PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rob Smith (ranked 1269 p4p, 2120 weight class) and Corwin Anstey (ranked 172 p4p, 274 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Smith
vs
Anstey

185 cm
21
220
5 - 3 - 0

183 cm
23
201
12 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rob Smith!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Corwin Anstey!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Alec Ball and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Anstey uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
Anstey feints the counter takedown.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch but Anstey swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've been told by Smith's head coaches at NY Savages that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Smith missing with a left hand there. Anstey was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Smith gets a double leg takedown into Anstey's guard.
Anstey looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Smith prevents Anstey from getting back to his feet.
Anstey lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Anstey won't allow Smith to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith has control of Anstey's left arm, preventing Anstey from doing any damage.
Smith strikes from his own guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Anstey is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Smith throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anstey is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Smith trying to strike off his back.
Anstey trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Anstey showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Anstey landing with the ground and pound.
Smith on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Smith tries to get out of the position.
Smith has Anstey pulled in close to control his posture.
Smith throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Anstey controls from within his opponent's guard.
Anstey scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Anstey lands a couple of elbows.
Smith doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Smith managing to control the position.
Anstey trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Smith looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Anstey!
Anstey is trying to control Smith's posture but Smith avoids it.
Anstey is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to control but Anstey is keeping him busy.
Smith looks up at the clock and then as Anstey takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Smith smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Smith in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Smith working the body and head with strikes.
Anstey is looking for a sweep.
Smith wants to control but Anstey is keeping him busy.
Anstey is trying to improve his position.
Smith working the ground and pound but Anstey is defending the strikes.
Smith connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Anstey some visible discomfort.
Smith throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anstey is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Smith's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Smith seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Anstey avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Smith.
Smith trying to control from Anstey's half guard. Anstey has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Anstey is pulling down on Smith's head to control his posture.
Anstey wants to get back to his feet but Smith passes into half guard.
Smith prevents Anstey from standing back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith wants to control but Anstey is keeping him busy.
Smith is really struggling to control Anstey but he's trying to hold on to the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rob Smith dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Anstey shoots in for a takedown but Smith shows good takedown defense.
Anstey throws a lazy body kick
and Smith counters with a stiff right hand.

Smith changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Anstey looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Anstey tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rob Smith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Anstey manages to work his way to half guard, despite Smith's best efforts.
Smith trying to control the pace.
Smith is looking to take a break and control but Anstey is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith is sitting in half guard. He's postured up and lands a nice elbow. Oh, Anstey is hurt! He's hurt bad - Smith fires away with more strikes and the referee jumps in to save Anstey from any more punishment! Congratulations to Smith! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rob Smith!
Rob Smith retains his light heavyweight title!