PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paulus Nainggolan (ranked 2809 p4p, 2877 weight class) and Edward Smith (ranked 350 p4p, 360 weight class). Edward Smith has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Nainggolan
vs
Smith

190 cm
22
250
4 - 4 - 0

190 cm
26
234
4 - 4 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Paulus Nainggolan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Edward Smith!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Alan Glass and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nainggolan blocks a jab.
Smith connects with a body shot that sends Nainggolan's belly button to the back.
Smith looks to land a right hand but Nainggolan moved out of range.
Nainggolan misses with a takedown attempt - Smith sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Smith! But no joy.
Smith scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Smith scores with a hook to the body. Nainggolan takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Edward Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith lands a glancing blow to the side of Nainggolan's head.
Nainggolan slips a jab from Smith.
Smith's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Smith duly obliges.

Nainggolan is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice body punch from Smith.
Smith missing with a left hand there. Nainggolan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Smith misses with an uppercut. Nainggolan saw that one coming.
Smith scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Nainggolan looking to score a takedown here. Smith is defending well but Nainggolan drives through and ends up in Smith's guard.
Smith is looking to stand up but Nainggolan isn't so interested in that idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Nainggolan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smith swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nainggolan's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Nainggolan stands and throws Smith's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Smith is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Smith on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Nainggolan is looking to take a break and control but Smith is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Smith tries to escape but Nainggolan is in control.
Nainggolan working the ground and pound from side control.
Nainggolan trying to control the action but Smith is working from the bottom.
Smith is working to avoid the ground and pound but Nainggolan connects with a decent elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith taking punishment in the form of punches.
Nainggolan grinds an elbow into Smith's temple.
Nainggolan trying to control the position but Smith is working away.
Smith is trying to get back to his feet.
Nainggolan lands a nice forearm strike.

Smith is rocked!
Nainggolan trying to control the position but Smith is working away.
Nainggolan scoring with punches from side control.
Smith is still in real trouble! Can Nainggolan finish him?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nainggolan trying to control the action but Smith is working from the bottom.
Smith seems to have recovered his senses.
Nainggolan controlling the position from side mount.
Nainggolan landing strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Nainggolan is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Smith is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Nainggolan is controlling him well.
Nainggolan is putting a hurting on Smith here, landing some big shots from side control.
Nainggolan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Smith keeps working.
The referee asks Nainggolan politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Nainggolan prefers to stall for the moment though.
Nainggolan connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Smith some visible discomfort.
Nainggolan prevents Smith from escaping the position.
Nainggolan in side control here. He's dropped a big elbow there and Smith looks hurt! Oh, he is hurt! Nainggolan turns on the heat and pounds him out for a TKO victory! Good killer instinct there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:49 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Paulus Nainggolan!
A very excited looking Paulus Nainggolan made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.