PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Snabbo Smido (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenji Okabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Smido
vs
Okabe

179 cm
28
182 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

177 cm
26
181 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Snabbo Smido!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kenji Okabe!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, George Francis and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Okabe lands a nice hook to Smido's body. Smido takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Okabe takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Decent striking displayed by Okabe there.
Smido pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Okabe takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Okabe checks a leg kick.
Okabe shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Smido throws a series of punches but Okabe moves out of range.
Smido thuds his right hand into Okabe's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Okabe looks to score with a jab to the body but Smido is just out of range.
Okabe avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Smido stuffs the takedown attempt from Okabe. Okabe gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okabe doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Smido cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Snabbo Smido has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kenji Okabe.
Okabe takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Smido swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Okabe bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Okabe is trying hard to land a takedown here. Smido sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Smido shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Smido was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Okabe tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Okabe avoids a series of strikes thrown by Smido.
Smido lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Okabe tries to lock up and control but Smido gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okabe might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Smido kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Okabe sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
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!
Okabe tries to get to full guard but Smido has control of the leg.
Smido not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Smido throwing shots but Okabe is blocking nicely.
Smido with the ground and pound but Okabe uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Smido preventing the sweep.
Smido postures up in Okabe's guard and throws a big left but Okabe blocks it.
Okabe manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Smido manages to get himself to full guard.
Smido looking for a sweep. Not yet Smido, not yet.
Smido keeping full guard, as Okabe tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smido manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Okabe manages to get himself to full guard.
Smido throws and elbow that misses. Okabe uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Smido's guard. Nice move by Okabe!
Okabe wants to control from the top but Smido keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Okabe works over Smido with some ground and pound from guard.
Okabe stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smido swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Smido trying to control the position.
Okabe trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Okabe wants to control from the top but Smido keeps moving.
Okabe stopping the sweep attempt from Smido.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smido can't keep his opponent in guard - Okabe advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Smido is trying to get back to full guard.
Smido trying to control here.
Smido tries to roll over but Okabe keeps him under control.
Smido keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Okabe thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Smido's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Okabe throws a strike but Smido avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Okabe preventing the sweep.
Okabe with a nice head shot there.
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 Snabbo Smido will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Okabe slips under a jab from Smido.
Okabe checks the leg kick nicely there.
Smido thows a body shot but no joy.
Okabe stuffs the takedown.

Okabe gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Snabbo Smido overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Okabe tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Okabe wants to get back to his feet but Smido is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Smido throwing strikes from guard but Okabe blocks nicely.
Smido in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smido makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Okabe is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Smido throws and elbow that misses. Okabe uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Smido's guard. Nice move by Okabe!
Okabe is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Smido keeping moving, preventing Okabe from controlling successfully.
Okabe loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Smido keeping moving, preventing Okabe from controlling successfully.
Smido looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Okabe puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Okabe has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Smido wants to get back to full guard.
Smido slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Okabe is looking to work some ground and pound but Smido has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okabe passes Smido's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Okabe not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Okabe trying to mount his opponent but Smido defends it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smido on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Okabe is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Smido is just riding it out for now. Okabe eventually gives up the hold.
Smido wants to get back to full guard.
Okabe is pressing down on Smido's thigh, looking to free his foot. Smido is holding on for now.
Smido tries to get to full guard but Okabe has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okabe trying to mount his opponent but Smido defends it.
Okabe slips a nice elbow through Smido's hands, connecting with Smido's forehead.
Smido is looking for a sweep. Okabe is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Okabe scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Okabe tries to pass the half guard into mount. Smido knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The fighters are battling for position here. Smido manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Okabe stands up over Smido, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Okabe throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Smido manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Okabe slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Okabe moves into full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smido postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Okabe controlling Smido's posture.
Okabe wants to stand and escape but Smido is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smido throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Okabe works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Smido distracts Okabe with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Smido working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kenji Okabe will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Smido fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Okabe misses with an uppercut. Smido saw that one coming.
Smido misses with a hook.
Okabe drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Okabe misses with a wild body shot.
Smido fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Okabe manages to avoid it.
Okabe swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Okabe gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Smido.
Smido takes a swing at Okabe's ribcage but misses.
Smido needs to keep his hands up - Okabe had a free shot at his head there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okabe fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Smido misses with a body shot.
Snabbo Smido seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smido lands a jab.
A jab lands there for Smido.
Okabe tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Smido was well out of range. Poor timing from Okabe.
Smido shoots for a double leg takedown but Okabe sprawls well. He's pushed Smido's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Smido lands the left hand.
Okabe scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Okabe misses the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okabe loads up on a big right hand but Smido slips the punch.
Smido misses with a looping left.
Smido throws a nice inside leg kick.
Okabe fails with the takedown

so Smido counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Smido drops back, looking for a kneebar! Okabe looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Okabe looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Okabe!
Smido tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Smido gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okabe scoring with strikes but Smido is staying in there.
Smido is desperately trying to improve his position but Okabe has a good base and remains in mount.
Okabe unloading with bombs!
Smido is desperately trying to improve his position but Okabe has a good base and remains in mount.
Okabe fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Okabe trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Okabe landing strikes from the mount.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smido sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Okabe looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Smido with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Smido has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Okabe is working away from the top position though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Okabe winds up and cracks Smido with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Smido is defending against the submission attempts here by Okabe.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Okabe prevents Smido from improving his position.
Okabe wants to pass to mount but Smido is defending the position.
Okabe lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Smido trying to get back to full guard but Okabe takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Okabe scoring with strikes but Smido is staying in there.
Okabe lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenji Okabe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Okabe has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenji Okabe!