PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Martynov (ranked 1589 p4p, 172 weight class) and Aaron Smith (ranked 1620 p4p, 174 weight class). Smith is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Lonely Train by Black Stone Cherry. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Martynov
vs
Smith

175 cm
26
275 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

195 cm
30
280 lbs
14 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mikhail Martynov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Aaron Smith!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Daniel Franklin and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Martynov.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A chopping leg kick lands by Smith.
Martynov misses with a wild combination.
Smith moves out of range of the strikes.
A little jabbing left from Smith on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Smith misses with a right hand
and Martynov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Smith throws a leg kick that misses.
Smith throws a shot to the body.
Smith throws a right hand that Martynov ducks under and follows up with a left that Martynov also avoids with ease.
Martynov looks to land a combination but Smith avoids it well.
Smith doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith throws a jab when Martynov was well out of range.
Martynov tries to clinch up.
Martynov throws a poor cross that misses
and Smith counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Martynov just misses with a punch to the body.
Smith misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Martynov.
Martynov digs a good hook to Smith's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martynov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Martynov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Smith finds it's way round the side to connect with Martynov's head.
Martynov blocks a jab.
We've been told by Martynov's head coaches at St Petersburg MMA Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Martynov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Smith counters with an outside leg kick.
Martynov throws a hook but Smith blocks it.

Martynov darts in and clinches Smith up against the cage.
Martynov lands an elbow inside.
Martynov has a couple of punches blocked by Smith.
Smith throws an elbow that misses.
Stalling in the clinch from Martynov.
Martynov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Smith pushes Martynov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Smith effectively controlling the action here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Martynov.
Martynov misses with a knee strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smith lands a right hand that snaps the head of Martynov backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Martynov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Smith's elbow.
Martynov misses with a punch to the body.
Martynov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Smith goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Smith throws a head punch that misses.
Martynov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Aaron Smith has been cut.
Martynov lands a right hand.
Smith takes a knee to the side of the body.
Smith tries to work over Martynov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Smith manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Martynov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Smith can't get the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martynov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
A hook to the body from Martynov.
Smith looks winded!
Martynov is stalling here.
Smith putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Martynov in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Martynov digs a right hand underneath Smith's ribcage. Smith let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Martynov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Martynov working aggressively here.
Martynov stalls.
Martynov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Smith lands a body shot.
Knees to the body from Martynov.
Smith lands with a right to the head.
Smith tries to score a body lock takedown but Martynov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Mikhail Martynov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aaron Smith.
Martynov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Martynov throws an elbow but misses.
Martynov is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Smith's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Martynov tries to throw a body punch but Smith avoids it by throwing Martynov back against the cage.
Martynov landing knees to the body.
Smith takes an elbow to the forehead.

Martynov breaks from the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Martynov. Smith does a little dance to reset his feet.
Smith takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

That has opened up Aaron Smith's cut even more.
Martynov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Smith.
Martynov is looking to counter the offense by Smith and move into the clinch.
Smith slips a jab from Martynov.
Martynov thuds a left hand into Smith's body.
Smith throws out a powerful jab.
Martynov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A big left from Martynov misses.
Mikhail Martynov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Martynov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Martynov misses the jab.
Smith misses with an uppercut. Martynov saw that one coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Martynov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Aaron Smith'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.

Smith shoots and misses
and Martynov counters with a left to the body.
A jab lands there for Martynov.
Martynov moves out of range as Smith strikes.
As Smith looks to move away, Martynov throws a big counter combo but Smith just gets out of the way.
A decent looking cross lands there for Smith.
A looping hook to the body misses from Martynov. Smith does a little dance to reset his feet.
Martynov tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Martynov misses with a few strikes there.
Smith uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Martynov.
Martynov lands with an overhand left.
Smith dips to his left and cracks Martynov with an uppercut!
Martynov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Smith can do to turn this around?
Martynov just misses with a punch to the body.
Martynov connects with a looping right hand.
Nice sprawl there from Martynov as Smith shoots in.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Smith! But no joy.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Some wild striking there from Martynov.
Martynov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Smith.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith works Martynov's body with a nice hook.
Martynov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Smith showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Martynov.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Smith.
Martynov looks to throw the jab but Smith is out of range.
A big right from Smith misses.
Smith will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Smith throws a leg kick but Martynov checks it.
Martynov moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
Martynov throws a looping overhand right but Smith ducks down to avoid it.
Smith is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Smith throws out a loose jab but Martynov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smith scores with a sloppy right hand. Martynov should have avoided that one.
Martynov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Martynov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Martynov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Smith misses with a looping right.
Smith bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Martynov lands a jab to Smith's midsection.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith throws a half hearted mid kick.
Martynov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Martynov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Smith waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Martynov.
A counter left hand to the body from Martynov misses its target.
Martynov lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

The cut above Aaron Smith's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Smith moves to clinch but Martynov breaks away
and Martynov counters with a right hand to the body.
Smith is breathing heavily.
Smith throws a right hand that Martynov ducks under and follows up with a left that Martynov also avoids with ease.
Martynov swinging wildly here.

Martynov has managed to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Martynov backwards.
Smith stalling in the clinch but Martynov improves position.
Smith misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short left from Martynov.
Mikhail Martynov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Smith avoids the elbow strike from Martynov, against the cage.
Smith has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Martynov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Mikhail Martynov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aaron Smith.
Smith misses with a hook from the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Martynov just leaning against Smith, taking a breather.
Smith misses with a punch on the inside.
Smith lands a right hand.
Martynov lands a nice uppercut.
Martynov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A left hand lands to the body for Martynov.

Smith is trying to trip Martynov. He has hold of a leg but Martynov is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Smith persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martynov wants to stand but Smith is controlling the position.
Smith postures up and lands a big shot to Martynov's brow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith won't allow Martynov to get back to his feet.
Smith is pushing down on Martynov's leg trying to pass to half guard. Martynov is fighting to maintain full guard but Smith has managed to sneak the leg through.
Smith thows a huge punch but Martynov dodges it nicely.
Martynov looks like he's trying to stand up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith is keen to just control but Martynov is a slippery customer.
Smith trying to mount his opponent but Martynov defends it.
Martynov wants to stand back up but Smith manages to pass into side control.
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 Mikhail Martynov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Aaron Smith's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Martynov tries to close the distance and clinch but Smith swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Smith shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Martynov but Martynov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Smith throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Martynov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Martynov throwing a counter right hand but Smith manages to avoid it.
Smith closes this distance looking for a takedown but Martynov circles away.
Smith lands a head shot.
Martynov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smith paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Martynov leaves Smith with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Mikhail Martynov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aaron Smith.
Martynov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Smith.
Martynov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Martynov.
Smith swats away the attempt to clinch by Martynov.
Martynov misses with a body shot.

Smith moves into the clinch.
Martynov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Smith in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Smith takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martynov effectively controlling the action here.
Smith being controlled against the cage.
Martynov blocks an uppercut.
Martynov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Martynov has Smith pushed against the cage.
Smith blocking some punches.
Smith has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Martynov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Martynov works on Smith's body with a couple of short punches.
Martynov slowing the pace effectively.
A shot in the inside from Smith.

Martynov manages to break the clinch.
Smith is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Martynov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Martynov tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Smith on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Martynov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Martynov closes the distance and pushes Smith back into the cage.
Martynov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Martynov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Smith has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Martynov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Martynov lands with a light punch inside.

Smith wants the takedown. Martynov is fighting it off but Smith persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Martynov's guard against the cage.

Martynov pushes Smith off and gets back to his feet.
Martynov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

Smith is rocked!
Martynov misses with a hook.
It seemed like Smith was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Martynov connects with a crisp jab.
Smith is still on wobbly legs! Can Martynov finish him?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martynov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Smith seems to have recovered his senses.
Martynov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Smith connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Martynov misses with a hook
and Smith counters with a stiff right hand.
Smith shoots in and drives through. Martynov sprawls well.

Smith scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Martynov kicks Smith off and gets back to his feet.
Martynov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Martynov tests Smith's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Martynov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Smith throws out a counter right but Martynov avoids it with no problem.
Martynov takes one to the side of the head.

Martynov instigates a clinch.
Smith drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smith.
Mikhail Martynov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith misses with an elbow strike.
Smith manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Martynov takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Mikhail Martynov has been cut.
Martynov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Martynov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Smith.
Smith tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Martynov avoids it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mikhail Martynov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Martynov, 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mikhail Martynov!
Mikhail Martynov seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
In defeat, Aaron Smith stepped up to the mic, saying 'No one likes seeing their opponent's hand raised, but that just means that they were the better man today. My team at 3Band MMA and I will break down this match and make the proper changes for my next camp.'.