PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rob Smith (ranked 921 p4p, 1693 weight class) and Alexander Rusev (ranked 129 p4p, 227 weight class). Alexander Rusev told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Smith
vs
Rusev

185 cm
21
220
6 - 3 - 0

189 cm
22
223
7 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Seventh Circle Clothing

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 6 - 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 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alexander Rusev!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Ian Loll and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith misses with a body shot.
Rusev looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.

Smith darts in and clinches Rusev up against the cage.
Smith lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rusev backwards.

It looks like Alexander Rusev has been cut.
Rusev tries a body shot but Smith blocks it.
Rusev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Rusev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smith. Rusev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Smith misses with a looping left.
Rusev throws an off balance right hand

and Smith counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Rusev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Smith has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Rusev is proving hard to escape from.

Rusev has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Smith can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Smith trying to stand up but can't free himself from Rusev's guard.

Smith avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith wants to get up but he can't break Rusev's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Smith postures up.
Smith wanted to stand there but Rusev had control of the position.

Rusev is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Smith is aware though and is defending well.

Rusev is working an open guard so Smith takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Smith lands a jab to the nose.
Smith moves in looking to clinch but Rusev pushes him off.
Smith keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rusev throws the left hand but Smith avoids the punch easily.

Smith has closed the distance and engaged Rusev in a clinch.
Rusev tries to work over Smith's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rusev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Smith's elbow.
Smith definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Smith blocks an uppercut.
Smith works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smith.
Rusev avoiding damage.
Rusev misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short right from Smith on the inside.
Smith lands a hook to the side of the head.
Smith lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A shot in the inside from Smith.

Rusev is rocked!
Smith tries to throw a body punch but Rusev avoids it by throwing Smith back against the cage.
Smith lands with a light punch inside.
Rusev is still on wobbly legs! Can Smith finish him?
Smith blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rusev's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Smith lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That has opened up Alexander Rusev's cut even more.
Smith lands a big right hand that drops Rusev! The killer instinct kicks in and Smith finishes his opponent with a series of strikes from mount. A dominating finish by Smith!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:18 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rob Smith!
Rob Smith is the new light heavyweight champion!