PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rodrick Cassel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cassel's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Sucks to be me . I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Cassel
vs
Smith

175 cm
19
167 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

176 cm
25
168 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rodrick Cassel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Steve Smith!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Damien Edna and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smith fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Cassel sprawls well initially but Smith persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Smith takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Smith is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Cassel has managed to free his arm - good work.

Smith is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Cassel sees it coming and defends easily.
Cassel is not content to let Smith control the position.
Cassel is trying to get back to full guard.
Smith prevents Cassel from standing back up.

Smith is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Cassel has managed to free his arm - good work.
Cassel pushes Smith off looking to stand but Smith dives back in and keeps control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Smith shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Cassel is staying active underneath Smith, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Smith is looking to pass Cassel's guard but actually Cassel recovers to full guard.
Smith wants to control from the top but Cassel keeps moving.

Cassel looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cassel wants to sweep but no luck.
Smith trying to control but Cassel is working from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Cassel swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cassel throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cassel misses with a two punch combination.

Smith darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Smith stops Cassel from getting back to his feet.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cassel looks like he's trying to stand up.
Smith thows a huge punch but Cassel dodges it nicely.
Cassel won't allow Smith to pass to mount.
Smith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cassel keeps working.
Smith is stalling here. Cassel is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Smith seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Cassel has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Cassel is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Smith will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but Cassel shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Smith looks gassed!
Smith shoots in looking for a takedown. Cassel tries to sprawl out of it but Smith keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cassel manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rodrick Cassel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Smith.
Cassel shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Smith as he jumps to the side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Smith with a lazy takedown attempt

and Cassel counters with a shoot takedown. Smith fights it but they end up in guard.
Smith 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.
Cassel trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Cassel gets to his feet. Smith looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Cassel scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Cassel throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cassel swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Smith tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cassel swivels and escapes.
Cassel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rodrick Cassel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cassel lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cassel scores with a jab. Smith acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodrick Cassel dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Cassel fails with the takedown.
Cassel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cassel doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.
Cassel shoots and misses

and Smith counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Smith slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Smith wants to control from the top but Cassel keeps moving.
Cassel is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Smith is controlling him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Smith wants to control from the top but Cassel keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Cassel is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Smith, into his guard.
Cassel trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Smith looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Smith has a closed guard, preventing Cassel from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Cassel trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cassel wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
Cassel wants to pass the guard but Smith is keeping the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Cassel clinches but Smith breaks the clinch

and Smith counters with a takedown into side control.
Cassel gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Smith throwing shots but Cassel is blocking nicely.
Cassel is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith is trying to work for a kimura but Cassel is defending well.
Cassel is trying to stand.

Smith is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Cassel defends it well.

Smith wants to work for an arm triangle but Cassel is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Smith is working for a kimura but Cassel is defending it quite comfortably.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Cassel tests Smith's chin there with a solid looking shot.

It looks like Steve Smith has been cut.
Nice jab there from Cassel.
Cassel doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.
Cassel gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Smith counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Cassel's guard now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodrick Cassel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith won't allow Cassel to get back to his feet.
Cassel trying to keep a closed guard but Smith is proving a slippery customer.
Cassel manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Smith manages to get himself to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cassel trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Steve Smith will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Steve Smith's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Smith shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Cassel manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Cassel trying to keep a closed guard but Smith is proving a slippery customer.
Cassel is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Smith wants to control from the top but Cassel keeps moving.
Cassel is trying to keep Smith in close.
Smith sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Cassel dives on top into guard.
Smith takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Smith is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Cassel trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Smith can't keep his opponent in guard - Cassel advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Cassel is trying to work for a kimura but Smith is defending well.
Smith wants to control but Cassel is keeping busy.
Smith is doing well to control the position and prevent Cassel from advancing to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Smith.
Smith 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.
Smith is trying to keep Cassel in close.
Cassel trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Steve Smith has got the better of the ground game so far.

Cassel stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Cassel tries a head kick but it misses.
Smith tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cassel sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Smith somewhat.
Cassel scores with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice cross by Cassel.
Cassel lands with a cross.
Rodrick Cassel is winning the standup battle so far.
Smith takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Cassel tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cassel sprawls well. Cassel wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Smith gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice cross by Cassel.
Cassel clobbers Smith with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Cassel throws a sloppy head kick and Smith moves out of range easily.
Jab from Cassel.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cassel is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Smith swats away the attempt to clinch by Cassel.
A left lands for Cassel.
Cassel throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Smith.
Cassel has his takedown stuffed

and Smith counters with a takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

Smith is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Cassel is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Smith looking to control but instead Cassel has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.

Cassel kicks off Smith and gets to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rodrick Cassel showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Cassel 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 29:28
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rodrick Cassel!