PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Cranky Smith (ranked 1870 p4p, 3676 weight class) and Pablo Itzpapalotltotec (ranked 198 p4p, 341 weight class). Itzpapalotltotec is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Copacabana - Barry Manilow. Pablo Itzpapalotltotec has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Cranky Smith's chin.

Smith
vs
Itzpapalotltotec

172 cm
26
155
7 - 0 - 0

173 cm
19
155
2 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cranky Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Pablo Itzpapalotltotec!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Daniel Cesar and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith shoots in for a takedown but Itzpapalotltotec shows good takedown defense.
It seemed like Itzpapalotltotec was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Smith changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Itzpapalotltotec tries to avoid it but Smith manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Itzpapalotltotec to the ground. Itzpapalotltotec escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Itzpapalotltotec is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Smith gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Itzpapalotltotec counters with a straight right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cranky Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith shoots in and drives through. Itzpapalotltotec sprawls well.
Itzpapalotltotec let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Smith seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Itzpapalotltotec keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Itzpapalotltotec now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Itzpapalotltotec defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Smith.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horrible takedown attempt by Smith or perhaps it was just good defense by Itzpapalotltotec, which made it look bad.
Itzpapalotltotec throws out a counter right but Smith avoids it with no problem.
Smith misses with a takedown
and Itzpapalotltotec cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Itzpapalotltotec stuffs the takedown attempt from Smith. Smith gets slowly back to his feet.
Smith shoots in for a double leg but Itzpapalotltotec sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Smith bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Itzpapalotltotec tries to improve position but can't.
Itzpapalotltotec is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
You can see the frustration on Itzpapalotltotec's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Itzpapalotltotec might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Smith haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Itzpapalotltotec is trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith is looking to take a break and control but Itzpapalotltotec is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Itzpapalotltotec is trying to get back to half guard.
Smith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Itzpapalotltotec keeps working.
Itzpapalotltotec holds on to Smith's head and controls the position momentarily.

Smith working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Smith is trying to get an arm triangle but Itzpapalotltotec is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith tries for a kimura but Itzpapalotltotec is defending well.
Itzpapalotltotec tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Smith wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Smith is trying to get an arm triangle but Itzpapalotltotec is defending well.

Smith is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Itzpapalotltotec knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Itzpapalotltotec wants to get back to his feet but Smith drags him back down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Itzpapalotltotec wants to control but Smith postures up.
Smith looks up at the clock and then as Itzpapalotltotec takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Smith smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Itzpapalotltotec struggling a bit here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Smith tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Smith has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
You can see the frustration on Itzpapalotltotec's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Itzpapalotltotec stops Smith from passing to mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Smith is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Itzpapalotltotec has escaped the position, nice work there.
Itzpapalotltotec is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Smith shoots in for a takedown but Itzpapalotltotec shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Itzpapalotltotec now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Smith darts in looking for a takedown but Itzpapalotltotec gets double underhooks and turns Smith into the cage.
Smith shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Itzpapalotltotec pinned against the cage. Itzpapalotltotec gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Itzpapalotltotec doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cranky Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Itzpapalotltotec tries to sprawl but Smith drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Itzpapalotltotec felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Itzpapalotltotec defends it well.
Itzpapalotltotec tries to roll over but Smith keeps him under control.
Smith throwing shots but Itzpapalotltotec is blocking nicely.
Itzpapalotltotec is in trouble now - Smith has advanced to mount!
Smith trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Itzpapalotltotec is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Itzpapalotltotec is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Smith looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Itzpapalotltotec wants to control but Smith is having none of it.
Itzpapalotltotec is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Smith is staying active.

Smith with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Smith is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Itzpapalotltotec is surviving well by controlling Smith's body position as best he can.
Itzpapalotltotec wants to control but Smith is having none of it.
Smith looking to control but Itzpapalotltotec is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Smith looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Itzpapalotltotec tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Itzpapalotltotec avoids a series of strikes thrown by Smith.
Itzpapalotltotec is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Smith mounts Itzpapalotltotec! Really nice guard pass there!

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

Smith looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Itzpapalotltotec keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Itzpapalotltotec wants to hold on but Smith pushes him away.
Smith trying to control but Itzpapalotltotec is having none of it.
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.
Smith wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Itzpapalotltotec wants to hold on but Smith pushes him away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Smith moves to take his opponent's back.
Itzpapalotltotec is trying to break free.
Smith trying to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cranky Smith dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Smith shoots in but Itzpapalotltotec avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Itzpapalotltotec! But no joy.
Smith closes the distance and clinches up with Itzpapalotltotec, looking for a takedown. Smith pushes Itzpapalotltotec against the cage but Itzpapalotltotec circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Smith will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cranky Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith shoots for a double leg takedown but Itzpapalotltotec sprawls well. He's pushed Smith's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Smith shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Itzpapalotltotec counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith shoots for a double leg takedown but Itzpapalotltotec sprawls well. He's pushed Smith's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Smith fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Itzpapalotltotec now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Smith dives in and grabs Itzpapalotltotec's left leg, looking for a takedown. Itzpapalotltotec pushes down on Smith's head and hops out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Smith or perhaps it was just good defense by Itzpapalotltotec, which made it look bad.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Itzpapalotltotec checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Smith fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Itzpapalotltotec avoids it really well and circles away.
Itzpapalotltotec appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Smith does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Itzpapalotltotec looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Smith doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Itzpapalotltotec counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Itzpapalotltotec as he avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith has a takedown stuffed.
It seemed like Itzpapalotltotec was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Smith fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Itzpapalotltotec looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Smith tries for a takedown but Itzpapalotltotec circles away easily
and Itzpapalotltotec counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Smith swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Smith tries for a takedown but Itzpapalotltotec circles away easily
and Itzpapalotltotec counters with a three punch combo that has Smith backing up. Smith nods at Itzpapalotltotec to acknowledge the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith with a lazy takedown attempt
and Smith takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Smith has his takedown stuffed
and Itzpapalotltotec counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Smith attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Itzpapalotltotec doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Smith goes for a double leg but Itzpapalotltotec avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Itzpapalotltotec continues to drive forward.
A little jabbing left from Itzpapalotltotec on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Smith fails to land the takedown.
Itzpapalotltotec is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Smith with a body shot.
Smith with a poor takedown
and Itzpapalotltotec counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Smith fails with the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries for a takedown but Itzpapalotltotec sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Smith.
Itzpapalotltotec is looking for the big counter here.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but Itzpapalotltotec shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Smith fails with the takedown
and Itzpapalotltotec counters with a nice uppercut.
Smith misses with a takedown
and Itzpapalotltotec counters with a left to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A countering left hand to the body from Itzpapalotltotec misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pablo Itzpapalotltotec comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Smith has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:29
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Pablo Itzpapalotltotec!
A very excited looking Pablo Itzpapalotltotec made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.