PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kenny Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Russian Experiment III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Experiment III is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Come To Daddy. Russian Experiment III has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Smith
vs
Experiment III

180 cm
24
160 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

174 cm
22
167 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Kenny Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Russian Experiment III!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, William Gold and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smith bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Experiment III can't do much from the bottom here.
Smith wants to stand but Experiment III is controlling his arm.
Experiment III manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Smith stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Experiment III to get to his feet.
Smith stalks Experiment III and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Experiment III's face. Experiment III staggers backwards, shaken.
Smith tries to land a front kick but Experiment III steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Smith scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Smith decides to stand up, so the ref orders Experiment III to his feet.
Smith swats away the attempt to clinch by Experiment III.
Experiment III tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Experiment III misses with a takedown attempt
and Smith counters with a nice uppercut.

Smith fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Experiment III, pushing him back against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Smith tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Experiment III tries for a takedown but Smith manages to get underhooks.
Smith misses with a hook to the ribs.
Smith misses with a hook to the ribs.
Experiment III leaning against his opponent.
Smith struggles to land a body shot inside as Experiment III controls his hands.
Smith works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Smith wants to get back to striking at distance but Experiment III won't allow it.
Smith is looking to break free of the clinch but Experiment III has double underhooks.
Smith is trying to stall.
Smith misses with a body punch.

Experiment III turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Experiment III manages to end up in side control.
Smith pushes Experiment III away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Experiment III gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Smith manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Smith moves into full guard.
Experiment III sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Smith's guard.
Smith is breathing heavily.
Smith tries to kick Experiment III off but Experiment III keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Experiment III is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Experiment III wants to pass to mount but Smith is defending the position.
Experiment III is keen to just control but Smith is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Experiment III takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Experiment III is keen to just control but Smith is a slippery customer.
Smith wants to improve his position but Experiment III is controlling well.
Smith pushes Experiment III off looking to stand but Experiment III dives back in and keeps control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.

Experiment III closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Smith trying to land knees to the body.
Experiment III tries to score a body lock takedown but Smith shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kenny Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Russian Experiment III.

Experiment III gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Smith regains guard.
Experiment III stops Smith from standing up.
Experiment III is stalling in the full guard.

Smith is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Smith trying to control the position.

Smith escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Experiment III gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Experiment III preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Experiment III trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Smith is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Experiment III is controlling him.
Experiment III throwing strikes from guard but Smith blocks nicely.
Experiment III stops Smith from standing up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Smith scores with a hook to the body. Experiment III takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Experiment III misses with a takedown
and Smith counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Smith scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Smith wants to stand up but Experiment III is controlling the position.

Experiment III is defending against the submission attempts here by Smith.

Experiment III looking for submissions off his back.
Smith trying to mount his opponent but Experiment III defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Experiment III wants to improve his position but Smith is controlling well.
Experiment III is trying to control but can't.
Smith sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Experiment III defending well though.
Experiment III is refusing to be controlled, as Smith sits in half guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Smith scores with a nice right hand.
Experiment III fails with the takedown

and Smith counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Experiment III is looking for a sweep. Smith is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Experiment III works his way to full guard. Good work.
Experiment III bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Smith's guard.
Smith wants to stand but Experiment III is controlling the position.
Experiment III pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Smith is keeping the position for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Smith knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Experiment III on the ground.
Smith looking for a sweep. Not yet Smith, not yet.

Smith working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Experiment III doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Experiment III manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Smith can't keep his opponent in guard - Experiment III advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenny 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.

Smith misses with a jab, cross combination.
Smith wants to clinch.

Smith drives through with a takedown into guard.
Experiment III will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Experiment III is on top in guard.
Experiment III chips away with some ground and pound.
Smith is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Experiment III pushes down on Smith's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Smith works his way to full guard. Good work.
Experiment III is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Experiment III avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Experiment III passes into half guard.
Experiment III trying to control from half guard but Smith is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Experiment III is looking for a kimura but Smith is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Experiment III to get the leverage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Experiment III passes to side control.

Experiment III thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Smith gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Smith is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Experiment III pulls his head out easily.
Experiment III content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Experiment III wants to lay and pray for a moment but Smith keeps working.
Ground and pound from Experiment III.
Smith wants to get back to full guard.
Experiment III stalling.
Smith is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Experiment III is tying to control. Smith wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Smith is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Smith lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Smith has closed the distance and engaged Experiment III in a clinch.
Smith holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Experiment III has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Smith uses from the top position.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Experiment III is keeping the position.
Experiment III working a defensive guard here.
Smith pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Experiment III is keeping the position for now.
Experiment III not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Smith has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Smith gets to his feet. Experiment III looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Smith bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Experiment III sneaks back into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Experiment III moves into full guard.
Experiment III can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Smith controls the pace.
Smith preventing the sweep.
Experiment III keeping full guard, as Smith tries to pass.
Experiment III manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Smith manages to get himself to full guard.
Experiment III slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Smith is trying to get back to half guard.
Experiment III wants to control but Smith is keeping him busy.
Smith is trying to improve his position.
Smith is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Experiment III asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Smith is looking to reverse the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Experiment III taking a breather here.
Smith is looking for a sweep.
Smith sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Smith tries to roll over but Experiment III keeps him under control.
Smith is looking to escape.
Experiment III is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Smith is trying to stand back up but Experiment III is controlling him
Experiment III sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Smith regains full guard. Nicely done.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Smith wants to stand but Experiment III is controlling the position.
Experiment III postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Experiment III with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Experiment III forces his way into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Russian Experiment III will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Experiment III tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Smith counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Smith shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Smith was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Experiment III can't escape the position.
Smith blocks Experiment III's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Experiment III is looking to improve his position but Smith isn't that keen on the idea.
Kenny Smith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Experiment III is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Smith raining down shots from the mount!
Experiment III is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Smith wants to finish this one by submission but Experiment III is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Smith.
Smith trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Experiment III takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Experiment III is desperately trying to improve his position but Smith has a good base and remains in mount.
Experiment III throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Smith wants to get back to his feet but Experiment III is holding on tight.

Smith swings around for an armbar and he's got it! Wow, that came out of nowhere! What a finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:18 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Kenny Smith!