PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between derek Sherinian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Smart (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smart has chosen Billy Talent - Red Flag as his entrance music. Paul Smart will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Sherinian
vs
Smart

153 cm
24
134 lbs
3 - 3 - 1

175 cm
25
143 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, derek Sherinian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Paul Smart!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Dillan Fox and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smart clinches up with Sherinian and pushes him back against the cage.
Smart prevents the takedown attempt.
Sherinian has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Smart is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
The referee is keeping an eye on Smart - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Sherinian gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Sherinian stops Smart from standing up.
Smart preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sherinian cracks Smart with a solid left hand.
Sherinian in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Smart keeping moving, preventing Sherinian from controlling successfully.
Sherinian stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smart swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Smart wriggles free and stands up.
Sherinian shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Smart but Smart pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for derek Sherinian. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smart closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Smart seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Sherinian slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Sherinian throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.
Smart's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Sherinian looking to control.
Sherinian throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

Sherinian throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sherinian is trying to control the position but Smart postures up.
Sherinian throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Smart slips nicely into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smart is trying to control. Sherinian wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Smart rushes Sherinian and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Smart lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Sherinian backwards.
Smart prevents a takedown attempt there.
Smart using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Nice body punch from Smart.
Smart content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Smart working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Smart tries to stall but Sherinian uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Smart taking a breather.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Smart.
Smart is looking to control Sherinian's arms but Sherinian gets an underhook and turns him. Now Smart has his back to the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Paul Smart.
Sherinian with a lazy takedown attempt

and Smart counters with a shoot takedown. Sherinian fights it but they end up in guard.
Sherinian is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smart working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sherinian throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sherinian keeping moving, preventing Smart from controlling successfully.
Smart cracks Sherinian with a solid left hand.
Smart takes a decent strike to the side of the head.
Smart wants to control from the top but Sherinian keeps moving.

Sherinian escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Smart gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sherinian throws some shots to the body, keeping his opponent honest.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sherinian doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Smart counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Sherinian displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Smart.

Sherinian gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sherinian trying to control the position.
Sherinian has momentary wrist control but Smart slips an elbow through the middle.

Sherinian is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Smart defends well.
Smart lands a couple of digs.
Smart trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sherinian working a defensive guard here.
Smart preventing the sweep.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sherinian trying to strike off his back.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Smart punishes Sherinian's body with a nice straight punch.
Smart moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Smart dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sherinian tries for a takedown but Smart circles away easily

and Smart counters by clinching up.
Sherinian wants a takedown.
Smart works on Sherinian's body with a couple of short punches.
Smart lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Smart stalling in the clinch but Sherinian improves position.
Smart lands a shoulder strike.
A short uppercut from Smart.
Smart works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Sherinian goes for a takedown in the clinch but Smart prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for derek Sherinian. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sherinian is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Smart pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Smart lands a body punch.
Smart softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Sherinian is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Smart with a knee to the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Smart.
Smart working Sherinian over with knees to the body.
Smart is pressed up against the cage. Sherinian has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Smart down to the mat. Smart avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Smart throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Sherinian chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Smart can pounce on him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Smart has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sherinian has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Smart is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Smart is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Smart.
Smart lands a left hand.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Smart.
Smart stalling in the clinch.
Sherinian drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Smart gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Smart softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Smart lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Sherinian has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Smart is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Smart throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Sherinians head.
Smart working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Smart scores with a shot to the side of Sherinian's head.
Sherinian tries for a takedown but Smart manages to get underhooks.
Smart working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Sherinian has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Smart is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Smart displaying some good clinch control by pressing Sherinian up against the cage.
Sherinian takes an elbow to the forehead.
Smart is working Sherinian over against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sherinian tries for a takedown. No joy.
Smart stalling in the clinch.
Smart lands a good knee to the midsection. Sherinian won't want to take too many of those.
Sherinian is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Smart lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Sherinian backwards.
Nice body punch from Smart.
Smart throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Sherinians head.
Smart softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Smart is leaning against Sherinian and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Smart lands an elbow inside that Sherinian shrugs off.
Smart lands a body punch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Smart obliges.
Smart has Sherinian pressed against the cage.
Smart lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Sherinian takes a knee to the side of the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Smart.
Sherinian has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Smart avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Smart controlling the action here for a moment.
Smart receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
A left hand lands to the body for Smart.
Knees to the body from Smart.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Smart.
Sherinian tries for a takedown. No joy.
Smart pressing his opponent against the cage.
Smart unloads a knee to the mid-section. Sherinian lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Smart lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Smart.
Smart lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Sherinian wants a takedown.
Sherinian tries for a takedown but Smart manages to get underhooks.
Smart lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Smart comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Smart controlling the action here for a moment.
Nice body punch from Smart - that landed with a thud.
Smart lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A shot in the inside from Smart.
Nice elbow from Smart.
Sherinian has Smart pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Smart manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Smart stops a takedown attempt from Sherinian.
Smart prevents a takedown attempt there.
Smart pressing his opponent against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smart prevents the takedown attempt.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Sherinian is trying to drag Smart to the mat but Smart just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Smart displaying some good clinch control by pressing Sherinian up against the cage.
Smart lands with a right to the head.
Sherinian is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sherinian drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sherinian tries to score a body lock takedown but Smart shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smart landing knees to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Smart.
Smart lands a knee to the body.
Paul Smart seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Sherinian takes a knee to the side of the body.
Knees to the body from Smart.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Smart showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Smart!
Sherinian gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

so Smart counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Sherinian looking to hit a scissor sweep but Smart is one step ahead there.
Smart wants to control from the top but Sherinian keeps moving.
Sherinian looking for a sweep. Not yet Sherinian, not yet.
Sherinian throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Smart wants to control from the top but Sherinian keeps moving.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smart slips nicely into half guard.
Smart has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sherinian has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Smart is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sherinian looking for submissions off his back.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sherinian gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Smart counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Smart closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Sherinian did well to prevent Smart getting side control.
Smart wants to control but Sherinian is keeping him busy.
Smart lands strikes from half guard.
Smart wants to take a breather but Sherinian is having none of it.
Sherinian might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sherinian is trying to maintain the position but Smart is very close to passing his half guard.
Smart is trying to control. Sherinian wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Sherinian punching from the bottom.
Sherinian works his way to full guard. Good work.

Sherinian looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Smart throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Sherinian was covering up waiting for the punch and Smart finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Paul Smart has got the better of the ground game so far.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smart accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sherinian keeping moving, preventing Smart from controlling successfully.
Smart lands a couple of digs.
Smart trying to control the position from guard on top but Sherinian is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sherinian manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sherinian raining down shots from the mount!
Paul Smart is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smart blocking the ground and pound.
Smart is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Sherinian unloading with bombs!
Sherinian throws some wild stikes that Smart manages to avoid easily.
Sherinian punishing his opponent with strikes.
Sherinian with shots to the head and body - Smart looks very uncomfortable down there.
Smart has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sherinian is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Smart can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sherinian throwing strikes here but Smart is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Sherinian lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Sherinian postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Smart looks a forlorn figure.
Smart wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Sherinian.
Poor strikes thrown by Sherinian there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Sherinian lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
derek Sherinian has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sherinian lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Paul Smart.
Well Smart has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:29
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 26:30
Judge William Peck scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Smart!