PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sean Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Cranium (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Smith
vs
Cranium

200 cm
25
270 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

193 cm
26
250 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sean Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Richard Cranium!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shigeki Sano and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cranium throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Smith.
Cranium wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.

Smith decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Cranium pushes Smith off looking to stand but Smith dives back in and keeps control.
Smith missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Smith missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Cranium avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Smith.
Cranium avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Smith.
Smith not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Smith sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cranium defending well though.
Smith not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Smith has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Cranium keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Smith not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Smith is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Cranium reverses the position - he's now on top in Smith's guard.
Cranium wants to stand and escape but instead Smith has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cranium works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Smith trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Smith thows a big elbow that misses.
Cranium really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Smith. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Cranium has wrist control.
Smith postures up in Cranium's guard and throws a big left but Cranium blocks it.
Cranium utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cranium utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cranium swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Smith in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Smith throws a big right hand that misses.
Cranium utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

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 loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Smith landing some decent shots from guard.
Smith throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smith accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Smith trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Smith stops Cranium from standing up.
Smith pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cranium is keeping the position for now.
Smith postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Smith trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Smith missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Smith thows a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Smith postures up in Cranium's guard and throws a big left but Cranium blocks it.
Smith thows a big elbow that misses.
Smith slips nicely into half guard.
Cranium keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Smith thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cranium's head.
Smith thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Smith thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cranium's head.
Cranium keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Smith sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cranium defending well though.
Smith slips a nice elbow through Cranium's hands, connecting with Cranium's forehead.
Smith scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith throwing shots but Cranium is blocking nicely.
Cranium is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Smith scores with a couple of nice shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cranium's head.
Smith not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Smith missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Smith working Cranium over with strikes.
Smith sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cranium defending well though.
Smith missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Smith connects with a nice short shot to Cranium's temple.
Smith is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Smith wants to free his trapped foot but Cranium is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Smith thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Cranium to regain full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sean Smith dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cranium tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
Cranium misses with a double jab.
Cranium wants to clinch.
Cranium tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Cranium wants to clinch

and Smith counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Smith throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Smith throws a big right hand that misses.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Smith content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Smith throws a strike but Cranium rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Cranium is looking to stand up but Smith won't let him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith has his feet on Cranium's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Smith shoots in looking for a takedown but Cranium manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Smith's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Cranium throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Richard Cranium is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cranium doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.
Smith swats away the attempt to clinch by Cranium.

Smith closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Smith lands in his opponent's guard.
Smith thows a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cranium working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Smith.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Cranium has wrist control.
Smith trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Smith advances to half guard.
Smith throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Smith throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Smith missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Smith looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Smith throws a strike but Cranium avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Smith passes Cranium's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Sean Smith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Cranium blocking the ground and pound attempt from Smith.
Smith trying to mount his opponent but Cranium defends it.
Cranium is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cranium's head.
Smith throwing shots but Cranium is blocking nicely.
Smith throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Smith thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Cranium keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Smith not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Smith trying to mount his opponent but Cranium defends it.
Smith thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Cranium to regain full guard.
Cranium preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Smith won't allow Cranium to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Smith chips away with some ground and pound.
Cranium preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Smith postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Cranium has wrist control.
Smith throws a big right hand that misses.
Cranium preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Smith working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Smith thows a big elbow that misses.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Smith with a flurry of punches that miss.
Smith postures up in Cranium's guard and throws a big left but Cranium blocks it.
Smith won't allow Cranium to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sean Smith dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Cranium wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.

Smith drives through with a takedown into Cranium's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Smith throwing strikes but missing.
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cranium works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Smith throwing strikes from guard but Cranium blocks nicely.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smith accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Cranium has wrist control.
Cranium preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Smith scoring with some ground and pound.
Cranium takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Smith trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cranium avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Smith throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Smith throws a big right hand that misses.
Smith postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Smith throwing strikes from guard but Cranium blocks nicely.
Cranium utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Smith pushing down on Cranium's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Cranium is looking to escape.
Smith not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Smith thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cranium's head.
Cranium tries to kick Smith off but Smith keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Richard Cranium has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Smith not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Smith is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Cranium!
Smith misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Smith throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Smith lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Smith looking to finish with strikes here!
Cranium holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Smith tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Smith looking to finish with strikes here!
Smith lands a nice shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith throwing strikes here but Cranium is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Cranium is bucking up trying to escape but Smith cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Cranium holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Smith tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Smith with good strikes from the mount here!
Smith lands a big elbow.
Cranium blocking the ground and pound.
Smith lands with some strikes.
Cranium holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Smith tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Smith throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Smith sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cranium holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Smith tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Smith landing strikes from the mount.
Smith misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Smith throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Smith scoring with strikes but Cranium is staying in there.
Cranium wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Smith.
The referee warns Cranium that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Smith misses with a head shot.
Smith unloading with bombs!
Sean Smith is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sean Smith showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Smith, 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:26
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:26
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sean Smith!