PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kenneth Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Martin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smith comes into the arena with Eminem - Go To Sleep blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Smith
vs
Martin

180 cm
26
155 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

175 cm
21
161 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

SPARTAN FIGHTWARE-GTI

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 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kenneth Smith!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mike Martin!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Columbo Gatti and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Martin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Martin looks to land a left hand but Smith moved out of range nicely.
Martin checks the leg kick nicely there.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Martin lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Smith wants to clinch.
Smith misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Martin.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenneth Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Smith looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Martin is pressing down on Smith's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Martin trying to control the position.
Smith content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Martin working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Smith doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Smith manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Smith drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Martin dives on top into guard.
Martin looking to pass the guard.

Smith has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Martin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Martin won't allow Smith to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Martin keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Smith's head.
Smith wants to control but Martin passes easily into half guard.
Martin sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Smith defending well though.
Martin throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Smith wants to improve his position but Martin is controlling well.
Martin missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Martin is thwarting Smith's attempts to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Smith is looking to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martin swinging wildly here.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Smith.
Smith has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Martin finds it's way round the side to connect with Smith's head.
Smith slips a jab from Martin.
Kenneth Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Martin manages to avoid it.

Smith throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Martin was covering up waiting for the punch and Smith finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Martin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Martin has wrist control.
Smith cracks Martin with a solid left hand.

Martin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Smith looking to sit in guard and control but Martin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Smith has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Martin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith is trying to keep Martin in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kenneth Smith will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Smith swings for the body but Martin moves out of range.
Martin displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Smith.
Smith throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Martin's waist but Martin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Smith off to one side.
A head kick misses from Martin.
Martin misses with a hook to the body

and Smith counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Smith is looking for a kimura here.

Martin looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Smith is thwarting Martin's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Smith has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The fighters are battling for position here. Martin manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Smith cracks Martin with a solid left hand.

Smith thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Martin wants to sweep but no luck.
Martin trying to keep a closed guard but Smith is proving a slippery customer.
Smith trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smith accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Smith postures up in Martin's guard and throws a big left but Martin blocks 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.
Martin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Martin throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Martin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Martin getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Martin sprawls well. Martin wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Smith gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenneth Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Martin but Martin pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A swing and a miss from Martin.
Smith scores with a hook to the body. Martin takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martin misses with a wild combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - Smith looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Smith fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Martin manages to avoid it.
Martin cracks Smith with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt.
Smith swings for the body but Martin moves out of range.
Smith closes the distance and clinches up with Martin, looking for a takedown. Smith pushes Martin against the cage but Martin circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Martin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smith moves away.

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 takes one to the chin there.
Martin throws a hook but Smith blocks it.
Smith is looking to wear down Martin with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
A looping hook to the body misses from Martin. Smith does a little dance to reset his feet.
Smith throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Martin to counter with a crisp jab.
Martin throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.
Smith has his takedown stuffed
and Martin counters with a series of strikes. Smith will be more careful next time no doubt.
A head kick misses from Martin.
Smith takes a swing at Martin's ribcage but misses.
Martin lands with a nice body punch.

Smith scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kenneth Smith will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Smith tries for a takedown but Martin circles away easily
and Martin counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Martin uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Smith has time to react.
Smith with a lazy takedown attempt
and Smith takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Smith lands a nice shot to the body.
A shot to the body from Smith misses
enabling Martin to counter with a crisp jab.
Smith tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Martin was well out of range. Poor timing from Smith.
Smith with a poor takedown
and Smith takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenneth Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith tries a low kick but Martin avoids it.
Smith doesn't manage to clinch there - Martin circles away.

Smith changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Martin looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Martin manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martin lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Martin is looking to advance position but Smith won't allow it.
The fighters are battling for position here. Smith manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Martin accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Smith is trying to keep Martin in close.
Martin makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Smith is trying to control the position but Martin postures up.

Smith looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Martin thows a big elbow that misses.
Martin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Smith looking for a guillotine here but Martin defends easily.
Martin tries to free his leg and advance position but Smith is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martin trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.

Smith looking for a guillotine here but Martin defends easily.

Smith has his foot on Martin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Martin works his way back into a safe position though.
Martin lands a couple of elbows.
Kenneth Smith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Smith is trying to keep Martin in close.
Martin tries to free his leg and advance position but Smith is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Martin looking to sit in guard and control but Smith gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Smith throws a strike but Martin rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Smith is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Martin defends well.
Smith looking to hit a scissor sweep but Martin is one step ahead there.

Smith is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Martin defends well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Mike Martin just about did enough to take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Martin jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Smith walks into a jab.
Martin's corner calls for a 1-2. Martin obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Smith takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A swing and a miss from Martin.
Smith tries to move into range but Martin moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Smith pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Martin throws a big shot that misses.
Martin tests Smith's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Martin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Martin.
Smith doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Martin counters with a right hand to the body.
Smith gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Martin counters with a right hand to the body.
Smith misses with a takedown
and Martin counters with a two punch combo.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenneth Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Martin misses with an uppercut. Smith saw that one coming.

Smith feints and as Martin raises his hands in defense, Smith changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Martin controls Smith momentarily but Smith frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith won't allow Martin to sweep him here.

Martin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Martin wants to sweep but no luck.

Martin had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Smith defends it easily.
Martin is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Martin controls Smith momentarily but Smith frees himself.
Smith working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Smith takes a swing at Martin's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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 is looking to work some ground and pound but Martin has wrist control.
Smith stopping the sweep attempt from Martin.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Martin has wrist control.
Smith forces his way into half guard.
Smith throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martin won't allow Smith to pass to mount.
Smith thows a huge punch but Martin dodges it nicely.
Martin manages to get to full guard.
Martin has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Smith has passed into side control.
Martin regains half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Martin manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Martin dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Smith's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Martin scores with a head kick.
Smith misses with a takedown
and Martin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Smith shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Martin's guard.
Smith postures up.
Smith pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Martin is keeping the position for now.
Smith in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Smith avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Martin had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Smith defends it easily.
Martin is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith postures up and lands a big shot to Martin's brow.
Smith chips away with some ground and pound.
Smith throws a big right hand that misses.

Smith avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Smith stands up over Martin, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Smith is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Smith working some strikes from top position.
Smith landing some decent shots from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Martin is keeping the position for now.

Smith has gone for a leg lock! Martin slips out almost immediately though and dives into Smith's guard.
Smith trying to keep a closed guard but Martin is proving a slippery customer.
Martin slips nicely into half guard.
Smith trying to hold on to Martin's head to control him but Martin postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is looking for a sweep. Martin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Martin lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Smith is looking for a sweep. Martin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Martin is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Smith!
Martin landing strikes, looking to finish!

Martin is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Smith has managed to escape the submission attempt.

Martin moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Smith has worked his arm free - good work by Smith!
Smith can't do much from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martin throws an elbow but Smith slips to the side and avoids it well.
Smith is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Martin off and has taken his back!
Martin breaks Smith's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Smith working for a triangle but Martin defends it easily.
Smith is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

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 Kenneth Smith.
I think Smith 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 48:47
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 46:49
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Kenneth Smith!
Kenneth Smith is the new lightweight champion!