PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kenny Florian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arthur Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Florian kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is That's what it is. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Florian
vs
Smith

176 cm
23
164 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

175 cm
23
155 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

THE STEEL PENN NUTRITION

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kenny Florian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Arthur Smith!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Smith manages to pull guard.
Florian working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Smith is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Florian defends well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Smith looking for a guillotine here but Florian defends easily.

Smith is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Florian is aware though and is defending well.

Smith working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Florian doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Florian manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Florian is looking to work some ground and pound but Smith has wrist control.
Florian throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Smith is looking for a triangle but Florian pushes his legs off easily.

Florian drops back looking for a leg! Smith is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Smith manages to kick Florian off! Florian jumps back into Smith's guard.
Florian postures up in Smith's guard and throws a big left but Smith blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Florian trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.

Florian got a little sloppy there for a moment and Smith has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Florian has managed to get both his arms back between Smith's legs - danger averted.
Florian trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Smith working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Florian.

Smith is looking for a triangle but Florian pushes his legs off easily.
Florian trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Florian throwing strikes from guard but Smith blocks nicely.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Florian working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Florian from controlling successfully.
Florian 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.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Florian scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Florian wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Smith, who protects the arm well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Smith regains half guard.

Smith is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Florian pulls his head out easily.

Smith actively working from the bottom here.
Smith looks gassed!

Florian seems to be working for a kimura but Smith defends the submission attempt.

Florian is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Smith has managed to free his arm - good work.
Florian prevents Smith from improving his position.

Florian looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith looking for submissions off his back.

Florian is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Smith wants to get back to full guard.

Smith looking for submissions off his back.

Smith has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Florian escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Florian!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Florian creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Smith sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Florian in side control, just content to control the action for now.

Florian tries for a kimura but Smith is defending well.
Smith tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Florian thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Smith tries to buck Florian off but Florian is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kenny Florian will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Smith shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Florian as he jumps to the side.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt.
Florian tries to clinch there but Smith circles away.
Arthur Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Florian pinned against the cage. Florian gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kenny Florian has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arthur Smith.
Nice takedown defense from Florian. No joy for Smith on that attempt.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Florian instigates a clinch.
Smith is trying to drag Florian to the mat but Florian just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Smith takes an elbow to the temple.
Florian scores with a knee to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Florian obliges.
Florian landing knees to the body.
Florian connects with a nasty looking knee right to Smith's face.
Florian lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Florian with a knee to the head.
Smith takes a knee right on the jaw!
Florian using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Florian landing knees to the head.
Florian gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Florian landing knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Florian using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Florian lands a knee to the head.
Smith jumps guard but Florian stands there with Smith around his waist. Smith gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Florian landing knees to the head.

Smith wants the takedown. Florian is fighting it off but Smith persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Florian's guard against the cage.

Smith drops back, looking for a kneebar! Florian looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Florian looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Florian!
Florian scores with punches from side control.
Smith prevents Florian from improving position.
Smith is looking to regain half guard here but Florian keeps moving and retains side control.
Smith gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Smith is looking for a sweep. Florian is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Smith is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Florian is looking for a kimura but Smith is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Florian to get the leverage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Florian wants to control but Smith is keeping him busy.

Smith looking for submissions off his back.

Smith is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Florian pulls his head out easily.
Smith is trying to get back to full guard.

Florian seems to be looking for submissions.

Smith looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Florian in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Smith tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Florian!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:03 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Kenny Florian!