PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Smith (ranked 1568 p4p, 1825 weight class) and Lottovoittaja Silvennoinen (ranked 235 p4p, 279 weight class). Smith's entrance music is Rush - Subdivisions. A fine choice. Lottovoittaja Silvennoinen will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Smith
vs
Silvennoinen

186 cm
21
216
4 - 1 - 0

195 cm
22
220
4 - 3 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mike Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 1, fighting out of London, Lottovoittaja Silvennoinen!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Trevor Gratis and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Silvennoinen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Silvennoinen throws a big shot that misses.
Silvennoinen just misses with a punch to the body.
Silvennoinen throws the left hand but Smith avoids the punch easily.
Silvennoinen throws a looping overhand right but Smith ducks down to avoid it.
We've been hearing reports that Smith has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Silvennoinen cracks Smith with a right hand to the side of the head.
Silvennoinen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Silvennoinen throws a jab when Smith was well out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silvennoinen throws a body punch but Smith moves out of range.
Smith fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Silvennoinen gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith blocks a body shot from Silvennoinen.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Smith ducks under a wild hook from Silvennoinen.

Smith feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Silvennoinen looking for a sweep. Not yet Silvennoinen, not yet.
Silvennoinen can't keep his opponent in guard - Smith advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Smith throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Silvennoinen felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Silvennoinen wants to improve his position but Smith is controlling well.
Silvennoinen is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Smith scores with a couple of nice shots.
Smith stalling.
Silvennoinen keeping hold of Smith's head, controlling as best he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Silvennoinen can do anything to dispel that myth.
Smith not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Smith has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Smith is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Smith is nestled in close to Silvennoinen, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Smith keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Smith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Silvennoinen keeps working.
Smith is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Smith working the head and body with strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Silvennoinen keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands with a punch from half guard.
Silvennoinen trying to control from the bottom.
Silvennoinen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Smith. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Silvennoinen might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Smith haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Silvennoinen wants to control but Smith passes into side.
Silvennoinen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Smith cracks Silvennoinen with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Smith is looking to take a break and control but Silvennoinen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Silvennoinen on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Smith wants to control but Silvennoinen is keeping him busy.
Smith working the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Silvennoinen rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Smith's guard! Nice work there by Silvennoinen!
Silvennoinen controls from within his opponent's guard.

Silvennoinen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Smith bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Silvennoinen's guard.

Silvennoinen is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Silvennoinen looking to control.
Smith preventing the sweep.
Silvennoinen is trying to control the position but Smith postures up.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Silvennoinen is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Smith controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Silvennoinen is pulling down on Smith's head. It's preventing any offense from Smith, at least for the moment.
Smith throws a big right hand that misses.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Silvennoinen has wrist control.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Silvennoinen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Silvennoinen wants to control the position but Smith says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Smith drops an elbow to the side of Silvennoinen's head.
Smith lands with a punch from half guard.
Smith trying to control from half guard but Silvennoinen is working away.
Silvennoinen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Smith is thwarting Silvennoinen's attempts to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Silvennoinen is looking to improve his position.
Smith is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Smith unloading with bombs!
Smith prevents Silvennoinen from getting the reversal.
Smith landing punches.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith looking to finish Silvennoinen with some ground and pound. This is bad for Silvennoinen!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Silvennoinen is desperately trying to improve his position but Smith has a good base and remains in mount.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Silvennoinen in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Silvennoinen is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Smith tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Smith landing punches.
Smith controlling from the full mount.

Silvennoinen defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Smith.

Smith throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Silvennoinen has his hands clasped together but Smith breaks the hold and Silvennoinen is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Smith!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 7:52 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Mike Smith!
After winning the bout, Mike Smith thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.