PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Freddy Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kevin Khasm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Khasm has chosen Kickstart My Heart as his entrance music. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Smith
vs
Khasm

195 cm
22
250 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

198 cm
25
270 lbs
10 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Freddy Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kevin Khasm!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Khasm keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Smith.
Kevin Khasm seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Khasm closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Smith to the mat! Smith manages to get full guard.

Smith is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Khasm throws a strike but Smith rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Smith trying to control but Khasm is working from the bottom.

Khasm throws his legs up looking for a submission but Smith uses it to pass to side control.
Smith tries to move to full mount but Khasm actually manages to regain half guard.
Smith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Khasm keeps working.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Smith connects with a nice short shot to Khasm's temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is pressing down on Khasm's thigh, looking to free his foot. Khasm is holding on for now.
Khasm tries to get to full guard but Smith has control of the leg.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Smith connects with a nice short shot to Khasm's temple.
Khasm works his way to full guard. Good work.
Smith not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Smith trying to control but Khasm is working from the bottom.
Khasm being controlled here, momentarily.
Smith pushing down on Khasm's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Khasm is defending against the submission attempts here by Smith.
Khasm throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khasm is looking for a sweep. Smith is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Khasm is staying active underneath Smith, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Khasm trying to control from the bottom.

Smith is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Khasm doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Smith.
Khasm is trying to control but can't.
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!
Khasm tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Smith looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Khasm moves into full guard.
Khasm looking to hit a scissor sweep but Smith is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith looking to pass the guard.

Smith drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Smith jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Smith with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith throws a big right hand that misses.
Khasm 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.
Khasm is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Smith advances to half guard.

Khasm looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Smith is looking for a kimura but Khasm is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Smith to get the leverage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Smith thows a huge punch but Khasm dodges it nicely.

Khasm is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Smith pulls his head out easily.
Smith missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Smith stalling.
Smith wants to control but Khasm is keeping him busy.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Khasm tries to get to full guard but Smith has control of the leg.
Khasm moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Khasm keeping full guard, as Smith tries to pass.
Khasm is trying to keep Smith in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Freddy Smith dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A combination from Khasm does no damage.
Khasm is trying hard to land a takedown here. Smith sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Khasm keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Smith shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Khasm napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Khasm manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Khasm is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Khasm looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Khasm trying to hold on to Smith's head to control him but Smith postures up.
Freddy Smith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Smith works his foot free and advances to mount.
Khasm tries to control Smith's body but Smith pushes him off. Khasm squirms to his side and now Smith has his back!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khasm wants to control his opponent's hands but Smith gets his hands free.

Smith is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Khasm is defending well though. Smith let's go of the attempt for now.
Khasm trying to control the action but Smith just sinks the hooks in.

Smith is looking for the choke from the back position but Khasm is controlling his hands well.
Smith softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Khasm turns into Smith and is now in his guard.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Smith here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Khasm trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Khasm is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Smith seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Khasm does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khasm is looking to improve his position.
Smith lands with a punch from half guard.
Khasm is not content to let Smith control the position.
Khasm is looking to control Smith's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Khasm avoid being mounted?
Smith keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Smith throwing shots but Khasm is blocking nicely.
Khasm flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Khasm missing with punches from the bottom.

Smith is looking for a kimura here.
Smith is trying to control. Khasm wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Smith has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to pass the half guard into mount. Khasm knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Smith throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Khasm is concentrating on defense, preventing Smith from advancing position.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Khasm is defending well.
Khasm is pressing down on Smith's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Khasm is trying to control the position but Smith postures up.
Smith wants to control from the top but Khasm keeps moving.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Khasm has wrist control.
Khasm not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Smith takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Smith is defended easily by Khasm.
Freddy Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Khasm shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Smith counters with a takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Khasm is trying to control Smith's posture but Smith avoids it.
Smith lands a few punches from side control.
An elbow from Smith crashes against the mat.
Smith content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Khasm tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Smith presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Khasm reaches up and holds on to Smith to control the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Smith putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Khasm working to try and regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Freddy Smith dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Smith misses with the combination.

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

Khasm 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.

Khasm 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 looking to pass the guard.
Smith with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Khasm looking for a sweep. Not yet Khasm, not yet.
Smith missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Smith passes Khasm's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith wants to work for an arm triangle but Khasm is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Khasm is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ground and pound from Smith.
Smith is stalling here. Khasm 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 Khasm has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Smith manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Smith works his way into side control.
Khasm gets back to half guard.

Smith is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Khasm sees it coming and defends easily.
Khasm wants to control but Smith is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Smith wants to stand up but Khasm has a hold of him and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khasm works his way to full guard. Good work.
Khasm looking for a sweep. Not yet Khasm, not yet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Khasm swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Smith missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Khasm 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.
Smith works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Smith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Khasm keeps working.

Smith is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Khasm is just riding it out for now. Smith eventually gives up the hold.
Freddy Smith is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Smith controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khasm regains full guard. Nicely done.
Smith slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Smith looking to pass the guard.

Khasm is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Smith defends well.
Khasm keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith forces his way into half guard.
Smith trying to control the pace.
Smith stalling away here and it's allowed Khasm to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

Khasm kicks Smith off and gets to his feet.
No joy there for Smith, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Khasm throws a lazy head kick

and Smith decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Khasm's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Khasm is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Khasm thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Kevin Khasm has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Smith not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Freddy Smith showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Smith, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Freddy Smith!
Freddy Smith decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.