PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jari Lehtonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vasily Smyslov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Lehtonen
vs
Smyslov

190 cm
21
187 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

180 cm
21
190 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

[JMFC] Proof that Bubba beats Puno

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jari Lehtonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vasily Smyslov!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Daniel Cesar and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smyslov on the wrong end of a nice hook.

It looks like Vasily Smyslov has been cut.
Lehtonen looks to land a combination but Smyslov avoids it well.
Smyslov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Lehtonen on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

It looks like Jari Lehtonen has been cut.
Smyslov ducks under a wild hook from Lehtonen.
Smyslov connects with a single shot there.
Smyslov takes a swing at Lehtonen's ribcage but misses.
Lehtonen misses with a looping left.
Jari Lehtonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lehtonen looks to land a right hand but Smyslov moved out of range.

Smyslov scores a takedown into full mount!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lehtonen can't escape the position.
Lehtonen is trying to stand.
Smyslov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Lehtonen regains half guard.
Smyslov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smyslov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Lehtonen trying to control here.
Lehtonen wants to get back to full guard.
Smyslov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Smyslov stops Lehtonen from getting back to his feet.
Smyslov sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Smyslov frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Smyslov controlling from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lehtonen really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Lehtonen wants to get back to his feet.
Smyslov controlling the position easily from mount.
Smyslov connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Smyslov lands a nice shot to the head.
Lehtonen trying desperately to get to his feet.
Lehtonen is bucking up trying to escape but Smyslov cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Smyslov looking to control but Lehtonen is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Smyslov controlling from the full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lehtonen is desperately trying to improve his position but Smyslov has a good base and remains in mount.
Lehtonen gets back to half guard.
Lehtonen is trying to control but can't.
Lehtonen pushes Smyslov off looking to stand but Smyslov dives back in and keeps control.

Lehtonen kicks Smyslov off and gets back to his feet.
Lehtonen misses with a looping right.
Lehtonen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smyslov.
Smyslov scores with a jab to the head.
Lehtonen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Lehtonen throws a series of punches but Smyslov avoids them all with ease.
Lehtonen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Smyslov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lehtonen.
Lehtonen swings away with a body shot that misses

and Smyslov counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Lehtonen!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smyslov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Lehtonen is trying to stand.
Lehtonen is bucking up trying to escape but Smyslov cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lehtonen is squirming around, avoiding Smyslov's attempts to control the action.
Lehtonen wants to get back to his feet.
Smyslov looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lehtonen trying desperately to get to his feet.
Lehtonen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Lehtonen wants to control but Smyslov is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasily Smyslov dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Smyslov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lehtonen.
Smyslov slips a straight right by Lehtonen.
A telegraphed right hand from Lehtonen misses the target.
Lehtonen misses the body punch
and Smyslov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lehtonen misses with a jab to the body
letting Smyslov counter with a right hand.
Smyslov throws a big shot that misses.
Lehtonen missing with a left hand there. Smyslov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A head kick misses from Lehtonen.
Lehtonen swinging wilding here.
Smyslov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Lehtonen tests Smyslov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Lehtonen lands a right hook to the body.
Lehtonen misses with a hook.
Smyslov defending well as Lehtonen loads up on a big left hand.

Smyslov 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smyslov trying to control the position from guard on top but Lehtonen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lehtonen will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Lehtonen being controlled here, momentarily.
Smyslov preventing the sweep.
Lehtonen controls Smyslov momentarily but Smyslov frees himself.
Smyslov forces his way into half guard.
Smyslov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Smyslov controlling the action here.

Smyslov wants to work for an arm triangle but Lehtonen is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Smyslov controlling the action here.
Lehtonen regains full guard. Nicely done.
Lehtonen is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Smyslov is controlling him.

Lehtonen is looking for a triangle here but Smyslov uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Smyslov scores with a couple of short elbows.
Lehtonen is trying to improve his position.
Lehtonen is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Smyslov is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Lehtonen is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Smyslov is chipping away with strikes.
Smyslov controlling from side mount.
Smyslov lands an elbow.
Vasily Smyslov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lehtonen pushes Smyslov away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Smyslov gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Lehtonen is looking for a sweep.
Lehtonen takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee asks Smyslov politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Smyslov prefers to stall for the moment though.
Lehtonen takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Smyslov is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Lehtonen will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Lehtonen tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Smyslov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Smyslov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Smyslov is looking to take a break and control but Lehtonen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Lehtonen is trying to buck Smyslov off.
Smyslov works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Smyslov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lehtonen keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasily Smyslov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Lehtonen misses with a combination

and Smyslov counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Lehtonen!
Smyslov scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Smyslov controlling the position easily from mount.
Lehtonen really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Smyslov landing shots from mount.
Lehtonen sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Lehtonen is looking to escape.
Smyslov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Smyslov is looking to take a break and control but Lehtonen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smyslov is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Smyslov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Lehtonen trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Smyslov manages to pass to mount!
Smyslov controlling the position easily from mount.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Smyslov cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Smyslov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Lehtonen is working to get back to half guard.
Lehtonen wants to control but Smyslov is having none of it.

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.
Smyslov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Lehtonen keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smyslov looking to control and managing it successfully.

Despite being in the dominant position, Vasily Smyslov just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Smyslov misses with a straight right.
Lehtonen misses with a hook.
A big left from Lehtonen misses.
Smyslov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Lehtonen to score with a decent uppercut.
Lehtonen changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Lehtonen wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Jari Lehtonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A nice inside leg kick there by Lehtonen. That's going to slow Smyslov down.
Vasily Smyslov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Smyslov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smyslov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Lehtonen throws a combination that misses
and Smyslov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Lehtonen misses with a looping left.
Smyslov cracks Lehtonen with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Lehtonen throws a sloppy body shot
and Smyslov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Lehtonen misses with a head kick.
Smyslov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lehtonen throws out the jab.
A big left from Lehtonen misses.
Smyslov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lehtonen.
Jari Lehtonen is winning the standup battle so far.
Lehtonen misses the shot to the body.
Lehtonen swings away with a body shot that misses
enabling Smyslov to counter with a crisp jab.
Lehtonen works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Smyslov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Smyslov moves away from the strike by Lehtonen.
A punch combination from Lehtonen misses.
Jari Lehtonen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smyslov lands a jab to the nose.

Smyslov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Smyslov passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Lehtonen!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lehtonen is looking to improve his position but Smyslov isn't that keen on the idea.
Smyslov controlling from mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vasily Smyslov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Smyslov 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vasily Smyslov!