PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Amir Sultanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Peter Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sultanov comes to the cage accompanied by No Vaseline. Smith has chosen Mustasch - Double Nature as his entrance music. Amir Sultanov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sultanov
vs
Smith

184 cm
18
177 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

181 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent knees
Inexperienced

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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Amir Sultanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Peter Smith!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, John Kavanagh and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sultanov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sultanov tries a head kick but it misses.
Smith looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sultanov is fending him off so far but Smith persists. Nope, Sultanov circles away and we're back to standing.

Sultanov clinches up against the cage.
Sultanov holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Sultanov has him pressed against the cage.
Sultanov has had enough of the clinch but Smith keeps him there for the moment.

Smith jumps into guard, dragging Sultanov to the mat.
Sultanov tries to free his leg and advance position but Smith is retaining full guard.
Smith controlling the position.
Sultanov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Smith is keeping the position for now.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Sultanov from controlling successfully.
Sultanov won't allow Smith to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Smith looking for a guillotine here but Sultanov defends easily.
Sultanov stands and throws Smith's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Sultanov misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Sultanov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Smith knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Sultanov in side control, throwing shots but Smith defends.

Sultanov decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Smith throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sultanov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt.
Amir Sultanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Peter Smith.
Smith looks gassed!
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sultanov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Sultanov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sultanov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Sultanov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Smith lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sultanov clobbers Smith with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Smith misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sultanov.

Sultanov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Smith tries to stall but Sultanov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Sultanov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Smith managing to block the knees to the body from Sultanov.

Sultanov breaks from the clinch.
Sultanov tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
A head kick misses from Sultanov.

Smith looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Smith trying to move into half guard but instead Sultanov has managed to sweep!
Smith wants to sweep here but Sultanov controlling him for the moment.
Smith manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sultanov manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Sultanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith passes Sultanov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Smith trying to control from half guard but Sultanov is working away.
Nice strikes from Smith there.
Smith looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Sultanov wants to improve his position but Smith is controlling well.

Smith 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.

Smith is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Smith prevents Sultanov from improving his position.
Sultanov is pressing down on Smith's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Smith pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sultanov is keeping the position for now.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sultanov throws out a powerful jab.
Smith blocks a head kick by Sultanov.
Sultanov tries to clinch up but Smith circles away and keeps his distance.
Smith takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Sultanov fails with an attempt to clinch.

Sultanov forces Smith back against the cage and clinches.
Sultanov can't break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Amir Sultanov dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sultanov lands a head kick!
Sultanov tries to clinch there but Smith circles away.
Sultanov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Smith swats away the attempt to clinch by Sultanov.
Sultanov tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.

Smith changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Sultanov looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Sultanov tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Smith raining down shots from the mount!
Smith prevents Sultanov from getting the reversal.

Smith working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Sultanov tries to reverse the position but Smith maintains control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Smith tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Sultanov wants to hold on but Smith pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

Smith looking for a guillotine from mount but Sultanov is having none of it.

Smith has hold of Sultanov's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Sultanov manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Sultanov is controlling an arm, preventing Smith from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.

Smith stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

Smith drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Smith stands up.
Smith blocks a head kick by Sultanov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sultanov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sultanov moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
Sultanov lands a really nice looking cross but Smith seems unphased.
Sultanov jabs at Smith's body.
Sultanov shoots in but Smith avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nice sprawl there from Sultanov as Smith shoots in.
Smith avoids the head kick by Sultanov.
Sultanov tries to land a front kick but Smith steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Smith shoots and misses

and Sultanov counters by moving into the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Smith lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Sultanov backwards.
Sultanov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Sultanov manages to break the clinch.

Sultanov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Sultanov had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Smith is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Sultanov Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Smith's back instead.
Sultanov misses with an elbow to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to get back to his feet.
Smith can't escape the position.

Sultanov working for the choke.
Sultanov is trying to stick to Smith's back but Smith is turning into Sultanov. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Sultanov's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Smith.

Sultanov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Smith landing with the ground and pound.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Sultanov is looking to clinch.
Smith displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sultanov throws out the jab.
Sultanov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Smith misses with a hook to the body

and Sultanov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Sultanov passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Smith!
Sultanov takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Smith covering up well and avoiding damage.
Smith trying to control the position but Sultanov manages to sink in the hooks.
Smith looking very determined here, making life difficult for Sultanov.
Sultanov doesn't have the hooks in and Smith manages to turn into his guard.
Sultanov 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 postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Sultanov is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Smith, into his guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sultanov stopping the sweep attempt from Smith.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Peter Smith will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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!

Smith closes the distance and clinches up with Sultanov, looking for a takedown. Smith pushes Sultanov against the cage but Sultanov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Sultanov has closed the distance and engaged Smith in a clinch.
Smith goes for a takedown attempt but Sultanov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Smith takes a kick to the side of the head.
Sultanov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Smith's waist but Smith gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sultanov off to one side.
Sultanov works the jab nicely.
Sultanov tries to clinch up but Smith circles away and keeps his distance.
Sultanov throws a sloppy head kick and Smith moves out of range easily.
Peter Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Smith crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Sultanov - the referee stops the clock and Smith gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Sultanov. Smith manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Sultanov moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Sultanov shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Sultanov was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Sultanov jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Smith manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sultanov fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sultanov tries for a kimura but Smith is defending well.

Sultanov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Smith, who protects the arm well.

Sultanov stands up.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Smith.

Smith wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Sultanov, who protects the arm well.
Sultanov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Sultanov tries to get out of the position.
Sultanov regains half guard.
Sultanov trying to control but Smith postures up.
Sultanov is looking for a sweep. Smith is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sultanov is trying to stand back up but Smith is controlling him
Smith prevents Sultanov from improving his position.

Smith is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sultanov is just riding it out for now. Smith eventually gives up the hold.

Sultanov actively working from the bottom here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sultanov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Sultanov tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Sultanov doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.
Sultanov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Smith's waist but Smith gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sultanov off to one side.
Sultanov tries to clinch up.
Amir Sultanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sultanov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sultanov throws a head kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sultanov is looking to clinch but Smith is avoiding it.
Sultanov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Smith shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Smith putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Smith landing shots from mount.
Sultanov tries to lock up and control but Smith gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Smith is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Smith swats away the attempt to clinch by Sultanov.
Sultanov avoids the head kick by Smith.
Smith gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Sultanov counters with a straight right hand.
Amir Sultanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Peter Smith.
Smith looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Sultanov throws a head kick that misses.
Smith shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Sultanov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Smith breaks the clinch.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt.
Smith swats away the attempt to clinch by Sultanov.
Sultanov is looking to clinch but Smith is avoiding it.
Sultanov throws a jab when Smith was well out of range.
Smith looks to land a left hand but Sultanov moved out of range nicely.
Sultanov tries to clinch there but Smith circles away.
Smith fails to land with a series of punches.
Smith shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sultanov pinned against the cage. Sultanov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sultanov is looking to clinch but Smith is avoiding it.
Smith shoots in looking for a takedown. Sultanov tries to sprawl out of it but Smith keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sultanov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Smith avoids the head kick by Sultanov.

And that's the end of the fight!
Amir Sultanov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sultanov 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Amir Sultanov!