PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tsingtao Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Illy Niccolo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tsingtao Smith could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Illy Niccolo's chin.

Smith
vs
Niccolo

185 cm
22
178 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

176 cm
22
165 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

{CDEN} $45 Q156 Recovery (Cheapest in Rio)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tsingtao Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Illy Niccolo!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Seu Braga and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Niccolo has managed to clinch.
Niccolo is struggling to control the position.
Smith looking to stall.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Smith.
Smith tries to land knees in the clinch but Niccolo avoids the damage to the body.
Niccolo avoids a wild elbow strike from Smith.
Niccolo blocks the elbow strike.
Niccolo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Smith is looking to break free of the clinch but Niccolo has double underhooks.
Smith trying to land knees to the body.
Smith wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Niccolo has him pressed against the cage.
Niccolo avoiding damage as Smith throws knees to the body.
Niccolo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Smith looking to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith misses with a knee strike.
Niccolo digs a right hand into Smith's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Smith's gas tank.
A bit of stalling here from Niccolo.
Niccolo lands a nice uppercut.
Niccolo displaying some good clinch control by pressing Smith up against the cage.
Smith is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Niccolo is defending well for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Smith using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Niccolo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Smith with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Smith misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Niccolo.
Niccolo works on Smith's body with a couple of short punches.
A bit of stalling here from Niccolo.
A right hook to the body lands for Niccolo.
Smith fails to pull guard.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Smith is trying to stall.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Niccolo.
Smith throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Smith misses with an elbow over the top.
Niccolo lands a nice uppercut.
Smith throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

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.
Smith is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Niccolo is defending well for now.
Smith tries to land knees in the clinch but Niccolo avoids the damage to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Smith just misses with a elbow thrown towards Niccolo's brow.
Niccolo scores with a nice hook to the head.
Smith tries to stall but Niccolo uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Smith tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Niccolo avoids it.
Smith is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Niccolo is defending well for now.
Niccolo holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Niccolo continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Smith tries a knee to the head but Niccolo blocks it.
Niccolo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Niccolo lands a nice shot to the body.
Smith trying to land knees to the body.
Niccolo stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Niccolo lands a body shot in the clinch.
Smith with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Niccolo stalling.
Niccolo managing to block the knees to the body from Smith.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Niccolo is defending well for now.
Niccolo blocks an elbow strike from Smith.
Niccolo stalling.
Smith tries to break the clinch but Niccolo is controlling the position.
Smith misses with an elbow strike.
Smith tries a knee to the head but Niccolo blocks it.
Niccolo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Smith pushes off an throws an elbow but Niccolo leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Niccolo stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Niccolo prevents Smith from breaking the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Niccolo.
Niccolo lands a body punch.
Smith with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Smith is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Niccolo is defending well for now.
Smith tries to land knees in the clinch but Niccolo avoids the damage to the body.
Niccolo managing to block the knees to the body from Smith.
Smith pushes off an throws an elbow but Niccolo leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Smith with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Niccolo is working Smith over against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Smith just misses with a elbow thrown towards Niccolo's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Niccolo lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Smith is trying to stall.
Niccolo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Niccolo pressing his opponent against the cage.
Niccolo blocks an elbow strike.
Smith misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Niccolo.
Niccolo leaning his opponent against the cage.
Smith tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Niccolo avoids it.
Niccolo lands a left hand that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Niccolo takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Niccolo lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Smith misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Niccolo.
Smith is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Niccolo is defending well for now.
Smith looking to throw knees to the head but Niccolo is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Illy Niccolo 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.

Niccolo doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.

Smith closes the distance and pushes Niccolo back into the cage.
Niccolo avoiding damage.
Smith misses with an elbow over the top.
Smith using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Niccolo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A body shot lands from Niccolo.
Niccolo avoids the elbow strike from Smith, against the cage.
Smith tries to pull guard but Niccolo won't allow it.
Smith fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Niccolo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Niccolo as Smith tries to tie him up.
Smith tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Niccolo smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tsingtao Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Niccolo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smith paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Niccolo lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

It looks like Tsingtao Smith has been cut.
Niccolo tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Niccolo. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Smith darts in trying to clinch
and Niccolo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tsingtao Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Smith misses.
Smith wants to clinch but Niccolo slips to the side
and Niccolo counters with a stiff right hand.
Niccolo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Niccolo lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Niccolo misses with a jab, cross combination.

Niccolo has managed to clinch.
Niccolo scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Smith with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Good body shot from Niccolo.
Niccolo avoids the elbow strike from Smith, against the cage.
Smith misses with a knee to the head.
Smith missing with knees to the body.
Smith throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Niccolo blocks it with crossed arms.
Smith tries to land knees in the clinch but Niccolo avoids the damage to the body.
Smith missing with knees to the body.
Niccolo managing to block the knees to the body from Smith.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niccolo scores with a hook to the body.
Niccolo dodges an elbow strike from Smith.
A left hand lands to the body for Niccolo.
Smith missing with knees to the body.
Niccolo effectively controlling the action here.
Niccolo stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Niccolo avoiding damage as Smith throws knees to the body.
Smith misses with an elbow over the top.
Niccolo stalling.
Smith has had enough of the clinch but Niccolo keeps him there for the moment.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Smith is looking to break free of the clinch but Niccolo has double underhooks.
Smith tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Niccolo leaning against his opponent.
Niccolo lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Niccolo blocks an elbow strike from Smith.
Smith tries to circle away but Niccolo has him pinned against the cage.
Smith throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niccolo lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Smith.
Niccolo taking a breather.
Niccolo lands a right hand that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Niccolo is struggling to control the position.
Smith has had enough of the clinch but Niccolo keeps him there for the moment.
Niccolo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Niccolo.
The referee is keeping an eye on Niccolo - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Smith pushes off an throws an elbow but Niccolo leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Niccolo 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 tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Niccolo avoids it.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Niccolo has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Smith stalling in the clinch but Niccolo improves position.
Smith misses with a knee to the head.
Niccolo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Smith looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Smith misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Niccolo.
Niccolo just leaning against Smith, taking a breather.
Niccolo lands a hook to the side of the head.
Smith is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Niccolo is defending well for now.
Smith with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Smith tries to pull guard but Niccolo won't allow it.
Niccolo throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Smith fails to pull guard.
Smith misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Niccolo.
With the fighters up against the cage, Smith throws an elbow but misses.
Niccolo lands with a left to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Niccolo blocks it with crossed arms.
Smith tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Niccolo just stands there and leans against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Smith tries to land knees in the clinch but Niccolo avoids the damage to the body.
Smith tries to circle away but Niccolo has him pinned against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Illy Niccolo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tsingtao Smith's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Smith misses with an attempted mid kick.
Smith scores with a kick to the midsection.

Niccolo gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Smith throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Niccolo blocks it with crossed arms.
Smith looking to stall.
Niccolo avoids a wild elbow strike from Smith.
Smith with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Niccolo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Smith is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Niccolo stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Smith throws an elbow that misses.
Niccolo working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A hook to the body from Niccolo.
Smith tries to break the clinch but Niccolo is controlling the position.
Niccolo blocks the elbow strike.
Come on Niccolo - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niccolo is leaning against Smith and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Smith pushes off an throws an elbow but Niccolo leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Niccolo dodges an elbow strike from Smith.
Niccolo 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.
Niccolo lands a shot to the body.
A short right from Niccolo.
Smith tries to land a knee to the head but Niccolo blocks with his arms.
Smith throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Niccolo blocks it with crossed arms.
Niccolo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Smith misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Niccolo.
Niccolo lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Niccolo avoiding damage as Smith throws knees to the body.
Niccolo is leaning against Smith and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Smith misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Niccolo.
Smith misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Niccolo.
Smith with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith missing with knees to the body.
Smith is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Niccolo is defending well for now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Niccolo is controlling him.
Niccolo lands a shoulder strike.
Niccolo taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Niccolo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Niccolo lands with a left to the head.
Illy Niccolo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Niccolo displaying some good clinch control by pressing Smith up against the cage.
Smith jumps guard but Niccolo stands there with Smith around his waist. Smith gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Niccolo digs a right hand underneath Smith's ribcage. Smith let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A short left from Niccolo.
Smith tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Niccolo avoids it.
The referee is keeping an eye on Niccolo - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Smith tries to break free but Niccolo pushes him back against the cage.
Smith using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Niccolo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niccolo stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A nice left hand lands by Niccolo.
Illy Niccolo seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Niccolo presses Smith against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Smith trying to land knees to the body.
Smith displaying some good clinch control by pressing Niccolo up against the cage.
Niccolo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Niccolo stalling.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Smith.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Niccolo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Smith tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Niccolo avoids it.
Niccolo scores with a shoulder strike.
Niccolo lands a right hand that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Smith tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Good body shot from Niccolo.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Niccolo is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Come on Niccolo - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Niccolo scores with a hook to the body.
Niccolo managing to block the knees to the body from Smith.
Smith throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Smith throws an elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Niccolo.
Niccolo lands a body punch in the clinch.
Good body shot from Niccolo.
Tsingtao Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Niccolo lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Niccolo keeps control of Smith as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Smith throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Niccolo blocks it with crossed arms.
Niccolo avoiding damage as Smith throws knees to the body.
A short right from Niccolo.
Smith with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Niccolo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

And that's the end of the fight!
Illy Niccolo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Niccolo has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 27:30
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Illy Niccolo!