PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kip Smalls (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and usman ali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Smalls
vs
ali

188 cm
22
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid 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 Los Angeles, Kip Smalls!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, usman ali!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smalls gets the takedown into side control.
ali regains half guard, as Smalls was trying to land strikes.
Smalls seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but ali does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
ali trying to control here.
Smalls wants to stand but his hand is trapped. ali uses the opportunity to regain full guard.
Smalls postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smalls accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Smalls wanted to stand there but ali had control of the position.

Smalls avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smalls throws a big right hand that misses.

Smalls got a little sloppy there for a moment and ali has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Smalls has managed to get both his arms back between ali's legs - danger averted.
Smalls is looking to advance position but ali has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Smalls is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

ali with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smalls tries to buck ali off but he can't manage it.
Smalls is squirming around, avoiding ali's attempts to control the action.

ali with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Smalls is breathing heavily.
ali wants to control the pace but Smalls is squirming around nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

ali working for a submission but Smalls is keeping him at bay.
Smalls is squirming around, avoiding ali's attempts to control the action.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
ali might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Smalls kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

ali fails with the takedown.
Smalls misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Smalls tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
ali shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Smalls pinned against the cage. Smalls gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Smalls throws a combination. ali tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Smalls swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Smalls shoots in for a double leg but ali sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
ali dives in and grabs Smalls's left leg, looking for a takedown. Smalls pushes down on ali's head and hops out.
Kip Smalls has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of usman ali.
Smalls lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

ali looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

ali is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smalls keeping moving, preventing ali from controlling successfully.

ali drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and ali jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
ali wants to control from the top but Smalls keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
ali is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

ali thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
ali wants to pass the guard but Smalls is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Smalls tests ali's chin there with a solid looking shot.
ali will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Smalls looks to land a combination but ali avoids it well.
Smalls fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Smalls keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
ali shoots in for a takedown but Smalls shows good takedown defense.
Smalls tries to clinch but ali is having none of it.
Smalls misses with a two punch combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from ali is defended easily by Smalls.
Smalls scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
ali looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Smalls leaves ali with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
ali misses with a takedown attempt
and Smalls counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A head kick misses from Smalls.
ali moves out of range of the body kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
ali staying out of range there.
Smalls stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Smalls wants it to stay on the feet.
ali misses with a takedown attempt
and Smalls counters with a series of strikes. ali will be more careful next time no doubt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

ali looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
ali changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Smalls tries to avoid it but ali manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Smalls to the ground. Smalls escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Smalls shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Smalls is trying to control the action in half guard but ali is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
ali is looking to improve his position.
Smalls is thwarting ali's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smalls wants to stand up but ali has a hold of him and won't allow it.
ali trying to control but Smalls postures up.

ali looking for submissions off his back.

That's two 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.
Smalls wants to stand but ali has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Smalls has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, ali works to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
ali gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Smalls counters with a left to the body.
Kip Smalls has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of usman ali.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Smalls.
ali shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Smalls but Smalls pushes him off and we're back to square one.
ali misses with a takedown attempt - Smalls sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Smalls lands with a kick to the ribs.
Smalls misses with a two punch combination.
Kip Smalls seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice cross by Smalls.

ali fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Smalls, pushing him back against the cage.
ali is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Smalls pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Smalls wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
ali has Smalls pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Smalls manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
ali prevents Smalls from breaking the clinch.
ali prevents Smalls from breaking the clinch.
Smalls is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
ali drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Smalls gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Smalls wants to get back to striking at distance but ali won't allow it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
ali is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Smalls pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Smalls pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Smalls lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as ali backs up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kip Smalls showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Smalls 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kip Smalls!