PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Smith (ranked 5979 p4p, 3486 weight class) and Dre Battle (ranked 600 p4p, 437 weight class). Smith comes to the cage accompanied by Metronomy - Salted Caramel Ice Cream. Battle has chosen HEART ON ICE as his entrance music. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Dre Battle was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Smith
vs
Battle

182 cm
22
190
3 - 1 - 0

187 cm
22
191
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition
Arcticus University: London

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dre Battle!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Anthony Taglia and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith moves out of range of the strikes.
Battle throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Smith ducks under a wild hook from Battle.
John Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith stalks Battle and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Battle's face. Battle staggers backwards, shaken.
Smith throws a shot to the body.
A slow jab from Smith misses its intended target.
Smith looks to land a combination but Battle avoids it well.
Battle throws a combination that misses
and Smith counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Battle throws a big shot that misses.
Smith ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Battle moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Nice body punch from Battle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Battle takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A big left from Battle misses.
Smith throws a big counter combination but Battle scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Smith tries to clinch up.
A countering left hand to the body from Battle misses.
Smith throws a poor cross that misses
and Battle cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Battle misses.
Battle keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Smith misses with a right hand
and Battle counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Smith ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Smith slips under a jab from Battle.
Battle lands a jab to the nose.
Smith lands a really nice looking cross but Battle seems unphased.
Battle uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Smith.
Battle takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Smith tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Battle counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Smith throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A slow jab from Smith misses its intended target.
Battle looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Smith lands with a hook. Battle tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith ducks right into an uppercut from Battle.
Smith misses the jab.
Smith looks to throw the jab but Battle is out of range.
Battle throws a lazy right hand but Smith sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A big right from Battle misses.
Battle waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Smith.
Smith misses with an uppercut. Battle saw that one coming.
Smith is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Battle.
Battle swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A cross from Smith lands.
Battle throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Battle pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Battle works Smith's body with a nice hook.
Battle slips under a jab.
Smith throws an off balance right hand
and Battle counters with a nice uppercut.
Battle slips a straight right by Smith.
Battle lands with an overhand left.
Smith throws a shot from downtown. Battle moves away and avoids it.
Smith is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Smith looks to throw the jab but Battle is out of range.
Smith slips a straight right by Battle.
Smith takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Battle throws a jab when Smith was well out of range.
Battle looks to throw the jab but Smith is out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Smith on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A punch combination from Smith misses.
Smith rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Smith takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Battle throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Smith swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Battle rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smith moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Battle throws a lazy uppercut
and Smith counters with a right hand to the body.
Smith misses with a jab, cross combination.
Smith rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Battle counters with a right hand to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Battle. Smith does a little dance to reset his feet.
Smith throws a big counter combination but Battle scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Battle misses with a hook.
Smith's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Battle connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Smith scrambles back to his feet.
Smith misses with a jab, cross combination.
The fighters circling - Smith throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Battle throws out a counter right but Smith avoids it with no problem.
Battle cracks Smith with a good jab.
Smith avoids the body shot from Battle.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A telegraphed right hand from Battle misses the target.
Smith is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Battle.
Nice uppercut lands for Smith. That snapped Battle's head back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Dre Battle will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Smith closes the distance and pushes Battle back into the cage.
Smith is trying to force a seperation but Battle has the dominant position.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Battle creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Battle breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Battle comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Smith misses the target.
Battle throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sloppy strikes from Smith. Those never looked like landing.
Battle doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Battle slips under a jab.
Battle looks to land a right hand but Smith moved out of range.
Smith appears to be looking for a big counter.
Smith bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith misses with a combination
and Battle counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Smith throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Smith uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Battle.
A big left from Battle misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Smith swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Battle uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Smith has time to react.
Battle misses with an uppercut. Smith saw that one coming.
Smith walks into a left hand.
Battle misses with a left hand

and Smith holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Smith working hard to break the clinch.
Battle has a couple of punches blocked by Smith.
Smith tries to work over Battle's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Smith definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Smith softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Smith wants to get back to striking at distance but Battle won't allow it.
Smith is trying to force a seperation but Battle has the dominant position.
Battle tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Battle breaks from the clinch.
A big left from Smith misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Battle! But no joy.
Battle ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smith moves away.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Battle 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Battle lands a glancing blow to the side of Smith's head.
Battle missing with a left hand there. Smith was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Smith slips a jab from Battle.
Smith is looking to counter punch.
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!
Smith moves in looking to clinch but Battle pushes him off.
Battle misses with a body shot.
Smith seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

Smith forces Battle back against the cage and clinches.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Battle is controlling him.

Battle escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Battle connects with a right hand. Smith shakes it off.
Battle waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Smith.
Battle throws a jab when Smith was well out of range.
Smith throwing a counter right hand but Battle manages to avoid it.
Battle misses with a hook.
Smith is looking for a counter combo.
Battle cracks Smith with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Battle lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Battle staying out of range there.
Smith lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Battle circles away quickly and effectively.
Battle misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smith.
Battle lands a glancing blow to the side of Smith's head.
Smith throws a body shot but no joy.
Smith misses with a series of wild punches.
Smith ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Smith lands a nice hook to Battle's body. Battle takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Smith scores with a punch to the head.
Smith bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Smith scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Battle misses the jab.
Battle takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Smith moves into the clinch.
Smith is trying to break free.
Smith blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Smith has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Battle tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Battle keeps control of Smith as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Battle blocks an uppercut.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Battle pushes Smith back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
Smith misses with a wild combination.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Battle! But no joy.
Battle with a jab.
A swing and a miss from Smith.
Smith takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Battle takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dre Battle showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Smith avoids the body shot from Battle.
Smith throws a big counter combination but Battle scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Smith throws a nice looking combination but Battle bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Smith forces Battle back against the cage and clinches.
Battle makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Battle fails to land.
Smith tries to break free but Battle pushes him back against the cage.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Smith tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Battle swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Battle digs a good body shot into Smith's ribs.
Dre Battle seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Battle on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Smith misses with a double jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith throws a looping overhand right but Battle ducks down to avoid it.
Smith thows a left - swing and a miss!
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Battle! But no joy.
Smith staying out of range there.
A slow jab from Battle misses its intended target.
Smith misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Battle on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Battle looks to land a left hand but Smith moved out of range nicely.
Smith throws a hook but Battle blocks it.
Battle misses with the combination.
Battle digs a good body shot into Smith's ribs.
Smith swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Battle counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Battle connects with a body shot that sends Smith's belly button to the back.
Smith lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Battle circles away quickly and effectively.
Battle wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Smith lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Smith throws the left hand but Battle avoids the punch easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Battle swats away the attempt to clinch by Smith.
Battle misses with a wild combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith throws a nice looking combination but Battle bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Smith avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Battle's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Battle duly obliges.
Smith pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Battle walks into a left hand.
Battle jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Smith throws a body shot but no joy.
Smith uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Battle.
Battle throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Battle lands a nice shot that snaps Smith's head back.
Battle misses with a looping left.
Battle jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Battle throws a looping overhand right but Smith ducks down to avoid it.
Battle misses with a straight left.
Smith uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Battle.
Some wild striking there from Battle.
A big right from Smith misses.
Smith 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 lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Battle slips under a jab from Smith.
A slow jab from Smith misses its intended target.
Battle swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith closes the distance and pushes Battle back into the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Battle.

Smith's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Smith doesn't manage to clinch there - Battle circles away.
Smith misses with a looping left.
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!
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch up but Battle swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A swing and a miss from Battle.
John Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Battle misses with a straight right.
A big right from Smith misses.
Battle takes a swing at Smith's ribcage but misses.
Battle ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Smith works over Battle's head and body with a nice combination.
Battle scores with a decent looking hook.
Battle looks to land a right hand but Smith moved out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Dre Battle.
I've got Battle winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dre Battle!
A less than humble Dre Battle misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.