PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Vitaly Smirnoff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Erik Weiss (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Weiss has chosen Through the Fire and Flames as his entrance music. Vitaly Smirnoff could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Erik Weiss's chin.

Smirnoff
vs
Weiss

180 cm
28
142 lbs
6 - 11 - 0

169 cm
29
134 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent elbows
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vitaly Smirnoff!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Erik Weiss!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Albert Achterberg and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smirnoff misses with a head kick.
Weiss shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Smirnoff defends it nicely.

Smirnoff closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Weiss did well to prevent Smirnoff getting side control.

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

Smirnoff is working for a submission of some sort.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Weiss throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Smirnoff trying to mount his opponent but Weiss defends it.
Smirnoff thows a huge punch but Weiss dodges it nicely.
Smirnoff will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Weiss tries to roll over but Smirnoff keeps him under control.
Smirnoff working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Smirnoff not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Smirnoff is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Weiss doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Smirnoff.
Weiss is looking to escape.
Weiss trying to control here.
Weiss is looking to escape.

Smirnoff is trying to work for a kimura but Weiss is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smirnoff is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Weiss taking some punishment here, with Smirnoff in his half guard.
Weiss is staying active underneath Smirnoff, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Smirnoff is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smirnoff throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Weiss to regain full guard.
Smirnoff lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smirnoff takes a decent strike to the side of the head.
Smirnoff content to stall in guard here.

Weiss has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Smirnoff off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Weiss misses with a straight right.
Smirnoff misses with a head kick.
Weiss takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Weiss avoids the head kick by Smirnoff.
Weiss shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Smirnoff sprawls well. Smirnoff wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Weiss gets slowly back to his feet.
Weiss avoids a punch combination nicely.
Good shot there by Weiss.
Smirnoff tests Weiss's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Smirnoff throws a head kick that misses.
No joy there for Weiss, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Weiss throws a looping overhand right but Smirnoff ducks down to avoid it.
Erik Weiss seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Weiss fails in his attempt to clinch.
Weiss throws a body punch but Smirnoff moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smirnoff misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Smirnoff lands an overhand right.
Smirnoff throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Weiss avoids the head kick by Smirnoff.
Weiss is looking to clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Weiss instigates a clinch.

Smirnoff breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Smirnoff really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Smirnoff throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Smirnoff looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Smirnoff is breathing heavily.
A cross from Smirnoff lands.
A telegraphed right hand from Smirnoff misses the target.
Smirnoff misses with a double jab.
Smirnoff throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Weiss thuds his right hand into Smirnoff's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smirnoff blocks a head kick by Weiss.
Weiss fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Smirnoff manages to avoid it.
Weiss misses with the combination.
Weiss shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Smirnoff as he jumps to the side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitaly Smirnoff dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Smirnoff connects with the punch.

Smirnoff tries to keep at a distance but Weiss has taken the fight into the clinch.
Smirnoff missing with knees to the body.
Smirnoff comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Smirnoff lands an elbow inside that Weiss shrugs off.

Weiss manages to break the clinch.

Weiss closes the distance and pushes Smirnoff back into the cage.

Smirnoff breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Weiss blocks a head kick by Smirnoff.
Weiss throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Weiss swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Smirnoff counters with a straight right hand.
Weiss scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Weiss fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Smirnoff manages to avoid it.
Weiss tries to clinch but Smirnoff moves out of range.
Weiss throws a right and a left that both miss.
Weiss misses with a series of wild punches.
Smirnoff lands a slapping body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Weiss throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Vitaly Smirnoff is winning the standup battle so far.
Weiss takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Smirnoff lands a jab to Weiss's midsection.
Weiss is breathing heavily.
Weiss will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Smirnoff closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Smirnoff lands in his opponent's guard.
Smirnoff lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Weiss keeping moving, preventing Smirnoff from controlling successfully.
Smirnoff scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smirnoff is working Weiss over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Smirnoff controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Smirnoff wants to control from the top but Weiss keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Weiss has his foot on Smirnoff's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Smirnoff works his way back into a safe position though.
Smirnoff controls from within his opponent's guard.
Weiss really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Smirnoff. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Smirnoff postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Smirnoff stands up over Weiss, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Weiss keeping moving, preventing Smirnoff from controlling successfully.
Weiss throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Weiss tries to strike from the bottom.
Weiss working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Smirnoff.
Smirnoff is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Weiss wants to get back to his feet but Smirnoff is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Smirnoff loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Smirnoff sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Smirnoff drops back looking for a leg! Weiss is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Weiss manages to kick Smirnoff off! Smirnoff jumps back into Weiss's guard.
Smirnoff trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smirnoff content to stall in guard here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Weiss can do anything to dispel that myth.
Smirnoff wants to control from the top but Weiss keeps moving.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Weiss working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Smirnoff.
Weiss is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Smirnoff is controlling him.
Vitaly Smirnoff overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smirnoff loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Weiss is looking to stand up but Smirnoff isn't so interested in that idea.

Smirnoff is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitaly Smirnoff dominated that second round.
That's time! Smirnoff's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Smirnoff with a hook.
Smirnoff lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Weiss gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Weiss is rocked!
Smirnoff throws a shot to the body.
Weiss is still on wobbly legs! Can Smirnoff finish him?
Weiss scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Weiss thuds his right hand into Smirnoff's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Weiss clinches up against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Weiss tries to throw a body punch but Smirnoff avoids it by throwing Weiss back against the cage.
Weiss seems to have recovered his senses.

Smirnoff's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Weiss takes a jab right on the kisser.
Vitaly Smirnoff is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smirnoff connects with a jab.
Smirnoff cracks a nice hook into Weiss's ribs.
Horrible takedown by Weiss or perhaps it was just good defense by Smirnoff which made him look bad.
Smirnoff is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Smirnoff throws a head kick that misses.

Smirnoff shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Weiss's guard.
Smirnoff throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smirnoff drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Smirnoff jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smirnoff trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Smirnoff with a flurry of punches that miss.
Smirnoff wants to control from the top but Weiss keeps moving.
Smirnoff controlling from the top position.
Weiss looking for a sweep. Not yet Weiss, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Vitaly Smirnoff just wasn't active enough.
Smirnoff throws a sloppy head kick and Weiss moves out of range easily.
Smirnoff pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Smirnoff misses with a head kick.
A left lands for Smirnoff.
Smirnoff throws a jab but it's blocked by Weiss.
Weiss lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Weiss blocks a head kick by Smirnoff.
Weiss lands a body shot.
Smirnoff throws a series of punches but Weiss moves out of range.
Weiss scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Weiss will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Weiss tries to clinch but Smirnoff moves out of range.
Weiss looks to land a right hand but Smirnoff moved out of range.
Smirnoff lands with a slapping head kick.
Weiss walks into a stiff left hand from Smirnoff.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Weiss fails with the takedown.
Smirnoff throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Weiss tries to clinch up but Smirnoff circles away and keeps his distance.
Weiss avoids a punch combination nicely.
Weiss misses with a double jab.
Weiss looks to land a combination but Smirnoff avoids it well.
Weiss tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smirnoff paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Weiss shoots in looking for a takedown but Smirnoff manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Weiss's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Vitaly Smirnoff has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erik Weiss.
Smirnoff connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Smirnoff avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Smirnoff jabs at Weiss's body.
Smirnoff throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Smirnoff takes a swing at Weiss's ribcage but misses.
Smirnoff with a jab.
Weiss is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Smirnoff dodges the punch combination from Weiss.
Smirnoff is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smirnoff getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Weiss fails to land with a series of punches.
Smirnoff lands a nice hook to Weiss's body. Weiss takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Weiss misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Smirnoff connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
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!

Smirnoff scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Sloppy strikes there by Smirnoff.
Smirnoff misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Smirnoff has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Weiss is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Smirnoff yanks on the arm and Weiss is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Smirnoff.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Vitaly Smirnoff!