PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Brian McCarthy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenji Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McCarthy's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Here I Go Again. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

McCarthy
vs
Smith

176 cm
26
155 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

178 cm
25
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Very confident

Elite Canadian Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Brian McCarthy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kenji Smith!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Elvis Blanc and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCarthy throws a solid leg kick but Smith takes the impact on his shin and smiles at McCarthy.
McCarthy pivots, looking for a leg kick but Smith is out of range and McCarthy settles back down.

Smith rushes McCarthy and presses him up against the cage.

McCarthy has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Smith clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Smith has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
You can see the frustration on Smith's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
McCarthy missing with strikes from the back.
I really don't envy Smith right now.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards McCarthy.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McCarthy is working the ground and pound. Can Smith escape?

McCarthy working for a choke but Smith is defending well.
McCarthy doesn't have the hooks in and Smith manages to turn into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy managing to control the position.
Smith looking to pass the guard.
Smith working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Smith drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and McCarthy dives on top into guard.
Smith is trying to control the position but McCarthy postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
McCarthy is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Smith bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in McCarthy's guard.
McCarthy is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
McCarthy knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Smith on the ground.
Smith wants to control from the top but McCarthy keeps moving.
Smith sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed McCarthy's guard.
Smith lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smith throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is trying to control. McCarthy wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Smith throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

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

Smith is looking for a kimura but McCarthy is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Smith to get the leverage.
The fighters are battling for position here. McCarthy manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but McCarthy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith throws a strike but McCarthy rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
McCarthy preventing the sweep.

Smith working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because McCarthy has passed into half guard!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Smith actively working from the bottom here.
Smith won't allow McCarthy to pass to mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith trying to control from the bottom.

McCarthy seems to be looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kenji Smith will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

McCarthy lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Smith fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
McCarthy lands with a kick to the temple. Smith shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
We've been told by McCarthy's head coaches at >TAPOUT ELITE< that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Some bone on bone action there as Smith checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
McCarthy is looking to chop away at Smith's legs.
Smith has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from McCarthy.
A head kick misses from McCarthy.
Smith changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McCarthy tries to avoid it but Smith manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McCarthy to the ground. McCarthy escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Brian McCarthy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A chopping leg kick lands by McCarthy.
Brian McCarthy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith dodges the punch combination from McCarthy.
Smith blocks a low kick nicely.

McCarthy darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Smith on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Smith trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but McCarthy manages to pass to mount!
Smith tries to reverse the position but McCarthy maintains control.

McCarthy is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Smith to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Smith shrugs it off.

McCarthy with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy landing strikes, looking to finish!
Smith regains half guard.
Smith wants to improve his position but McCarthy is controlling well.

McCarthy is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith wants to control but McCarthy is keeping busy.
Smith regains full guard. Nicely done.

Smith is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! McCarthy has his hands clasped together but Smith extends and breaks McCarthy's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Smith.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Kenji Smith!
Brian McCarthy was interviewed post fight and said 'My opponent fought a good fight. I go back to the drawing board now, and maybe reconsider my stance in this sport'.