PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Charlie Deeds (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joel Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Deeds
vs
Smith

165 cm
19
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

175 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Charlie Deeds!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Joel Smith!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Michael Johnstone and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith moves out of range as Deeds throws a body kick.
Deeds misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Deeds throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Smith throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Deeds was covering up waiting for the punch and Smith finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Deeds has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Smith is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith is trying to break free.
Smith drops down looking for an ankle pick but Deeds pulls his leg out and moves away.
Deeds doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.
Smith has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Deeds managing to block the knees to the body from Smith.
Smith stalling against the cage.
Smith goes for a takedown in the clinch but Deeds prevents it.
Charlie Deeds has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joel Smith.
Smith is looking to break free of the clinch but Deeds has double underhooks.
Smith gets underhooks to prevent Deeds's takedown attempt.
Smith effectively controlling the action here.
Deeds fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith successfully pulls guard.
Deeds wants to pass the guard but Smith is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Deeds missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Smith controlling Deeds's posture.
Smith 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 content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Deeds is in trouble now - Smith has advanced to mount!
Smith thowing shots but they're missing.
Smith misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Deeds tries to lock up and control but Smith gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Deeds wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Smith.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deeds tries to control the position but Smith now has his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith controls the position.
Deeds looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Deeds trying to control the hands but Smith breaks the grip.
Smith controlling the position well here. Deeds rolled but Smith kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joel 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.

Smith shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Deeds counters with a straight right hand.
Deeds moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
Deeds fails with the takedown.
Smith is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Smith shoots in but no luck this time.
Deeds fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Smith shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Deeds but Deeds pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Charlie Deeds has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joel Smith.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Deeds clinches with his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Deeds wants to stall.
Smith has Deeds pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Deeds manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Smith tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Deeds just stands there and leans against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Deeds.
Deeds tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Smith's elbow.
Smith has had enough of the clinch but Deeds keeps him there for the moment.

Deeds manages to break the clinch.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Deeds moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Smith shoots in but no luck this time.
Deeds is looking to counter the offense by Smith and move into the clinch.
Smith is breathing heavily.
Smith shoots in looking for a takedown. Deeds tries to sprawl out of it but Smith keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Deeds manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to clinch but Deeds is having none of it.
Smith fails to land the takedown.
Deeds moves to clinch but Smith breaks away
enabling Smith to counter with a crisp jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Deeds looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Smith tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Deeds swivels and escapes.
Deeds fails to land the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Deeds shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Smith defends it nicely.
Deeds looks for a takedown but Smith sprawls well.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Smith drives through and clinches with Deeds against the cage.
Deeds 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. Deeds gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Charlie Deeds is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Deeds tries for a takedown but Smith sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Deeds moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromSmith.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Deeds goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Smith forces Deeds back against the cage and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Smith.
Smith has Deeds pressed against the cage, preventing Deeds from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Smith tries to land knees in the clinch but Deeds avoids the damage to the body.
Smith wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Deeds looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Deeds has Smith pressed against the cage.
Deeds is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Smith to keep the fight standing.

Deeds breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

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

That was a close second round but I would say that Charlie Deeds will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Deeds fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Smith with a lazy takedown attempt
and Deeds counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Deeds closes this distance looking for a takedown but Smith circles away.
Deeds avoids a kick to the body.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt - Deeds sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Deeds blocks a head kick by Smith.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Deeds uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
Deeds lands with a shot to the body.
Deeds shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Smith as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charlie Deeds. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Smith successfully pulls guard.

Smith is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Deeds defends well.
Smith takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Deeds won't allow Smith to sweep him here.
Deeds trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Deeds trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Smith trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Smith wants to take the fight to the mat but Deeds manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Deeds regains guard immediately.
Joel Smith has got the better of the ground game so far.

Deeds has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Smith off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Deeds dives in for a single leg takedown but Smith sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Smith rushes Deeds and presses him up against the cage.
Smith is working for takedown but Deeds is calmly controlling the position for now.
Smith is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Deeds blocks the elbow strike.
Smith has Deeds pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Deeds manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Smith prevents the takedown attempt.
Smith is trying to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deeds tries for a takedown. No joy.
Smith is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Deeds pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Deeds stops a takedown attempt from Smith.
Deeds wants to get back to striking at distance but Smith won't allow it.
Deeds wants to break the clinch but can't.
Deeds with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Smith avoids the elbow strike from Deeds, against the cage.
Deeds is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Smith stops a takedown attempt from Deeds.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Deeds wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Smith tries to pull guard but Deeds won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Joel Smith.
I think Smith has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Winston Alpacca scores the fight 28:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 28:29

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