PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rickard Pettersson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and BoBo Smilths (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pettersson comes into the arena with War is My Destiny blaring out of the sound system. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Pettersson
vs
Smilths

183 cm
22
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good knees
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rickard Pettersson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, BoBo Smilths!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Wagner Zegers and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smilths misses with a double jab.
Smilths shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Pettersson defends it nicely.
Smilths keeps the fight on the outside.
Pettersson wants to clinch up but Smilths keeps it at a distance.
Pettersson is looking to clinch but Smilths is avoiding it.
Smilths shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Pettersson but Pettersson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Pettersson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Pettersson throws an elbow but it misses.
Pettersson scores a nice knee to the body.
Pettersson lands a body punch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Smilths lands an elbow inside.
Smilths fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Rickard Pettersson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of BoBo Smilths.
Pettersson unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Pettersson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Smilths is defending well for now.

Pettersson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Pettersson drives through with a takedown into guard.
Smilths looks gassed!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pettersson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Smilths works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smilths working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Pettersson.
Pettersson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Smilths looking to hit a scissor sweep but Pettersson is one step ahead there.
Smilths controls Pettersson momentarily but Pettersson frees himself.
Pettersson throwing strikes from guard but Smilths blocks nicely.
Pettersson is looking to work some ground and pound but Smilths has wrist control.
Pettersson tries to stand but Smilths is controlling from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Pettersson is looking to clinch.
Smilths avoids the head kick by Pettersson.

Smilths scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smilths seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Smilths is looking to take a break and control but Pettersson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Smilths stops Pettersson from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are battling for position here. Pettersson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Pettersson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Pettersson wants to stand up but Smilths is controlling the position.
Smilths is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Smilths blocking the ground and pound attempt from Pettersson.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pettersson working the head and body with strikes.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Smilths tries to get to full guard but Pettersson has control of the leg.
Pettersson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Smilths's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smilths works his way to full guard. Good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Pettersson gets to his feet - Smilths follows without any prompting.
Smilths lands a lovely overhand right.
Smilths misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Smilths swats away the attempt to clinch by Pettersson.
Smilths circles away from the clinch attempt.
Smilths throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Pettersson tries to clinch but Smilths is having none of it.
Smilths stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Smilths wants it to stay on the feet.
Pettersson is looking to clinch but Smilths is avoiding it.
Pettersson walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Smilths scores with a crisp jab that stopped Pettersson in his tracks.
Rickard Pettersson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smilths doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Pettersson counters with a body kick that stops Smilths in his tracks momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smilths is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Pettersson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Pettersson goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Smilths has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Pettersson but great work by Smilths.
Smilths happy to just control the position for now.
The ground and pound from Smilths seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Smilths working away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pettersson parries the strikes from Smilths easily there. Smilths is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Pettersson to escape.
Pettersson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Smilths's best efforts.
Smilths not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Pettersson keeping control of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Smilths jumps guard but Pettersson stands there with Smilths around his waist. Smilths gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Smilths lands a nice elbow.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Smilths.
Pettersson crunches a lovely knee into Smilths's ribcage.
Smilths jumps guard but Pettersson stands there with Smilths around his waist. Smilths gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Smilths taking a breather.
Pettersson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Pettersson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Pettersson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Pettersson breaks from the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Smilths throws a head kick but Pettersson moves out of range.
Smilths with a lazy takedown attempt

and Pettersson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Pettersson.
Rickard Pettersson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of BoBo Smilths.
Smilths takes an elbow to the forehead.
Pettersson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Pettersson landing knees to the body.

Pettersson has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Smilths is trying to keep an underhook but Pettersson manages to get the takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
It looks like Pettersson is going to stand back up.
Smilths is trying to maintain the position but Pettersson is very close to passing his half guard.

Pettersson stands up and beckons Smilths to join him on the feet.

Pettersson moves into the clinch.
Pettersson landing knees to the head.
Knees to the body from Smilths.
Smilths lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Smilths is trying to drag Pettersson to the mat but Pettersson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Pettersson throws an elbow that misses.
Smilths lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Pettersson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Smilths avoids it.
Smilths lands a nice elbow.
Smilths is trying to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pettersson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Pettersson landing knees to the body.
Smilths on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Pettersson is pressed up against the cage. Smilths has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Pettersson down to the mat. Pettersson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Smilths circles away from the clinch attempt

and Smilths counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Pettersson!
Pettersson wants to hold on but Smilths pushes him away.
Pettersson wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Smilths.
Pettersson is trying desperately to improve position.
Pettersson is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Pettersson working to try and regain half guard.
Smilths thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smilths misses with a head shot.
Smilths controlling his opponent.
Pettersson trying desperately to get to his feet.
Pettersson is looking to improve his position but Smilths isn't that keen on the idea.
Smilths throwing strikes here but Pettersson is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

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.
Smilths throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Pettersson because Smilths loaded up on that one.
Smilths has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Smilths thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Pettersson keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Pettersson trying desperately to get to his feet.
Pettersson is in all sorts of trouble here.
Pettersson squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Pettersson is squirming around, avoiding Smilths's attempts to control the action.
Pettersson wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Pettersson is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rickard Pettersson dominated that second round.
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!

Pettersson tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Smilths counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Pettersson wants a takedown but no success here.
Smilths on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Smilths gets through Pettersson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Pettersson tries to land a knee to the head but Smilths blocks with his arms.
Smilths is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Smilths lands a body punch.
Pettersson trying to land knees to the body.

Pettersson manages to break the clinch.

Smilths has managed to clinch.
Smilths lands a knee to the body.
Pettersson prevents the takedown attempt.

Smilths breaks the clinch.
Pettersson darts in trying to clinch

and Smilths counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smilths is trying to control. Pettersson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smilths not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Pettersson tries to kick Smilths off but Smilths keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Smilths not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Pettersson trying to control but Smilths postures up.
Smilths wants to control but Pettersson is keeping him busy.
Pettersson tries to kick Smilths off but Smilths keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Pettersson wants to control but Smilths is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Smilths looks to land a combination. Pettersson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Smilths darts in and clinches Pettersson up against the cage.
Pettersson tries a body shot but Smilths blocks it.

Smilths has picked Pettersson up - he's going for a ride! Smilths dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Pettersson works his way to full guard. Good work.
Smilths stops Pettersson from standing up.
BoBo Smilths has got the better of the ground game so far.
Pettersson controlling Smilths's posture.
Pettersson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Smilths is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smilths looking to pass the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smilths accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Pettersson pushes Smilths off and gets back to his feet.
Pettersson shoots in and drives through. Smilths sprawls well.
Pettersson misses with a kick to the body
and Smilths counters with a nice kick to the body.
Pettersson tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smilths fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Pettersson closes the distance looking to clinch
and Smilths counters with a big head kick but Pettersson shrugs it off.
Rickard Pettersson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pettersson tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Smilths counters with a stiff right hand.
Smilths scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Pettersson throws a head kick but Smilths moves out of range.
Pettersson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smilths fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pettersson manages to avoid it.
Pettersson throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Smilths counters by moving into the clinch.
Smilths working hard to break the clinch.
Smilths tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rickard Pettersson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of BoBo Smilths.
Pettersson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Smilths stalling in the clinch but Pettersson improves position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Pettersson leaning his opponent against the cage.
Pettersson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Smilths jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Pettersson walks away with a smile on his face. Smilths gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Pettersson tries to clinch but Smilths moves away
and Smilths counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Pettersson is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Smilths circles away from the clinch attempt

and Smilths counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Smilths drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Pettersson gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Smilths manages to pull guard.
Smilths looking to hit a scissor sweep but Pettersson is one step ahead there.
BoBo Smilths has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rickard Pettersson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Pettersson trying to control the position from guard on top but Smilths is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
BoBo Smilths comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Pettersson 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rickard Pettersson!