PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Desmond Okafor (ranked 1801 p4p, 244 weight class) and Corey Smith Jr (ranked 1448 p4p, 198 weight class). Smith Jr is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by You Will Know My Name. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Okafor
vs
Smith Jr

202 cm
24
215 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

183 cm
25
215 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Desmond Okafor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Corey Smith Jr!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith Jr has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Okafor finds it's way round the side to connect with Smith Jr's head.
Okafor misses with a lunging right hand
and Smith Jr counters with a nice uppercut.
Okafor thumps Smith Jr with a low kick.
Okafor has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Mary Gracies Jiu Jitsu in the buildup to the fight.
The fighters circling - Okafor throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Okafor misses with a left hand
letting Smith Jr counter with a right hand.
Smith Jr throws a jab but it's blocked by Okafor.
A nice inside leg kick there by Smith Jr. That's going to slow Okafor down.
Okafor lands with a shot to the body.
Smith Jr cracks the inside of Okafor's front leg.
Smith Jr lands a jab to Okafor's midsection.
Okafor keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Smith Jr.
Okafor throwing a counter right hand but Smith Jr manages to avoid it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Okafor slips under a jab from Smith Jr.
Okafor swings for the body but Smith Jr moves out of range.
Okafor avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Smith Jr moves out of range of the leg kick from Okafor.
Smith Jr gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Okafor.
Okafor takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smith Jr. Okafor does a little dance to reset his feet.
Okafor thows a left - swing and a miss!
Smith Jr finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
It appears Okafor was looking to counter with a kick there.
Smith Jr ducks right into an uppercut from Okafor.
Okafor misses with a body kick.
Smith Jr moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Smith Jr shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Okafor eats them both and turns towards Smith Jr to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Okafor moves out of range as Smith Jr strikes.
Smith Jr swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Okafor counters with a nice low kick that buckles Smith Jr's knee momentarily.
Okafor throws a leg kick that is checked
and Smith Jr counters with a nice body kick.
Nice shot by Okafor.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smith Jr. Okafor does a little dance to reset his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith Jr just misses with a punch to the body.
Okafor with a jab.
Okafor scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okafor takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Smith Jr lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Okafor has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Okafor and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Okafor swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Okafor throws a body punch but Smith Jr moves out of range.
Smith Jr throws a jab when Okafor was well out of range.
Smith Jr misses with a series of wild punches.
Okafor delivers a nice body kick.
Smith Jr tries to land a leg kick but Okafor saw it coming and moves away.
Okafor attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Smith Jr scores with a hook to the body. Okafor takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Smith Jr connects with a crisp jab.
Okafor lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Okafor dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Smith Jr waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Okafor.
It appears Okafor was looking to counter with a kick there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Smith Jr both land. Nice combination.
Okafor misses the jab.
Okafor bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Okafor keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Smith Jr.
Smith Jr misses with a body shot.
Smith Jr fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Smith Jr checks a low kick from Okafor.
Okafor moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromSmith Jr.
Okafor moves out of range as Smith Jr strikes.
Smith Jr jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A big right from Smith Jr misses.
Okafor misses with a hook to the body
and Smith Jr counters with a stiff right hand.
A swing and a miss from Okafor.
Okafor feints and then cracks Smith Jr's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Smith Jr down.
Smith Jr moves out of range as Okafor throws a body kick.
Both fighters circling a little - Okafor finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Okafor uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Smith Jr.
A telegraphed right hand from Smith Jr misses the target.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Smith Jr, right into the meat.
Smith Jr misses with a straight right.
Okafor buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Okafor takes one on the button.
Okafor goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Okafor connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Smith Jr's hands.
Smith Jr takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Good work by Smith Jr as he checks the leg kick.
Smith Jr throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Okafor counters with an outside leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Okafor pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Smith Jr moves forwards but Okafor connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Okafor walks into a straight right hand from Smith Jr.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Corey Smith Jr will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

A low kick from Okafor misses

and Smith Jr counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Okafor looking to control.
Okafor is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Smith Jr is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Smith Jr stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Corey Smith Jr seems to be getting the better of the standup.
An inside leg kick from Okafor misses.
Okafor slips a straight right by Smith Jr.
Smith Jr throws an overhand right that lands on Okafor's shoulder, as Okafor tries to avoid the shot.
Okafor throws a poor cross that misses
and Smith Jr counters with a straight right hand.
Smith Jr avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Smith Jr throws out a counter right but Okafor avoids it with no problem.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith Jr ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Okafor tries to land a front kick but Smith Jr steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Okafor scoring well with a low kick there.
Smith Jr keeps Okafor at a distance using the push kick.
Okafor throws a hook but Smith Jr blocks it.
Smith Jr's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith Jr pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Smith Jr connects with an inside leg kick.
Okafor ducks under a wild hook from Smith Jr.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Smith Jr in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Okafor tries to land a leg kick but Smith Jr saw it coming and moves away.
Okafor with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Smith Jr to score with a decent uppercut.
Okafor throws a body kick that misses.
Smith Jr's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Okafor connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Smith Jr scrambles back to his feet.
Smith Jr lands a really nice looking cross but Okafor seems unphased.
Smith Jr takes one on the button.
Smith Jr moves out of range of the leg kick from Okafor.
Okafor throws a nice head kick!
Smith Jr looks to score with a jab to the body but Okafor is just out of range.
Okafor connects with a high kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith Jr swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okafor feints and then cracks Smith Jr's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Smith Jr down.
Smith Jr takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A decent looking cross lands there for Smith Jr.
A decent looking cross lands there for Okafor.
Okafor takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Smith Jr fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Okafor looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Smith Jr moves out of range of the body kick from Okafor.
Smith Jr blocks a leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Smith Jr misses the target.
Smith Jr swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Okafor.
Smith Jr throws a jab when Okafor was well out of range.
Smith Jr throws a nice inside leg kick.
Okafor ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Smith Jr throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Okafor stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okafor cracks Smith Jr with an open hand slap.
Nice defenses there by Okafor.
A little feinted left hand from Okafor on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Smith Jr throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Okafor's head.
Smith Jr scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Smith Jr moves out of range of the strikes.
Smith Jr scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A bone on bone clash there as Okafor blocks the leg kick.
Okafor throws a head kick that misses.
Okafor catches Smith Jr with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Smith Jr throws a leg kick but Okafor sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Smith Jr dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Okafor misses with a leg kick

and Smith Jr counters by moving into the clinch.
Smith Jr throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Smith Jr manages to break the clinch.
Okafor is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Okafor throws a leg kick
and Okafor takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Okafor throws a leg kick which misses Smith Jr's front leg but catches the back leg as Smith Jr tries to avoid it.
Smith Jr throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Okafor stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Okafor thuds his shin into the meat of Smith Jr's side.
Smith Jr throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Okafor looks to land a right hand but Smith Jr moved out of range.
Okafor lands a head shot.
Okafor throws a leg kick that misses.
Smith Jr throws a leg kick but Okafor moved away.
Okafor throws a poor cross that misses
and Smith Jr counters with a nice body kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Smith Jr misses with a straight right.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith Jr takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Okafor throws a low kick but Smith Jr avoids it.
Smith Jr throws a poor cross that misses
and Okafor counters with a left to the body.
Okafor throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Corey Smith Jr showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Smith Jr lands a glancing blow to the side of Okafor's head.
Desmond Okafor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Okafor swings widly with a right hand
enabling Smith Jr to counter with a crisp jab.
Okafor moves out of range of the body kick from Smith Jr.
Okafor takes one to the side of the head.
A cross from Okafor lands.
Okafor thuds his shin into the meat of Smith Jr's side.
Okafor tries a head kick but it misses.
Okafor fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Smith Jr is out of range.
Despite the aggression on Smith Jr's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Smith Jr connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Okafor's hands.
Okafor uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Smith Jr has time to react.
Smith Jr goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Okafor connects with a leg kick. Smith Jr looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Okafor throws a leg kick but Smith Jr sees it coming and moves out of range.
Okafor looks for the body kick but Smith Jr saw that one coming.
A jab from Okafor misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith Jr lands a jab to the nose.
Okafor looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Okafor tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Okafor missing with a left hand there. Smith Jr was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Smith Jr tries to counter with a clinch but Okafor shakes him off and moves away.
Nice cross by Okafor.
Smith Jr catches Okafor with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Smith Jr connects with a body shot that sends Okafor's belly button to the back.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Okafor fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Smith Jr wants to counter the offense by Okafor and move into the clinch position.
Okafor throws a poor cross that misses
and Smith Jr counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Smith Jr throws a nice inside leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Smith Jr.
Smith Jr dips to his left and cracks Okafor with an uppercut!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Okafor takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Okafor looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Smith Jr.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Smith Jr.
Smith Jr is looking to slow Okafor down with leg kicks.
Okafor moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
The fighters circle, before Smith Jr throws a beautiful high kick that crashes into Okafor's neck, sending him stumbling to the floor! Smith Jr lands more strikes and forces a referee stoppage! That one ended in an instant!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:22 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Kick & Punches). Corey Smith Jr!
Corey Smith Jr managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200), into his post fight interview.