PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Smithsonian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Venser Soujourner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnny Smithsonian has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Smithsonian
vs
Soujourner

205 cm
25
275 lbs
6 - 8 - 0

188 cm
26
235 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Johnny Smithsonian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Venser Soujourner!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Wesley Smith and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Soujourner tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Venser Soujourner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Soujourner takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Soujourner shoots in but Smithsonian avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Soujourner misses with a takedown attempt - Smithsonian sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Soujourner lands a high kick!
Smithsonian takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
No luck for Soujourner with that takedown attempt.
Johnny Smithsonian has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Venser Soujourner.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Soujourner is defended easily by Smithsonian.

Smithsonian 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.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smithsonian throwing strikes but missing.
Smithsonian trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Smithsonian trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Smithsonian stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Soujourner swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smithsonian working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Smithsonian's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Smithsonian drops back, looking for a kneebar! Soujourner looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Soujourner looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Soujourner!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You can see the frustration on Smithsonian's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Smithsonian sneaks out the side door and pushes Soujourner away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Soujourner throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Smithsonian bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Smithsonian is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Soujourner knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Smithsonian is breathing heavily.

Smithsonian working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soujourner is working to avoid the ground and pound but Smithsonian connects with a decent elbow.
The strikes coming from Smithsonian are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

Smithsonian tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Smithsonian throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smithsonian is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Soujourner is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Smithsonian wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Soujourner, who protects the arm well.
Soujourner tries to get back to half guard but can't.

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.
Smithsonian throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Soujourner wants to get back to his feet but Smithsonian drags him back down.

Smithsonian working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Smithsonian looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The ground and pound from Smithsonian seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Smithsonian dominated that 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.

Smithsonian misses with the combination.
Soujourner fails to land the takedown.
Soujourner misses with a takedown

and Smithsonian counters with a nice double leg into side control. Soujourner won't be happy with that.

Smithsonian swings around for an armbar but Soujourner sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Smithsonian's guard.
Soujourner pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Smithsonian is keeping the position for now.
Smithsonian will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Soujourner got a little sloppy there for a moment and Smithsonian has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Soujourner has managed to get both his arms back between Smithsonian's legs - danger averted.
Smithsonian can't keep his opponent in guard - Soujourner advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Soujourner trying to pass the guard but Smithsonian defending well.
Smithsonian is looking for a sweep. Soujourner is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Smithsonian actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Soujourner wants to work for an arm triangle but Smithsonian is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smithsonian makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Smithsonian.
Soujourner stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smithsonian swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Soujourner trying to control but Smithsonian is working from the bottom.

Smithsonian throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Soujourner wants to stand but Smithsonian is controlling his posture from full guard.

Smithsonian is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Soujourner is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smithsonian looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Soujourner passes Smithsonian's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Soujourner is trying to work for a kimura but Smithsonian is defending well.
Soujourner is pressing down on Smithsonian's thigh, looking to free his foot. Smithsonian is holding on for now.

Smithsonian manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Soujourner looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Soujourner doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Soujourner fails with a takedown attempt.
Johnny Smithsonian has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Venser Soujourner.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smithsonian dips to his left and cracks Soujourner with an uppercut!
Soujourner checks a leg kick.
Soujourner takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Smithsonian closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Smithsonian lands in his opponent's guard.
Smithsonian postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Soujourner wants to stand but Smithsonian is controlling the position.

Smithsonian thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smithsonian wants to control from the top but Soujourner keeps moving.
Smithsonian with a flurry of punches that miss.
Smithsonian works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Smithsonian is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Soujourner is trying to control but can't.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Soujourner blocking the ground and pound attempt from Smithsonian.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Smithsonian dominated that second round.
That's time! Smithsonian's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Soujourner tries to grapple but his opponent circles

so Smithsonian counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Smithsonian is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Soujourner is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Soujourner has escaped and now he's on top!
Soujourner wants to pass the guard but Smithsonian is keeping the position.

Smithsonian had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Soujourner defends it easily.

Soujourner avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Soujourner trying to control the position from guard on top but Smithsonian is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soujourner stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smithsonian swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Smithsonian controls Soujourner momentarily but Soujourner frees himself.
Soujourner wants to pass the guard but Smithsonian is keeping the position.

Smithsonian working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Soujourner doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Soujourner manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Soujourner pushes down on Smithsonian's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Johnny Smithsonian is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Soujourner is looking to advance position but Smithsonian won't allow it.
Soujourner seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Smithsonian does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Smithsonian works his way to full guard. Good work.
Soujourner trying to move into half guard but instead Smithsonian has managed to sweep!
Smithsonian sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Soujourner preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smithsonian throws a big right hand that misses.
Smithsonian in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Smithsonian looking to pass the guard.
Smithsonian slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Smithsonian drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Smithsonian jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Smithsonian trying to control but Soujourner is working from the bottom.
Soujourner wants to stand but Smithsonian is controlling the position.
Smithsonian trying to control but Soujourner is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny Smithsonian showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Smithsonian has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Smithsonian!