PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bruce Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexandre Ribeiro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexandre Ribeiro is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Smith
vs
Ribeiro

195 cm
19
208 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
23
204 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight 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, Bruce Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alexandre Ribeiro!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Joseph Jones and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ribeiro tries to keep at a distance but Smith has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ribeiro is working for takedown but Smith is calmly controlling the position for now.
Smith wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ribeiro drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Smith gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Smith wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Smith lands a body punch.
Smith has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Smith wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ribeiro avoids the head kick by Smith.
Smith lands with a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ribeiro avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ribeiro looks for a takedown but Smith sprawls well.
Bruce Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexandre Ribeiro.
Ribeiro shoots in for a double leg but Smith sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ribeiro blocks a head kick by Smith.
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.
Smith rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ribeiro moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Smith gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Ribeiro decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Smith's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ribeiro drops back looking for a leg! Smith is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Smith manages to kick Ribeiro off! Ribeiro jumps back into Smith's guard.

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

Ribeiro 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.
Ribeiro looks gassed!

Ribeiro postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Smith is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Ribeiro, into his guard.

Smith decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to clinch but Ribeiro moves out of range.
Smith lands a head kick!

It looks like Alexandre Ribeiro has been cut.
Ribeiro slips a jab and a cross from Smith.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A cross from Smith lands.
Smith scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Bruce Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Smith gets a clinch.
Smith wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ribeiro has him pressed against the cage.
Smith is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
Smith moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Smith darts in and clinches Ribeiro up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Smith dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alexandre Ribeiro'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.

Smith clinches.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Smith instigates a clinch.
Smith wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ribeiro drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ribeiro is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Ribeiro up against the cage.
Ribeiro is breathing heavily.
Smith wants to break free but Ribeiro has control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith prevents the takedown attempt.
Bruce Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexandre Ribeiro.

Smith's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Smith bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ribeiro's head.
Smith scores with a body shot.
Smith misses with a body shot.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Ribeiro crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Smith - the referee stops the clock and Ribeiro gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Smith. Ribeiro manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Smith throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

Smith clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith can't break the clinch.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Smith fails with the takedown

and Ribeiro counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Smith wants to stand up but Ribeiro is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ribeiro 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 knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ribeiro on the ground.

Ribeiro has gone for a leg lock! Smith slips out almost immediately though and dives into Ribeiro's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to control from the top but Ribeiro keeps moving.

Ribeiro is looking for a triangle but Smith pushes his legs off easily.
Smith wants to control from the top but Ribeiro keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Smith wants to stand but Ribeiro is controlling his posture from 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Smith dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Alexandre Ribeiro's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Smith tries to clinch there but Ribeiro circles away.
A punch combination from Smith misses.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
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.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smith tries to clinch but Ribeiro is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smith lands with a kick to the temple. Ribeiro shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Smith fails in his attempt to clinch.
Smith looks to land a combination. Ribeiro sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Ribeiro checks the leg kick.

Ribeiro shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Smith's guard.
Smith looking for a sweep. Not yet Smith, not yet.

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

Ribeiro has gone for a leg lock! Smith slips out almost immediately though and dives into Ribeiro's guard.
Smith wants to control from the top but Ribeiro keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Smith stands up and waves to Ribeiro to follow him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands a head kick. Ribeiro smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Bruce Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The fight stays on the outside here - Smith looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Smith's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Smith duly obliges.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Smith throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Ribeiro will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Smith lands with an uppercut that bounces Ribeiro off the cage and back into rage.
Smith dips to his left and cracks Ribeiro with an uppercut!
Smith scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith connects with a high kick.
Alexandre Ribeiro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bruce Smith is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Smith lands with a slapping head kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bruce Smith showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Smith, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:27

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