PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Piroz Kianersi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mike Smith will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Kianersi
vs
Smith

200 cm
23
172 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

178 cm
20
179 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Prefers standup

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Piroz Kianersi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mike Smith!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Konstantin Menshow and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith leaves Kianersi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Kianersi 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 ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kianersi trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Smith wants to get back to his feet but Kianersi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Kianersi throws a big right hand that misses.
Kianersi will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Kianersi is looking to work some ground and pound but Smith has wrist control.
Kianersi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Smith is keeping the position for now.
Kianersi prevents Smith from getting back to his feet.
Kianersi has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kianersi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Smith can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kianersi lands a couple of digs.
Kianersi is looking to work some ground and pound but Smith has wrist control.
Kianersi working some strikes from top position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kianersi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kianersi throws a big right hand that misses.
Smith is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kianersi is controlling him.
Kianersi trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith wants to stand but Kianersi is controlling the position.

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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kianersi throws a big shot that misses.
Smith wants to clinch.
Kianersi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Smith tries to clinch there but Kianersi circles away.
Kianersi misses with a body shot.
Kianersi looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Smith looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kianersi just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kianersi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The fight stays on the outside here - Smith looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kianersi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Smith sprawls well. Smith wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kianersi gets slowly back to his feet.
Kianersi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Smith's waist but Smith gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kianersi off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Piroz Kianersi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kianersi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Smith is looking to clinch.
Kianersi misses with an uppercut. Smith saw that one coming.
Smith avoids the body shot from Kianersi.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kianersi drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Smith gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kianersi drops down looking for an ankle pick but Smith pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kianersi is looking to wear down Smith with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Kianersi is breathing heavily.
Smith tries to clinch but Kianersi moves out of range.
Kianersi misses with a hook to the body

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Smith.
Smith tries to land a knee to the head but Kianersi blocks with his arms.
Kianersi takes a knee right on the jaw!
Smith landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Kianersi wants a takedown but no success here.

Kianersi has picked Smith up - he's going for a ride! Kianersi dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Smith avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kianersi.
Smith keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Smith wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mike Smith will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kianersi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kianersi throws a leg kick that is checked

and Smith counters by clinching up.

Kianersi gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Kianersi thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Smith to regain full guard.
Kianersi trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Smith working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kianersi.
Smith utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Smith wriggles free and stands up.
Kianersi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Smith tries to clinch there but Kianersi circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kianersi scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Kianersi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smith moves away.
Kianersi scores with a jab to the body.
Smith is breathing heavily.
Kianersi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Smith sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Smith tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Smith wants to clinch.
Smith tries to clinch up.
Kianersi looks to land a right hand but Smith moved out of range.
Smith tries to clinch there but Kianersi circles away.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kianersi.
Kianersi slips a nice elbow through Smith's hands, connecting with Smith's forehead.
Kianersi stops Smith from getting back to his feet.
Kianersi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kianersi not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Smith kicks off Kianersi and gets to his feet.
Kianersi looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.
Kianersi misses the shot to the body.
Kianersi gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Smith counters with an outside leg kick.
Mike Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kianersi misses with the combination.
Kianersi just misses with a punch to the body.
Smith doesn't manage to clinch there - Kianersi circles away.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kianersi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kianersi misses the shot to the body.
Smith leaves Kianersi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Piroz Kianersi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith moves out of range of the strikes.
Kianersi takes a swing at Smith's ribcage but misses.

Smith gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Smith lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

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 using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kianersi has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Smith tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kianersi avoids it.
Kianersi tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kianersi goes for a takedown attempt but Smith pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Smith moves in looking to clinch but Kianersi pushes him off.
Kianersi really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Kianersi wants to slow Smith down by chopping away at his legs.
Smith avoids the body shot from Kianersi.
Kianersi misses with a body punch
and Smith makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Kianersi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smith.
Smith tries to clinch up.
Smith is looking to clinch but Kianersi is avoiding it.
Kianersi looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.
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 Piroz Kianersi 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. This is the final round!

Kianersi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch.
Kianersi drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Smith using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kianersi is working for takedown but Smith is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Piroz Kianersi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith scores a nice knee to the body.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Smith is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Smith wants to clinch up but Kianersi keeps it at a distance.
Smith defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kianersi.
Kianersi throws a body punch but Smith moves out of range.
Smith is looking to clinch.
Smith doesn't manage to clinch there - Kianersi circles away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Smith looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith staying out of range there.
Smith tries to clinch up.
Smith displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kianersi throws out the jab.
Kianersi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kianersi swings for the body but Smith moves out of range.
Smith moves in looking to clinch but Kianersi pushes him off.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch but Kianersi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kianersi fails with the takedown

and Smith counters by clinching up.
Smith lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kianersi tries for a takedown but Smith manages to get underhooks.
Kianersi drops down looking for an ankle pick but Smith pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kianersi misses with a body punch

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Smith.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith landing knees to the head.
Smith lands an elbow just above Kianersi 's eye.
Smith connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kianersi's face.

It looks like Piroz Kianersi has been cut.
Smith looking to throw knees to the head but Kianersi is blocking nicely.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kianersi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Smith wants to clinch up but Kianersi keeps it at a distance.
Kianersi misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Smith counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Kianersi is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Kianersi fails with the takedown

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch.
Smith lands an elbow inside that Kianersi shrugs off.
Nice elbow from Smith.
Kianersi is working for takedown but Smith is calmly controlling the position for now.
Smith looking to throw knees to the head but Kianersi is blocking nicely.
Smith prevents a takedown attempt there.
Kianersi has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Smith avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kianersi swings for the body but Smith moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kianersi throws a predictable looking body shot

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch.
Smith with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Smith with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kianersi changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Smith fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Smith wants to clinch.
Kianersi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Smith was well out of range. Poor timing from Kianersi.
Smith tries to clinch up.
Smith stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Smith wants it to stay on the feet.
Smith slips under a jab from Kianersi.

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.
Smith ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kianersi shoots and misses
enabling Smith to counter with a crisp jab.
Smith lands with a slapping head kick.

Smith closes the distance and pushes Kianersi back into the cage.
Smith lands a damaging elbow.
Smith tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Kianersi has clasped his hands together around Smith's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Kianersi lands an elbow.
Kianersi throwing strikes but Smith manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!

Smith decides to stand back up. Smith steps back and let's Kianersi get back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kianersi swats him away and circles back towards the center.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Smith has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Smith!