PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tsatsu Gomi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smith is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Kanye West - Power. Tsatsu Gomi has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gomi
vs
Smith

170 cm
26
195 lbs
19 - 7 - 0

185 cm
22
190 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tsatsu Gomi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alex Smith!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Cecil Peabody and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith throws an overhand right that lands on Gomi's shoulder, as Gomi tries to avoid the shot.
Smith throws a lazy right hand but Gomi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A decent looking cross lands there for Smith.
Alex Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gomi.
Smith slaps away a takedown attempt from Gomi, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Gomi with a poor takedown
and Smith cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Gomi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tsatsu Gomi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gomi fails with a takedown attempt.
Smith throws a hook but Gomi avoids it easily.
Gomi fails to land the takedown.
Smith misses with a straight left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gomi avoids the body shot from Smith.
Smith lands a nice shot that snaps Gomi's head back.
Smith throws a looping overhand right but Gomi ducks down to avoid it.
Nice jab there from Smith.
Smith misses with a looping right.
Gomi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Smith misses with a hook

and Gomi decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Smith's guard.
Gomi trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gomi is really struggling to control Smith but he's trying to hold on to the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gomi looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gomi works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Gomi is trying to work for a kimura but Smith is defending well.

Gomi is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Smith defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is trying to maintain the position but Gomi is very close to passing his half guard.
Gomi trying to control from half guard but Smith is working away.
Smith trying to control here.
Gomi perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gomi is looking for a kimura but Smith is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gomi to get the leverage.

Gomi is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Smith has managed to free his arm - good work.

Smith is defending against the submission attempts here by Gomi.

Gomi seems to be working for a kimura but Smith defends the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tsatsu Gomi will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gomi shoots in looking for a takedown. Smith tries to sprawl out of it but Gomi keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Smith manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Gomi slips under a jab from Smith.
Gomi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Smith defends it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gomi was well out of range. Poor timing from Smith.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gomi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tsatsu Gomi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith misses with a straight left.
Gomi fails to land the takedown.
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.
Gomi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
Smith loads up on a big right hand but Gomi slips the punch.
Smith missing with a left hand there. Gomi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Smith displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gomi.
Smith connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gomi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Smith pinned against the cage. Smith gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Smith throws the left hand but Gomi avoids the punch easily.
Gomi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gomi shoots in looking for a takedown but Smith manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gomi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Smith fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gomi manages to avoid it.
Smith misses with a hook to the body

and Gomi counters with a takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gomi has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Smith!
Gomi avoids the attempt from Smith to control.

Gomi jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Smith is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Smith and Gomi has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Smith keeping his opponent close.
Smith is letting Gomi control him for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Gomi wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Smith, who protects the arm well.

Gomi wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Smith, who protects the arm well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gomi working away.
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 Tsatsu Gomi will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Gomi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gomi takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Smith throws a hook but Gomi avoids it easily.
Smith is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Gomi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Smith stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Smith wants it to stay on the feet.
Gomi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Smith but Smith pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Gomi with a poor takedown
and Smith counters with a nice body shot.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tsatsu Gomi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gomi slips a straight right by Smith.
Gomi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Alex Smith seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Smith gets caught napping as Gomi dives in and scores a takedown. Smith manages to retain guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Gomi is trying to maintain the position but Smith is very close to passing his half guard.
Smith tries to stand but can't do so whilst Gomi controls his leg.

Smith decides to stand and escape the position.
Nice cross by Smith.
Gomi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Smith sprawls well. Smith wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gomi gets slowly back to his feet.
Smith misses with a looping right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gomi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Smith is fending him off so far but Gomi persists. Nope, Smith circles away and we're back to standing.
Smith tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gomi was well out of range. Poor timing from Smith.
Gomi misses with a takedown attempt - Smith sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Smith throws an overhand right that lands on Gomi's shoulder, as Gomi tries to avoid the shot.
Smith looks to land a left hand but Gomi moved out of range nicely.
Smith dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith misses with an uppercut. Gomi saw that one coming.
Smith throws a hook but Gomi avoids it easily.
Smith throws a jab but it's blocked by Gomi.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smith. Gomi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Alex Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gomi moves away.
Smith stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Gomi walks into a jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Smith misses the target.
Gomi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gomi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Smith tries to avoid it but Gomi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Smith to the ground. Smith escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Gomi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A cross from Smith lands.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gomi manages to avoid it.
Smith throws a right hand that misses

and Gomi counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Smith's guard now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Gomi from controlling successfully.
Smith looking for a sweep. Not yet Smith, not yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gomi has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tsatsu Gomi!