PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Power Rampage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lionel Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lionel Smith struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 186.3lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Rampage
vs
Smith

185 cm
20
185 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

190 cm
21
200 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Enjoys gardening

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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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Power Rampage!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lionel Smith!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Joseph Jones and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rampage shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Rampage is looking to stand up but Smith won't let him.
Smith manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rampage manages to get himself to full guard.
Rampage on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Rampage tries to get out of the position.
Rampage working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Smith.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Rampage is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith throwing strikes but missing.
Smith throwing strikes from guard but Rampage blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Rampage is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rampage knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Smith on the ground.
Smith postures up in Rampage's guard and throws a big left but Rampage blocks it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rampage wants to stand up but Smith is controlling him.
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rampage works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rampage is looking to stand up but Smith isn't so interested in that idea.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smith accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smith accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Smith missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rampage works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Smith throwing strikes but missing.
Smith with a flurry of punches that miss.
Smith throws a big right hand that misses.
Rampage keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a big elbow that misses.
Smith in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Smith missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Smith trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Smith is working Rampage over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Smith missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Smith trying to control but Rampage is working from the bottom.
Smith postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith advances to half guard.
Smith seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Smith working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Smith lands a nice short elbow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith lands strikes from half guard.
Smith working over Rampage with some ground and pound. Rampage looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Smith not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith trying to control from half guard but Rampage is working away.
Smith is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lionel Smith 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.

Rampage leaves Smith with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Smith manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Rampage on his heels. He'll look to pass Rampage's guard now, I'm sure.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Rampage has wrist control.
Rampage wants to stand and escape but Smith is having none of it.
Smith missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rampage works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smith accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Smith stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rampage swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith works over Rampage with some ground and pound from guard.
Smith trying to control but Rampage is working from the bottom.
Smith throws a big right hand that misses.

Smith thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Smith postures up in Rampage's guard and throws a big left but Rampage blocks it.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Smith throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rampage works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith with a flurry of punches that miss.
Smith with a flurry of punches that miss.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Smith forces his way into half guard.
Smith perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Smith is trying to control the action in half guard but Rampage is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Smith looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Smith missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith stops Rampage from getting back to his feet.
Smith thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rampage's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith thows a huge punch but Rampage dodges it nicely.
Rampage is not content to let Smith control the position.
Smith working over Rampage with some ground and pound. Rampage looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Smith not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Smith missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Smith not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Lionel Smith has got the better of the ground game so far.

Smith is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rampage is just riding it out for now. Smith eventually gives up the hold.
Smith lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith trying to control from half guard but Rampage is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lionel Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Rampage stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rampage wants it to stay on the feet.
Smith tries for a takedown but Rampage sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rampage works over Smith's head and body with a nice combination.
Rampage changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Smith tries to avoid it but Rampage manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Smith to the ground. Smith escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but Rampage shows good takedown defense.
Power Rampage has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lionel Smith.

Smith manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Rampage on his heels. He'll look to pass Rampage's guard now, I'm sure.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Rampage is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith with a flurry of punches that miss.
Smith with a flurry of punches that miss.
Smith throwing strikes from guard but Rampage blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is in close to Rampage's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Smith missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rampage works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Smith postures up in Rampage's guard and throws a big left but Rampage blocks it.
Smith trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Smith throwing strikes from guard but Rampage blocks nicely.
Smith has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Smith working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Smith postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Rampage keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Smith throws a big elbow that misses.
Rampage preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Smith with a nice head shot there.
Smith trying to control but Rampage is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Rampage has wrist control.
Smith postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Smith with a flurry of punches that miss.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Rampage has wrist control.
Smith working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Smith postures up in Rampage's guard and throws a big left but Rampage blocks it.
Rampage preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Smith has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Smith is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Rampage avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Power Rampage has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smith accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Smith pushing down on Rampage's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Nice strikes from Smith there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rampage blocking the ground and pound attempt from Smith.
Smith is trying to control. Rampage wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Lionel Smith is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Smith is figuring out what he wants to do next.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lionel Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Smith winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 27:30

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