PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Francis Smythinton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hempii Sapponen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Smythinton
vs
Sapponen

180 cm
25
219 lbs
6 - 4 - 1

180 cm
24
213 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 6 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Francis Smythinton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Hempii Sapponen!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Damien Edna and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smythinton scores with a hook.
Smythinton scores with the left hand. Sapponen knows he should have avoided that one.
Smythinton will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Smythinton is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A jab lands there for Smythinton.
Smythinton lands with a kick to the temple. Sapponen shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Smythinton misses with a double jab.
Smythinton shoots in looking for a takedown. Sapponen tries to sprawl out of it but Smythinton keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sapponen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
The fighters circle momentarily. Smythinton darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Smythinton lands with a thumping leg kick.
Smythinton with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Smythinton looks for the body kick but Sapponen saw that one coming.
Smythinton comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Sapponen avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smythinton throws a shot to the body.
Smythinton looks to throw the jab but Sapponen is out of range.
Smythinton avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Smythinton, right into the meat.
Smythinton is looking to slow Sapponen down with leg kicks.
Smythinton swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Sapponen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A solid leg kick lands there for Smythinton.
Smythinton cracks a nice hook into Sapponen's ribs.
Smythinton looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Smythinton scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sapponen throws a jab when Smythinton was well out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Smythinton.
Smythinton cracks the inside of Sapponen's front leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smythinton pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Smythinton uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Sapponen gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Sapponen throws a nice looking combination but Smythinton bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sapponen throws a series of punches but Smythinton moves out of range.
Smythinton throws a series of punches but Sapponen avoids them all with ease.
Smythinton jabs Sapponen right on the nose. Sapponen blinks but takes it well.
Smythinton misses with a double jab
and Sapponen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Francis Smythinton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Smythinton.
Sapponen takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Smythinton connects with a looping right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smythinton moves into range and connects with a jab.
Smythinton throws a nice outside leg kick.
Smythinton thows a body shot but no joy.
Smythinton throws a combination that misses
and Sapponen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sapponen sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Sapponen connects with a crisp jab.
A big left from Smythinton misses.
Smythinton has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Sapponen finds it's way round the side to connect with Smythinton's head.
Sapponen throws a nice looking combination but Smythinton bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Smythinton dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sapponen. That did some damage!
A chopping leg kick lands by Smythinton.
Sapponen looks gassed!
Smythinton lands with a good body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smythinton connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Sapponen tries to move into range but Smythinton moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smythinton scores with a one two! Sapponen had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Smythinton fails in his attempt to clinch.
Smythinton throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Smythinton is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Smythinton throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smythinton lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Sapponen drops his hands momentarily and Smythinton takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A head kick misses from Smythinton.
Sapponen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Smythinton scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Smythinton delivers a nice body kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Smythinton lands a lovely overhand right.
Smythinton lands a nice shot that snaps Sapponen's head back.
Smythinton takes a swing at Sapponen's ribcage but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francis Smythinton dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Sapponen takes one to the chin there.
Smythinton fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Francis Smythinton is winning the standup battle so far.
That kick from Smythinton tenderised Sapponen's leg. Sapponen is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sapponen shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Smythinton stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Sapponen throws a right and a left that Smythinton avoids nicely.
Smythinton avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Smythinton lands with a shot to the body.
Sapponen thows a body shot but no joy.
Smythinton moves out of range as Sapponen strikes.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Smythinton. Sapponen shrugs it off though.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Smythinton - that will leave a mark!
Smythinton throws a left and a right that both miss
and Smythinton takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sapponen is breathing heavily.
Smythinton throws a series of punches but Sapponen avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Smythinton.
Francis Smythinton is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jab from Smythinton.
Smythinton blocks a jab.
Donk. Smythinton catches Sapponen right on the button with a cross.
Sapponen's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Smythinton misses with a jab, cross combination.
Smythinton dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sapponen. That did some damage!
Smythinton throws a sloppy head kick and Sapponen moves out of range easily.
Smythinton with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A good leg kick by Smythinton.
Smythinton is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sapponen can do to turn this around?
Smythinton misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sapponen.
Good standup being displayed there by Smythinton as he connects with a hook.
A combination from Smythinton does no damage.
Smythinton looks to land a body kick but Sapponen moved away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Smythinton lands an impressive looking overhand right. Sapponen doesn't seem phased though.
Smythinton connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smythinton getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Sapponen swinging wildly here.
Smythinton scores with a head kick.
Smythinton feints and then cracks Sapponen's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Sapponen down.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Smythinton - that will leave a mark!
Smythinton scores with a jab to the jaw.
Smythinton fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sapponen.
Sapponen takes a jab right on the kisser.
Smythinton fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sapponen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Sapponen doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smythinton lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Smythinton connects with a solid leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Smythinton.

Sapponen gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Smythinton to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Smythinton postures up and lands a big shot to Sapponen's brow.

Sapponen has his foot on Smythinton's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Smythinton works his way back into a safe position though.
Smythinton working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Smythinton keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sapponen's head.
Smythinton pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sapponen is keeping the position for now.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Smythinton lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Smythinton trying to control but Sapponen is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smythinton is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Smythinton passes Sapponen's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Sapponen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Smythinton not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sapponen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Smythinton's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Smythinton's back!
Sapponen controlling well, preventing Smythinton from escaping the position.
Even with his hooks in, Sapponen manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Smythinton biding his time here by controlling the hands, looking to escape.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sapponen is looking to control Smythinton but Smythinton is wriggling around and keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francis Smythinton dominated that second 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. 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.

Smythinton throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sapponen takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
A slapping leg kick lands for Smythinton.
Smythinton scores with a jab to the head.
A head kick misses from Smythinton.
Sapponen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Smythinton lands with a thumping leg kick.
Smythinton scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Smythinton lands with a nice combination. Sapponen backs away looking to recover.
Smythinton connects with a body shot.
Smythinton throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapponen scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

It looks like Francis Smythinton has been cut.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smythinton showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sapponen.
Sapponen checks a leg kick nicely.
Smythinton connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Sapponen momentarily.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Smythinton.
Smythinton misses with a body shot.
Smythinton lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Smythinton lands with a nice body punch.
Smythinton tests Sapponen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Smythinton misses with a straight right.
Sapponen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sapponen needs to keep his hands up - Smythinton had a free shot at his head there.
Good leg kick by Smythinton there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
The fighters circling - Sapponen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Smythinton tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sapponen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sapponen tries to move into range but Smythinton moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Good leg kick by Smythinton there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Smythinton.
Smythinton lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Sapponen punishes Smythinton's body with a nice straight punch.
Smythinton throws an overhand right that lands on Sapponen's shoulder, as Sapponen tries to avoid the shot.
Smythinton throws a low kick but Sapponen moves out of range easily.
Smythinton wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smythinton ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Sapponen in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Smythinton tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sapponen is able to avoid easily.
Smythinton attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Sapponen walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Sapponen blocks a jab.
Sapponen might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Sapponen lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Smythinton moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
A nice combination there by Smythinton.
The fighters circling - Smythinton throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Smythinton connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Sapponen throws a combination. Smythinton tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Smythinton scores with a jab. Sapponen acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Sapponen has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sapponen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Smythinton was well out of range. Poor timing from Sapponen.
Some wild striking there from Sapponen.
Smythinton throws a shot to the body.
Sapponen takes a swing at Smythinton's ribcage but misses.
Smythinton rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sapponen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sapponen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Smythinton.
Hempii Sapponen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A cross from Smythinton lands.
Smythinton takes a swing at Sapponen's ribcage but misses.
Smythinton jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Francis Smythinton is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smythinton wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Smythinton misses with a body kick.
Left hook, right uppercut from Smythinton.

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 Francis Smythinton.
Well Smythinton 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:26
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 30:28
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Francis Smythinton!