PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Vincenzo Acerbi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Petr Smirnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Acerbi comes to the cage accompanied by The Kinks - Living On A Thin Line. Vincenzo Acerbi is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Acerbi
vs
Smirnov

172 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
19
150 lbs
3 - 8 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vincenzo Acerbi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Petr Smirnov!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Vladimir Khabensky and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smirnov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Acerbi lands a jab to the head.
Acerbi throws a lazy right hand but Smirnov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Smirnov moves out of range as Acerbi strikes.
Acerbi throws an off balance right hand
and Smirnov counters with a nice uppercut.
Vincenzo Acerbi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Acerbi lands a glancing blow to the side of Smirnov's head.
Acerbi connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Acerbi throws a jab but it's blocked by Smirnov.
Smirnov throws a counter combo.
Smirnov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Acerbi's corner calls for a 1-2. Acerbi obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Acerbi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smirnov.

Smirnov rushes Acerbi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Acerbi breaks the clinch.
Smirnov looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Smirnov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Jab from Acerbi.
Smirnov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Acerbi misses with a straight right.
Acerbi is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
A cross from Acerbi lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Acerbi throws an overhand right that lands on Smirnov's shoulder, as Smirnov tries to avoid the shot.
Smirnov slips a jab from Acerbi.
Smirnov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Acerbi comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Acerbi throws a predictable looking body shot
and Smirnov counters with a two punch combo.
Acerbi lands a nice looking body shot.
A cross from Acerbi lands.
Smirnov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Vincenzo Acerbi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Acerbi just misses with a punch to the body.
Acerbi scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Smirnov, as that shot connected.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Good work by Acerbi as he checks the leg kick.
Acerbi misses with a looping left.
Acerbi throws a big shot that misses.
Smirnov let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Smirnov avoids the body shot from Acerbi.
Smirnov slips under a jab from Acerbi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Acerbi scores with a decent looking hook.
Smirnov staying out of range there.
Acerbi swats away the attempt to clinch by Smirnov.
Acerbi was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Acerbi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Smirnov.
Smirnov looks winded!
Smirnov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Acerbi.
Acerbi throws a shot from downtown. Smirnov moves away and avoids it.
Acerbi works the jab nicely.
Acerbi is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Smirnov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Acerbi.
Smirnov fails with the takedown.
Smirnov avoids the body shot from Acerbi.
Acerbi loads up on a big right hand but Smirnov slips the punch.
Acerbi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Acerbi scores with a hook to the body. Smirnov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov defending well as Acerbi loads up on a big left hand.
Acerbi scores with a crisp jab that stopped Smirnov in his tracks.
Acerbi scores with the left hand. Smirnov knows he should have avoided that one.
Acerbi misses with a straight right.
Smirnov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Smirnov forces Acerbi back against the cage and clinches.
With the fighters up against the cage, Smirnov throws an elbow but misses.
Smirnov misses with an elbow over the top.

Smirnov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Smirnov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Acerbi missing with a left hand there. Smirnov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Acerbi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Smirnov.
Acerbi feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Smirnovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Acerbi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Acerbi connects with a looping right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Acerbi misses with a looping left.
Acerbi misses with a looping right.
Acerbi throws a jab when Smirnov was well out of range.
Acerbi with a nice cross.
Acerbi fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Jab by Smirnov.
Acerbi misses with a straight left.
Acerbi looks to throw the jab but Smirnov is out of range.
Acerbi bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
The fighters circling - Acerbi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Smirnov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Acerbi throws a hook but Smirnov avoids it easily.
Jab, jab by Acerbi - just one landing.
Smirnov slips a jab from Acerbi.
Acerbi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vincenzo Acerbi dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Smirnov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Acerbi.
Smirnov shoots in but no luck this time.
Acerbi avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A jab lands there for Acerbi.
Acerbi misses with a looping right.
Smirnov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Acerbi.
Smirnov takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Acerbi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Smirnov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Smirnov moves forwards but Acerbi connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Acerbi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Smirnov can do to turn this around?
Acerbi jabs Smirnov right on the nose. Smirnov blinks but takes it well.
Acerbi checks a low kick from Smirnov.
Smirnov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Smirnov moves out of range of the strikes.
Smirnov is breathing heavily.
Smirnov slips under a jab.
Smirnov throws a counter combo.
Acerbi throws a body punch but Smirnov moves out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Acerbi misses with an uppercut
and Smirnov counters with a straight right hand.
Petr Smirnov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov ducks under a wild hook from Acerbi.
A swing and a miss from Acerbi.
A big right from Acerbi misses.
Smirnov tries to clinch but Acerbi is having none of it.
Acerbi throws a big shot that misses.
Smirnov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Acerbi throws out the jab.
Acerbi cracks Smirnov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Acerbi connects with a crisp jab.
Acerbi scores with a sloppy right hand. Smirnov should have avoided that one.
Smirnov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Acerbi.
Acerbi lands a nice shot that snaps Smirnov's head back.
Acerbi clobbers Smirnov with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Vincenzo Acerbi is winning the standup battle so far.
Acerbi lands with an uppercut that bounces Smirnov off the cage and back into range.
Smirnov avoids the body shot from Acerbi.
Acerbi throws a hook but Smirnov blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smirnov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Acerbi.
Acerbi has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Acerbi misses with a body shot.
Acerbi works the jab nicely.
Acerbi misses with a hook. Smirnov ducked under it nicely.
Smirnov throws out a counter right but Acerbi avoids it with no problem.
Acerbi connects with a single shot there.
Acerbi with a jab.
Smirnov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Acerbi connects with a looping right hand.
Acerbi lands with a straight right. Smirnov didn't see that one coming.
A big left from Acerbi misses.
Smirnov misses with a wild combination.
Acerbi cracks Smirnov with a good jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Acerbi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Smirnov ducks right into an uppercut from Acerbi.
Smirnov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Smirnov throws a body kick that misses.
Smirnov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A slow jab from Acerbi misses its intended target.
Smirnov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Smirnov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Acerbi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Smirnov staying out of range there.
Smirnov was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Acerbi thuds his right hand into Smirnov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Acerbi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Smirnov.
Smirnov moves out of range as Acerbi strikes.
Smirnov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Acerbi lands with a hook. Smirnov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Acerbi circles away from the clinch attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Acerbi. Smirnov does a little dance to reset his feet.
A big right from Acerbi misses.
Smirnov moves away from the strike by Acerbi.
Acerbi lands a jab to the head.
Acerbi throws a lazy right hand but Smirnov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Acerbi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Acerbi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Smirnov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Acerbi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Acerbi takes a swing at Smirnov's ribcage but misses.
Smirnov wants to counter with a clinch but Acerbi pushes him away.
Smirnov tries to clinch but Acerbi moves out of range.
Smirnov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Acerbi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Acerbi throws a looping overhand right but Smirnov ducks down to avoid it.
Acerbi throws a shot from downtown. Smirnov moves away and avoids it.
A head kick misses from Smirnov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A jab from Acerbi finds it's way through Smirnov's defenses.
Acerbi loads up on a big right hand but Smirnov slips the punch.
Acerbi lands with a hook. Smirnov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Smirnov slips under a jab from Acerbi.
Smirnov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Smirnov tries to land a front kick but Acerbi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Acerbi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Acerbi throws an off balance right hand
and Smirnov counters with a stiff right hand.
A left lands for Acerbi.
Acerbi throws a hook to the side of Smirnov's head but Smirnov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smirnov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
No joy there for Smirnov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Smirnov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Acerbi.
Acerbi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Smirnov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Smirnov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Acerbi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Acerbi swings for the body but Smirnov moves out of range.
Acerbi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nice uppercut there from Smirnov.
Smirnov slips under a jab from Acerbi.
Acerbi misses with a shot to the body
and Smirnov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Acerbi misses with a hook.
Smirnov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Smirnov ducks under a wild hook from Acerbi.
Acerbi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A telegraphed right hand from Acerbi misses the target.
Smirnov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Acerbi is out of range.
Acerbi's jab looks to have found its range, popping Smirnov under the eye.
Acerbi walks into a straight right hand from Smirnov.
Acerbi misses the shot to the body.
Acerbi with a nice cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Acerbi misses the target.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A big left from Acerbi misses.
Despite the aggression on Smirnov's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Smirnov throws a body punch but Acerbi moves out of range.
Smirnov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Acerbi.
Smirnov walks into a jab.
Smirnov slips a jab from Acerbi.
Smirnov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Acerbi defends well and Smirnov ends up having to push Acerbi into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Smirnov has managed to clinch.

Smirnov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A big left from Acerbi misses.
Despite the aggression on Smirnov's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Acerbi misses the jab.
Nice cross by Acerbi.
The fighters circling - Acerbi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Acerbi scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Acerbi looks to throw the jab but Smirnov is out of range.
Smirnov let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Acerbi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Acerbi throws a big shot that misses.
Some wild striking there from Smirnov.
Smirnov wants to clinch.
Vincenzo Acerbi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Smirnov slips under a jab.
Acerbi scores with a nice head shot.
Acerbi throws a jab when Smirnov was well out of range.
Smirnov unleashes a big counter combination but Acerbi bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Acerbi takes a swing at Smirnov's ribcage but misses.
Acerbi thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Acerbi scores with a nice right hand.
Acerbi moves out of range as Smirnov strikes.
Acerbi throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Smirnov on the side of the head.
Smirnov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Acerbi misses with a looping right.
Acerbi throws a hook but Smirnov avoids it easily.
The fighters circling - Acerbi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Acerbi looks to land a left hand but Smirnov moved out of range nicely.
Smirnov shapes to counter with a head kick.
Acerbi connects with a good right hand that stumbles Smirnov. Smirnov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smirnov moves out of range of the strikes.
Smirnov is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Acerbi with a body shot.
Good shot there by Acerbi.
Smirnov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A jab from Acerbi misses.
Smirnov tries to counter with a clinch but Acerbi shakes him off and moves away.
Petr Smirnov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Smirnov walks into a straight right hand from Acerbi.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vincenzo Acerbi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Acerbi, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vincenzo Acerbi!
Vincenzo Acerbi spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.