PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between David Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jackson Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Matthews
vs
Smith

174 cm
19
170 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

174 cm
18
166 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, David Matthews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jackson Smith!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Vladimir Khabensky and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smith shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Smith showed some decent athleticism there.
Smith tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Matthews.
Smith sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Matthews defending well though.
Nice strikes from Smith there.
Matthews trying to control from the bottom.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Matthews is holding on to half guard well.
Matthews is looking to control Smith's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Matthews avoid being mounted?
The fighters are battling for position here. Matthews manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Smith postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Matthews is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Smith, into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Matthews in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Matthews preventing the sweep.

Smith throws his legs up looking for a submission but Matthews uses it to pass to side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matthews wants to lay and pray for a moment but Smith keeps working.

Matthews working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Smith gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Matthews tries to pass the half guard into mount. Smith knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Smith manages to get to full guard.
Smith pulls Matthews in close to his closed guard and prevents Matthews from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Matthews trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Matthews preventing the sweep.
Matthews pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Smith is keeping the position for now.
Matthews trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Matthews throws a head kick that misses.

Smith gets the takedown into side control.

Smith is trying to get an arm triangle but Matthews is defending well.
Smith looks gassed!
Matthews is trying to control Smith's posture but Smith avoids it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith controlling the position from side mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jackson Smith dominated that round.
That's time! Matthews's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Matthews closes the distance and clinches.
Matthews gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Matthews breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Smith shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Smith tries to free his leg and advance position but Matthews is retaining full guard.

Matthews looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Smith preventing the sweep.
Smith chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith trying to control but Matthews is working from the bottom.
Smith is breathing heavily.
Matthews is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Smith must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Smith trying to control but Matthews is working from the bottom.
Matthews not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Matthews.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Smith gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Matthews wants to free his trapped foot but Smith is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Smith is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Smith moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Smith trying to keep a closed guard but Matthews is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews thows a big elbow that misses.
Smith looking to hit a scissor sweep but Matthews is one step ahead there.
Matthews trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Smith takes a swing at Matthews's ribcage but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Matthews lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Smith circles away quickly and effectively.

Matthews shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Smith's guard.

Smith looking for a guillotine here but Matthews defends easily.
Smith looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Matthews trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Matthews dominated that second round.
That's time! Matthews's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Matthews tries a head kick but it misses.
Matthews tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
Matthews misses with a takedown

so Smith counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Smith stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Matthews swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Matthews looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Matthews is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews keeping full guard, as Smith tries to pass.
Matthews keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.

Smith drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Matthews manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Smith has Matthews in his guard.
Smith managing to control the position.

Matthews drops back looking for a leg! Smith is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Smith manages to kick Matthews off! Matthews jumps back into Smith's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Matthews from controlling successfully.
Smith trying to control the position here.
Smith is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews passes Smith's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Matthews wants to lay and pray for a moment but Smith keeps working.
Matthews wants to pass the guard but Smith is defending well.
The fighters are battling for position here. Smith manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Smith is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Matthews trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Smith tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Smith is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Smith bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Matthews's guard.
Smith sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Smith has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Matthews is proving hard to escape from.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Matthews is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jackson Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Smith has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:29

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