PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Paolo Alfonso (ranked 4196 p4p, 6168 weight class) and Lee Smith (ranked 487 p4p, 607 weight class). Alfonso comes to the cage accompanied by 1 2. 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.

Alfonso
vs
Smith

187 cm
25
193
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
180
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Paolo Alfonso!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Lee Smith!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Paul Aken and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith misses with a body kick.

Smith shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Smith wants to control from the top but Alfonso keeps moving.
Smith postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Smith decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Alfonso throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.
Smith is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Alfonso with a body shot.
Smith throws a sloppy head kick and Alfonso moves out of range easily.
Alfonso scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A head kick misses from Alfonso.
Smith steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Alfonso.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Smith has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Alfonso fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Smith shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Alfonso defends it nicely.
A punch lands to the side of Alfonso 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alfonso chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Paolo Alfonso is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Alfonso lands a head kick. Smith smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Smith moves into the clinch.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
Alfonso lands with a slapping head kick.
Smith goes for a double leg but Alfonso avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Alfonso continues to drive forward.
Smith doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Alfonso pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Alfonso lands a high kick!
Alfonso throws a body shot but no joy.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Smith!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith misses with a wild combination.
Alfonso lands a head kick!
Alfonso fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Alfonso fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith feints and as Alfonso raises his hands in defense, Smith changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Alfonso scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Alfonso lands a nice leg kick that just misses Smith's sensitive parts.
Smith moves out of range of the leg kick from Alfonso.

Smith changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Alfonso looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Alfonso throws Smith to one side and escapes!
Smith looks to land a combination but Alfonso avoids it well.

Alfonso gets tackled into the cage by Smith. Smith maintains the clinch.
Alfonso is trying to break free.
Alfonso wants to stall.
Alfonso tries to break free but Smith pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands a body punch.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Alfonso gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Alfonso has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Smith off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
A chopping leg kick lands by Alfonso.
Alfonso throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Smith manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Alfonso on his heels. He'll look to pass Alfonso's guard now, I'm sure.

Smith stands and steps away. Alfonso gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Alfonso is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Alfonso goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Smith manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Alfonso on his heels. He'll look to pass Alfonso's guard now, I'm sure.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Alfonso manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Smith has managed to clinch.

Smith drags the fight down to the ground.
Alfonso prevents Smith from getting back to his feet.
Smith manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Alfonso manages to get himself to full guard.

Smith decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Smith takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Alfonso looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.

Alfonso gets caught flat footed, as Smith shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Alfonso scrambles and gets back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paolo Alfonso dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Smith rushes Alfonso and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Smith leaning his opponent against the cage.
Alfonso doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Smith wants to take the fight to the mat but Alfonso manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Alfonso escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Alfonso lands a right hook to the body.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch up but Alfonso swats him away and circles back towards the center.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alfonso throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Smith has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Alfonso.
Alfonso throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Alfonso throws a head kick that misses.
Alfonso takes a swing at Smith's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith drives through with a takedown into Alfonso's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Smith is in close to Alfonso's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Smith stands up from Alfonso's guard - Smith perhaps looking for a knockout.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Alfonso gets caught napping as Smith dives in and scores a takedown. Alfonso manages to retain guard.

Smith stands up from Alfonso's guard - Smith perhaps looking for a knockout.
Alfonso jabs Smith to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Alfonso is looking to wear down Smith with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Alfonso misses with a wild body shot.

Smith drops Alfonso with a beautiful combination! Alfonso stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Smith is looking for the KO!

Alfonso is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith throws a monster overhand right that drops Alfonso! Smith follows up with more strikes from mount and the fight is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Lee Smith!