PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jake Tucker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Smiley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Tucker
vs
Smiley

194 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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, Jake Tucker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Steve Smiley!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Wesley Smith and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tucker fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Smiley is out of range.
Tucker swinging wildly here.
Tucker fails to land with a series of punches.

Smiley moves into the clinch.
Smiley is working Tucker over against the cage.

Tucker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tucker stuffs the takedown attempt from Smiley. Smiley gets slowly back to his feet.

Smiley has Tucker up against the cage in a clinch.
Tucker is trying to push Smiley away but Smiley has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Smiley wants to take the fight to the mat but Tucker manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Tucker tries to circle away but Smiley has him pinned against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smiley successfully pulls guard.
Tucker wants to stand but Smiley is controlling his posture from full guard.

Smiley kicks Tucker off and gets to his feet.
Steve Smiley seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Smiley closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Tucker quickly recovers to half guard.
Smiley wants to pass the guard but Tucker is defending well.
Smiley not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Smiley has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Smiley prevents Tucker from standing back up.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tucker throws a series of punches but Smiley moves out of range.
Smiley fails with a takedown attempt.
Jake Tucker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Smiley.
Smiley shoots in for a double leg but Tucker sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tucker shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Smiley pinned against the cage. Smiley gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Smiley shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tucker throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Smiley.
Smiley shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tucker but Tucker pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Smiley.
Tucker misses with a combination

and Smiley moves into the clinch.
Smiley misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tucker.
Tucker wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Smiley has him pressed against the cage.
Smiley is looking to break free of the clinch but Tucker has double underhooks.
Tucker wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Smiley has him pressed against the cage.
Tucker is looking to break free of the clinch but Smiley has double underhooks.
Smiley drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Smiley decides to pull guard.
Tucker has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Smiley looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tucker would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Smiley is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Smiley stops Tucker from getting back to his feet.
Smiley is taking a breather. Tucker says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smiley is looking to advance position but Tucker won't allow it.
Smiley is figuring out what he wants to do next.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Tucker lands a leg kick that knocks Smiley off balance momentarily.
Smiley scores with a shot to the body.

Smiley clinches up with Tucker and pushes him back against the cage.
Nice body punch from Smiley.
Smiley's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Tucker can't break the clinch.
Smiley changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tucker fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Smiley takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smiley swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Smiley takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Smiley looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Tucker misses with a two punch combination.

Smiley rushes Tucker and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Tucker is trying to break the clinch but Smiley has him pressed against the cage.
Tucker is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Smiley is keeping busy.
Smiley tries to pull guard but Tucker won't allow it.
Jake Tucker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Smiley.
Smiley is trying to pull guard but Tucker has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smiley is trying to break the clinch but Tucker is controlling him.
Tucker working hard to break the clinch.
Tucker is looking to break free of the clinch but Smiley has double underhooks.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Smiley.
Tucker wants to break free but Smiley has control.
Tucker is trying to force a seperation but Smiley has the dominant position.
Tucker is looking to break free of the clinch but Smiley has double underhooks.
Smiley has Tucker pressed against the cage, preventing Tucker from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Smiley successfully pulls guard.

Smiley working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tucker doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tucker manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Tucker being controlled here momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smiley keeping full guard, as Tucker tries to pass.
Tucker wants to get up but he can't break Smiley's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Smiley uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Tucker lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Smiley is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smiley on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tucker. Tucker obviously looking to wear him down.
Tucker is trying hard to land a takedown here. Smiley sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Smiley sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Smiley shoots in looking for a takedown but Tucker manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Smiley's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Tucker throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Smiley.
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!
Tucker swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tucker feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Smiley's calf.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tucker lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Tucker throws a nice looking combination but Smiley bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Smiley keeps the fight on the outside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Tucker dominated that second round.
That's time! Tucker's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Tucker throws a front kick that sends Smiley stumbling back into the cage.
A solid leg kick lands there for Tucker.
Tucker misses with a few strikes there.

Smiley rushes Tucker and presses him up against the cage.
Smiley jumps guard but Tucker stands there with Smiley around his waist. Smiley gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tucker is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Tucker throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Smileys head.
Tucker wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tucker tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Smiley smiles and moves away.
Smiley takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Smiley darts in and clinches Tucker up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smiley goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Smiley is looking to take this one to the mat.
Jake Tucker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Smiley.
Smiley has Tucker pressed against the cage.
Tucker wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Smiley has him pressed against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Tucker's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Tucker wants to break the clinch but can't.
Tucker has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Smiley is looking to break free of the clinch but Tucker has double underhooks.
Smiley wants to break free but Tucker has control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tucker is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Tucker is trying to force a seperation but Smiley has the dominant position.
Smiley tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tucker smiles and moves away.
Tucker is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
No luck for Smiley with that takedown attempt.
Tucker fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Smiley.
Tucker throws a series of strikes that have Smiley backpedaling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tucker lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Tucker throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Smiley.
Tucker throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tucker is looking to clinch but Smiley is avoiding it.
Tucker buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Tucker throws a nice head kick!
Tucker slaps away a takedown attempt from Smiley, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Tucker looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nice takedown defense from Tucker. No joy for Smiley on that attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tucker misses with a series of wild punches.
Tucker lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tucker lands with a kick to the temple. Smiley shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Smiley clinches up against the cage.
Tucker wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Smiley is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Tucker to keep the fight standing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tucker tries to break free but Smiley pushes him back against the cage.
Tucker trying to land knees to the body.
Tucker trying to control the position but instead, Smiley has worked for underhooks and has pushed Tucker into the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jake Tucker showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Tucker has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jake Tucker!