PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Igor Kawksi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kawksi
vs
Smith

177 cm
20
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

179 cm
22
171 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 New York, Igor Kawksi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joe Smith!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Anthony Taglia and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kawksi swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Smith instigates a clinch.
Kawksi tries to break free but Smith pushes him back against the cage.
Kawksi being controlled against the cage.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
Smith fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kawksi sprawls well. Kawksi wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Smith gets slowly back to his feet.
Kawksi is looking to slow Smith down with leg kicks.
Kawksi throws a head kick that misses.
Smith wants to clinch.
Kawksi lands a nice shot that snaps Smith's head back.

It looks like Joe Smith has been cut.
A shot to de liver by Kawksi. Beautiful body shot.
Kawksi bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Smith looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawksi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kawksi connects with a jab.
Kawksi tries a head kick but it misses.
Kawksi throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kawksi tries a head kick but it misses.
Smith walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Kawksi rushes Smith and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Kawksi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Joe Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kawksi throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Kawksi.
Kawksi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Smith tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kawksi swivels and escapes.
Igor Kawksi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Smith.

Kawksi closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Kawksi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kawksi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kawksi leaves Smith with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kawksi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kawksi wants it to stay on the feet.
Smith tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kawksi counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Smith is trying desperately to land a takedown but Kawksi is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Smith.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Smith doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Kawksi to counter with a crisp jab.
Kawksi circles away from the clinch attempt
and Kawksi counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Smith closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kawksi circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt.
Smith blocks a head kick by Kawksi.
Kawksi tries a head kick but it misses.
Smith shoots in for a double leg but Kawksi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Smith shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kawksi pinned against the cage. Kawksi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Smith is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kawksi's half guard.
Smith throwing shots but Kawksi is blocking nicely.

Smith wants to work for an arm triangle but Kawksi is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Smith thows a huge punch but Kawksi dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith is working for a kimura but Kawksi is defending it quite comfortably.
Smith throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kawksi knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Smith on the ground.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Smith is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Kawksi on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kawksi tries to get out of the position.

Smith is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kawksi doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Smith.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Kawksi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Smith's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Smith closes the distance but Kawksi moves to the side
and Kawksi counters with a low kick, right behind Smith 's knee.
Kawksi misses with a head kick.
Kawksi throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Smith's head.
Kawksi throws a head kick that misses.
Kawksi keeps the fight on the outside.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Smith slowing the pace effectively.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
Smith wants to clinch
and Kawksi makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Smith really felt that one!
Smith misses with a takedown attempt - Kawksi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Smith.
Smith closes the distance and clinches up with Kawksi, looking for a takedown. Smith pushes Kawksi against the cage but Kawksi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Igor Kawksi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Smith.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith moves away from the strike by Kawksi.
Kawksi looks to land a body kick but Smith moved away.
Nice sprawl there from Kawksi as Smith shoots in.
Kawksi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kawksi wants it to stay on the feet.

Smith takes the fight into the clinch.
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 Kawksi walks away with a smile on his face. Smith gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kawksi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kawksi tries a head kick but it misses.
Smith tries to clinch up.
Joe Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Smith is defended easily by Kawksi.
Smith fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawksi throws a right hand that Smith ducks under and follows up with a left that Smith also avoids with ease.
Smith tries to clinch up.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

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 stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kawksi swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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.
Smith working some strikes from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to free his leg and advance position but Kawksi is retaining full guard.
Kawksi wants to stand up but Smith is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Smith forces his way into half guard.
Kawksi wants to get back to his feet.

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.
Smith missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Smith throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Smith throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Smith shoots in but Kawksi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nice takedown defense from Kawksi. No joy for Smith on that attempt.
A head kick misses from Kawksi.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt - Kawksi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kawksi throws a sloppy head kick and Smith moves out of range easily.
Igor Kawksi is winning the standup battle so far.

Smith looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Joe Smith's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kawksi throws a head kick that Smith semi-blocks.
Smith avoids the head kick by Kawksi.
Smith tries for a takedown but Kawksi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Smith has a takedown stuffed.
Kawksi throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kawksi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Smith bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Smith will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Igor Kawksi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Smith.
The fight stays on the outside here - Smith looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kawksi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt - Kawksi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smith looks for a takedown but Kawksi sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kawksi but Kawksi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kawksi throws a head kick that half lands.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt.
Smith shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kawksi defends it nicely.
A head kick misses from Kawksi.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch but Kawksi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Smith avoids the head kick by Kawksi.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

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.

Kawksi tries to keep at a distance but Smith has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kawksi is trying to break free.
Smith throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kawksi blocks it with crossed arms.
Smith throws a knee to the head but misses.
Smith tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kawksi avoids it.
Kawksi has had enough of the clinch but Smith keeps him there for the moment.
Kawksi is trying to break free.
Smith tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kawksi just stands there and leans against the cage.
Smith with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kawksi stops a takedown attempt from Smith.
Kawksi avoiding damage as Smith throws knees to the body.
Kawksi blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kawksi breaks from the clinch.
Kawksi misses with a straight right.
Kawksi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kawksi wants it to stay on the feet.
Igor Kawksi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Smith moves in looking to clinch but Kawksi pushes him off.
Kawksi lands a head kick!
Smith is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Smith closes the distance and clinches up with Kawksi, looking for a takedown. Smith pushes Kawksi against the cage but Kawksi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Smith shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kawksi pinned against the cage. Kawksi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kawksi throws a good cross that connects.
Smith shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kawksi defends it nicely.

That's four 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.
Kawksi thumps Smith with a low kick.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kawksi as he avoids it easily.
Smith shoots for a double leg takedown but Kawksi sprawls well. He's pushed Smith's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kawksi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nice sprawl there from Kawksi as Smith shoots in.
Kawksi scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kawksi throws a head kick that misses.
Smith dives in and grabs Kawksi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kawksi pushes down on Smith's head and hops out.
Smith shoots for a takedown but Kawksi saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Smith is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kawksi's half guard.

Smith is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kawksi is just riding it out for now. Smith eventually gives up the hold.

And that's the end of the fight!
Igor Kawksi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kawksi 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 29:28
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Igor Kawksi!