PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Scott Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sarel Labuschagne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Smith
vs
Labuschagne

180 cm
26
170 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

185 cm
25
185 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Scott Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Sarel Labuschagne!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Ackerman and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith throws a jab but it's blocked by Labuschagne.
Labuschagne throws a jab but it's blocked by Smith.
Labuschagne tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
Smith dodges the punch combination from Labuschagne.
A nice inside leg kick there by Smith. That's going to slow Labuschagne down.
Sloppy strikes from Labuschagne. Those never looked like landing.
Labuschagne doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.
Smith fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Labuschagne is out of range.

Smith clinches up against the cage.
Smith is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Labuschagne prevents a takedown attempt there.
A right hand to the body from Smith.

Smith pulls guard effortlessly.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Labuschagne trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Smith has control of Labuschagne's left arm, preventing Labuschagne from doing any damage.
Smith looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Labuschagne puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

Smith pushes Labuschagne off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith takes the fight into the clinch.
Smith lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Smith is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Labuschagne's elbow.
Smith lands a right hand that snaps the head of Labuschagne backwards.
Labuschagne has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Smith avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Smith gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Smith wants to work for an arm triangle but Labuschagne is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Smith sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Labuschagne defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Smith lands strikes from half guard.
Labuschagne has a hand on Smith's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Smith takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Labuschagne is wriggling around trying to escape.
Smith looking to control but Labuschagne is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Labuschagne is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Smith controlling the pace for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Labuschagne is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Smith looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Labuschagne wants to control but Smith is having none of it.
Labuschagne is trying to escape the mount.
Labuschagne tries to hold on but Smith postures up.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Smith has managed to clinch.
Smith lands with a short shot to the head.

Smith's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Smith throws a head kick but Labuschagne moves out of range.
Labuschagne pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Smith rushes Labuschagne and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Labuschagne goes for a takedown in the clinch but Smith prevents it.
Smith has Labuschagne pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Labuschagne manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Labuschagne jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Smith walks away with a smile on his face. Labuschagne gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Smith fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Labuschagne, pushing him back against the cage.

Smith manages to pull guard.
Smith throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Labuschagne from controlling successfully.
Smith wants to get back to his feet but Labuschagne is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Sarel Labuschagne was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Smith fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Labuschagne checks it well.
Labuschagne keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Smith.

Smith has taken the fight to the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Smith.
Smith tries to work over Labuschagne's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Labuschagne misses with a jab, cross combination.

Smith takes the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Labuschagne wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Smith will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Labuschagne up against the cage.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Smith moves in looking to clinch but Labuschagne pushes him off.

Labuschagne tries to keep at a distance but Smith has taken the fight into the clinch.

Smith lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Labuschagne is just riding it out for now. Smith eventually gives up the hold.
Smith keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Smith stands up out of the half guard.
Labuschagne rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smith moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Smith takes the fight into the clinch.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scott Smith dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Labuschagne closes this distance looking for a takedown but Smith circles away.
Labuschagne shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Smith pinned against the cage. Smith gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Labuschagne fails to land with a series of punches.
Labuschagne has a takedown stuffed.
Scott Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sarel Labuschagne.
Labuschagne blocks a head kick by Smith.

Smith has managed to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Smith is leaning against Labuschagne and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Smith wants a takedown but no success here.

Smith works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Smith stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Labuschagne swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Smith is working hard here to advance position.
Smith working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Labuschagne trying to control the position.
Labuschagne avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Smith stands up from Labuschagne's guard - Smith perhaps looking for a knockout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Some wild striking there from Smith.
Smith swings widly with a right hand
and Labuschagne counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Smith thinking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Labuschagne looks for a takedown but Smith sprawls well.
Scott Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Labuschagne shoots for a double leg takedown but Smith sprawls well. He's pushed Labuschagne's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
No joy there for Labuschagne, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Smith moves into the clinch.

Labuschagne drags the fight down to the ground.
Labuschagne has a closed guard, preventing Smith from standing up.
Scott Smith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Smith gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Labuschagne tries to bum rush Smith with a series of wild strikes but Smith uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Labuschagne misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Smith moves into the clinch.
Smith has Labuschagne pushed against the cage.
Scott Smith is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Smith tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Labuschagne wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Sarel Labuschagne has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A right hook to the body lands for Smith.

And that's the end of the fight!
Scott Smith showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Smith has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Scott Smith!