PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luke English (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Luke English will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Smith
vs
English

170 cm
22
300 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

190 cm
19
289 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

FIT FOR LIFE
Dtd clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mike Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Luke English!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Alexandre Firmino and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith tries to clinch up.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch but English swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
English keeps the fight on the outside.
Smith could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
English looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Smith is fending him off so far but English persists. Nope, Smith circles away and we're back to standing.

Smith fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with English, pushing him back against the cage.
Smith lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
English can't get the takedown.

Smith lands a big knee from the Thai clinch and English goes down hard! The ref takes a good look at him but he's still defending himself. Smith in side control.

It looks like Luke English has been cut.
Smith tries to advance to mount but English denies him.
English is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
English is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
English regains half guard.

Smith decides to return to a standing position.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Nice sprawl there from English as Smith shoots in.

Smith gets a clinch.
Smith lands a knee to the head.
Smith is breathing heavily.
English is looking to control Smith's arms but Smith gets an underhook and turns him. Now English has his back to the cage.
Smith crunches a lovely knee into English's ribcage.
English is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Smith gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Mike Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luke English.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith lands a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith lands a damaging elbow.
Smith landing knees to the head.
English has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Smith is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Smith changes levels and goes for a takedown here. English fights it off and pushes away nicely.

English gets a takedown into half guard.
Smith taking some punishment here, with English in his half guard.
Smith gets back to full guard.

Smith pushes English off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Smith tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
English tries to close the distance and clinch but Smith swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Excellent takedown into side control there by English.
English scoring with punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Smith manages to get back to half guard.
Smith throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Smith knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for English on the ground.
Smith tries to roll over but English keeps him under control.
Smith on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Smith tries to get out of the position.
English working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
English lands strikes from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
English landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Smith might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Smith throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. English connects with a nice short shot to Smith's temple.
English is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Smith fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smith scores with a push kick.
Smith tries to clinch up but English circles away and keeps his distance.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to clinch there but English circles away.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
English fails with the takedown.
Smith is looking to clinch but English is avoiding it.
Smith stuffs the takedown attempt from English. English gets slowly back to his feet.

Smith moves into the clinch.
Smith with an attempt at a knee that misses.
English is working for takedown but Smith is calmly controlling the position for now.
Smith comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Smith lands a knee to the head.
English takes an elbow to the temple.
English lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Smith or not.
Smith tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
English tries to break the clinch but Smith is controlling the position.
English will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Smith up against the cage.
Smith lands a knee to the head.
English wants to get back to striking at distance but Smith won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Smith is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
English blocks the elbow strike.
Smith throws a knee to the head but misses.
English changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Smith fights it off and pushes away nicely.
English tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Smith swivels and escapes.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Smith gets a clinch.
English wants a takedown.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Smith takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Smith with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

English has picked Smith up - he's going for a ride! English dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Smith tries to roll over but English keeps him under control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. English connects with a nice short shot to Smith's temple.
English slips a nice elbow through Smith's hands, connecting with Smith's forehead.
Smith is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Smith dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Luke English's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

English misses with a takedown attempt

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

Smith jumps guard and drags English to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Smith looking for a sweep. Not yet Smith, not yet.

Smith working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. English doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. English manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
English advances position into side control!
English lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Smith down.
Smith takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Smith taking a bit of punishment here - English scoring with strikes.
Smith throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
English working the head and body with strikes.
Smith taking a bit of punishment here - English scoring with strikes.
English is chipping away with strikes.
Smith is trying to buck English off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
English scores with a couple of short elbows.
Smith tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
English cracks Smith with a big elbow.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Smith fails in his attempt to clinch.
Horrible takedown by English or perhaps it was just good defense by Smith which made him look bad.
Smith is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Smith tries to clinch up.
English tries for a takedown but Smith sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mike Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luke English.
English shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
English keeps the fight on the outside.
English misses with a takedown attempt - Smith sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Smith tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Smith shoots in but English avoids the takedown attempt easily.
English keeps the fight on the outside.
Mike Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
English misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Smith moves into the clinch.
English wants a takedown but no success here.
Smith using the Thai plumb to throw knees but English has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Smith with a knee to the head.
Smith gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from English.
Smith looking to slow down the pace here.
Good body shot from English.
Smith changes levels and goes for a takedown here. English fights it off and pushes away nicely.

English decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
English takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is looking to escape.
English looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Smith with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
English is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
English winds up and cracks Smith with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Smith on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Smith is trying to stand up here but English is controlling him well.
English lands strikes from half guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
English shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Smith looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
English misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
English avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
English moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
No luck for English with that takedown attempt.
Smith lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
English tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Smith swivels and escapes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
English looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Smith is fending him off so far but English persists. Nope, Smith circles away and we're back to standing.
English fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Smith tries to clinch up.
English shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Smith as he jumps to the side.

Smith darts in and clinches English up against the cage.
Smith wants to stall.
English misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Smith.
Smith lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
English has Smith pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Smith manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Smith scores with a knee to the head.
Smith scores with a knee to the head.
English landing knees to the body.
Smith stops a takedown attempt from English.
Smith misses with a knee strike.
Smith stalling in the clinch but English improves position.
Smith misses with a knee strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Luke English will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Luke English's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Smith tries to clinch up.
English shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Smith as he avoids it easily.
Smith tries to clinch up but English circles away and keeps his distance.

Smith moves into the clinch successfully.
English takes an elbow to the temple.
Smith comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
English is trying to break the clinch but Smith has him pressed against the cage.
Smith lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
English being controlled against the cage.
Smith tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
English wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

English wants the takedown. Smith is fighting it off but English persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Smith's guard against the cage.
English trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
English has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
English won't allow Smith to sweep him here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
English working some strikes from top position.
English is working Smith over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
English chips away with some ground and pound.
English is in close to Smith's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
English lands a couple of decent looking shots.
English stands up over Smith, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Smith darts in and clinches English up against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Smith misses with a knee to the head.
English wants to stall.
Nice elbow from Smith.
Smith tries to stall but English uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Smith throws a knee to the head but misses.
Smith prevents English from breaking the clinch.
English is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Smith lands an elbow that stopped English in his tracks for a moment.
English wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
English takes an elbow to the temple.
Nice elbow from Smith.
Smith scores with a knee to the head.
English is trying to drag Smith to the mat but Smith just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Mike Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luke English.
English wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's two 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.
Smith tries to pull guard but English holds him up against the cage and eventually Smith drops back down to his feet.
Smith blocking some punches.
Smith connects with a knee to the head.
English wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Smith throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but English blocks it with crossed arms.
English tries for a takedown but Smith manages to get underhooks.
English wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
English tries for a takedown but Smith manages to get underhooks.
Smith lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
English goes for a takedown attempt but Smith pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Smith shoots for a double leg takedown but English sprawls well. He's pushed Smith's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
English fails to land the takedown.

Smith takes the fight into the clinch.
Smith tries a knee to the head but English blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Smith just misses with a elbow thrown towards English's brow.
Smith gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
English lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Smith lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from English.
English drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Smith gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Smith connects with a nasty looking knee right to English's face.
Smith scores with a knee to the head.
Smith lands a nice elbow.
Smith comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Smith prevents the takedown attempt.
Smith with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Smith lands an elbow that stopped English in his tracks for a moment.
Smith is stalling here.
Smith lands a knee to the body.
A knee to the head by Smith.

English escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nice sprawl there from Smith as English shoots in.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Horrible takedown by English or perhaps it was just good defense by Smith which made him look bad.
Smith wants to clinch up but English keeps it at a distance.
English keeps the fight on the outside.
English fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Smith wants to clinch up but English keeps it at a distance.
Smith is looking to clinch but English is avoiding it.

English shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
English lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Smith is trying to stand.
English working over Smith with some ground and pound. Smith looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
English scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Smith taking some punishment here, with English in his half guard.
English drops an elbow to the side of Smith's head.

Smith actively working from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Luke English.
I think English 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luke English!