PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Paavo Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rhomboid Goatcabin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Goatcabin's choice of entrance music: Selfishly Irritating. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Smith
vs
Goatcabin

180 cm
26
180 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

189 cm
26
175 lbs
9 - 6 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Paavo Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Rhomboid Goatcabin!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Goatcabin shoots in for a takedown but Smith shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Smith lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Goatcabin at a distance.
Smith slaps away a takedown attempt from Goatcabin, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Goatcabin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smith.
Goatcabin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smith.
Goatcabin fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Paavo Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rhomboid Goatcabin.
Goatcabin fails with the takedown.
Smith tries a low kick but Goatcabin avoids it.
Smith comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Smith keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Goatcabin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smith.
Smith misses the shot to the body.
Goatcabin looks to land a right hand but Smith moved out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goatcabin throws a looping overhand right but Smith ducks down to avoid it.
Nice takedown defense from Goatcabin. No joy for Smith on that attempt.
Goatcabin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Smith was well out of range. Poor timing from Goatcabin.
Smith jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Goatcabin throws a jab but it's blocked by Smith.
Goatcabin throws a series of punches but Smith avoids them all with ease.
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.
Smith throws a low kick but it's checked well by Goatcabin.
Goatcabin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Goatcabin shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Goatcabin throws a hook to the side of Smith's head but Smith sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Smith shoots for a double leg takedown but Goatcabin sprawls well. He's pushed Smith's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Goatcabin is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Smith rather than just go for the knockout.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt - Goatcabin sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Smith throws an overhand right that lands on Goatcabin's shoulder, as Goatcabin tries to avoid the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Goatcabin lands a jab to Smith's midsection.
A jab from Goatcabin does it's job there.
Smith moves away from the strike by Goatcabin.
Smith looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice sprawl there from Goatcabin as Smith shoots in.
Goatcabin scores with a shot to the body.
Goatcabin misses the shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Goatcabin. Smith does a little dance to reset his feet.
Goatcabin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
A looping hook to the body misses from Goatcabin. Smith does a little dance to reset his feet.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but Goatcabin shows good takedown defense.
Smith slips under a jab from Goatcabin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Goatcabin avoids it really well and circles away.
Smith staying out of range there.
Goatcabin scores with a jab to the jaw.
Goatcabin misses the shot to the body.
Goatcabin checks a leg kick.
Smith avoids the body shot from Goatcabin.
A jab from Smith finds it's way through Goatcabin's defenses.
Smith tries to score a power double leg takedown but Goatcabin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Smith somewhat.
Goatcabin pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Goatcabin checks a leg kick.

Goatcabin gets caught flat footed, as Smith shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Goatcabin is trying to control the position but Smith postures up.
Smith trying to control but Goatcabin is working from the bottom.
Smith throwing strikes from guard but Goatcabin blocks nicely.
Smith wants to control from the top but Goatcabin keeps moving.
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!

Goatcabin has his foot on Smith's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Smith works his way back into a safe position though.
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.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Goatcabin is trying to control the position but Smith postures up.
Smith throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rhomboid Goatcabin will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Goatcabin keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Smith.
Goatcabin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
Goatcabin blocks a jab.
Smith gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Goatcabin.
Goatcabin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Smith tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Goatcabin was well out of range. Poor timing from Smith.
Goatcabin throws out a loose jab but Smith uses good head movement to avoid it.
Goatcabin fails with the takedown.
Smith takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Rhomboid Goatcabin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith throws a hook but Goatcabin blocks it.
Goatcabin throws an overhand right that lands on Smith's shoulder, as Smith tries to avoid the shot.
Goatcabin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Smith decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith trying to control the action but Goatcabin is working from the bottom.
Smith is nestled in close to Goatcabin, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Goatcabin is controlling Smith's position as best he can from this difficult position.

Smith is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Goatcabin is staying active underneath Smith, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Goatcabin wants to improve his position but Smith is controlling well.

Smith is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Smith throwing shots but Goatcabin is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Goatcabin is looking for a sweep. Smith is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Smith is thwarting Goatcabin's attempts to control the position.
Smith keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Nice strikes from Smith there.
Goatcabin trying to control from the bottom.
Smith missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith trying to control the action but Goatcabin is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith throwing shots but Goatcabin is blocking nicely.
Smith looks to land a strike but Goatcabin avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Smith is fighting to break Goatcabin's control of his arms but Goatcabin is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Goatcabin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goatcabin has Smith pulled in close to control his posture.
Smith wants to control from the top but Goatcabin keeps moving.
Goatcabin manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Smith is trying desperately to improve position.
A nice elbow there by Goatcabin.

It looks like Paavo Smith has been cut.
Smith regains half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith trying to control but Goatcabin postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith is not content to let Goatcabin control the position.
Smith is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Smith manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Goatcabin's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Smith tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Smith working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Goatcabin.
Smith has Goatcabin pulled in close to control his posture.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Goatcabin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Goatcabin trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Goatcabin stopping the sweep attempt from Smith.
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 Paavo Smith will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Paavo Smith's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Goatcabin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Smith throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Goatcabin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Smith throws a body punch but Goatcabin moves out of range.
Smith uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Goatcabin.
Smith scores with a nice strike.
Smith takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Goatcabin misses with a wild body shot.
Goatcabin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smith.
Goatcabin fails with a takedown attempt.
Smith keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Goatcabin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Smith looks to throw the jab but Goatcabin is out of range.
A big left from Goatcabin misses.
Smith throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Smith moves out of range of the strikes.
Smith pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Goatcabin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Smith as he avoids it easily.
Goatcabin with a hook.
Goatcabin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Smith sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Smith shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Goatcabin pinned against the cage. Goatcabin gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Goatcabin shoots in and gets a takedown into Smith's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Goatcabin showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Smith keeping full guard, as Goatcabin tries to pass.
Smith looking to hit a scissor sweep but Goatcabin is one step ahead there.
Smith is working hard here to advance position.
Goatcabin must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Smith is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Smith lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Smith pushes down on Goatcabin's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Smith is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Goatcabin defends it well.
Smith thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Goatcabin to regain full guard.
Smith thows a big elbow that misses.
Goatcabin looking to control.
Goatcabin has Smith pulled in close to control his posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands a couple of elbows.
Smith controls from within his opponent's guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Smith postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Goatcabin is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Smith, into his guard.
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 wants to sweep here but Goatcabin controlling him for the moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith is trying to control the position but Goatcabin postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Paavo Smith.
I think Smith 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28

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