PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kyle Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brandan Kirwan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Smith might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Dragonforce - Through the Fire & the Flames. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Smith
vs
Kirwan

178 cm
28
166 lbs
12 - 9 - 0

174 cm
20
171 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Basic striking
Good gas tank

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 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Kyle Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Brandan Kirwan!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, James Atkins and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith throws out a loose jab but Kirwan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice takedown defense from Smith. No joy for Kirwan on that attempt.
Smith throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Smith throws a right hand that misses

and Kirwan counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Smith has one foot on Kirwan's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Smith throws an overhand right that lands on Kirwan's shoulder, as Kirwan tries to avoid the shot.
Smith swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Smith throws a right and a left that Kirwan avoids nicely.
Smith feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kirwans jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Smith looks to land a combination but Kirwan avoids it well.
Smith clobbers Kirwan with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Smith lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Kirwan backs up against the cage.

It looks like Brandan Kirwan has been cut.
Smith will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Smith throws a right and a left that both miss.
Smith throws a right and a left that both miss.

Kirwan closes the distance and clinches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kirwan is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Smith pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Kirwan manages to break the clinch.
Kirwan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Smith.
Kirwan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kirwan on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith thuds his right hand into Kirwan's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Kirwan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
Smith looks to land a right hand but Kirwan moved out of range.
Smith lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Kirwan takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
A swing and a miss from Smith.
Smith is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Smith stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Smith wants it to stay on the feet.
Kyle Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brandan Kirwan.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smith. Kirwan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kyle Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kirwan looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Kirwan darts in and clinches Smith up against the cage.
Kirwan wants to stall.
Kirwan is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Smith looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Smith tries to break free but Kirwan pushes him back against the cage.
Smith is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
Smith throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Smith lands a lovely overhand right.
Kirwan doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kirwan takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Smith looks to score with a jab to the body but Kirwan is just out of range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kirwan.
Kirwan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Smith.
Smith keeps the fight on the outside.
Jab from Smith.
A telegraphed right hand from Smith misses the target.
Kirwan doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.
Smith swinging wildly here.
Smith works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Kirwan is rocked!
Smith scores with a shot to the body.
Kirwan looks gassed!
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!
Smith throws a 1-2 combo that connects squarely on Kirwan's jaw, knocking him onto his back! Smith dives in looking to finish as Kirwan flails his arms in a desperate attempt to block Smith's strikes! Smith is raining down hammerfists and the ref stops it! Kirwan's desperate flailing just didn't constitute intelligent defence. Some people will probably question the ref's decision but Kirwan was definitely hurt and the ref saved him from taking unnecessary punishment. A fighter's safety is paramount in this sport.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kyle Smith!