PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ford Prefect (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aaron Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Prefect kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Mos Def - Mathematics. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Prefect
vs
Smith

177 cm
20
166 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

200 cm
24
163 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Rusty Cage Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ford Prefect!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aaron Smith!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Jonathan Paton and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Prefect scores with a jab to the jaw.
Nice body punch from Prefect.
Smith looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Smith is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Smith moves into range and clinches up with Prefect.
Prefect throws a punch but it's blocked by Smith.
Smith tries to pull guard but Prefect won't allow it.
Smith jumps guard but Prefect stands there with Smith around his waist. Smith gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ford Prefect has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aaron Smith.
Prefect doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Prefect throws a head punch that misses.
Prefect wants to break the clinch but can't.

Smith jumps into guard, dragging Prefect to the mat.
Smith scores with a nice shot.
Prefect in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Smith looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Prefect passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Prefect scores with punches from side control.
Smith regains half guard there - taking advantage of Prefect's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Prefect seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Smith is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Prefect pulls his head out easily.
Prefect thows a huge punch but Smith dodges it nicely.

Smith actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Smith looks gassed!
Prefect misses with a head shot. Smith uses the momentum to regain guard.
Prefect pushes down on Smith's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Prefect working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Smith's thigh. Smith counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Prefect wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Prefect throwing strikes but missing.
Prefect scoring with some ground and pound.
Prefect with a flurry of punches that miss.
Prefect postures up and lands a big shot to Smith's brow.

Smith is looking for a triangle here but Prefect uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Prefect throwing shots but missing, from side control.

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.
Prefect cracks Smith with a big right hand but Smith just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Smith tries to buck Prefect off but Prefect is having none of it.

Prefect thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Prefect working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Smith is working to avoid the ground and pound but Prefect connects with a decent elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith defending against the ground and pound.
Prefect landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Prefect scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Smith to see if he's OK.
Smith taking a bit of punishment here - Prefect scoring with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ford Prefect dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Prefect loads up on a big right hand but Smith slips the punch.
Smith fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Prefect sprawls well. Prefect wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Smith gets slowly back to his feet.
Smith defending well as Prefect loads up on a big left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith fails to land the takedown.
Ford Prefect has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aaron Smith.

Smith gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Prefect digs a right hand underneath Smith's ribcage. Smith let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Smith jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Prefect walks away with a smile on his face. Smith gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Prefect throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Prefect swings for the body but Smith moves out of range.
Ford Prefect seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Prefect misses with the combination.
A combination from Prefect does no damage.
Smith dives in and grabs Prefect's left leg, looking for a takedown. Prefect pushes down on Smith's head and hops out.
Prefect lands with a nice body punch.
Prefect tests Smith's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Smith is breathing heavily.
Smith moves out of range as Prefect strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Prefect as he avoids it easily.
Smith moves out of range of the strikes.
Smith fails to land the takedown.
Smith tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Prefect swivels and escapes.
Prefect pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Prefect misses with a jab, cross combination.
Prefect misses with an uppercut.
Ford Prefect is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A punch combination from Prefect misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Prefect throws a jab when Smith was well out of range.
Prefect throws an overhand right that lands on Smith's shoulder, as Smith tries to avoid the shot.
Smith walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Smith looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Prefect is fending him off so far but Smith persists. Nope, Prefect circles away and we're back to standing.
Prefect lands a jab-cross combination.
Prefect avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Some wild striking there from Prefect.
Smith changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Prefect tries to avoid it but Smith manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Prefect to the ground. Prefect escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Prefect throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Smith bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ford Prefect is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Smith.
Prefect fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Prefect smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Prefect swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Prefect throws a right and a left that Smith avoids nicely.
Prefect thows a left - swing and a miss!
Smith shoots in but Prefect avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Prefect stuffs the takedown attempt from Smith. Smith gets slowly back to his feet.
Smith dodges the punch combination from Prefect.
Prefect throws a series of punches but Smith avoids them all with ease.

Smith shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Prefect napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Sloppy strikes there by Smith.
Smith tries to advance to mount but can't.
Prefect manages to work his way to half guard, despite Smith's best efforts.
Smith takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Prefect wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith wants to take a breather but Prefect is having none of it.
Prefect trying to control here.
Prefect is looking to improve his position.
Smith trying to control from half guard but Prefect is working away.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Prefect dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Prefect slaps away a takedown attempt from Smith, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Smith avoids the body shot from Prefect.
Prefect lands a with a good body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ford Prefect has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aaron Smith.
Prefect ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smith moves away.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt - Prefect sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Smith defending well as Prefect loads up on a big left hand.
Prefect throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Prefect tries to bum rush Smith with a series of wild strikes but Smith uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
No luck for Smith with that takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Prefect throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Prefect throws a low kick, looking for Smith's leg but Smith calmly moves out of range.
Prefect looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Prefect misses with a jab, cross combination.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt.
Smith tries to clinch there but Prefect circles away.
A jab lands there for Prefect.
Smith takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Smith fails in his attempt to clinch.
Some wild striking there from Prefect.

Smith feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Prefect trying to control the position.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Prefect is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Prefect trying to keep a closed guard but Smith is proving a slippery customer.
Smith preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Ford Prefect did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Prefect swats away the attempt to clinch by Smith.
Smith dives in and grabs Prefect's left leg, looking for a takedown. Prefect pushes down on Smith's head and hops out.
Prefect throws a jab when Smith was well out of range.
Prefect loads up on a big right hand but Smith slips the punch.

Smith closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Smith lands in his opponent's guard.

Prefect working for a triangle but Smith defends it easily.
Prefect pulls Smith in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Prefect working a defensive guard but Smith manages to pass into side control anyway.

Smith thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Smith is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Prefect can't do much from the bottom here.
Smith throws a strike aimed at the side of Prefect's head but Prefect avoids it well.
Smith taking a breather here.

Smith tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Smith has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Prefect manages to work his way to half guard, despite Smith's best efforts.
Smith missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Smith is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Prefect gets back to full guard.
Ford Prefect overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Prefect is trying to keep Smith in close.
Prefect is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Prefect keeping full guard, as Smith tries to pass.
Smith preventing the sweep.
Prefect will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A combination from Prefect does no damage.
Prefect throws a series of punches but Smith moves out of range.
A slow jab from Prefect misses its intended target.
Prefect rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smith moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Prefect works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Prefect gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Smith is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Prefect is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Smith defends well.
Smith stands and throws Prefect's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Prefect is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Smith off and has taken his back!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Prefect lands strikes to the head.
Smith is trapped and Prefect is scoring with shots to the head and body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Aaron Smith will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Prefect misses with a wild body shot.
Prefect lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Smith circles away quickly and effectively.
Smith shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Prefect but Prefect pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Prefect throws a hook but Smith blocks it.
Prefect throws a jab but it's blocked by Smith.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Prefect.
Horrible takedown by Smith or perhaps it was just good defense by Prefect which made him look bad.
Smith is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
A left and a right from Prefect both land. Nice combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Prefect misses with a series of wild punches.
Prefect just misses with a punch to the body.

Smith gets the takedown into side control.
Prefect tries to buck Smith off but Smith is having none of it.
Who's going to make the next move?
Smith laying and praying for a moment but Prefect takes advantage and regains half guard.
Prefect makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Prefect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith is fighting to break Prefect's control of his arms but Prefect is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Prefect not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Prefect working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Smith.
Smith wants to control from the top but Prefect keeps moving.
Smith stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Prefect swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Prefect is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smith accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Prefect fails to land with a series of punches.
Prefect looks to throw the jab but Smith is out of range.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt - Prefect sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ford Prefect has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aaron Smith.
Prefect scores with a three punch combo!
A telegraphed right hand from Prefect misses the target.
An inside leg kick from Prefect misses.
Smith showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Prefect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Smith shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Prefect controlling Smith's posture.
Prefect controls Smith momentarily but Smith frees himself.
Ford Prefect is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Prefect throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Prefect keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Prefect has his hands on Smith's head, controlling the position.
Aaron Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Prefect bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Smith's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ford Prefect.
I think Prefect 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 49:46
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 49:46
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ford Prefect!
Ford Prefect retains his lightweight title!