PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rangi Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mateo Da Vinci (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Da Vinci has chosen CONQUEST as his entrance music. On his way into the cage it seems that Rangi Smith has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Rangi Smith seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Smith
vs
Da Vinci

180 cm
20
175 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

180 cm
25
175 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)

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 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rangi Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mateo Da Vinci!
The judges for this bout are Chris Dean, Darius Henderson and Ben Hemmingworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Da Vinci closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Smith to the mat! Smith manages to get full guard.
Smith preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Da Vinci working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Da Vinci throws a strike but Smith rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Smith won't allow Da Vinci to sweep him here.
Da Vinci keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Da Vinci striking from the bottom here.
Smith has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Da Vinci looking for a sweep. Not yet Da Vinci, not yet.
Da Vinci keeps trying to improve his position.
Da Vinci keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Smith stands up over Da Vinci, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith wants to control from the top but Da Vinci keeps moving.
Da Vinci 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith wants to control from the top but Da Vinci keeps moving.
Smith preventing the sweep.
Da Vinci thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Da Vinci is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Da Vinci looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Da Vinci is still trying to improve position.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Da Vinci is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Smith throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Da Vinci bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Da Vinci.
Smith appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Smith.
Da Vinci shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Smith rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Da Vinci moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Smith misses with a wild combination.
Smith throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Da Vinci is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

Da Vinci shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Da Vinci drops an elbow to the side of Smith's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Vinci working over Smith with some ground and pound. Smith looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Da Vinci thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Smith's head.
Da Vinci misses with a head shot. Smith uses the momentum to regain guard.
Da Vinci postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Da Vinci postures up and lands a big shot to Smith's brow.
Da Vinci loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Smith looking to hit a scissor sweep but Da Vinci is one step ahead there.
Da Vinci pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Smith is keeping the position for now.
Da Vinci has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Da Vinci throws a big right hand that misses.
Smith working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Da Vinci.
Smith utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Da Vinci trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Da Vinci scoring with some ground and pound.
Da Vinci pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Smith is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mateo Da Vinci dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Da Vinci fails with the takedown.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smith. Da Vinci does a little dance to reset his feet.
Smith throws a left and a right that both miss
and Da Vinci counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Smith bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Da Vinci's head backwards.
Smith lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Da Vinci circles away quickly and effectively.
Despite the aggression on Da Vinci's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Da Vinci shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Smith defends it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith looks to score with a jab to the body but Da Vinci is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Da Vinci.
And Da Vinci tries to counter it with a takedown but Smith pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Smith fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Da Vinci on the side of the head.
Da Vinci misses with a takedown attempt
and Smith cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rangi Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mateo Da Vinci.
Smith misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Smith misses with a combination
and Da Vinci counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Da Vinci closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Smith to the mat! Smith manages to get full guard.
Da Vinci loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Da Vinci throwing strikes from guard but Smith blocks nicely.
Smith bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Da Vinci's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith stopping the sweep attempt from Da Vinci.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Da Vinci is keeping the position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Da Vinci is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Smith keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Da Vinci drops an elbow to the side of Smith's head.
Smith trying to hold on to Da Vinci's head to control him but Da Vinci postures up.
Ground and pound from Da Vinci.
Da Vinci scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Smith taking some punishment here, with Da Vinci in his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Vinci throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Da Vinci 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 blocking the ground and pound attempt from Da Vinci.
Smith taking some punishment here, with Da Vinci in his half guard.
Da Vinci sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Smith defending well though.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Smith has hold of Da Vinci's hands but Da Vinci slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Da Vinci thows a huge punch but Smith dodges it nicely.
Da Vinci working Smith over with strikes.
Da Vinci thows a huge punch but Smith dodges it nicely.
Da Vinci has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Da Vinci working Smith over with strikes.
Da Vinci thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Da Vinci throwing shots but Smith is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Da Vinci thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Smith's head.
Smith is trying to maintain the position but Da Vinci is very close to passing his half guard.
Da Vinci thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Da Vinci working the head and body with strikes.
Da Vinci working Smith over with strikes.
Da Vinci sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Smith defending well though.
Da Vinci not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Da Vinci landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Da Vinci lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Smith wants to improve his position but Da Vinci is controlling well.
Da Vinci not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mateo Da Vinci showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Smith lands with an overhand left.
Da Vinci shoots in looking for a takedown. Smith tries to sprawl out of it but Da Vinci keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Smith manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice takedown defense from Smith. No joy for Da Vinci on that attempt.
Da Vinci looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rangi Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mateo Da Vinci.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith tries a head kick but it misses.
Left hook, right uppercut from Smith.

It looks like Mateo Da Vinci has been cut.
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Vinci shoots in for a takedown but Smith shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Da Vinci takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
A lazy left from Smith finds it's target.
Smith pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Da Vinci takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Da Vinci is rocked!
Da Vinci changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Smith tries to avoid it but Da Vinci 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 throws a jab when Da Vinci was well out of range.
Da Vinci dodges the punch combination from Smith.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Smith throws a body punch but Da Vinci moves out of range.
Rangi Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smith closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Da Vinci looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Smith!
Smith tries to bench press Da Vinci off him but Da Vinci keeps the position.
Da Vinci lands some shots froms side control.
Da Vinci looks up at the clock and then as Smith takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Da Vinci smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Da Vinci working the ground and pound from side control.
Da Vinci is working Smith over with some ground and pound from side control.
Rangi Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Vinci lands a decent elbow from side control.
Da Vinci scores with a couple of short elbows.
Smith tries to escape but Da Vinci is in control.
Da Vinci working the head and body with strikes.
Da Vinci is putting a hurting on Smith here, landing some big shots from side control.

Smith is rocked!
Smith is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Oh Smith is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Smith is working to avoid the ground and pound but Da Vinci connects with a decent elbow.
A big shot lands for Da Vinci! That's hurt Smith! Will he recover? Da Vinci fires away with more strikes and the referee has to step in to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:53 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mateo Da Vinci!
Mateo Da Vinci really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$) logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.