PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Smith (ranked 3722 p4p, 436 weight class) and Roberts Dzerkalis (ranked 5480 p4p, 613 weight class). John Smith could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Roberts Dzerkalis's chin.

Smith
vs
Dzerkalis

182 cm
25
228 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
230 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, John Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Roberts Dzerkalis!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Steve Smith and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dzerkalis misses with a takedown
and Smith counters with a left to the body.
Dzerkalis shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Smith defends it nicely.
Dzerkalis throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Smith's waist but Smith gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Dzerkalis off to one side.
John Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roberts Dzerkalis.
Dzerkalis looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Dzerkalis shoots for a double leg takedown but Smith sprawls well. He's pushed Dzerkalis's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A quick step to the side and Smith tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Dzerkalis fails to land the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dzerkalis fails with the takedown.
Smith seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Dzerkalis has his takedown stuffed

and Smith holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith has clasped his hands together around Dzerkalis's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Dzerkalis takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Smith in side control lands a decent elbow.
Dzerkalis is trying to control Smith's posture but Smith avoids it.
Dzerkalis looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Dzerkalis is being controlled here.
Smith has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Smith landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Dzerkalis sneaks back into half guard.
Smith working over Dzerkalis with some ground and pound. Dzerkalis looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Dzerkalis is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Smith scores with a couple of nice shots.
Smith drops an elbow to the side of Dzerkalis's head.
Dzerkalis has hold of Smith's hands but Smith slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Smith is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith lands with a punch from half guard.

Dzerkalis is rocked!

Dzerkalis actively working from the bottom here.
Smith knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Dzerkalis on the ground.
Dzerkalis looks winded!
Dzerkalis on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Dzerkalis is still in real trouble! Can Smith finish him?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Dzerkalis seems to have recovered his senses.
Ground and pound from Smith.

Smith is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Smith lands with a punch from half guard.
Dzerkalis is looking to control Smith's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Dzerkalis avoid being mounted?
Dzerkalis wants to improve his position but Smith is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dzerkalis actively working from the bottom here.
Dzerkalis moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Smith working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Dzerkalis has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Smith can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Smith content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Dzerkalis is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Smith is aware though and is defending well.
Smith is working Dzerkalis over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Smith lands a couple of elbows.
Smith is in close to Dzerkalis's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dzerkalis looking to control but Smith passes into half guard.
Smith is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Smith lands with a punch from half guard.
Smith working the head and body with strikes.
Smith is trying to control the action in half guard but Dzerkalis is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Dzerkalis has hold of Smith's hands but Smith slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Smith scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Smith lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Smith working the head and body with strikes.
Smith not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith slips a nice elbow through Dzerkalis's hands, connecting with Dzerkalis's forehead.

Dzerkalis is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Smith pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Dzerkalis dives in for a single leg takedown but Smith sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Smith is looking to counter punch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Dzerkalis is defended easily by Smith.
Dzerkalis fails with a takedown attempt.
John Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roberts Dzerkalis.
Nice sprawl there from Dzerkalis as Smith shoots in.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Smith.
Dzerkalis scores with a decent looking hook.
Smith is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dzerkalis can do to turn this around?
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dzerkalis will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dzerkalis shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Smith defends it nicely.

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 trying to control the position from guard on top but Dzerkalis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Smith stands up over his opponent, looking to dive in with a big punch. Here he comes, superman style! Oh, the punch misses and Dzerkalis has got him in a triangle choke for good measure! Oh no! Smith manages to get his head free but now Dzerkalis has transitioned to an armbar! Smith grimaces and is forced to tap! Beautiful Jiu Jitsu from Dzerkalis! I'd be surprised if that didn't end up as submission of the night!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Roberts Dzerkalis!