PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George Couture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James Smith has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Smith
vs
Couture

199 cm
20
259 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

185 cm
18
250 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid 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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, George Couture!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Tiny Johnson and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Smith.

Couture shoots in and bounces Smith off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Smith will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Smith seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Couture in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Smith has his feet on Couture's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Couture takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Smith throws a leg kick but Couture moved away.
Couture fails with the takedown.
Couture looks gassed!
Smith lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
No luck for Couture with that takedown attempt.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.
Smith wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Couture keeps control of Smith as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Couture prevents Smith from breaking the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is trying to break free.
Couture swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Smith blocking some punches.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Smith closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Danga de danga de dang - Smith scores with a four punch combination!
Smith is working the combinations to good effect here.
Smith throws a right hand that Couture ducks under and follows up with a left that Couture also avoids with ease.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Smith.
Smith lands with a nice combination. Couture backs away looking to recover.

Smith gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Smith wants to break free but Couture has control.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Smith fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Smith lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Smith!
Smith scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Couture closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Couture shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
James Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George Couture.
Smith connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Couture's hands.
Smith throws a nice looking combination but Couture bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Smith, as that shot connected.
James Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Smith misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Couture.
Smith is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Smith as Couture shoots in.
Couture changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Smith tries to avoid it but Couture manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Smith to the ground. Smith escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Couture.
Smith throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Smith cracks Couture with a right hand to the side of the head.
Smith throws a series of punches but Couture moves out of range.
Smith fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Smith scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Smith stuffs the takedown attempt from Couture. Couture gets slowly back to his feet.

Smith gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Couture swings wildly with an uppercut but Smith uses good head movement to avoid it.
Couture tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Couture working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Smith wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Couture has him pressed against the cage.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Couture has him pressed against the cage.
Smith has had enough of the clinch but Couture keeps him there for the moment.
A head punch on the inside from Couture fails to land.
Couture lands with a short shot to the head.
Couture tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Smith is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Couture.
Smith is looking to break free of the clinch but Couture has double underhooks.
Couture keeps control of Smith as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Couture lands with a left to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Couture.
Couture tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Smith wants to break free but Couture has control.
Couture throws a head punch that misses.
Couture throws a head punch that misses.
Couture throws a punch but it's blocked by Smith.
A head punch on the inside from Couture fails to land.
Couture working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Smith blocking some punches.
Smith wants to break free but Couture has control.
Couture swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Couture working aggressively here.
Couture swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Smith tests Couture's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Smith moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Couture fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Smith clinches up against the cage.
Couture tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Smith wants to get back to striking at distance but Couture won't allow it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smith.
Smith blocks an uppercut.
Smith wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
Couture throws a head punch that misses.
Smith wants to break free but Couture has control.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nice takedown defense from Smith. No joy for Couture on that attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Smith.
Smith scores with a one two! Couture had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Couture is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Smith.
Smith throws a one two combo.
Smith throws a sloppy head kick and Couture moves out of range easily.
Smith scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Couture shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Smith as he avoids it easily.

Smith clinches.
Smith can't break the clinch.
Couture working aggressively here.
Smith has had enough of the clinch but Couture keeps him there for the moment.
Smith wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Couture.
Couture has a couple of punches blocked by Smith.
Couture lands with a left to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Couture fails to land.
Couture has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

Smith manages to break the clinch.

Smith clinches with his opponent.
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 is looking to break free of the clinch but Couture has double underhooks.
Couture fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Couture has a couple of punches blocked by Smith.
Couture misses with a punch on the inside.
Couture misses with a punch on the inside.
Smith tries to break the clinch but Couture is controlling the position.
Couture keeps control of Smith as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Couture misses with a punch on the inside.
Smith wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Smith wants to break the clinch but can't.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Couture.
Couture misses with a punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Smith dominated that round.
That's time! Smith's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Smith clinches up against the cage.

Smith breaks the clinch.
Couture changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Smith tries to avoid it but Couture manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Smith to the ground. Smith escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Couture is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Smith.
Smith throws a head kick but Couture moves out of range.
James Smith is winning the standup battle so far.
Couture moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
Couture is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Smith.
Smith closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Smith changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Couture looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Couture looking for a sweep but Smith has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Couture is looking to improve his position but Smith isn't that keen on the idea.
Couture is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Couture swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture can't escape the position.
Smith content just to control the position here.
Couture flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Couture keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Smith looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Couture sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Smith frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith prevents Couture from getting the reversal.
Smith takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Smith prevents Couture from getting the reversal.
Smith controlling the position easily from mount.
Couture can't escape the position.
Smith trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Couture is in all sorts of trouble here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Couture bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Smith is looking to stand up but Couture isn't so interested in that idea.
Couture loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Couture postures up in Smith's guard and throws a big left but Smith blocks it.
Smith throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Smith kicks Couture off and gets to his feet.
Smith will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Couture fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Smith!
Smith scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Smith throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Couture on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Smith fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Smith lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Smith scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Smith swinging wilding here.
Couture fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Smith throws a right and a left that both miss.
Smith lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Smith scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
James Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A nice leg kick lands there from Smith.
Smith bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Couture's head backwards.
Smith closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Smith connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
James Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Danga de danga de dang - Smith scores with a four punch combination!
Smith lands with a nice combination. Couture backs away looking to recover.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Smith dominated that second round.
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!

Smith stalks Couture and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Couture's face. Couture staggers backwards, shaken.
Couture is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Smith.
A jab lands there for Smith.
Smith misses with a series of wild punches.
Smith misses with a jab, cross combination.
Smith looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Smith throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Smith misses with a two punch combination.
Couture shoots in and drives through. Smith sprawls well.
Couture showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Smith.
Couture tries to clinch up but Smith circles away and keeps his distance.
Couture slips a jab from Smith.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Smith misses with a few strikes there.
Couture fails with the takedown

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Smith.
Couture throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Smiths head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smith blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Couture fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Smith breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
James Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George Couture.
Couture dodges the punch combination from Smith.
Couture shoots in and drives through. Smith sprawls well.
Smith throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Couture is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Couture fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Smith lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Couture backs up against the cage.

Couture bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Couture misses with the ground and pound.
Smith is trying to get back to half guard.
Smith sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Smith is trying to stand up here but Couture is controlling him well.
Smith has hold of Couture's hands but Couture slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Couture wants to pass the guard but Smith is defending well.
Smith slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Couture is looking to work some ground and pound but Smith has wrist control.
Couture throws and elbow that misses. Smith uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Couture's guard. Nice move by Smith!
Smith content to stall in guard here.
Couture bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Smith's guard.
Couture with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smith swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Couture postures up in Smith's guard and throws a big left but Smith blocks it.
Smith wants to stand and escape but Couture is having none of it.
Couture must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Smith manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Couture really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Couture tries to improve his position but Smith has taken his back! Smith has a choke - it's sunk in pretty tight... Will Couture tap? No... maybe... yes! He's tapped! Smith pushes Couture away and gets up to celebrate with his corner!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:54 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). James Smith!