PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Benjamin Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ali Bang (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Smith
vs
Bang

180 cm
23
175 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

180 cm
23
172 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Powerful

Londons Best Nutrition
Win Nutritional

•‡• LION Clothing •‡•

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Benjamin Smith!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Ali Bang!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Sam Margolis and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith avoids the body shot from Bang.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Bang!
Smith connects with a nice looking jab.
Bang lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Bang.
Smith swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Bang counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Ali Bang seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice straight punches there by Bang. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Bang.
Smith throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Bang counters with a leg kick.
Bang misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smith.
Bang tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Bang throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Smith swats away the attempt to clinch by Bang.
Bang lands a right hook to the body.
Bang throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bang throws a good cross that connects.
Smith misses with a low kick.
Bang sizes up Smith with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bang throws a head kick that half lands.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Bang!
Smith swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Bang is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Smith rather than just go for the knockout.
Smith tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Bang misses with a head kick.
Smith chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Bang can pounce on him.
Bang pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bang is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Smith misses with a low kick.
Bang tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smith paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ali Bang is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bang feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Smith's calf.
Bang tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Bang.
Smith throws a leg kick that is checked
and Bang counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Bang coming out on top.
A nice leg kick lands there from Bang.
Smith throws a body punch but Bang moves out of range.
Bang tries to clinch up.
Bang tries a head kick but it misses.
Bang throws a nice head kick!
Smith moves forwards but Bang connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Smith steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Bang. That one must have hurt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Bang moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
Bang throws a head kick that Smith semi-blocks.
Bang lands a front kick.
Bang lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Bang.
Smith misses with a jab, cross combination.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Smith crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Bang - the referee stops the clock and Smith gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Bang. Smith manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Smith blocks a head kick by Bang.
A head kick misses from Bang.
Bang throws a head kick that half lands.
Bang tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Smith misses with a double jab
and Bang counters with a straight right hand.
Bang takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Bang throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Smith throws a leg kick
and Smith takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A head kick misses from Bang.
Bang tries a head kick but it misses.
Bang throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Smith will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Bang closes the distance and pushes Smith back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Bang.
Bang is pushing Smith up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Smith takes a knee right on the jaw!
Bang dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Smith is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Bang pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Bang tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bang lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bang connects with a nasty looking knee right to Smith's face.
Bang stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ali Bang.

Bang closes the distance and pushes Smith back into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ali Bang dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Bang misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Bang gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Bang stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Bang receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Bang misses with a knee to the head.
Bang lands a shoulder strike.
Bang slows down the pace here.
Bang missing with knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bang tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bang is working Smith over against the cage.
Smith digs a right hand underneath Bang's ribcage. Bang let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Smith has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Smith is working Bang over against the cage.
Bang controlling the action here for a moment.
Smith looking to slow down the pace here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Bang.
Bang lands a body shot in the clinch.
Bang lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Smith or not.
Bang connects with a nasty looking knee right to Smith's face.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Bang.
A short left from Bang.
Bang unloads a knee to the mid-section. Smith lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Smith slows down the pace here.
Smith avoiding damage as Bang throws knees to the body.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Bang takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
A body shot lands from Bang.
Bang landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Bang stalling the fight.
Smith is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bang lands a knee to the head.
Bang lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Bang lands a good knee to the midsection. Smith won't want to take too many of those.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Bang.
Bang lands a body punch in the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Bang throws an elbow but misses.
Bang connects with a nasty looking knee right to Smith's face.
Smith tries to circle away but Bang has him pinned against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Bang obliges.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bang is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Bang tries a knee to the head but Smith blocks it.
Bang lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Bang has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bang lands with a left to the head.
Bang scores with a knee to the head.
Bang landing knees to the body.
Bang with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bang working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Bang is stalling here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bang unloads a knee to the mid-section. Smith lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Bang lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Bang connects with a knee to the head.
Smith tries to break free but Bang pushes him back against the cage.
A short uppercut from Bang.
Smith takes a knee to the side of the body.
Bang connects with a nasty looking knee right to Smith's face.
Bang tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Smith is looking to control Bang's arms but Bang gets an underhook and turns him. Now Smith has his back to the cage.
Bang lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Bang taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Bang.
Bang stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Bang trying to stall but Smith improves his position.
Bang scores with a nice hook to the head.
Bang misses with a knee strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bang misses with the head strike.
Bang tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Smith takes an elbow to the forehead.
Bang softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Smith wants to stall.
Bang trying to stall but Smith improves his position.
Ali Bang seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Bang tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Smith is trying to force a seperation but Bang has the dominant position.
Smith is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Smith takes an elbow to the temple.
Bang utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Bang misses with some punches.
Bang is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Smith is defending well for now.
Bang misses with a knee to the head.
A short uppercut from Bang.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Bang creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ali Bang showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bang is looking to clinch.
Smith looks to land a left hand but Bang moved out of range nicely.
Bang tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bang throws a head kick that half lands.
Jab, jab by Bang - just one landing.
Smith throws an overhand right that lands on Bang's shoulder, as Bang tries to avoid the shot.
Bang throws a sloppy head kick and Smith moves out of range easily.
Bang tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Smith wants to clinch up but Bang keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bang tries a head kick but it misses.
Smith with a jab.
Bang misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bang misses with a wild combination.
Ali Bang seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Smith takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bang lands a jab-cross combination.
Bang throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Smith's head.
Bang tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bang throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Smith stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Smith walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A low kick from Smith misses
and Bang counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Bang misses with a head kick.
Bang throws a jab but it's blocked by Smith.
Smith looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bang misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bang throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Smith will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Bang thumps Smith with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bang moves into range and clinches up with Smith.
Bang crunches a lovely knee into Smith's ribcage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bang has Smith pressed against the cage.
Bang lands a body shot.
A short body shot lands from Bang as the two fighters clinch.
Bang with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bang working Smith over with knees to the body.
Bang scores with a shot to the side of Smith's head.
Smith avoids a wild elbow strike from Bang.
Bang is stalling here.
Bang working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith is trying to maintain a safe position but Bang gets an underhook and turns Smith into the cage.
Bang throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Smith blocks it with crossed arms.
Bang's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Bang is keeping busy.
A frustrated look appears on Smith's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Bang throws a knee to the head but misses.
Bang makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Bang tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Smith slowing the pace effectively.
A knee to the head by Bang.
Bang lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Smith being controlled against the cage.
Bang lands a knee to the head.
Bang lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Bang putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Smith in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Bang misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Bang lands a good knee to the midsection. Smith won't want to take too many of those.
Bang with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Bang blocks a body shot from Smith.
Bang's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Bang looking to slow down the pace here.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Smith can't seem to implement his control oriented gameplan at the moment. That's no bad thing of course, for those of us who want to see a good fight.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Bang.
Bang misses with some punches.
Bang pushes Smith back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Smith tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bang avoids it.
Bang holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Bang trying to land knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ali Bang really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Bang tries to clinch up.
A head kick from Bang lands but Smith takes it in his stride.
Smith blocks a head kick by Bang.

Bang has taken the fight to the clinch.
Smith looking to stall.
Bang is working Smith over against the cage.
Bang using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Bang holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Bang.
Bang scores with a knee to the head.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Smith has Bang pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Bang manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Bang lands a left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bang misses with a knee to the head.
Bang lands a nice knee to the body.
Smith takes a knee right on the jaw!
Bang lands a damaging elbow.
Bang lands a good knee to the midsection. Smith won't want to take too many of those.
Bang stalling the fight.
Smith blocks an elbow strike from Bang.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Bang.
The referee calls for Bang to work.
Bang putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Smith in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Smith wants to break free but Bang has control.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bang.
Smith tries to circle away but Bang has him pinned against the cage.
Bang works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bang with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Bang utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Bang lands a good knee to the midsection. Smith won't want to take too many of those.
Bang using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smith has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Bang has him pressed against the cage.
Bang prevents a takedown attempt there.
A body shot lands from Bang.
Smith takes a knee to the side of the body.
Bang manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Bang throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Smiths head.
Bang keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Smith's efforts to push away.
Bang lands a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bang stalling the fight.
Bang wants to stall.
Bang lands a left hand that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Bang with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Smith blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bang has Smith pressed against the cage, preventing Smith from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Smith misses with a punch on the inside.
Smith blocks an uppercut.
Bang stalling in the clinch.
Bang with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bang using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smith has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Smith can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Benjamin Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Smith has hold of one of Bang's legs. Bang is fighting the takedown attempt but Smith gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Bang is keeping the position.
Smith throwing strikes but missing.
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.

Smith stands and steps away. Bang gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Bang lands with a kick to the temple. Smith shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Bang throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Bang lands a nice looking body kick.

Bang closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Smith avoids the elbow strike from Bang, against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Bang.
Bang with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Bang fails to land.
Bang lands a nice shot to the body.
Bang is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ali Bang dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Bang looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bang pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bang misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Smith avoids the head kick by Bang.
Bang throws a head kick that misses.
Smith looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Bang throws a head kick that misses.
Smith blocks a head kick by Bang.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bang throws a series of strikes that have Smith backpedaling.
A head kick misses from Bang.
Bang connects with a high kick.
Smith throws a series of punches but Bang moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Bang counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Smith is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Bang lands a head kick!
A head kick misses from Bang.
Bang tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bang scores with a kick to the body.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Bang - that will leave a mark!
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.
Bang lands a high kick!
Bang wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
Bang throws a body punch but Smith moves out of range.
Smith misses with a double jab
and Bang counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Benjamin Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bang throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Smith's head.
Bang lands a jab to the head.
Bang throws a right and a left that both miss.
Smith scores with a one two! Bang had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Smith misses with a combination
and Bang counters with a three punch combo that has Smith backing up. Smith nods at Bang to acknowledge the strikes.
Bang doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.
Bang throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.
Donk. Bang catches Smith right on the button with a cross.
Smith chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Bang can pounce on him.
Smith misses with a few strikes there.
Some wild striking there from Smith.
Smith rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bang moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bang slaps away a takedown attempt from Smith, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Benjamin Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Bang falls off balance throwing a combination

and Smith counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Bang is looking to get back to full guard here but Smith has managed to pass to side control instead.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Bang can do anything to dispel that myth.
Bang tries to improve his position but instead Smith has taken his back!
Bang trying to control but not successfully.
Smith wants to control the position but Bang frees himself and scrambles - Smith manages to regain control in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bang is not content to let Smith control the position.

Smith wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Bang, who protects the arm well.
Ali Bang is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Smith tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Bang struggling a bit here.
Bang managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Smith.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ali Bang comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bang winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 44:50
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 44:50
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 43:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ali Bang!
Ali Bang is the new welterweight champion!