PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan TK (ranked 4276 p4p, 4761 weight class) and Jerry Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 547 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.

TK
vs
Smith

180 cm
18
200
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
20
215
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ivan TK!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jerry Smith!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, John Kavanagh and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Smith.
TK is looking to clinch.

TK gets a double leg takedown into Smith's guard.
Smith keeping moving, preventing TK from controlling successfully.
Smith wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and TK manages to pass to side control.
Smith is in trouble now - TK has advanced to mount!
TK controlling the pace for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith trying desperately to get to his feet.
TK takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

TK stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

TK takes the fight into the clinch.
TK gets through Smith's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Smith is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Smith manages to break the clinch.

TK instigates a clinch.
Smith wants to break free but TK has control.
TK jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Smith walks away with a smile on his face. TK gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Smith enables TK to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Smith manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
TK trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

TK stands up from guard. Let's bang!

TK shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than TK was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
TK advances nicely into full mount.

TK is working for a guillotine from mount but Smith frees his head quite easily.
Smith is trying to stand.
TK connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Smith is trying to stand.

TK is standing up, even though he is in mount.
TK tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
A combination from Smith does no damage.
Smith has a takedown stuffed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

TK fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Smith, pushing him back against the cage.
Smith can't break the clinch.

TK turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Smith wants to get back to his feet but TK drags him back down.
TK works to advance to full mount. Smith defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Smith wants to get back to his feet.

TK looking to secure an arm triangle but Smith defends it well.
Smith wants to try and get back to his feet.
Smith really doesn't want to stay on the ground with TK. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

TK is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Smith can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
TK sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
TK scores with a couple of good head shots there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan TK dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

TK tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
Smith dodges the punch combination from TK.
TK wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
TK is looking to clinch but Smith is avoiding it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Smith.

Smith pushes TK up against the cage in a clinch.
TK misses with a shot to the kidneys.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
TK is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Smith pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A right hand to the body from Smith.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
TK misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
TK doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.
TK doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.
TK circles away from the clinch attempt.
Smith shoots in looking for a takedown. TK tries to sprawl out of it but Smith keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. TK manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
TK defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Smith.
Ivan TK has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jerry Smith.
TK misses with a few strikes there.

TK closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Smith's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
TK stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smith swivels though and keeps the full guard.
TK controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
TK wants to pass the guard but Smith is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to get back to his feet but TK is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
TK throws a big right hand that misses.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
TK advances position into side control!
Smith pushes TK away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, TK gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith prevents TK from moving into mount.
Smith gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
TK takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Smith in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
TK trying to control but he's not successful this time.
You get the feeling that Smith really doesn't like being in this position too much.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith has given up his back, trying to stand up. Not clever.
Ivan TK overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Smith is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Smith is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Smith prevents TK from getting a body triangle.

TK has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Smith has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan TK dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

TK tries to clinch there but Smith circles away.

TK gets in close and instigates a clinch.
TK tries to score a body lock takedown but Smith shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A short right from Smith.
TK has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Smith after a bit of a struggle.
TK drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan TK. That's going to take a lot out of him.
TK tries for a takedown. No joy.
Smith lands an elbow just above TK 's eye.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

Smith darts in and clinches TK up against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
TK misses with some punches.
Smith wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Smith looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
TK tries for a takedown but Smith manages to get underhooks.
Smith lands a shoulder strike.
Smith utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

Smith breaks the clinch.
TK leaves Smith with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
TK is looking to counter the offense by Smith and move into the clinch.
Smith tries to clinch but TK moves out of range.
Smith tries to clinch but TK moves out of range.
Smith tries for a takedown but TK sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

TK drives through and clinches with Smith against the cage.
Smith has had enough of the clinch but TK keeps him there for the moment.
TK tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Smith just stands there and leans against the cage.
TK slows down the pace here.
TK is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Smith can do to turn this around?
TK is working for takedown but Smith is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith slows down the pace here.
Smith lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
TK is working for takedown but Smith is calmly controlling the position for now.
TK has Smith pressed against the cage, preventing Smith from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Smith stalling.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ivan TK seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
TK looks to land a combination but Smith avoids it well.

TK changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Smith looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith is trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
TK tries to move into full mount but can't pass Smith's legs.
Smith is pushing TK's head away, looking to escape. TK manages to hold on to the position though.
TK wants to lay and pray for a moment but Smith keeps working.
Smith wants to get back to his feet but TK drags him back down.
TK tries to advance to mount but Smith denies him.
Smith is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but TK has just dragged him back down to the mat.
TK working the ground and pound.

TK tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no TK has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Smith is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

TK is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Smith knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Smith tries to escape but TK is in control.
Jerry Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ivan TK is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jerry Smith.
I think TK has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:28
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan TK!