PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Eddie Alvarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aj Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Alvarez
vs
Smith

165 cm
24
140 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

188 cm
25
145 lbs
8 - 11 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Good gas tank

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 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eddie Alvarez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aj Smith!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Wesley Smith and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alvarez shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Smith counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Smith missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Alvarez keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Alvarez pulls Smith in close to his closed guard and prevents Smith from doing any damage or advancing position.
Smith has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Smith controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Alvarez might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Smith looking to pass the guard.
Alvarez looking to control.

We're going to have a standup here because Eddie Alvarez wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Alvarez shoots in for a takedown but Smith shows good takedown defense.
Donk. Smith catches Alvarez right on the button with a cross.
Alvarez misses with a takedown

and Smith counters with a shoot takedown. Alvarez fights it but they end up in guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eddie Alvarez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Alvarez is keeping the position.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Alvarez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alvarez wants to get back to his feet but Smith is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Smith controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Smith is fighting to break Alvarez's control of his arms but Alvarez is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Smith will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Alvarez avoids a punch combination nicely.
Alvarez with a lazy takedown attempt

and Smith counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Smith with a flurry of punches that miss.
Smith tries to free his leg and advance position but Alvarez is retaining full guard.
Smith won't allow Alvarez to sweep him here.
Alvarez manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith tries to lock up and control but Alvarez gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Smith throwing punches despite being mounted.
Smith is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Smith might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Alvarez kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Alvarez lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Alvarez scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Smith?
Smith is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Alvarez is landing with some decent strikes but Smith is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Smith working to try and regain half guard.
Smith is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Alvarez landing punches.

Smith is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Smith?
Smith is still in real trouble! Can Alvarez finish him?
Smith takes a big shot to the dome and his eyes have rolled back in his head! Alvarez's killer instinct has kicked in as he finishes the fight with more strikes. Impressive finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:22 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Eddie Alvarez!