PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Georges StPierre (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dante Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

StPierre
vs
Smith

178 cm
25
170 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

176 cm
25
173 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Georges StPierre!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dante Smith!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Joseph Jones and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
StPierre defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Smith.
StPierre moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
Smith fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but StPierre avoids it really well and circles away.

StPierre pushes Smith up against the cage in a clinch.
Smith goes for a takedown attempt but StPierre pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Georges StPierre has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dante Smith.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Smith blocks a leg kick.
Smith looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Smith closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

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

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because StPierre has passed into half guard!
Smith trying to control here.

StPierre stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Smith to get to his feet.
StPierre tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Smith was well out of range. Poor timing from StPierre.
Smith misses the jab.

Smith scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Smith works to advance to full mount. StPierre defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.

Smith jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… StPierre is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by StPierre and Smith has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith looks gassed!

StPierre throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
StPierre misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
StPierre uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Smith.
StPierre is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Some wild striking there from StPierre.
Smith closes the distance and clinches up with StPierre, looking for a takedown. Smith pushes StPierre against the cage but StPierre circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Georges StPierre seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jab, jab by StPierre - just one landing.
Smith throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around StPierre's waist but StPierre gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Smith off to one side.
StPierre scores with a head kick.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
StPierre moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
StPierre misses with a head kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for StPierre.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
StPierre fails with an attempt to clinch.
StPierre tries to clinch there but Smith circles away.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but StPierre shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Smith tries to keep at a distance but StPierre has taken the fight into the clinch.
StPierre landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Smith has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. StPierre is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A right hand to the body from StPierre.
A right handed body shot lands from StPierre.

StPierre escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
StPierre wants to clinch.
StPierre looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
StPierre misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Smith moves out of range as StPierre strikes.

StPierre moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith tightens his grip and picks StPierre up, before dumping him to the ground. StPierre manages to land in guard.
StPierre wants to stand and escape but Smith is having none of it.

Smith has gone for a leg lock! StPierre slips out almost immediately though and dives into Smith's guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
StPierre would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

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

Smith looking for subs off his back but StPierre has passed one foot through into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Smith looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Georges StPierre dominated that round.
That's time! StPierre's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

StPierre tries to land a front kick but Smith steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
StPierre avoids a punch combination nicely.
Smith shoots in looking for a takedown but StPierre manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Smith's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Smith dodges the punch combination from StPierre.
Smith swats away the attempt to clinch by StPierre.

Smith 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.
Smith pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. StPierre is keeping the position for now.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
StPierre tries to stand but Smith is controlling from the bottom.
Smith is trying to hold StPierre in close to prevent damage but StPierre has managed to pass into half guard.

Smith actively working from the bottom here.

StPierre decides to stand up.

That's two 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 looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? StPierre is fending him off so far but Smith persists. Nope, StPierre circles away and we're back to standing.
StPierre slaps away a takedown attempt from Smith, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Georges StPierre has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dante Smith.
StPierre fails with an attempt to clinch.
StPierre is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

StPierre forces Smith back against the cage and clinches.

Smith jumps into guard, dragging StPierre to the mat.
StPierre has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
StPierre has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Smith is proving hard to escape from.
Smith tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

StPierre gets to his feet. Smith looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Nice takedown defense from StPierre. No joy for Smith on that attempt.
StPierre tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smith paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - StPierre looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Danga de danga de dang - StPierre scores with a four punch combination!
A head kick misses from StPierre.
StPierre tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smith paws at him with a jab and circles away.

A momentary lapse in concentration from StPierre enables Smith to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. StPierre manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Smith drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and StPierre dives on top into guard.
StPierre won't allow Smith to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

StPierre gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Smith closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Smith lands in his opponent's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Smith drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and StPierre dives on top into guard.
Smith looking for a sweep. Not yet Smith, not yet.
StPierre is looking to stand up but Smith won't let him.

Smith throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
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 Georges StPierre will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Smith shoots for a double leg takedown but StPierre sprawls well. He's pushed Smith's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Smith.
Smith looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Georges StPierre has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dante Smith.

StPierre moves into the clinch.

StPierre breaks from the clinch.

StPierre moves into the clinch.

StPierre breaks from the clinch.
StPierre slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
StPierre goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
StPierre tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
StPierre wants to stand and escape but Smith is having none of it.
StPierre can't keep his opponent in guard - Smith advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Smith working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on StPierre's thigh. StPierre counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Smith wants to control from the top but StPierre keeps moving.
StPierre wants to get back to his feet but Smith is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Smith stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. StPierre swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two 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 drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and StPierre dives on top into guard.
StPierre wants to stand but Smith has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Smith working for a triangle but StPierre defends it easily.

Smith is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and StPierre defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith trying to control the position.
Smith looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but StPierre puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

Smith looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Smith is trying to maintain the position but StPierre is very close to passing his half guard.

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.
Dante Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

StPierre decides to return to a standing position.
StPierre fails with an attempt to clinch.
StPierre misses with a head kick.
StPierre waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Smith.
StPierre ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Smith falls off balance throwing a combination
and StPierre counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Smith is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Smith shoots in but no luck this time.
StPierre is looking to clinch.
Georges StPierre is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
StPierre tries to close the distance and clinch but Smith swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
StPierre slips under a jab from Smith.

And that's the end of the fight!
Georges StPierre showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for StPierre, 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Georges StPierre!