PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cleveland Mayer (ranked 25410 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Smith (ranked 9301 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Joe Smith was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Mayer
vs
Smith

156 cm
18
278 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

225 cm
19
265 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cleveland Mayer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joe Smith!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Russell Pearce and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Mayer throws a head kick that misses
and Mayer takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mayer throws a leg kick

and Smith moves into the clinch.
Mayer could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Smith has Mayer pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Mayer manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A bit of stalling here from Mayer.
Smith is trying to pull guard but Mayer turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Mayer breaks from the clinch.
A head kick by Mayer misses

and Smith counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Smith.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Mayer holds on and takes a little breather.
Mayer looking to control but Smith passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Mayer is trying to stand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Smith is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Mayer is trying to maintain the position but Smith is very close to passing his half guard.
Mayer is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Smith throwing shots but Mayer is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Mayer has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Smith is working away from the top position though.
Mayer is trying to control but Smith manages to pass to mount!

Smith looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Mayer tries to hold on but Smith postures up.
Smith is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Smith looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith working for a submission but Mayer is keeping him at bay.

Smith working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. Mayer turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips Smith off and cradles Mayer's limp body as Smith celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:35 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). Joe Smith!
In his post fight interview, Joe Smith started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.