PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Li Xiaolong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maxwell Smart (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maxwell Smart is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Xiaolong
vs
Smart

173 cm
21
145 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

178 cm
23
143 lbs
10 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Li Xiaolong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Maxwell Smart!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Daniel Franklin and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xiaolong moves in looking to clinch but Smart pushes him off.
Xiaolong tries to clinch up
and Smart counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Smart tries to keep at a distance but Xiaolong has taken the fight into the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Xiaolong throws an elbow but misses.
Xiaolong lands an elbow inside that Smart shrugs off.
Smart blocks an elbow strike.
Xiaolong lands an elbow inside.
Xiaolong prevents Smart from breaking the clinch.
Xiaolong keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Smart's efforts to push away.
Smart takes an elbow to the temple.
Smart tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Smart takes an elbow to the forehead.
Xiaolong misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Smart.
Xiaolong keeps control of Smart as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Xiaolong prevents Smart from breaking the clinch.
Smart is trying to force a seperation but Xiaolong has the dominant position.
Xiaolong misses with an elbow over the top.
Xiaolong lands a left hand that snaps the head of Smart backwards.
Xiaolong stalling.
Xiaolong creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Smart's defenses.
Smart working hard to break the clinch.
Smart changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Xiaolong fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Smart throws a sloppy body shot

and Xiaolong moves into the clinch.
Smart blocks a body shot from Xiaolong.
Smart is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Xiaolong is pressed up against the cage. Smart has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Xiaolong down to the mat. Xiaolong avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Li Xiaolong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maxwell Smart.

Xiaolong closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smart can't break the clinch.
Xiaolong lands a right hand.
Smart looking for a takedown.
Xiaolong misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Smart.
Xiaolong lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Smart blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Xiaolong lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Smart is trying to push Xiaolong away but Xiaolong has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Xiaolong throws an elbow that misses.
Smart tries to circle away but Xiaolong has him pinned against the cage.

Smart escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Xiaolong looks to clinch

and Smart counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Smart wants to control from the top but Xiaolong keeps moving.
Xiaolong controlling the position.
Smart trying to control but Xiaolong is working from the bottom.
Smart seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Maxwell Smart was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Xiaolong gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Xiaolong lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Xiaolong stops a takedown attempt from Smart.
Xiaolong lands a right hand.
Smart takes an elbow to the forehead.
Xiaolong lands an uppercut.
Xiaolong looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Smart tries to break the clinch but Xiaolong is controlling the position.
Smart drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Xiaolong gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Xiaolong effectively controlling the action here.
Xiaolong lands a hook that snaps the head of Smart backwards.
Xiaolong stops a takedown attempt from Smart.

Smart breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Xiaolong tries to clinch but Smart is having none of it.

Xiaolong rushes Smart and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Xiaolong comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Xiaolong comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Xiaolong lands an elbow inside that Smart shrugs off.
Smart works on Xiaolong's body with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong lands an elbow inside that Smart shrugs off.
Xiaolong prevents the takedown attempt.
Smart has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Xiaolong is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Smart looks gassed!
Xiaolong throws an elbow that misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Xiaolong.

Smart has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Xiaolong clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Smart gets his hands free as Xiaolong looks to control.
Smart thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.

Xiaolong fending off the submission attempt from Smart.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Xiaolong has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Smart.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smart trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Smart misses with an elbow to the head.
Smart tries to keep control of the position but Xiaolong is staying busy.

Smart working for the choke.
Smart gets his hands free as Xiaolong looks to control.
Smart misses with a punch to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Maxwell Smart will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Xiaolong feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Smart's calf.
Smart closes this distance looking for a takedown but Xiaolong circles away.
Xiaolong tries to clinch but Smart moves away

and Smart counters with a takedown into side control.
Xiaolong dodges the ground and pound from Smart.
Smart tries to stand but Xiaolong controls the position and pulls Smart into his guard.
Smart loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Smart is pushing down on Xiaolong's leg trying to pass to half guard. Xiaolong is fighting to maintain full guard but Smart has managed to sneak the leg through.

Smart seems to be working for a kimura but Xiaolong defends the submission attempt.
Smart trying to control from half guard but Xiaolong is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smart is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Smart has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Smart wants to control but Xiaolong is keeping him busy.
Xiaolong keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Smart seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Xiaolong does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Smart throwing shots but Xiaolong is blocking nicely.

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.
Smart seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Xiaolong does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Smart is working for a kimura but Xiaolong is defending it quite comfortably.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smart wants to pass to mount but Xiaolong is defending the position.
Smart throwing shots but Xiaolong is blocking nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Xiaolong is concentrating on defense, preventing Smart from advancing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smart wants to take a breather but Xiaolong is having none of it.
Smart tries to stand and escape but Xiaolong is controlling the position.
Xiaolong keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Smart wants to pass the guard but Xiaolong is defending well.
Smart frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Smart goes for an armbar but Xiaolong turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Xiaolong.
Smart keeping full guard, as Xiaolong tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smart is striking but Xiaolong is not phased and passes to half guard.
Smart is looking to improve his position.

Smart is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Xiaolong pulls his head out easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smart is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maxwell Smart showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, 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.

Xiaolong has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Xiaolong there as he acknowledges the shot.
Xiaolong closes the distance but Smart moves to the side

and Smart counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Smart.
Smart fails to pull guard.
Smart drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Smart wants to get back to striking at distance but Xiaolong won't allow it.
Xiaolong trying to control the position but instead, Smart has worked for underhooks and has pushed Xiaolong into the cage.
Xiaolong scores with a shoulder strike.
Xiaolong lands a nice elbow.
Smart changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Xiaolong fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Li Xiaolong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maxwell Smart.
No luck for Smart with that takedown attempt.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Xiaolong closes the distance but Smart moves to the side

and Smart counters with a nice double leg into side control. Xiaolong won't be happy with that.
Smart takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Smart is looking to take a break and control but Xiaolong is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smart happy to just control the position for now.

Smart decides to stand up, so the ref orders Xiaolong to his feet.
Xiaolong wants to clinch.

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.
Smart shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Xiaolong pinned against the cage. Xiaolong gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Smart throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Smart digs a good hook to Xiaolong's body.
Smart fails to land the takedown.
Xiaolong darts in trying to clinch

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

Smart drops back looking for a leg! Xiaolong is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Xiaolong manages to kick Smart off! Smart jumps back into Xiaolong's guard.
Smart stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Xiaolong swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong pulls Smart in close to prevent any damage.
Xiaolong looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Smart throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Smart throws a big right hand that misses.
Smart passes Xiaolong's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Smart is trying to control. Xiaolong wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Smart is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Xiaolong sees it coming and defends easily.

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.
Smart throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Smart looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Smart is working for a kimura but Xiaolong is defending it quite comfortably.
Smart is trying to control the action in half guard but Xiaolong is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maxwell Smart comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Smart winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight for Maxwell Smart!
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight for Maxwell Smart!
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight for Maxwell Smart!

Maxwell Smart wins by unanimous decision!