PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Smirnov (ranked 5547 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Tyler (ranked 5657 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Smirnov
vs
Tyler

180 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Good in bed

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Smirnov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Michael Tyler!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Konstantin Menshow and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smirnov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Tyler did well to prevent Smirnov getting side control.
Smirnov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Smirnov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Smirnov throwing shots but Tyler is blocking nicely.
Smirnov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Smirnov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Smirnov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Tyler has managed to free his arm - good work.
Smirnov thows a huge punch but Tyler dodges it nicely.
Tyler really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Smirnov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Smirnov lands a nice short elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tyler keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Smirnov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Tyler avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Smirnov.
Tyler on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Tyler is concentrating on defense, preventing Smirnov from advancing position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Smirnov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Smirnov is trying to control. Tyler wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Tyler avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Smirnov.
Tyler keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smirnov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Smirnov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Smirnov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Smirnov throwing shots but Tyler is blocking nicely.
Smirnov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Smirnov misses with a head shot. Tyler uses the momentum to regain guard.
Tyler wants to stand but Smirnov is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smirnov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tyler preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Smirnov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Smirnov postures up.
Smirnov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Smirnov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Smirnov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Smirnov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Smirnov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tyler wants to stand up but Smirnov is controlling him.
Tyler utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Smirnov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smirnov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tyler preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Smirnov cracks Tyler with a solid left hand.
Smirnov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Smirnov landing some decent shots from guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Smirnov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Smirnov throwing strikes from guard but Tyler blocks nicely.
Smirnov wants to control from the top but Tyler keeps moving.
Smirnov tries to free his leg and advance position but Tyler is retaining full guard.
Smirnov with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tyler is trying to control the position but Smirnov postures up.
Smirnov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tyler avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tyler is looking to stand up but Smirnov isn't so interested in that idea.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Smirnov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tyler is fending him off so far but Smirnov persists. Nope, Tyler circles away and we're back to standing.
Tyler connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Smirnov is defended easily by Tyler.

Tyler gets caught flat footed, as Smirnov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tyler working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Smirnov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Tyler throws a head kick that misses

and Smirnov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Tyler misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tyler looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Tyler is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tyler is trying to break the clinch but Smirnov is controlling him.
Tyler wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tyler wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Smirnov tries to work over Tyler's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tyler can't break the clinch.
Smirnov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Tyler walks away with a smile on his face. Smirnov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Tyler lands a head kick. Smirnov smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smirnov shoots for a takedown but Tyler saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Smirnov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Tyler to the ground. Smirnov is now in Tyler's guard.
Tyler 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.
Smirnov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tyler works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tyler working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Smirnov.
Tyler working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Smirnov.
Smirnov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Smirnov trying to control the position from guard on top but Tyler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smirnov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Smirnov throwing strikes from guard but Tyler blocks nicely.
Tyler wants to stand but Smirnov is controlling the position.
Smirnov is looking to work some ground and pound but Tyler has wrist control.
Smirnov trying to control the position from guard on top but Tyler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Smirnov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Smirnov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tyler can do to turn this around?
Tyler throws a head kick that misses
and Smirnov counters with a nice uppercut.
Smirnov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Smirnov misses with a takedown attempt - Tyler sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Smirnov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tyler tries a head kick but it misses.
Tyler throws a sloppy head kick

and Smirnov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Smirnov.
Tyler is trying to break the clinch but Smirnov has him pressed against the cage.
Tyler is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tyler wants to break free but Smirnov has control.
Smirnov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tyler is trying to break the clinch but Smirnov has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smirnov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tyler tries a head kick but it misses.
Smirnov appears to be looking for a big counter.
Nice sprawl there from Tyler as Smirnov shoots in.
Tyler pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tyler tries a head kick but it misses.
Smirnov went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Tyler tries a head kick but it misses.
Smirnov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Tyler throws a head kick that misses

and Smirnov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Tyler misses with a body punch.

Smirnov has picked Tyler up - he's going for a ride! Smirnov dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Smirnov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tyler defending well though.
Smirnov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tyler defending well though.
Tyler is looking to control Smirnov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tyler avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Smirnov is trying to control the action in half guard but Tyler is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Tyler is holding on to half guard well.
Tyler is refusing to be controlled, as Smirnov sits in half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Ivan Smirnov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smirnov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Smirnov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Smirnov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smirnov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Smirnov dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Tyler throws a sloppy head kick
and Smirnov counters with a left and a right that stings Tyler.
Tyler uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Tyler misses with a head kick.
Tyler tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Smirnov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tyler's waist but Tyler gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Smirnov off to one side.

Smirnov drives through with a takedown into Tyler's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smirnov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smirnov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Smirnov is looking to work some ground and pound but Tyler has wrist control.
Smirnov trying to control but Tyler is working from the bottom.
Tyler avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Smirnov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Smirnov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Smirnov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tyler works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Smirnov throwing strikes but missing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smirnov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tyler is adopting a defensive guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Tyler connects with a looping right hand.
Tyler throws a lazy head kick

and Smirnov moves into the clinch.
Smirnov blocking some punches.
Tyler has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tyler is trying to break the clinch but Smirnov is controlling him.
Tyler can't break the clinch.
Tyler throws a punch but it's blocked by Smirnov.
Tyler has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Smirnov has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Tyler clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Michael Tyler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tyler covering up well and avoiding damage.
Smirnov controls the action.
Tyler avoids the strikes from Smirnov.
Even with his hooks in, Smirnov manages to miss with strikes from the back.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tyler avoids the strikes from Smirnov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tyler covering up well and avoiding damage.
Tyler covering up well under a series of strikes from Smirnov.
Tyler has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Smirnov.
Tyler wants to control his opponent's hands but Smirnov gets his hands free.

Smirnov is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Tyler knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Tyler for a finish.
Smirnov thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Tyler covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov struggling to land strikes to the head as Tyler covers up.

Smirnov is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Tyler defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Smirnov throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Tyler avoids the strikes from Smirnov.
Smirnov missing with punches from the back.
Smirnov missing with punches from the back.
Tyler covering up well under a series of strikes from Smirnov.
Ivan Smirnov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Smirnov punches the canvas rather than the man.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Smirnov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Smirnov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Smirnov!