PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dante Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and MATT SERRA (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dante Smith has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Smith
vs
SERRA

176 cm
25
173 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

170 cm
23
170 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dante Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, MATT SERRA!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Steve Montenegro and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
SERRA 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 SERRA off to one side.

Smith shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in SERRA's guard.
Smith is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
SERRA keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.

Smith drops back looking for a leg! SERRA is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and SERRA manages to kick Smith off! Smith jumps back into SERRA's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
SERRA is trying to keep Smith in close.

SERRA has his foot on Smith's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Smith works his way back into a safe position though.

Smith drops back, looking for a kneebar! SERRA looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. SERRA looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from SERRA!
Smith tries to improve position but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith manages to work his way to half guard, despite SERRA's best efforts.

Smith looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Smith is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but SERRA pulls his head out easily.
SERRA seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Smith does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
SERRA looks gassed!
Smith is looking to control SERRA's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Smith avoid being mounted?

Smith is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but SERRA pulls his head out easily.

That's two 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 looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Smith tries to roll over but SERRA keeps him under control.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Smith takes a kick to the side of the head.
SERRA misses with a takedown

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

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

Smith is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, SERRA has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. SERRA knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Smith swings around for an armbar but SERRA sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Smith's guard.
SERRA would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Smith is trying to keep SERRA in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

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

SERRA got a little sloppy there for a moment and Smith has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, SERRA has managed to get both his arms back between Smith's legs - danger averted.

Smith escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. SERRA gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Smith controls SERRA momentarily but SERRA frees himself.
SERRA wants to pass the guard but Smith is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dante Smith dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

SERRA wants to clinch

and Smith counters with a takedown into side control.

Smith looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Smith wants to control but SERRA is keeping him busy.

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

Smith goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, SERRA rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Smith's guard! Nice work there by SERRA!
SERRA trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith is looking for a triangle but SERRA pushes his legs off easily.
SERRA scoring with some ground and pound.

Smith has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but SERRA can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
SERRA throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
SERRA wanted to stand there but Smith had control of the position.

Smith is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. SERRA defends it easily.

Smith working for submissions but it's allowed SERRA to get to half guard.

Smith looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Smith is not content to let SERRA control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith trying to control from the bottom.
SERRA seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Smith does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
SERRA thows a huge punch but Smith dodges it nicely.
Dante Smith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Smith is pressing down on SERRA's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Smith working for a triangle but SERRA defends it easily.

Smith has his foot on SERRA's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. SERRA works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith has his foot on SERRA's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. SERRA works his way back into a safe position though.

Smith throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! SERRA escapes and throws Smith's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Smith sneaks back into half guard.
Smith wants to improve his position but SERRA is controlling well.
SERRA trying to control the action but Smith is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dante Smith dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Smith swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Smith takes a swing at SERRA's ribcage but misses.

Smith closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Smith works to advance to full mount. SERRA defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
SERRA prevents Smith from taking his back.
SERRA wants to control but Smith is having none of it.

Smith is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, SERRA has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Smith trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith is working for a guillotine from mount but SERRA frees his head quite easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smith trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Smith goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now SERRA is on top in guard.
Smith trying to control the position.

Smith looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! SERRA has picked Smith up and slammed him! Smith can't keep hold of the triangle and SERRA manages to pass to side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith is trying to improve his position.
SERRA working away.
Smith is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
SERRA wants to lay and pray for a moment but Smith keeps working.
Smith manages to get back to half guard.
Smith gets back to full guard.

Smith throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! SERRA escapes and throws Smith's legs to the side, diving into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to bench press SERRA off him but SERRA keeps the position.
Smith gets back to half guard.
SERRA not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Smith is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

Smith looking for submissions off his back.

Smith actively working from the bottom here.

That's four 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.

Smith looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Dante Smith is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Smith trying to control but SERRA postures up.
SERRA tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Smith.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Smith looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dante 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27

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