PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jake Smith (ranked 2366 p4p, 3872 weight class) and Benson Bonanza (ranked 189 p4p, 297 weight class). Benson Bonanza has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Smith
vs
Bonanza

176 cm
30
155
14 - 11 - 0

160 cm
44
155
25 - 24 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Fantasy Threads

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 14 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jake Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 24 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Benson Bonanza!
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, Topper Green and Darius Henderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith darts in looking for a takedown but Bonanza gets double underhooks and turns Smith into the cage.
Bonanza is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Smith blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Smith lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Bonanza misses with a body punch.
Bonanza prevents a body shot from Smith.
Bonanza scores with a nice hook to the head.
Smith tries to throw a body punch but Bonanza avoids it by throwing Smith back against the cage.
Bonanza tries to throw a body punch but Smith avoids it by throwing Bonanza back against the cage.
Bonanza lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Smith or not.
Smith tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Bonanza smiles and moves away.
Bonanza avoids the body shot from Smith.
Bonanza unleashes a big counter combination but Smith bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Bonanza closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Smith changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Smith throws a shot from downtown. Bonanza moves away and avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Bonanza backs up against the cage.
Smith swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bonanza.
Bonanza swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Bonanza takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Smith is defended easily by Bonanza.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jake Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith misses with a body shot.

Smith closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Bonanza quickly recovers to half guard.

Bonanza actively working from the bottom here.

Bonanza looking for submissions off his back.
Smith is nestled in close to Bonanza, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Bonanza is looking to improve his position.

Bonanza is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Smith pulls his head out easily.

Bonanza actively working from the bottom here.
Bonanza is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Smith scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bonanza actively working from the bottom here.
Bonanza tries to get to full guard but Smith has control of the leg.

Bonanza looking for submissions off his back.
Bonanza looks winded!
Bonanza on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Smith looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Bonanza tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Smith has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bonanza is working to get back to half guard.

Smith working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Smith connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Smith lands a big shot there that rocks Bonanza but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Bonanza really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Smith lands with some strikes.
Bonanza tries to reverse the position but Smith maintains control.
Smith working Bonanza over with strikes here.
Smith connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Bonanza manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Smith is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Bonanza is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Smith pulls his head out easily.

Bonanza actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith prevents Bonanza from improving his position.
Smith lands with a punch from half guard.
Bonanza on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Smith is working for a submission of some sort.

Bonanza looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ground and pound from Smith.
Smith slips a nice elbow through Bonanza's hands, connecting with Bonanza's forehead.
Smith prevents Bonanza from improving his position.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Smith is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Bonanza is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Smith pulls his head out easily.
Smith will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Smith is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Bonanza has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Smith dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Smith looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Bonanza!
Bonanza is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Smith off and has taken his back!
Smith is trying to break free.
My spies in Gorilla Gym inform me that Bonanza has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Bonanza has Smith flattened out and is raining down punches.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Bonanza.
Bonanza missing with punches from the back.

Bonanza looking for the choke from the back.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Smith rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Bonanza thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Bonanza tries to pass to full mount but Smith defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith looking for submissions off his back.
Bonanza wants to free his trapped foot but Smith is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Smith blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bonanza.
Bonanza throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Smith taking some punishment here, with Bonanza in his half guard.
Smith is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Bonanza's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Bonanza's back!
Bonanza is really stuck here.
Smith is trying to stick to Bonanza's back but Bonanza is turning into Smith. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Smith's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Bonanza.
Bonanza is breathing heavily.
Bonanza trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bonanza stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smith swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Smith is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bonanza can do to turn this around?
Bonanza stopping the sweep attempt from Smith.
Bonanza working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Smith working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bonanza.
Smith is looking to sweep but instead, Bonanza has passed into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to control but Bonanza is keeping busy.
Bonanza sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Smith defending well though.
Smith gets full guard.
Smith not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Bonanza has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Bonanza landing some decent shots from guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bonanza got a little sloppy there for a moment and Smith has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Bonanza has managed to get both his arms back between Smith's legs - danger averted.
Jake Smith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smith avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Smith looking for a guillotine here but Bonanza defends easily.
Bonanza makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Smith has his foot on Bonanza's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bonanza works his way back into a safe position though.
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.

Bonanza avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Bonanza pushes down on Smith's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Smith blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bonanza.
Bonanza scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Bonanza drops an elbow to the side of Smith's head.
Bonanza thows a huge punch but Smith dodges it nicely.
Nice strikes from Bonanza there.
Smith tries to get to full guard but Bonanza has control of the leg.
Smith makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Smith.
Bonanza trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bonanza connects with a couple of short punches.
Smith is controlling Bonanza's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith working for a triangle but Bonanza defends it easily.
Smith working a defensive guard here.
Smith tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bonanza is looking to work some ground and pound but Smith has wrist control.
Bonanza missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Smith is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Smith avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bonanza throws a big elbow that misses.
Bonanza connects with a couple of short punches.
Bonanza missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Benson Bonanza showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Good shot there by Smith.
Smith goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Bonanza takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A punch combination from Smith misses.
Jake Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith punishes Bonanza's body with a nice straight punch.
Smith slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Smith bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bonanza manages to get back to half guard.

Smith looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Smith is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bonanza is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Bonanza looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Bonanza is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Smith pulls his head out easily.
Bonanza takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Bonanza actively working from the bottom here.
Smith scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Bonanza is looking for a sweep. Smith is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Smith keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Smith lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Smith seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Bonanza does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Smith is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Bonanza actively working from the bottom here.

Bonanza looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bonanza is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Smith scores with a couple of nice shots.
Bonanza is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Bonanza on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Smith tries to pass the half guard into mount. Bonanza knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Bonanza looking for submissions off his back.
Smith scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Bonanza has hold of Smith's hands but Smith slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Smith looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Smith landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Smith is trying to work for a kimura but Bonanza is defending well.
Bonanza regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bonanza's head.
Smith controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Smith trying to control but Bonanza is working from the bottom.
Smith lands a couple of elbows.
Smith postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Bonanza is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Bonanza is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith pushing down on Bonanza's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Bonanza is in trouble now - Smith has advanced to mount!
Smith is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Smith trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Bonanza really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Smith tries to control but Bonanza wriggling away.
Bonanza is looking to improve his position but Smith isn't that keen on the idea.
Smith punishing his opponent with strikes.
Smith scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bonanza can't escape the position.
Smith working the ground and pound effectively.
Smith lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Smith dominating with strikes here.
Smith lands a couple of good shots and Bonanza has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Bonanza is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Smith lands punches and elbows.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jake Smith showed his dominance in that final round.
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 Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 29:28
Judge Topper Green scores the fight 29:28
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jake Smith!
Jake Smith opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.