PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Yoh Azakura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yoh Azakura has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Azakura
vs
Smith

173 cm
25
160 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

176 cm
19
162 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Yoh Azakura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, John Smith!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Andrew Berry and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Azakura misses with a takedown attempt
and Smith counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Azakura with a lazy takedown attempt
and Smith counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Good exchange - Smith coming out on top.
Azakura misses with a takedown attempt

and Smith counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Smith.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoh Azakura. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Azakura had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Smith defends it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Azakura is looking for a triangle but Smith pushes his legs off easily.

Azakura working for a triangle but Smith defends it easily.

Azakura is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Smith defends well.
Azakura is breathing heavily.
Smith controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Let's hope that Smith 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.

Azakura has his foot on Smith's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Smith works his way back into a safe position though.

Azakura looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Smith not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Smith gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Azakura shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

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

Smith decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Azakura, up you get!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Azakura shoots and misses

and Smith counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Smith wants to stand but Azakura has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Azakura is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Smith pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Smith decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Smith shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Smith was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Smith controlling the pace for now.
Azakura is looking to improve his position but Smith isn't that keen on the idea.
Azakura is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith controlling the position easily from mount.
Azakura is looking to improve his position but Smith isn't that keen on the idea.

Smith stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Azakura shoots and misses

and Smith counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Smith takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Smith is working for a kimura but Azakura is defending it quite comfortably.

Smith escapes and gets back to his feet.
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 looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Smith avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Azakura keeping full guard, as Smith tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Azakura is looking for a triangle but Smith pushes his legs off easily.
Smith showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Smith is pushing down on Azakura's leg trying to pass to half guard. Azakura is fighting to maintain full guard but Smith has managed to sneak the leg through.

Azakura looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Smith decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Azakura gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Smith decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Azakura's guard.
Smith passes Azakura's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Azakura swings for the body but Smith moves out of range.
Azakura looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Smith is fending him off so far but Azakura persists. Nope, Smith circles away and we're back to standing.
Azakura misses with a takedown attempt

and Smith counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Smith.

Smith got a little sloppy there for a moment and Azakura has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Smith has managed to get both his arms back between Azakura's legs - danger averted.
Smith content to stall in guard here.
Smith really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Azakura. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Azakura is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Azakura has a closed guard, preventing Smith from standing up.

Azakura is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Azakura looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Smith must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Smith pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Azakura is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Azakura, up you get!

Smith throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Azakura tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Smith is in Azakura's guard.
Smith trying to stand up but can't free himself from Azakura's guard.
Smith slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Smith looks up at the clock and then as Azakura takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Smith smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

Smith is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Azakura knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Azakura tries to buck Smith off but Smith is having none of it.
Smith just content to control the position.
Azakura gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Smith looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Smith decides to stand up.
Azakura misses with a takedown attempt

and Smith counters with a shoot takedown. Azakura fights it but they end up in guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoh Azakura. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith sitting in guard here, content to control.

Smith decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Azakura, up you get!
Azakura fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azakura with a poor takedown

so Smith counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Smith slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Azakura has a closed guard, preventing Smith from standing up.
Smith controlling from the top position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

John Smith has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Smith shoots in and bounces Azakura off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Azakura is looking for a triangle but Smith pushes his legs off easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Azakura is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Azakura has his foot on Smith's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Smith works his way back into a safe position though.
Smith stands and throws Azakura's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Smith moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

Smith decides to stand up, so the ref orders Azakura to his feet.
Azakura gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Smith counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Smith decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Smith looking to score a takedown here. Azakura is defending well but Smith drives through and ends up in Azakura's guard.
Smith controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Azakura throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Azakura circles away from the clinch attempt.
Yoh Azakura seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Azakura shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Smith counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Azakura is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Smith is aware though and is defending well.

Azakura throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Smith escapes and throws Azakura's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Azakura seems a little lost for a moment, as Smith dominates the positioning.
Azakura is looking to regain half guard here but Smith keeps moving and retains side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Smith decides to stand back up. Smith steps back and let's Azakura get back to his feet.
Smith has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith lands a two punch combo.
Azakura is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Smith.
Azakura gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Smith counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Azakura!
Smith controlling the position easily from mount.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Smith cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith controlling the pace for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Azakura keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Smith wants to take Azakura's back but he can't do it this time.

Smith stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Azakura shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Smith decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Azakura's guard.
John Smith is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoh Azakura. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Azakura looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Smith tries to free his leg and advance position but Azakura is retaining full guard.

Azakura escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Smith gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Smith controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Yoh Azakura has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Smith wanted to stand there but Azakura had control of the position.

Azakura has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Smith can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith stands and steps away. Azakura gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Smith scores a takedown into full mount!
Smith manages to capitalize on a mistake by Azakura to take his back!
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!
I would not like to be Azakura right now.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

And that's the end of the fight!
John Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Smith!
An intense looking John Smith took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: 'DONT STICK DICK IN CRAZY'.