PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Paavo Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Octavio Paixao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Smith
vs
Paixao

180 cm
27
180 lbs
16 - 10 - 0

177 cm
27
180 lbs
17 - 14 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

Prestige Nutrition (160! $99)

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 16 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Paavo Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Octavio Paixao!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Robert Douchet and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith fails with a takedown attempt.
Paixao throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smith throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Smith crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Paixao - the referee stops the clock and Smith gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Paixao. Smith manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Paixao tries to bum rush Smith with a series of wild strikes but Smith uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A low kick from Smith misses
and Paixao counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Paixao misses with a body shot.
Paixao fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Smith connects with a body shot that sends Paixao's belly button to the back.
Smith bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Smith jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Paixao misses with a two punch combination.
Paixao uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Smith.
Paixao takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Smith jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Smith misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Paixao.
Paixao pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Paixao moves away.
Smith swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paixao rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smith moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Paixao lands a leg kick that knocks Smith off balance momentarily.
Paixao throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Smith sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Smith shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Paixao defends it nicely.
Paixao swings for the body but Smith moves out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Smith misses the target.
Paixao throws a leg kick that misses.
Smith throws a body punch but Paixao moves out of range.
Smith misses with a straight left.
Smith swings for the body but Paixao moves out of range.
Paixao lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Paixao scores with the left hand. Smith knows he should have avoided that one.
Smith connects with the punch.
Paixao waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Smith.
Smith connects with a crisp jab.
Smith staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Paixao scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A big left from Paixao misses.
Paixao just misses with a punch to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smith. Paixao does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Paixao fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Smith on the side of the head.
Smith looks to score with a jab to the body but Paixao is just out of range.
Paixao scores with a jab to the head.
Paixao throws a right hand that Smith ducks under and follows up with a left that Smith also avoids with ease.
Paixao is looking to slow Smith down with leg kicks.
Paixao misses with a hook.
Paixao steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Smith.

Paixao instigates a clinch.
Smith tries to break free but Paixao pushes him back against the cage.
Paixao is pressed up against the cage. Smith has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Paixao down to the mat. Paixao avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paavo Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith is trying hard to land a takedown here. Paixao sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Paixao throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paixao swings for the body but Smith moves out of range.
Smith is trying hard to land a takedown here. Paixao sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Paixao throws a jab when Smith was well out of range.
Octavio Paixao is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Smith closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Paixao quickly recovers to half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Paixao is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Smith pulls his head out easily.

Smith is working for a kimura here but Paixao manages to reverse the position and he's now in Smith's guard.
Smith controlling Paixao's posture.
Paixao throwing strikes from guard but Smith blocks nicely.
Smith pulls Paixao in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paixao trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Smith controls Paixao momentarily but Paixao frees himself.
Paixao must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Paavo Smith wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Smith swings for the body but Paixao moves out of range.
Paixao lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Paixao throws a jab when Smith was well out of range.
Paixao takes a swing at Smith's ribcage but misses.
Smith keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Paixao.
Smith is looking to wear down Paixao with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Paixao throws the left hand but Smith avoids the punch easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Paixao throws a series of punches but Smith moves out of range.
Paixao wants to slow Smith down by chopping away at his legs.
Paixao connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Paixao feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Smith's calf.
Smith throws a hook but Paixao blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Octavio Paixao will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Paixao throws a shot from downtown. Smith moves away and avoids it.
Smith slips a jab and a cross from Paixao.
Paixao throws a hook but Smith blocks it.
Octavio Paixao seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Paixao throws a body punch but Smith moves out of range.
Paixao keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Paixao.
Paixao throws a series of strikes that have Smith backpedaling.
Smith misses with a body shot.
Paixao throws a left and a right that both miss
and Smith counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Good exchange - Smith coming out on top.
Smith throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Paixao's waist but Paixao gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Smith off to one side.
Paixao tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Smith was well out of range. Poor timing from Paixao.
Paixao throws a jab but it's blocked by Smith.
Paixao throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Paixao is looking to slow Smith down with leg kicks.
Paixao avoids the body shot from Smith.
Smith looks to score with a jab to the body but Paixao is just out of range.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Paixao moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Paixao can pounce on him.
Paixao avoids the body shot from Smith.
Paixao misses with a wild combination.
Paixao misses with a double jab.
Smith connects with a right hand. Paixao shakes it off.
Paixao throws a jab when Smith was well out of range.
Octavio Paixao seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith closes this distance looking for a takedown but Paixao circles away.
Smith uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Paixao.
Paixao misses with a hook. Smith ducked under it nicely.
Smith is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Paixao gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Smith advances position into side control!
Smith working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Paixao keeps Smith under control for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paixao tries to improve position but can't.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

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

Smith tries for a kimura but Paixao is defending well.
Smith looks up at the clock and then as Paixao takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Smith smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Smith scoring with punches and elbows.
Paixao tries to get back to half guard but can't.
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.
Paixao is not content to let Smith control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paixao takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Paixao tries to improve position but can't.
Paixao is trying to escape the position but Smith is controlling the position.
Paixao wants to control but Smith postures up.
Smith landing a few strikes.
Paavo Smith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Smith working the ground and pound.
Paixao is looking for a sweep.
Paixao is working to avoid the ground and pound but Smith connects with a decent elbow.

Paixao is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smith lands a strong strike to the head of Paixao. That's dazed him! Smith looking to finish here. Paixao is waving his arms around trying to block but he's hurt badly - Smith lands more strikes and the referee steps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Paavo Smith!
An out of breath Paavo Smith thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.