PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kenneth Shamrock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eli Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Shamrock might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to PRIDE FC Opening Theme. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Shamrock
vs
Smith

189 cm
24
245 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

195 cm
19
225 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kenneth Shamrock!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eli Smith!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Cecil Peabody and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shamrock shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Shamrock showed some decent athleticism there.
Smith is looking to control Shamrock's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Smith avoid being mounted?
Shamrock seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Smith keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Smith can do anything to dispel that myth.
Smith is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shamrock not doing much here.
Shamrock wants to take a breather but Smith is having none of it.
Smith is pressing down on Shamrock's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Shamrock throwing strikes from guard but Smith blocks nicely.
Shamrock stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smith swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Shamrock from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamrock distracts Smith with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Shamrock wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
Smith keeping full guard, as Shamrock tries to pass.

Smith working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Shamrock doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Shamrock manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Smith looks gassed!
Shamrock throws a big right hand that misses.
Smith is trying to control the position but Shamrock postures up.
Shamrock engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Shamrock from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shamrock is pushing down on Smith's leg trying to pass to half guard. Smith is fighting to maintain full guard but Shamrock has managed to sneak the leg through.
Smith avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Shamrock.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Shamrock is looking for a kimura but Smith is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Shamrock to get the leverage.
Smith on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Smith tries to roll over but Shamrock keeps him under control.
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!
Shamrock tries to pass the half guard into mount. Smith knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Shamrock is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Shamrock has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Smith defend it? Shamrock steps over the head and cranks it - Smith is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Shamrock!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:50 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Kenneth Shamrock!
After the big win, Kenneth Shamrock made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Brute and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.