PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jim Smilehoven (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kekoa Kai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Smilehoven
vs
Kai

180 cm
23
164 lbs
14 - 2 - 0

175 cm
24
160 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 14 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jim Smilehoven!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kekoa Kai!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smilehoven throws a hook but Kai blocks it.
Smilehoven ducks right into an uppercut from Kai.
Kai throws a nice looking combination but Smilehoven bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Smilehoven throws a series of punches but Kai moves out of range.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Smilehoven avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A slow jab from Kai misses its intended target.
Kai buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Smilehoven misses with a double jab.
Kai throws a big shot that misses.
Smilehoven throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kai.
Kai jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Smilehoven throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Smilehoven tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Smilehoven is breathing heavily.
Kai misses with a double jab.
Kai shoots for a double leg takedown but Smilehoven sprawls well. He's pushed Kai's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kai fails to land with a series of punches.

Smilehoven gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kai throws and elbow that misses. Smilehoven uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kai's guard. Nice move by Smilehoven!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kai had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Smilehoven defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kai throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Kai 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.

Kai escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Smilehoven gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kai looking to hit a scissor sweep but Smilehoven is one step ahead there.

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.
Kai looking to control.
Kai lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Smilehoven!
Kai can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Smilehoven is looking to escape.
Smilehoven is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Kai won't let Smilehoven get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Smilehoven on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Smilehoven tries to get out of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smilehoven is squirming around, avoiding Kai's attempts to control the action.
Kai wants to control but instead Smilehoven manages to regain half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Smilehoven keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Kai in particular looking to stall.

Kai is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kai connects with a nice short shot to Smilehoven's temple.
Smilehoven avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kai.
Kai thows a huge punch but Smilehoven dodges it nicely.
Kai working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Smilehoven's thigh. Smilehoven counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Kai thows a big elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kekoa Kai dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kai.
Smilehoven ducks under a wild hook from Kai.
Smilehoven keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kai.
Jim Smilehoven is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kai loads up on a big right hand but Smilehoven slips the punch.
Kai lands a really nice looking cross but Smilehoven seems unphased.

It looks like Jim Smilehoven has been cut.
Kai cracks Smilehoven with an open hand slap.
Smilehoven will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kai lands a head shot.

Smilehoven is rocked!
Smilehoven displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kai throws out the jab.
Kai tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Smilehoven lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Smilehoven.

Kai drops Smilehoven with a left and a right! Oh, Smilehoven is hurt - Kai dives into side control looking to finish!
Oh Smilehoven is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Smilehoven is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Kai goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Smilehoven has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Kai but great work by Smilehoven.
Kai sneaks back into half guard.
Smilehoven seems to have got his legs back now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kai controlling the position for now.
Smilehoven tries to stand and escape but Kai is controlling the position.
Kai moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Kai throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Kai working for a triangle but Smilehoven defends it easily.

Smilehoven avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kai is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Smilehoven trying to control the position from guard on top but Kai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kai looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Smilehoven has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Kai has his foot on Smilehoven's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Smilehoven works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kai wants to sweep but no luck.

Kai had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Smilehoven defends it easily.
Kai keeping moving, preventing Smilehoven from controlling successfully.

Kai working for a triangle but Smilehoven defends it easily.
Kai controls Smilehoven momentarily but Smilehoven frees himself.

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.

Kai throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Smilehoven wants to stand but Kai is controlling his posture from full guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Smilehoven swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Smilehoven takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kai throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Smilehoven throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kai counters with a left and a right that stings Smilehoven.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kai misses with a two punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kekoa Kai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jim Smilehoven's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Smilehoven ducks under a wild hook from Kai.
Kekoa Kai seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kai will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Nice takedown defense from Smilehoven. No joy for Kai on that attempt.
Smilehoven stuffs the takedown attempt from Kai. Kai gets slowly back to his feet.
Jim Smilehoven has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kekoa Kai.
Kai takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
No joy there for Smilehoven, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kai throws a leg kick but Smilehoven sees it coming and moves out of range.
Kai lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Smilehoven throws a good cross that connects.
Smilehoven throws a right and a left that Kai avoids nicely.
Smilehoven throws a series of strikes that have Kai backpedaling.
A jab lands there for Smilehoven.
Smilehoven leaves Kai with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Smilehoven cracks Kai with a good jab.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kai is looking to clinch but Smilehoven is avoiding it.
Kai has a takedown stuffed.
Smilehoven scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Jim Smilehoven is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smilehoven throws a nice looking combination but Kai bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kai takes a swing at Smilehoven's ribcage but misses.
Kai connects with a crisp jab.
Kai is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Smilehoven cracks Kai with an open hand slap.
Smilehoven misses with a jab, cross combination.

Kai decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

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

Kai is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Smilehoven defends it well.
Kai passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smilehoven is squirming around, avoiding Kai's attempts to control the action.
Kai punching from mount but Smilehoven doing a good job of avoiding damage.

Smilehoven defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Kai.
Kai won't let Smilehoven get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kai goes for an armbar but Smilehoven turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Smilehoven.
Kai wants to sweep but no luck.

Kai looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Smilehoven passes into half guard.
Kai wants to control but Smilehoven is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Smilehoven postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Kai to stand up.
Smilehoven moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Kai throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Smilehoven cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smilehoven bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Smilehoven will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Smilehoven throws a combination that misses
letting Kai counter with a right hand.
Smilehoven takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
The fighters circling - Smilehoven throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Kai gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A short left from Kai.
Kekoa Kai is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Smilehoven takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kai looking to slow down the pace here.
Smilehoven digs a right hand underneath Kai's ribcage. Kai let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A frustrated look appears on Smilehoven's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Smilehoven.
Smilehoven is trying to break the clinch but Kai is controlling him.
Kai prevents Smilehoven from breaking the clinch.
Kai crunches a lovely knee into Smilehoven's ribcage.
Kai wants a takedown.
Jim Smilehoven has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kai putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Smilehoven in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Kai.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jim Smilehoven.
Well Kai 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kekoa Kai!