PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aaron Archer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Terry Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smith has chosen The Mercenary as his entrance music. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Archer
vs
Smith

188 cm
29
210 lbs
19 - 13 - 0

190 cm
32
206 lbs
19 - 17 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aaron Archer!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 17 - 0, fighting out of New York, Terry Smith!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Russell Pearce and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Archer fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Smith sprawls well initially but Archer persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Smith makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Smith throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Archer slips under a jab from Smith.
Smith throws a head kick that misses.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Smith - that will leave a mark!
Smith tries a head kick but it misses.
Archer tries for a takedown but Smith circles away easily
and Smith counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Archer scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Archer is looking to slow Smith down with leg kicks.
A shot to the liver by Archer. Beautiful body shot.
Smith takes a swing at Archer's ribcage but misses.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Archer.

Archer closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Smith's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Archer is fighting to break Smith's control of his arms but Smith is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Smith working a defensive guard here.
Smith is looking to stand up but Archer isn't so interested in that idea.
Archer throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Smith works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Archer trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Archer seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Smith is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Smith 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.
Archer not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Archer stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smith swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Archer wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith misses with a double jab

and Archer counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Archer is trying to control the action in half guard but Smith is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Archer thows a huge punch but Smith dodges it nicely.
Archer trying to control the action but Smith is working from the bottom.
Smith keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

Archer is looking for a kimura but Smith is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Archer to get the leverage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Archer looks to land a strike but Smith avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Archer slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Archer looking to sit in guard and control but Smith gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Smith looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith content to stall in guard here.
Archer is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
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 Aaron Archer will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Smith throws a front kick that sends Archer stumbling back into the cage.
Smith throws a jab when Archer was well out of range.
Smith throws an off balance right hand

and Archer counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Smith!
Archer tries to move into full mount but can't pass Smith's legs.
Archer wants to lay and pray for a moment but Smith keeps working.

Archer is trying to get an arm triangle but Smith is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Archer lands some shots froms side control.
Aaron Archer overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Check out the look on Archer's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

Archer looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Smith tries to improve position but can't.
Smith is not content to let Archer control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Archer tries to move to mount but Smith blocks the move with his legs.
Smith managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Archer.
Smith tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Archer wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Smith dodges the ground and pound from Archer.
Smith is looking for a sweep.
An elbow from Archer crashes against the mat.
Archer throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Archer throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Smith is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A looping hook to the body misses from Archer. Smith does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nice sprawl there from Smith as Archer shoots in.
Smith misses with a wild body shot.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Smith lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Archer goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Archer is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Smith can do to turn this around?

Smith breaks from the clinch.
Archer throws a jab but it's blocked by Smith.
Smith missing with a left hand there. Archer was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Archer throws an overhand right that lands on Smith's shoulder, as Smith tries to avoid the shot.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Archer.

Archer shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Smith manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Smith is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Archer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Archer throws an elbow that misses. Smith uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Archer's guard. Nice move by Smith!

This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith's corner is telling him to maintain position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aaron Archer dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Sloppy strikes from Smith. Those never looked like landing.
A slow jab from Smith misses its intended target.
Archer shoots for a double leg takedown but Smith sprawls well. He's pushed Archer's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Smith throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smith lands with a nice combination. Archer backs away looking to recover.
Archer gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Smith.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Archer checks a leg kick.
Smith misses with a leg kick

and Archer counters with a shoot takedown. Smith fights it but they end up in guard.
Archer passes Smith's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Smith tries to get to full guard but Archer has control of the leg.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Archer is looking to pass Smith's guard but actually Smith recovers to full guard.
Archer in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Smith utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Smith looking to hit a scissor sweep but Archer is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Archer looking to sit in guard and control but Smith gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Smith slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Archer is trying to control Smith's posture but Smith avoids it.
Archer is looking for a sweep.
Smith remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Archer can't do much from the bottom here.
Smith cracks Archer with a big elbow.
Archer is looking to regain half guard here but Smith keeps moving and retains side control.
Smith controls the position.
Smith's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Archer can't do much from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Smith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Archer keeps working.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Archer throws a right and a left that Smith avoids nicely.
Archer lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Archer misses the body punch
and Smith counters with an inside leg kick.
Archer has been working on his balance at NY Warriors, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Smith.
Archer looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Archer moves forwards but Smith connects with a nice, crisp jab.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Smith misses with a two punch combination.
A big right from Smith misses.
Smith slips under a jab from Archer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Terry Smith really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A slapping leg kick lands for Smith.
Smith tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Archer fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Smith swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Smith takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Archer dives in and grabs Smith's left leg, looking for a takedown. Smith pushes down on Archer's head and hops out.
Archer lands with a nice combination. Smith backs away looking to recover.
Archer takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A shot to the liver by Archer. Beautiful body shot.
Nice shot lands for Smith.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Archer backs up against the cage.

Archer is rocked!
Archer tries a head kick but it misses.
A punch combination from Smith misses.
Archer gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Oh Archer is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith lands a nice leg kick that just misses Archer's sensitive parts.
Smith misses with a wild combination.
Archer seems to have got his legs back now.
Smith throws a nice looking combination but Archer bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Terry Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Archer bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Smith's head backwards.
Smith explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Smith connects with an inside leg kick.
Smith misses with a low kick.
Smith lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Smith.
Archer scores with a crisp jab that stopped Smith in his tracks.
A big left from Smith misses.
Archer throws a head kick that misses.
Archer looks to land a left hand but Smith moved out of range nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Archer shoots for a takedown but Smith saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Archer tests Smith's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Smith doesn't manage to clinch there - Archer circles away.
Archer misses with a looping right.
Nice defenses there by Archer.
Archer tries a head kick but it misses.
Smith scores with a nice head shot.
Smith connects with a jab.
Smith lands a right hook to the body.
Archer throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Smith misses with a low kick.
Terry Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smith throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Archer.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aaron Archer. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Archer throws a big shot that misses.
Smith throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Archer.
Smith throws a lazy uppercut

and Archer counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Archer.
Smith has Archer pulled in close to control his posture.
Archer postures up.
Smith has control of Archer's left arm, preventing Archer from doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Archer accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Archer throws an elbow that misses. Smith uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Archer's guard. Nice move by Smith!

Archer wants to sweep but no luck.
Smith slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Archer is keeping the position.
Archer is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

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

Terry Smith dominated that fourth 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. And we move into the final round!

Smith checks a low kick from Archer.
Smith throws a leg kick but Archer moved away.
Archer bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Archer looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.
Smith misses with an uppercut. Archer saw that one coming.
Archer takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Archer throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Smith sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Smith lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Archer fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Smith to the ground. Archer is now in Smith's guard.
Smith has Archer pulled in close to control his posture.
Archer is looking to work some ground and pound but Smith has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Archer is now in half guard.
Archer tries to pass to full mount but Smith defends it.
Archer 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.
Smith is controlling Archer's trapped leg to prevent Archer from advancing to side control.
Archer throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Archer winds up and cracks Smith with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Smith is looking to improve his position.
Smith is looking to control Archer's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Smith avoid being mounted?
Archer passes to full mount!
Archer wants to control the pace but Smith is squirming around nicely.
Archer lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Smith hang on?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to hold on but Archer pushes him away.
Smith is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Archer is staying active.
Archer raining down hammerfists from mount.
Smith wants to hold on but Archer pushes him away.
Archer looking to control and managing it successfully.
Archer lands a big elbow - Smith is in trouble! More strikes from the mount and Smith is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Aaron Archer!
Aaron Archer retains his light heavyweight title!
In his post fight interview, Aaron Archer started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.