PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lars Olsson Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jan Strzelba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Olsson Smith
vs
Strzelba

175 cm
19
200 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

188 cm
19
195 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lars Olsson Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jan Strzelba!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Strzelba throws a sloppy head kick
and Smith counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A head kick from Strzelba lands but Smith takes it in his stride.
Strzelba misses with a kick to the body.
Smith changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Strzelba fails to land with a series of punches.
A lazy left from Strzelba finds it's target.
Smith tries to score a power double leg takedown but Strzelba sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Smith somewhat.
Sloppy strikes from Smith. Those never looked like landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strzelba pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Strzelba takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Smith misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Strzelba counters by clinching up.
A frustrated look appears on Strzelba's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Strzelba tries to break free but Smith pushes him back against the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Smith has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Smith stays in close to Strzelba's body and controls the position.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Smith pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Strzelba is keeping the position for now.
Smith won't allow Strzelba to get back to his feet.
Smith has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Smith might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Strzelba throws a leg kick which misses Smith's front leg but catches the back leg as Smith tries to avoid it.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Smith sets himself, and Strzelba steps forward looking for the clinch! Smith avoids it this time.
Strzelba throws a head kick that Smith semi-blocks.
Smith has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lars Olsson Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Strzelba turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Smith tries to clinch there but Strzelba circles away.
Strzelba is looking for the big counter here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strzelba bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Strzelba throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.
Danga de danga de dang - Strzelba scores with a four punch combination!
Strzelba pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Strzelba keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Smith showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Strzelba.
A little feinted left hand from Smith on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Smith scores with a takedown into Strzelba's guard.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Strzelba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strzelba is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Smith is controlling him.
Smith passes Strzelba's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Strzelba manages to escape and get back to his feet!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Smith throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Strzelba was covering up waiting for the punch and Smith finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Strzelba wants to stand and escape but Smith is having none of it.
Smith wants to control from the top but Strzelba keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Smith shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Strzelba as he avoids it easily.
Smith swings for the body but Strzelba moves out of range.
Smith shoots and misses
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
and Strzelba counters with a series of strikes. Smith will be more careful next time no doubt.
Smith misses with a hook.
Smith blocks a head kick by Strzelba.
Smith uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Strzelba.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Strzelba as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lars Olsson Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Strzelba throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strzelba pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Smith tries to score a power double leg takedown but Strzelba sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Smith somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strzelba misses with a combination

and Smith counters with a single leg into guard. Strzelba didn't expect that.
Smith won't allow Strzelba to get back to his feet.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Smith trying to control but Strzelba is working from the bottom.
Smith stays in close to Strzelba's body and controls the position.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Smith stops Strzelba from standing up.
Smith looking to pass the guard.
Smith is working hard here to advance position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Jan Strzelba seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Strzelba throws a head kick that misses.
Smith half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Smith shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Strzelba but Strzelba pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A solid leg kick lands there for Strzelba.
Strzelba throws a combination that misses

and Smith counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Smith seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Strzelba does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Smith stalling away here and it's allowed Strzelba to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smith prevents Strzelba from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Smith passes Strzelba's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Smith not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Smith in particular looking to stall.
Smith landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Strzelba keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Smith thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Strzelba's head.
Strzelba looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith throwing shots but Strzelba is blocking nicely.
Smith prevents Strzelba from standing back up.
Smith lands strikes from half guard.
Smith is keen to just control but Strzelba is a slippery customer.
Smith controlling the action here.
Smith trying to control the action but Strzelba is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Smith drives through with a takedown into Strzelba's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lars Olsson Smith dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Smith feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Smith controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Smith is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Strzelba is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Strzelba has escaped and now he's on top!

Lars Olsson Smith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Strzelba 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith controlling the position.
Smith looking to hit a scissor sweep but Strzelba is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strzelba slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Strzelba from controlling successfully.

Smith is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Strzelba is aware though and is defending well.
Strzelba passes Smith's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Smith is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Strzelba trying to control the action but Smith is working from the bottom.
Smith is trying to maintain the position but Strzelba is very close to passing his half guard.
Smith wants to improve his position but Strzelba is controlling well.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Strzelba takes a jab right on the kisser.
Strzelba's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Strzelba duly obliges.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Smith takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Strzelba ducks under a wild hook from Smith.
Lars Olsson Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smith blocks the body kick.
Strzelba tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A big right from Strzelba misses.
Strzelba throws a series of punches but Smith moves out of range.
Strzelba takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Strzelba fails to land with a series of punches.
Strzelba throws a lazy head kick

and Smith counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Strzelba is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Smith scores with a couple of nice shots.
Smith tries to pass the half guard into mount. Strzelba knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith slips a nice elbow through Strzelba's hands, connecting with Strzelba's forehead.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith trying to control the action but Strzelba is working from the bottom.
Strzelba won't allow Smith to pass to mount.
Strzelba pushes Smith off looking to stand but Smith dives back in and keeps control.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Smith is trying to control the action in half guard but Strzelba is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Smith missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Lars Olsson Smith.
I think Smith 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Lars Olsson Smith!
Lars Olsson Smith managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!), into his post fight interview.