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Smith pushes Strifes off and gets back to his feet.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but Strifes shows good takedown defense.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch up but Strifes swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt - Strifes sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Strifes bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Strifes lands a few punches from side control.
Strifes wants to lay and pray for a moment but Smith keeps working.
Smith wants to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Strifes is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Smith is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Strifes working the body and head with strikes.
Smith taking a bit of punishment here - Strifes scoring with strikes.
Jacob Strifes has got the better of the ground game so far.
Smith can't do much from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strifes lands a decent elbow from side control.
You can see the frustration on Smith's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Smith is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Strifes landing a few strikes.
Strifes throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Smith can't do much from the bottom here.
Sloppy strikes there by Strifes.
Smith is trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Strifes lands strikes from half guard.

Strifes is looking for a kimura here.
Strifes prevents Smith from improving his position.
Smith avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Strifes.

Strifes is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Smith is pressing down on Strifes's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strifes connects with a couple of short punches.
Strifes trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Smith controlling the position.
Strifes stopping the sweep attempt from Smith.
Strifes stands up over Smith, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Smith wants to sweep but no luck.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Strifes's guard.
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 wants to pass the guard but Strifes is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacob Strifes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Strifes scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Smith landing a few short strikes.
Smith blocking the ground and pound attempt from Strifes.
Smith trying to hold on to Strifes's head to control him but Strifes postures up.
Strifes throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Smith regains full guard. Nicely done.
Strifes wants to pass the guard but Smith is keeping the position.
Smith 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Strifes avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smith manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Strifes manages to get himself to full guard.
Smith is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Smith stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Strifes closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Smith to the mat! Smith manages to get full guard.
Strifes scoring with some ground and pound.
Strifes has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Smith is proving hard to escape from.
Strifes trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Strifes content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Strifes trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Smith 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.
Strifes working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Strifes from controlling successfully.
Strifes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Smith is keeping the position for now.
Strifes trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Jacob Strifes.

Strifes shoots in and gets a takedown into Smith's guard.
Smith manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Strifes manages to get himself to full guard.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Strifes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith postures up.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Strifes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Strifes wants to sweep here but Smith controlling him for the moment.
Paul Smith 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 looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Smith in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jacob Strifes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Strifes 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jacob Strifes!