PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Paris Dejesus (ranked 4894 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Smith (ranked 4897 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Dejesus
vs
Smith

161 cm
18
177 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
19
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Paris Dejesus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tom Smith!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Ivan Kurochkin and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smith gets a clinch.
Smith drops down looking for an ankle pick but Dejesus pulls his leg out and moves away.

Dejesus fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Smith sprawls well initially but Dejesus persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Smith manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Dejesus keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Smith drops down looking for an ankle pick but Dejesus pulls his leg out and moves away.

Smith closes the distance and pushes Dejesus back into the cage.
Dejesus really is a fat lump.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Paris Dejesus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Smith.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dejesus shoots for a double leg takedown but Smith sprawls well. He's pushed Dejesus's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Smith tries for a takedown but Dejesus circles away easily
and Dejesus makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Smith swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.
Dejesus's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Smith struggles to land a body shot inside as Dejesus controls his hands.
Dejesus tries to pull guard but Smith won't allow it.
Smith looking for a takedown.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith has Dejesus up against the cage in a clinch.
Smith goes for a takedown attempt but Dejesus pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Smith goes for a double leg but Dejesus avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Dejesus continues to drive forward.
Smith looks winded!
Smith misses with a takedown attempt - Dejesus sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Dejesus thinks about countering with a body kick.
Dejesus avoids the body shot from Smith.
Tom Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dejesus tries to clinch up.

Dejesus gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Dejesus tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dejesus tries to land a knee to the head but Smith blocks with his arms.
Dejesus is trying to stall.
Smith stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Dejesus has hold of one of Smith's legs. Smith is fighting the takedown attempt but Dejesus gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Smith manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Dejesus is trying to push Smith away but Smith has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Smith avoids the elbow strike from Dejesus, against the cage.
Smith has Dejesus pressed against the cage.

Smith jumps guard and drags Dejesus to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Dejesus works over Smith with some ground and pound from guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dejesus is looking to stand up but Smith won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dejesus stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Smith lands with a kick to the temple. Dejesus shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Dejesus sprawls well. Dejesus wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Smith gets slowly back to his feet.
Dejesus is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Smith shoots in for a double leg but Dejesus sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Dejesus throws a quick counter kick to the body but Smith avoids it.

Smith gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Dejesus stalls.
Dejesus tries to break free but Smith pushes him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Smith dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Smith darts in and clinches Dejesus up against the cage.
Dejesus is trying to push Smith away but Smith has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Dejesus is stalling here.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Smith shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Dejesus defends it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Smith forces Dejesus back against the cage and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith jumps guard but Dejesus turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Dejesus is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Dejesus has had enough of the clinch but Smith keeps him there for the moment.
Smith jumps guard but Dejesus turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Paris Dejesus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Smith.
Dejesus drops down looking for an ankle pick but Smith pulls his leg out and moves away.
Smith tries for a takedown but Dejesus sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Smith is defended easily by Dejesus.
It appears Dejesus was looking to counter with a kick there.
Smith is breathing heavily.

Dejesus has Smith up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dejesus 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.
Smith has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Dejesus looking to stall.

Dejesus breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Smith.
Tom Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dejesus moves away.

Smith clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dejesus tries to stall but Smith uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Tom Smith seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Smith ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Smith no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Dejesus is looking to stand up but Smith won't let him.

Dejesus stands and steps away. Smith gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Tom Smith seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Smith has managed to clinch.
Smith gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Dejesus.
Dejesus 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.
Smith jumps guard but Dejesus turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Smith is trying hard to land a takedown here. Dejesus sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Smith pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Dejesus back to the cage. Smith follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Smith lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Dejesus circles away quickly and effectively.
Smith fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dejesus manages to avoid it.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Smith clinches up with Dejesus and pushes him back against the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dejesus is looking to take this one to the mat.
Dejesus wants to take the fight to the mat but Smith manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Dejesus takes a knee to the side of the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

Smith throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Dejesus doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.
Smith shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Dejesus defends it nicely.

Smith drives through and clinches with Dejesus against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dejesus is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Smith is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Dejesus pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dejesus looking to stall.

Smith breaks the clinch.
Smith shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Dejesus eats them both and turns towards Smith to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Smith closes the distance and clinches up with Dejesus, looking for a takedown. Smith pushes Dejesus against the cage but Dejesus circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
As Smith backs away, Dejesus returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Paris Dejesus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Smith.
Smith takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Smith moves into range and clinches up with Dejesus.
Dejesus wants to break free but Smith has control.
Dejesus stalling.

Dejesus manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Dejesus kicks Smith off and gets to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Dejesus taking a breather.
Smith letting Dejesus take a breather here.
Smith jumps guard but Dejesus stands there with Smith around his waist. Smith gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Dejesus misses with some punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith jumps guard but Dejesus turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Smith tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Dejesus just stands there and leans against the cage.

Dejesus's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Dejesus misses with a low kick.
Dejesus stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Dejesus wants it to stay on the feet.
Dejesus tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dejesus gets tackled into the cage by Smith. Smith maintains the clinch.

Dejesus has clasped his hands together around Smith's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Dejesus goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Smith rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Dejesus's guard! Nice work there by Smith!
Smith trying to control but Dejesus is working from the bottom.
Smith being controlled here momentarily.
Smith won't allow Dejesus to sweep him here.
Tom Smith has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dejesus wants to stand and escape but Smith is having none of it.
Smith passes into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Dejesus wants to get back to his feet.
Smith is thwarting Dejesus's attempts to control the position.

Smith stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Dejesus to get to his feet.

Smith pushes Dejesus up against the cage in a clinch.
Paris Dejesus has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tom Smith is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith avoids a wild elbow strike from Dejesus.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tom Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Smith has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30

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