PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ruben De La Vega (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smith has chosen Smoke the Fire as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

De La Vega
vs
Smith

178 cm
29
165 lbs
4 - 7 - 0

183 cm
29
163 lbs
11 - 17 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 4 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ruben De La Vega!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Johnny Smith!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Bruno Hogan and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smith shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
De La Vega flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Smith blocks the strikes from De La Vega.
De La Vega 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.
Smith working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on De La Vega's thigh. De La Vega counters though and makes it back to full guard.

Smith thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Smith seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Smith lands a couple of elbows.
De La Vega wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

De La Vega is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Smith is aware though and is defending well.
Smith really doesn't want to stay on the ground with De La Vega. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Smith sitting in guard here, content to control.
Smith tries to free his leg and advance position but De La Vega is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Smith postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
De La Vega being controlled here, momentarily.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Johnny Smith hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
De La Vega has his takedown stuffed

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Smith.

Smith has hold of one of De La Vega's legs. De La Vega is fighting the takedown attempt but Smith gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
De La Vega wants to sweep here but Smith controlling him for the moment.
Smith controlling from the top position.
Smith must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Johnny Smith wasn't active enough on the ground.
De La Vega misses with a takedown
and Smith counters with a straight right hand.
De La Vega has his takedown stuffed

and Smith counters by clinching up.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruben De La Vega. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Smith has hold of one of De La Vega's legs. De La Vega is fighting the takedown attempt but Smith gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Smith controls from within his opponent's guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Smith preventing the sweep.

Smith gets to his feet - De La Vega follows without any prompting.

De La Vega gets caught flat footed, as Smith shoots in with a quick takedown into 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.
De La Vega looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as De La Vega works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Smith not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Smith postures up.
De La Vega is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Smith is controlling him.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
De La Vega tries for a takedown but Smith circles away easily

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Smith.
Nice elbow from Smith.
Smith landing knees to the body.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
De La Vega misses with a takedown

and Smith counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for De La Vega!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
De La Vega tries to buck Smith off but Smith is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
De La Vega tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Smith wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Smith stands up.
De La Vega takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
De La Vega tries for a takedown but Smith circles away easily
and Smith counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
De La Vega fails with the takedown

and Smith moves into the clinch.
De La Vega is breathing heavily.

Smith works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Smith feints and as De La Vega raises his hands in defense, Smith changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Smith gets to his feet. De La Vega looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
De La Vega takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Smith gets a clinch.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
De La Vega fails with the takedown.
De La Vega with a poor takedown
and De La Vega takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Smith clinches up with De La Vega and pushes him back against the cage.

Smith wants the takedown. De La Vega is fighting it off but Smith persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in De La Vega's guard against the cage.
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 stands and throws De La Vega's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Smith is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down De La Vega's shoulder. That is not cool.
Johnny Smith has got the better of the ground game so far.
Smith cracks De La Vega with a big right hand but De La Vega just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
De La Vega is trying to get back to half guard.

Smith tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Smith has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's one minute gone in the round.
De La Vega being controlled for a moment.
De La Vega tries to bench press Smith off him but Smith keeps the position.
Smith scores with a couple of short elbows.
De La Vega sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
De La Vega is looking to escape.
Smith content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Smith prevents De La Vega from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith working De La Vega over with strikes.
De La Vega moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Smith stops De La Vega from standing up.

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

Smith gets the takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
De La Vega manages to get back to half guard.
De La Vega has hold of Smith's hands but Smith slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Smith looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks De La Vega with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Smith decides to stand up.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Smith.
De La Vega tries to improve position but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De La Vega gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Smith perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Smith landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Smith seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
De La Vega regains full guard. Nicely done.
De La Vega controls Smith momentarily but Smith frees himself.
Smith wants to pass the guard but De La Vega is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Johnny Smith wasn't active enough on the ground.
Smith defends well against a solid takedown attempt from De La Vega.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruben De La Vega. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Smith scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Smith is looking for a kimura here.
De La Vega is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

De La Vega tries for a takedown but Smith circles away easily
and Smith counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. De La Vega is lucky that one didn't land flush.
The crowd cheers as Smith lands an impressive looking overhand right. De La Vega doesn't seem phased though.
De La Vega shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Smith as he avoids it easily.
De La Vega with a lazy takedown attempt

and Smith counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruben De La Vega. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Smith is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Smith is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
De La Vega wants to get back to full guard.

Smith escapes and gets back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith throws a nice looking combination but De La Vega bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
De La Vega misses with a takedown

so Smith counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Smith got a little sloppy there for a moment and De La Vega has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Smith has managed to get both his arms back between De La Vega's legs - danger averted.
Smith makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Smith lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Smith works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Smith is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
De La Vega trying to control but Smith postures up.
Well, if Smith is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
De La Vega is pressing down on Smith's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

De La Vega is looking for a triangle but Smith pushes his legs off easily.
Smith stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. De La Vega swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Smith stands up over De La Vega, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
De La Vega tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Smith scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Smith decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on De La Vega, up you get!
Johnny Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
De La Vega throws a body punch but Smith moves out of range.

Smith moves into the clinch.

Smith drags the fight down to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De La Vega won't allow Smith to sweep him here.
Smith is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Smith keeping full guard, as De La Vega tries to pass.
De La Vega trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
De La Vega connects with a couple of short punches.
Smith has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Smith tries to strike from the bottom.

De La Vega drops back looking for a leg! Smith is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Smith manages to kick De La Vega off! De La Vega jumps back into Smith's guard.
De La Vega in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Smith has his hands on De La Vega's head, controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith has momentary wrist control but De La Vega slips an elbow through the middle.
Johnny Smith is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Smith is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
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.

Smith stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
This has been an exciting period of action!
De La Vega looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.

Smith looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Smith is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Ruben De La Vega has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Smith!