PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rosco Ladd (ranked 430 p4p, 52 weight class) and Joe Smith (ranked 571 p4p, 73 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Ladd
vs
Smith

176 cm
33
198 lbs
26 - 15 - 1

183 cm
30
194 lbs
20 - 11 - 3

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 15 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rosco Ladd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 11 - 3, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joe Smith!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Atkins and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ladd fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Smith manages to avoid it.
Smith tries to counter by closing the distance.
Smith tries to clinch up.
Ladd looks to throw the jab but Smith is out of range.
Ladd fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Smith manages to avoid it.
Smith counters with a body kick.
Smith jabbing away but nothing is landing.
We've been informed that Smith has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Ladd looks to land a right hand but Smith moved out of range.
Smith staying out of range there.
Smith throws out a counter right but Ladd avoids it with no problem.
Ladd lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Smith circles away quickly and effectively.
Smith lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ladd circles away quickly and effectively.
Ladd checks a leg kick.
Smith slips a jab from Ladd.
Smith wants to counter the offense by Ladd and move into the clinch position.
Smith throws a body kick that misses.
It looked like Ladd wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Decent striking displayed by Smith there.
Ladd lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Smith jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ladd throws a big shot that misses.

Smith has taken the fight to the clinch.
Smith goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ladd blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ladd has had enough of the clinch but Smith keeps him there for the moment.
Good body shot from Smith.
Ladd has had enough of the clinch but Smith keeps him there for the moment.
Ladd lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Ladd is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Smith's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ladd swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ladd misses with a hook to the ribs.
Smith blocking some punches.

Ladd's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Smith moves out of range of the strikes.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ladd paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ladd is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Smith throws a body kick that misses.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ladd missing with a left hand there. Smith was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Smith looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Ladd 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 cracks the inside of Ladd's front leg.
Ladd connects with a good right hand that stumbles Smith. Smith circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Ladd slips under a jab.
Smith uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ladd has time to react.
Smith lands a head kick. Ladd smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Ladd just misses with a punch to the body.
Ladd misses with a wild body shot.
A head kick misses from Smith.
Ladd tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Smith was well out of range. Poor timing from Ladd.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ladd throws a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ladd misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Ladd gets tackled into the cage by Smith. Smith maintains the clinch.
Ladd tries to circle away but Smith has him pinned against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Ladd scores with a nice short uppercut.
Smith can't find room to land a body shot as Ladd controls the action.
Smith misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ladd lands with a light punch inside.
Ladd lands a shoulder strike.

Ladd breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Smith lands with an overhand left.
Ladd stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Smith.
Ladd moves away from the strike by Smith.
Smith dips to his left and cracks Ladd with an uppercut!
Smith throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Ladd misses with a few strikes there.
Smith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smith connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Smith misses with a head kick.
Joe Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A head kick misses from Smith.
Ladd avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith scores with a push kick.
Ladd keeps the fight on the outside.
Smith throws out a loose jab but Ladd uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smith wants to land a leg kick but Ladd is out of range.
Smith throws a jab but it's blocked by Ladd.
Smith misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ladd.
Ladd is looking to counter punch.
Ladd swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Smith lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ladd circles away quickly and effectively.
Smith blocks a jab.

Smith forces Ladd back against the cage and clinches.
Smith has Ladd pressed against the cage, preventing Ladd from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Ladd tries to circle away but Smith has him pinned against the cage.
Smith blocks a body shot from Ladd.
Smith tries a body shot but Ladd blocks it.
Smith misses with a punch to the body.
Smith working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Smith struggles to land a body shot inside as Ladd controls his hands.
Ladd misses with a body punch.
Smith fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ladd throws a head punch that misses.

Ladd breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ladd uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Smith.
Ladd is looking to counter punch.
Smith scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Smith lands a head kick!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ladd misses with a wild body shot.
Smith throws the left hand but Ladd avoids the punch easily.
Ladd looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.
Ladd clobbers Smith with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Ladd throws a lazy right hand but Smith sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Smith slips a jab from Ladd.
Smith tries to bum rush Ladd with a series of wild strikes but Ladd uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ladd fails to land with a series of punches.
Ladd just misses with a punch to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Smith! But no joy.
Smith connects with a high kick.
Smith swings for the body but Ladd moves out of range.
Smith scores with a body shot.
Smith tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ladd was well out of range. Poor timing from Smith.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ladd throws a right and a left that both miss.
Smith throws a big shot that misses.
Ladd is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Ladd throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Smith tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Smith dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Good leg kick by Smith there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Ladd throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Smith showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ladd.
Ladd swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
An inside leg kick from Smith misses.
A counter left hand to the body from Ladd misses its target.
Smith throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Ladd throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ladd avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ladd jabs Smith right on the nose. Smith blinks but takes it well.
Ladd misses with a wild body shot.
Ladd punishes Smith's body with a nice straight punch.
Ladd throws a body punch but Smith moves out of range.
Ladd swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Smith looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Ladd lands a lovely overhand right.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
No joy there for Ladd, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Smith lands a high kick!
Smith fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Smith scores with a head kick. Ladd tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Smith lands a head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Smith avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Smith fakes the leg kick and cracks Ladd in the body.
Ladd throws a jab but it's blocked by Smith.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ladd moves out of range of the body kick from Smith.

Smith clinches with his opponent.
A head punch on the inside from Smith fails to land.

Ladd pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ladd avoids the head kick by Smith.
Ladd misses with a wild body shot.
Smith keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Smith tries to counter by closing the distance.
Ladd swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Smith lands with a hook. Ladd tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Ladd throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smith loads up on a big right hand but Ladd slips the punch.
Ladd throws out a loose jab but Smith uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smith moves away from the strike by Ladd.
Ladd moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ladd slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Smith tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ladd was well out of range. Poor timing from Smith.
A jab from Ladd misses.
A good leg kick by Smith.
Ladd checks the leg kick nicely there.
Smith lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Ladd swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Smith throws a head kick that misses.
Ladd cracks Smith with a good jab.
Ladd ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smith moves away.
Ladd has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Smith.
Smith's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ladd under the eye.
Smith moves out of range of the strikes.
Ladd lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Smith scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ladd throws an overhand right that lands on Smith's shoulder, as Smith tries to avoid the shot.
Ladd throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ladd avoids the head kick by Smith.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Smith 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 Ladd has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ladd and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Smith tries to clinch but Ladd is having none of it.
A counter left hand to the body from Ladd misses its target.
Smith lands a jab.
Smith lands a right hook to the body.
A punch combination from Ladd misses.
Ladd slips a jab from Smith.
Ladd looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.
A big right from Ladd misses.
A leg kick checked by Ladd.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ladd was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Ladd pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Smith tries to clinch up but Ladd circles away and keeps his distance.
Smith getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A head kick misses from Smith.
Ladd is looking to counter punch.
The fighters circling - Ladd throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nice body punch from Ladd.
Ladd looks to land a combination but Smith avoids it well.
Ladd cracks Smith with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ladd ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smith moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Smith delivers a nice body kick.
Smith throws out a powerful jab.
A left lands for Ladd.
Ladd jabs Smith right on the nose. Smith blinks but takes it well.
Smith looks to land a right hand but Ladd moved out of range.
Smith lands a high kick!
Ladd getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Smith lands with a kick to the ribs.
Smith tries to clinch but Ladd is having none of it.
Ladd misses with a hook.
Smith throws a head kick that misses.
Smith throws a head kick but Ladd moves out of range.
Joe Smith seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ladd misses with the combination.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ladd throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smith misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ladd.
Smith throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Smith.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Joe Smith will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Smith clinches.
Smith works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Ladd blocks an uppercut.
Joe Smith seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ladd misses with a punch on the inside.
Smith misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Smith keeps control of Ladd as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Ladd misses with a short punch on the inside.
Smith lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Ladd breaks from the clinch.
Smith misses with a straight right.
Ladd will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
A head kick misses from Smith.
Smith thuds his right hand into Ladd's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A head kick misses from Smith.
Ladd takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ladd misses with a wild body shot.
Smith misses with a hook.
Ladd fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Smith uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ladd.
A big right from Smith misses.
Smith misses with a double jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smith fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ladd has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ladd misses with a straight right.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ladd. Smith does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ladd fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Smith manages to avoid it.
Ladd catches Smith with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Ladd throws a jab when Smith was well out of range.
Smith's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Smith duly obliges.
Ladd misses with a wild body shot.
An inside leg kick from Smith misses.
Ladd scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Some wild striking there from Ladd.
Ladd fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Smith manages to avoid it.
Ladd swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Smith uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ladd.
Smith lands a jab.
Ladd closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A slapping body kick lands there for Smith.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ladd takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a nice head kick!
Smith lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Smith throws a head kick that half lands.
Smith connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ladd uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ladd throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ladd uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
A nice leg kick lands there from Smith.
The fight stays on the outside here - Smith looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smith misses with a head kick.
Ladd fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Smith moves in looking to clinch but Ladd pushes him off.
Ladd misses with a looping left.
Smith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ladd takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Ladd scores with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ladd throws a big shot that misses.
Smith throws a fast counter high kick but Ladd manages to duck under it in time.
Ladd throws a body punch but Smith moves out of range.
Ladd dips to his left and cracks Smith with an uppercut!
Smith throws a head kick that misses.
Smith takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Smith attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Smith throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Ladd.
Ladd takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Ladd fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Smith manages to avoid it.
Smith looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Joe Smith is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Smith moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ladd. Smith does a little dance to reset his feet.
Smith misses with a head kick.
Smith throws a nice inside leg kick.
Smith wants to clinch up but Ladd keeps it at a distance.
Smith keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Smith looks to land a left hand but Ladd moved out of range nicely.
Ladd lands a slapping body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ladd loads up on a big right hand but Smith slips the punch.
Ladd looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ladd takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Ladd looks to land a left hand but Smith moved out of range nicely.
Ladd is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Smith takes a swing at Ladd's ribcage but misses.
It looked like Ladd was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Smith.
Smith is looking to clinch but Ladd is avoiding it.
Smith scores with a kick to the midsection.
Ladd swats away the attempt to clinch by Smith.
Ladd takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Smith tries to clinch but Ladd is having none of it.
Ladd looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Smith avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rosco Ladd has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A shot to the liver by Smith. Beautiful body shot.
Smith lands a high kick!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ladd. Smith does a little dance to reset his feet.
Smith defending well as Ladd loads up on a big left hand.
Smith connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Smith keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Smith!
Joe Smith really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that IniTech Nutrition logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.