PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Paul Boxaaja (ranked 963 p4p, 1538 weight class) and John Smith (ranked 141 p4p, 235 weight class). Boxaaja comes to the cage accompanied by Dark Side - Blind Channel. Smith has chosen Metronomy - Salted Caramel Ice Cream as his entrance music. 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 John Smith was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Boxaaja
vs
Smith

185 cm
26
190
6 - 5 - 0

182 cm
27
190
9 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary

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 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Paul Boxaaja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Smith!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Dean Styles and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Boxaaja scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Smith scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Boxaaja doesn't seem bothered though.
Boxaaja moves out of range as Smith strikes.
Boxaaja is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Boxaaja, as that shot connected.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Boxaaja.
Smith tries to counter with a clinch but Boxaaja shakes him off and moves away.
Boxaaja misses with a hook to the body

and Smith counters by clinching up.
Boxaaja works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Smith blocking some punches.
Boxaaja has Smith pressed against the cage, preventing Smith from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Smith is looking to control Boxaaja's arms but Boxaaja gets an underhook and turns him. Now Smith has his back to the cage.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Boxaaja has him pressed against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smith.
Boxaaja scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Smith wants to stall.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
Smith blocks an uppercut.
Smith wants to get back to striking at distance but Boxaaja won't allow it.
A short uppercut from Boxaaja.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Boxaaja lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Boxaaja lands a hook that snaps the head of Smith backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith tries to break free but Boxaaja pushes him back against the cage.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
Smith tries to clinch
and Boxaaja counters with a nice uppercut.

Boxaaja drives through and clinches with Smith against the cage.
Smith wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Boxaaja misses with a punch on the inside.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Boxaaja as Smith tries to tie him up.
Boxaaja misses with a punch on the inside.
Boxaaja swings wildly with an uppercut but Smith uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smith wants to break free but Boxaaja has control.
Smith working hard to break the clinch.
Boxaaja misses with a punch on the inside.
Boxaaja lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Smith wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Smith breaks the clinch.

Smith has Boxaaja up against the cage in a clinch.
Boxaaja swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boxaaja lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Smith blocking some punches.

Smith's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Boxaaja throws a leg kick
and Smith counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Boxaaja avoids the body shot from Smith.
Smith throws a hook but Boxaaja avoids it easily.
Boxaaja throws a low kick but Smith avoids it.
Boxaaja connects with a leg kick.
Boxaaja ducks under a wild hook from Smith.
Smith takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A nice inside leg kick there by Boxaaja. That's going to slow Smith down.
Smith misses with a combination

and Boxaaja counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Boxaaja lands a left hand that snaps the head of Smith backwards.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Smith's corner calls for a 1-2. Smith obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Smith looks to land a combination but Boxaaja avoids it well.
Boxaaja lands a nice hook to Smith's body. Smith takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boxaaja lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Smith lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Boxaaja rushes Smith and presses him up against the cage.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Boxaaja is controlling him.
Boxaaja misses with a punch on the inside.
A short left from Boxaaja.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Boxaaja throws a nice outside leg kick.
Boxaaja fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Boxaaja throws an overhand right that lands on Smith's shoulder, as Smith tries to avoid the shot.
Smith takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Smith takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
We've been told by Boxaaja's head coaches at Xtreme Black House that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Smith throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Boxaaja slips under a jab from Smith.
Boxaaja tries to clinch up
and Smith connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Smith misses.
Boxaaja throws a body punch but Smith moves out of range.
Smith swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Smith is looking to clinch.
The fighters circling - Smith throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Boxaaja keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Smith.

Boxaaja closes the distance and pushes Smith back into the cage.
Smith tries to circle away but Boxaaja has him pinned against the cage.
Boxaaja lands a left hand that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smith.
Smith tries to work over Boxaaja's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Boxaaja prevents Smith from breaking the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Boxaaja.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A telegraphed right hand from Boxaaja misses the target.
Smith fails to land with a series of punches.
Boxaaja defending well as Smith loads up on a big left hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Boxaaja scores with a one two! Smith had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Boxaaja tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Boxaaja avoids the body shot from Smith.
Boxaaja connects with a solid leg kick.
Boxaaja with a nice cross.
Boxaaja fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Smith on the side of the head.
Boxaaja is looking to clinch.
Smith throws a jab but it's blocked by Boxaaja.
Smith throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Boxaaja to counter with a crisp jab.
Boxaaja scores with a shot to the body.
Boxaaja misses with a lunging right hand
and Smith counters with a nice uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Smith fails to land with a series of punches.
Boxaaja connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Boxaaja ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Smith gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Smith.
Boxaaja is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Smith can do to turn this around?
Boxaaja steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Smith.
Smith misses with an uppercut.
Boxaaja lands with a kick to the ribs.
Smith swings for the body but Boxaaja moves out of range.
Boxaaja lands a really nice looking cross but Smith seems unphased.
Boxaaja misses the shot to the body.
Boxaaja with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Smith stalks Boxaaja and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Boxaaja's face. Boxaaja staggers backwards, shaken.
Boxaaja throws a right hand that misses
and Smith counters with a nice uppercut.
Smith throws an off balance right hand
and Boxaaja counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Smith misses with a few strikes there.
Boxaaja connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Smith momentarily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Boxaaja avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Boxaaja is looking to counter the offense by Smith and move into the clinch.
Boxaaja looks to throw the jab but Smith is out of range.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boxaaja with a jab.
Boxaaja is looking to clinch.
Smith scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A lazy left from Boxaaja finds it's target.
Smith swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Boxaaja fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Boxaaja scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Smith doesn't seem bothered though.
Smith swings for the body but Boxaaja moves out of range.
Boxaaja wants to clinch
and Smith cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Smith throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Boxaaja sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Smith connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Boxaaja's hands.
Smith is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A slow jab from Smith misses its intended target.
Smith steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Boxaaja.
Paul Boxaaja is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands a jab to the nose.

Boxaaja has managed to clinch.
Boxaaja keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Smith's efforts to push away.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Boxaaja fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Smith.
The fighters circling - Smith throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Boxaaja throws a leg kick that is checked
and Smith counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Boxaaja scoring well with a low kick there.
Smith tries to clinch but Boxaaja is having none of it.
Smith misses with a hook. Boxaaja ducked under it nicely.
Boxaaja is looking to counter punch.
Smith misses with a left hand
and Boxaaja counters with a straight right hand.
Smith throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Boxaaja takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Smith lands with an uppercut that bounces Boxaaja off the cage and back into range.
Boxaaja looks for the body kick but Smith saw that one coming.
Smith wants to counter with a clinch but Boxaaja pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Smith throws out a powerful jab.
Boxaaja uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Smith.
Smith slips under a jab from Boxaaja.
Smith looks to throw the jab but Boxaaja is out of range.
Boxaaja throws a quick counter head kick but Smith was just out of range.
Smith lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Boxaaja circles away quickly and effectively.
Boxaaja appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Boxaaja throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Smith counter with a right hand.
Boxaaja moves out of range as Smith strikes.
Smith lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Boxaaja moves away from the strike by Smith.
Nice jab there from Boxaaja.
A looping hook to the body misses from Boxaaja. Smith does a little dance to reset his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Boxaaja misses with a body shot.
Smith throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Boxaaja throws a nice inside leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Paul Boxaaja will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Boxaaja uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Boxaaja uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Smith.
Smith throws a hook but Boxaaja blocks it.
Boxaaja lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Boxaaja misses the shot to the body.
Boxaaja ducks under a wild hook from Smith.
Boxaaja changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Smith throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Boxaaja was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Smith moves forwards but Boxaaja connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Boxaaja punishes Smith's body with a nice straight punch.
Boxaaja misses with a looping right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith defending well as Boxaaja loads up on a big left hand.
Boxaaja throws a leg kick but Smith checks it.
Smith throws a hook but Boxaaja avoids it easily.
Boxaaja appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Boxaaja wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
Nice uppercut lands for Boxaaja. That snapped Smith's head back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Smith gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Smith throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Boxaaja connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Smith misses with a straight left.
Smith has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Boxaaja ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Smith with a nice cross.
Boxaaja throws a leg kick that is checked
and Smith cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Boxaaja misses with a hook
and Smith counters with a straight right hand.
Boxaaja throws a wild body kick that Smith sees coming a mile off.
Smith looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Boxaaja throws a body kick that misses.
Smith's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Smith on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Boxaaja has taken the fight to the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Boxaaja fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Boxaaja swings wildly with an uppercut but Smith uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boxaaja misses with the head strike.
Boxaaja doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Boxaaja keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Smith's efforts to push away.
Boxaaja tries a body shot but Smith blocks it.
Boxaaja misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Smith is trying to push Boxaaja away but Boxaaja has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Boxaaja misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Boxaaja has Smith pressed against the cage, preventing Smith from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Boxaaja lands a right hand that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Smith has had enough of the clinch but Boxaaja keeps him there for the moment.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Boxaaja has him pressed against the cage.
Smith tries to circle away but Boxaaja has him pinned against the cage.
Boxaaja lands a nice uppercut.
Smith has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Boxaaja doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Boxaaja goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Boxaaja misses with a short punch on the inside.
Paul Boxaaja has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Boxaaja misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Paul Boxaaja is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Boxaaja misses with an attempted mid kick.
A lazy body kick from Boxaaja
letting Smith counter with a right hand.
Boxaaja connects with a jab.
Boxaaja misses with a body kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Smith blocks the leg kick.
Boxaaja connects with a crisp jab.
Smith misses with a double jab.
Boxaaja lands with a straight right. Smith didn't see that one coming.
Smith getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Smith misses with the combination.
Smith throws a body shot but no joy.
Boxaaja throws a looping overhand right but Smith ducks down to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boxaaja avoids the body shot from Smith.
Boxaaja swings for the body but Smith moves out of range.
Boxaaja darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Boxaaja throws a leg kick but Smith sees it coming and checks it nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Smith! But no joy.
Boxaaja throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Smith sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Smith is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Boxaaja slips under a jab from Smith.
Boxaaja is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Smith.
John Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Boxaaja keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Smith.
Boxaaja tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
Smith might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

Smith rushes Boxaaja and presses him up against the cage.
Boxaaja tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Smith's elbow.
Smith wants to break free but Boxaaja has control.
Boxaaja keeps control of Smith as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Boxaaja lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Smith.
A nice left hand lands by Boxaaja.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Boxaaja showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Boxaaja has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Boxaaja!
Paul Boxaaja seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.