PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Marmaduke Cholmondley Smythe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Russell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cholmondley Smythe comes to the cage accompanied by He is an Englishman. Russell has chosen Haterz Everywhere We Go as his entrance music. Mike Russell has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cholmondley Smythe
vs
Russell

170 cm
22
150 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

165 cm
22
145 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marmaduke Cholmondley Smythe !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mike Russell!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Joseph Jones and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cholmondley Smythe closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Russell ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Russell no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Cholmondley Smythe seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Russell 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.
Cholmondley Smythe stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Russell swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cholmondley Smythe is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

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

Russell has his foot on Cholmondley Smythe 's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cholmondley Smythe works his way back into a safe position though.
Cholmondley Smythe loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cholmondley Smythe stopping the sweep attempt from Russell.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.

Cholmondley Smythe closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Russell is trying to improve his position.
Russell looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Cholmondley Smythe has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Russell!
Cholmondley Smythe controlling his opponent.
Cholmondley Smythe seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Russell for as long as he can get away with.
Russell is trying to escape the mount.
Cholmondley Smythe looking to control and managing it successfully.
Cholmondley Smythe trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cholmondley Smythe takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Marmaduke Cholmondley Smythe just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.

Cholmondley Smythe scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Cholmondley Smythe takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Russell wants to get back to full guard.

Russell looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Cholmondley Smythe lands strikes from half guard.
Cholmondley Smythe takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Russell wants to get back to full guard but Cholmondley Smythe has passed into side control.
Cholmondley Smythe controlling the position easily from mount.
Russell can't escape the position.
Russell's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell is looking to improve his position but Cholmondley Smythe isn't that keen on the idea.
Cholmondley Smythe controlling from the full mount.
Cholmondley Smythe manages to capitalize on a mistake by Russell to take his back!
Cholmondley Smythe controlling well, preventing Russell from escaping the position.
Cholmondley Smythe gets his hands free as Russell looks to control.
Cholmondley Smythe doesn't have the hooks in and Russell manages to turn into his guard.

Russell drops back looking for a leg! Cholmondley Smythe is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Cholmondley Smythe manages to kick Russell off! Russell jumps back into Cholmondley Smythe 's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Cholmondley Smythe is on top in guard.

Russell throws his legs up looking for a submission but Cholmondley Smythe uses it to pass to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Russell's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Russell gets back to half guard.
Russell moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Russell looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Cholmondley Smythe trying to control but Russell is working from the bottom.
Russell looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cholmondley Smythe is one step ahead there.
Russell trying to strike off his back.

Russell working for a triangle but Cholmondley Smythe defends it easily.
Cholmondley Smythe content to stall in guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marmaduke Cholmondley Smythe dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Russell tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cholmondley Smythe paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Russell scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Russell is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Cholmondley Smythe doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Russell.

Russell 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.
Cholmondley Smythe is trying to stand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Russell is trying to control the action in half guard but Cholmondley Smythe is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cholmondley Smythe won't allow Russell to pass to mount.

Russell seems to be working for a kimura but Cholmondley Smythe defends the submission attempt.
Russell wants to stand up but Cholmondley Smythe has a hold of him and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Russell seems to be working for a kimura but Cholmondley Smythe defends the submission attempt.

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

Russell darts in and clinches Cholmondley Smythe up against the cage.
Russell tries to score a body lock takedown but Cholmondley Smythe shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Russell is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Russell tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Cholmondley Smythe smiles and moves away.
Marmaduke Cholmondley Smythe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Russell.
Cholmondley Smythe throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Russell's waist but Russell gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cholmondley Smythe off to one side.
Russell shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Cholmondley Smythe decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Russell's guard.
Cholmondley Smythe 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.
Russell throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Russell tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Russell has his foot on Cholmondley Smythe 's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cholmondley Smythe works his way back into a safe position though.
Russell is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Russell looking for a guillotine here but Cholmondley Smythe defends easily.
Cholmondley Smythe seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Russell looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Russell keeping moving, preventing Cholmondley Smythe from controlling successfully.
Cholmondley Smythe tries to free his leg and advance position but Russell is retaining full guard.
Cholmondley Smythe controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Russell 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.

Russell looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Cholmondley Smythe has picked Russell up and slammed him! Russell can't keep hold of the triangle and Cholmondley Smythe manages to pass to side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell is looking to regain half guard here but Cholmondley Smythe keeps moving and retains side control.
Russell is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Russell is trying to work for a sweep but Cholmondley Smythe has mounted him!
Russell working to try and regain half guard.
Russell regains half guard.
Russell tries to get to full guard but Cholmondley Smythe has control of the leg.

Russell actively working from the bottom here.
Cholmondley Smythe looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Russell is trying to control but can't.
Russell wants to get back to full guard.

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.
Cholmondley Smythe seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Russell does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Cholmondley Smythe tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Russell fails in his attempt to clinch.
Russell shoots and misses

and Cholmondley Smythe counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Russell's guard now.
Cholmondley Smythe seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Russell is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Cholmondley Smythe is controlling Russell's trapped leg to prevent Russell from advancing to side control.

Russell is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Cholmondley Smythe doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Russell.

Russell is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marmaduke Cholmondley Smythe dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Russell with a poor takedown
and Cholmondley Smythe counters with a two punch combo.
Russell tries for a takedown but Cholmondley Smythe circles away easily

and Cholmondley Smythe counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Russell looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Russell has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Cholmondley Smythe has passed into side control.
Cholmondley Smythe is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Russell will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Russell is trying to buck Cholmondley Smythe off.
Russell tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Cholmondley Smythe wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
A lull in the action here.
Russell regains half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cholmondley Smythe trying to control the action but Russell is working from the bottom.
Cholmondley Smythe keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Russell looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cholmondley Smythe missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Russell looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Russell works his way to full guard. Good work.

Russell has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Cholmondley Smythe is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Russell.
Russell wants to get back to his feet but Cholmondley Smythe drags him back down.
Cholmondley Smythe trying to control the action but Russell is working from the bottom.
Russell is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Cholmondley Smythe 's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Cholmondley Smythe content to control rather than advance.

Russell looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Russell actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Russell looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Still in half guard, Cholmondley Smythe seems content to control.
Cholmondley Smythe is looking to take a break and control but Russell is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Russell moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Russell wants to sweep here but Cholmondley Smythe controlling him for the moment.

Russell keeping busy on the bottom but Cholmondley Smythe has passed one foot through into half guard.
Cholmondley Smythe looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Russell is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Cholmondley Smythe pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell gets back to full guard.

Russell has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cholmondley Smythe can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Russell has his foot on Cholmondley Smythe 's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cholmondley Smythe works his way back into a safe position though.
Cholmondley Smythe wants to control from the top but Russell keeps moving.

Cholmondley Smythe avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Russell looking for a sweep. Not yet Russell, not yet.
Cholmondley Smythe wants to control from the top but Russell keeps moving.
Marmaduke Cholmondley Smythe overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Cholmondley Smythe is in close to Russell's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Russell looking for a sweep. Not yet Russell, not yet.

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

Cholmondley Smythe has Russell up against the cage in a clinch.
Nice elbow from Russell.

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.

Russell turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Cholmondley Smythe can't do much from the bottom here.
The ground and pound from Russell seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

Russell swings around for an armbar but Cholmondley Smythe sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Russell's guard.
Russell is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Russell looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Russell lands a decent shot there.
Russell is trying to control the position but Cholmondley Smythe postures up.

Russell is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Russell working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Cholmondley Smythe has passed into half guard!
Cholmondley Smythe tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Russell tries to roll over but Cholmondley Smythe keeps him under control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marmaduke Cholmondley Smythe showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cholmondley Smythe , winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 John Roberts scores the fight for Marmaduke Cholmondley Smythe !
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight for Marmaduke Cholmondley Smythe !
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight for Marmaduke Cholmondley Smythe !

Marmaduke Cholmondley Smythe wins by unanimous decision!