QFC Tournament 217 Round 3 PBP Commentary

Co-main event

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tank Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Cook (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paul Cook has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Smith
vs
Cook

191 cm
24
180 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

183 cm
20
180 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Intelligent

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Tank Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Paul Cook!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Richard Clark and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smith rushes Cook and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Smith has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Cook is trying to keep an underhook but Smith manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Smith trying to control from Cook's half guard. Cook has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Smith sitting in guard here, content to control.
Smith lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Smith looking to sit in guard and control but Cook gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Smith has a closed guard, preventing Cook from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Smith is looking to stand up but Cook isn't so interested in that idea.
Smith will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Cook wants to pass the guard but Smith is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith pulls Cook in close to his closed guard and prevents Cook from doing any damage or advancing position.
Cook is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Tank Smith.
A slow jab from Cook misses its intended target.

Smith shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Smith trying to control from Cook's half guard. Cook has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith landing with the ground and pound.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Cook has wrist control.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Cook is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cook looking to control.
Smith throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cook wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Smith manages to pass to side control.
Smith is trying to control. Cook wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Smith missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Smith thows a huge punch but Cook dodges it nicely.
Cook keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cook's head.
Smith thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cook's head.
Smith 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.

Tank Smith dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Cook ducks under a wild hook from Smith.
Cook has his takedown stuffed
and Smith counters with a two punch combo.

Cook gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Smith to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cook keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Smith postures up in Cook's guard and throws a big left but Cook blocks it.
Smith is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Smith postures up and lands a big shot to Cook's brow.
Smith cracks Cook with a solid left hand.
Cook keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Smith with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Smith stops Cook from standing up.
Cook being controlled here, momentarily.
Smith passes Cook's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Smith not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cook blocking the ground and pound attempt from Smith.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith drops an elbow to the side of Cook's head.
Cook tries to kick Smith off but Smith keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Cook is not content to let Smith control the position.
Smith thows a huge punch but Cook dodges it nicely.

Smith is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Smith thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cook taking some punishment here, with Smith in his half guard.
Smith not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Cook is refusing to be controlled, as Smith sits in half guard.
Smith missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Cook wants to get back to his feet.
Cook is breathing heavily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Smith is trying to control the action in half guard but Cook is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tank Smith dominated that second round.
That's time! Smith's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Smith uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cook.
Smith fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Smith showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cook.
Cook moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cook fails to land with a series of punches.

Smith closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Smith is looking to stall here but Cook recovers full guard.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Cook is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith postures up and lands a big shot to Cook's brow.
Smith working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tank Smith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Smith throws a big right hand that misses.
Tank Smith is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Cook keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Smith throws a strike but Cook rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Cook trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cook wants to get up but he can't break Smith's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Smith has his hands on Cook's head, controlling the position.

We're going to have a standup here because Tank Smith wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Smith jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Smith fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cook lands a jab to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith shoots in looking for a takedown. Cook tries to sprawl out of it but Smith keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cook manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tank Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cook moves away.
Cook is looking to clinch but Smith is avoiding it.
Paul Cook has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice sprawl there from Cook as Smith shoots in.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tank Smith showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Smith, 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 William Gold scores the fight for Tank Smith!
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight for Tank Smith!
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight for Tank Smith!

Tank Smith wins by unanimous decision!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
21%

Main event

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Seano Mac (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Berzins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Mac
vs
Berzins

155 cm
21
135 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

163 cm
24
170 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Seano Mac!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Josh Berzins!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Daniel Bishop and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mac fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Berzins.
Decent striking displayed by Mac there.
Mac goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

It looks like Josh Berzins has been cut.
Berzins misses with a body punch
and Mac counters with a nice leg kick.
Mac pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Berzins gets a takedown into half guard.

Berzins is trying to work for a kimura but Mac is defending well.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Berzins is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Mac tries to kick Berzins off but Berzins keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Berzins wants to work for an arm triangle but Mac is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Berzins wants to control but Mac is keeping him busy.
Berzins content to control rather than advance.
Berzins wants to pass the guard but Mac is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Berzins controlling the action here.
Mac wants to get back to his feet.

Berzins is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Mac sees it coming and defends easily.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Mac is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berzins with the ground and pound but Mac uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Berzins is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Berzins wants to control from the top but Mac keeps moving.
Berzins throwing strikes but missing.
Berzins won't allow Mac to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Berzins missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mac working a defensive guard here.
Mac preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Berzins scoring with some ground and pound.

Berzins drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Berzins jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Berzins looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Berzins won't allow Mac to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mac looking to hit a scissor sweep but Berzins is one step ahead there.
Mac has momentary wrist control but Berzins slips an elbow through the middle.
Berzins pushing down on Mac's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Berzins working the head and body with strikes.
Berzins trying to control the action but Mac is working from the bottom.
Mac could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Berzins throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Berzins wants to pass to mount but Mac is defending the position.
Mac wants to get back to his feet.
Berzins has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Mac is breathing heavily.
Berzins performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Mac knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Berzins on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berzins trying to control the action but Mac is working from the bottom.

Berzins is looking for a kimura here.
Berzins is taking a breather. Mac says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Berzins is trying to control the action in half guard but Mac is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Josh Berzins has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Mac tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Berzins paws at him with a jab and circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mac lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Mac moves away from the strike by Berzins.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Berzins dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Josh Berzins's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Berzins thows a body shot but no joy.
Seano Mac seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mac moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Berzins misses with an uppercut.
Mac throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Berzins.
Mac is looking to clinch.
Berzins throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Berzins throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mac misses with a series of wild punches.
Berzins tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mac uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Berzins.
A big left from Berzins misses.

Berzins shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Berzins is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Mac wants to get back to his feet.

Berzins has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Mac defend it? Berzins steps over the head and cranks it - Mac is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Berzins!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:50 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Josh Berzins!
A victorious Josh Berzins thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.