PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Carlos Rocha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Keith Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Rocha
vs
Smith

180 cm
23
201 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

183 cm
26
193 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Carlos Rocha!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Keith Smith!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Steven Brown and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smith fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rocha, pushing him back against the cage.
Rocha pressing his opponent against the cage.
Smith tries to circle away but Rocha has him pinned against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Smith's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Rocha drops down looking for an ankle pick but Smith pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rocha showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Smith.
Rocha throws out a loose jab but Smith uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rocha dodges the punch combination from Smith.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.
Rocha misses with some punches.

Rocha's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Smith misses with a double jab

and Rocha counters with a takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Smith is trying to escape back to his feet but Rocha uses the scramble to pass into side control.

Rocha swings around for an armbar but Smith sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Rocha's guard.
Smith trying to control but Rocha is working from the bottom.
Smith preventing the sweep.
Rocha is working hard here to advance position.

That's two 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.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rocha looking for a sweep. Not yet Rocha, not yet.
Rocha on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Rocha tries to get out of the position.
Rocha wants to improve his position but instead Smith has moved into half guard.
Rocha is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith trying to control the action but Rocha is working from the bottom.
Smith content to control rather than advance.

Keith Smith has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Rocha takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

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.
Rocha throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rocha throws a nice looking combination but Smith bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Smith with a nice cross.
Rocha misses with an uppercut
and Smith counters with a two punch combo.
Smith tries to clinch but Rocha moves away

and Rocha counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Smith is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rocha is controlling him.
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 Carlos Rocha will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rocha takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Carlos Rocha is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smith fails to land with a series of punches.
Smith shoots for a takedown but Rocha saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Smith throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Rocha counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Rocha frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Smith tries to hold on but Rocha postures up.
Rocha lands a heavy elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocha looking to finish Smith with some ground and pound. This is bad for Smith!
Rocha raining down hammerfists from mount.
Carlos Rocha overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Smith takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rocha lands a big shot to the head and Smith winces in pain. He's tapped out due to strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:44 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Carlos Rocha!