PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Vij (ranked 2399 p4p, 2492 weight class) and Mbape Smooth (ranked 0 p4p, 325 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Vij
vs
Smooth

187 cm
21
201
2 - 0 - 0

195 cm
22
190
6 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Vij!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mbape Smooth!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Igor Prikhodko and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smooth is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Vij swings for the body but Smooth moves out of range.
Smooth throws out a counter right but Vij avoids it with no problem.
Smooth tries to clinch but Vij moves away
and Vij counters with a stiff right hand.

It looks like Mbape Smooth has been cut.
Smooth tries to clinch but Vij moves away
letting Vij counter with a right hand.
Vij has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Berloga in the buildup to the fight.
Smooth is looking to clinch.
It looked like Vij wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Smooth moves out of range as Vij throws a body kick.
It seemed like Smooth was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Vij tries to keep at a distance but Smooth has taken the fight into the clinch.
Vij blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Smooth blocks a body shot from Vij.
Smooth lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Vij lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Smooth or not.
Vij working aggressively here.
Smooth throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Vijs head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Vij.
Smooth blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smooth.
Smooth lands an uppercut.
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!
Vij blocks an uppercut.
Smooth throws a head punch that misses.
Vij misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smooth fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Smooth swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Vij wants to stall.
Vij blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Vij taking a breather.
Smooth swings wildly with an uppercut but Vij uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice left hand lands by Smooth.
Smooth swings wildly with an uppercut but Vij uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smooth looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Vij is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Vij is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Smooth working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Vij blocks an uppercut.
Vij lands a body punch.

Vij's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Smooth darts in and clinches Vij up against the cage.
Smooth misses with some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vij misses with a punch to the body.
Vij throws a knee to the head but misses.
Smooth managing to block the knees to the body from Vij.
Vij blocking some punches.
Vij throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Smooths head.
Vij lands a right hand that snaps the head of Smooth backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vij working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Vij dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Smooth misses with a punch on the inside.
Vij misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vij.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smooth.
Smooth blocking some punches.
Vij blocking some punches.
Vij lands a hook to the side of the head.
Smooth scores with a shoulder strike.
Vij has a couple of punches blocked by Smooth.
A nice right hand lands inside from Smooth.
Vij can't find room to land a body shot as Smooth controls the action.
A right hook to the body lands for Vij.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smooth blocking some punches.
A knee to the head by Vij.
Smooth throws a head punch that misses.
Vij throws a knee to the head but misses.
A short left from Smooth.
Vij tries a body shot but Smooth blocks it.
Smooth fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Smooth swings wildly with an uppercut but Vij uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smooth's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Smooth working aggressively here.
Vij tries to work over Smooth's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Vij content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Smooth misses with a short punch on the inside.
Vij lands a nice uppercut.
Vij blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Smooth.
Vij is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Smooth throws a punch but it's blocked by Vij.
Vij lands a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Vij tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Vij blocking some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Smooth fails to land.
A short right from Smooth on the inside.

Vij escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The fight stays on the outside here - Smooth looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Smooth clinches with his opponent.
Vij misses with a body punch.
Smooth throws a head punch that misses.
Vij swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Vij lands a left hand that snaps the head of Smooth backwards.
Vij lands a body shot in the clinch.
Smooth misses with a hook from the clinch.
Vij blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Smooth swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Smooth misses with some punches.
Vij swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Smooth misses with some punches.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mbape Smooth will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mbape Smooth's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Vij swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Smooth doesn't manage to clinch there - Vij circles away.
Vij throws an overhand right that lands on Smooth's shoulder, as Smooth tries to avoid the shot.
Vij getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Smooth tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Vij paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A jab from Vij does it's job there.

Smooth clinches up with Vij and pushes him back against the cage.
Smooth misses with a punch on the inside.
Vij blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Vij blocking some punches.
Vij lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Smooth throws a punch but it's blocked by Vij.
Smooth throws a head punch that misses.
Smooth misses with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smooth misses with some punches.
Vij utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Mbape Smooth seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Vij blocks an uppercut.
Smooth lands a right hand that snaps the head of Vij backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smooth fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Vij.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Vij misses with a knee strike.
Smooth misses with a short punch on the inside.
Vij blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Smooth takes a knee right on the jaw!
Vij lands with a light punch inside.
Vij blocking some punches.
Smooth working aggressively here.
Smooth fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Vij is looking to control Smooth's arms but Smooth gets an underhook and turns him. Now Vij has his back to the cage.
Vij using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smooth has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Vij.
Smooth throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Vijs head.
Vij looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Smooth swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Vij blocks an uppercut.
Smooth misses with a short punch on the inside.
Vij stalls.
Smooth lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smooth lands with a light punch inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smooth has a couple of punches blocked by Vij.
Smooth throws a punch but it's blocked by Vij.
Smooth misses with a punch on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Smooth.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smooth.
Smooth's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A head punch on the inside from Vij fails to land.
Smooth tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Vij breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Smooth closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Smooth takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Vij tries to keep at a distance but Smooth has taken the fight into the clinch.
Smooth has a couple of punches blocked by Vij.
Vij has Smooth pushed against the cage.
Smooth blocks an uppercut.
The referee is keeping an eye on Vij - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smooth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vij trying to land knees to the body.
Smooth misses with a short punch on the inside.
Vij lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Smooth.
Smooth misses with some punches.
Vij's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Smooth throws a head punch that misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Smooth.
Smooth lands an uppercut.
Vij blocks an uppercut.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Vij.
Smooth blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Vij tries to stall but Smooth uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Vij doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smooth.
A head punch on the inside from Smooth fails to land.
Smooth misses with a hook from the clinch.
Smooth throws a punch but it's blocked by Vij.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smooth misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smooth.
Smooth lands a right hand.
Vij working aggressively here.
Smooth has Vij pressed against the cage, preventing Vij from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Smooth blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Smooth swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Vij taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Vij lands a body shot.
Vij is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
A shot in the inside from Vij.

Vij breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Smooth wants to clinch.
Smooth tries to clinch but Vij moves out of range.

Smooth clinches up against the cage.
Smooth fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Vij looking to throw knees to the head but Smooth is blocking nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vij blocks a punch to the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mbape Smooth will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Mbape Smooth's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Smooth wants to clinch.
Smooth tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Vij counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Vij swats away the attempt to clinch by Smooth.

Smooth takes the fight into the clinch.
Vij is leaning against Smooth and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Vij blocks a punch to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vij blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right from Smooth.
Vij lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Smooth swings wildly with an uppercut but Vij uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vij blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vij blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vij.
Smooth fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Vij is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Smooth is keeping busy.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Vij creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Vij has a couple of punches blocked by Smooth.
Smooth misses with a punch on the inside.
Vij fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Smooth swings wildly with an uppercut but Vij uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vij unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Smooth working aggressively here.
Smooth throws a punch but it's blocked by Vij.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vij.
Vij blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Vij tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A nice left hand lands by Smooth.
Smooth throws a punch but it's blocked by Vij.
Alexander Vij has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smooth throws a punch but it's blocked by Vij.
Vij misses with a punch on the inside.
Vij lands a nice uppercut.
Vij trying to land knees to the body.
Smooth scores with a nice hook to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Vij.
A shot in the inside from Vij.

Vij's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Smooth tries to clinch up.
Smooth is looking to clinch but Vij is avoiding it.
Smooth tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Vij manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Vij swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Vij misses with an uppercut. Smooth saw that one coming.
Smooth tries to clinch there but Vij circles away.

Smooth has taken the fight to the clinch.
Smooth lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Smooth.
Vij is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Smooth misses with a punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Vij fails to land.
Smooth working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Smooth letting Vij take a breather here.
Smooth misses with a hook from the clinch.
Vij looking to slow down the pace here.
Vij misses with a knee strike.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Smooth misses with a hook from the clinch.
Vij is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Vij blocking some punches.
Smooth has a couple of punches blocked by Vij.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vij.
Smooth swings wildly with an uppercut but Vij uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smooth fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Smooth swings wildly with an uppercut but Vij uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vij.
Smooth has a couple of punches blocked by Vij.
Vij lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vij.
Vij lands a right hand.
Smooth scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Smooth misses with the head strike.
Vij tries to throw a body punch but Smooth avoids it by throwing Vij back against the cage.
Smooth lands an uppercut.
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!
Smooth misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Smooth fails to land.
Vij can't find room to land a body shot as Smooth controls the action.
Vij blocking some punches.
Vij has a couple of punches blocked by Smooth.
Vij looking to throw knees to the head but Smooth is blocking nicely.
Smooth tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Still in the clinch, Smooth scores with a nice short uppercut.
Vij misses with a body punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mbape Smooth comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Smooth 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mbape Smooth!
After winning the bout, Mbape Smooth thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.