PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Harrison Burns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Neil Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Burns
vs
Smith

167 cm
22
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

165 cm
22
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Harrison Burns!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Neil Smith!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Steven Brown and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Burns misses with the combination.
Burns throws a right and a left that Smith avoids nicely.
Burns throws a right hand that Smith ducks under and follows up with a left that Smith also avoids with ease.
Burns throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Smith.
Burns fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nice takedown defense from Burns. No joy for Smith on that attempt.
Burns tries to bum rush Smith with a series of wild strikes but Smith uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Burns misses with a jab, cross combination.
Burns throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Burns will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A slapping leg kick lands for Smith.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Burns as he avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith shoots in looking for a takedown. Burns tries to sprawl out of it but Smith keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Burns manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Harrison Burns has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Neil Smith.
Burns will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Burns rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smith moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Burns is breathing heavily.
A solid body kick from Smith.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith takes the fight into the clinch.

Smith jumps into guard, dragging Burns to the mat.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Smith is on top in guard.
Smith postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Smith slips nicely into half guard.
Smith is keen to just control but Burns is a slippery customer.

Smith seems to be looking for submissions.
Smith is tying to control. Burns wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Smith throwing shots but Burns is blocking nicely.
Smith trying to control from half guard but Burns is working away.

Smith is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Burns looking for submissions off his back.
Smith looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Burns with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burns is pressing down on Smith's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Burns had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Smith is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Burns Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Smith's back instead.

Smith is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Burns is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Smith knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Smith for a finish.
Smith breaks Burns's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Burns keeping busy on the bottom but Smith has passed one foot through into half guard.
Burns is looking for a sweep. Smith is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burns is trying to escape the mount.
Smith trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Burns wants to control but Smith is having none of it.

Smith working for a guillotine from mount but Burns is in no mood to give up.
Burns is trying to escape the mount.
A nice elbow there by Smith.
Burns manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Burns wants to improve his position but Smith is controlling well.
Smith is trying to control the action in half guard but Burns is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Burns wants to control but Smith is keeping busy.

Smith is working for a submission of some sort.
Burns is trying to control but can't.
Smith prevents Burns from standing back up.
Burns wants to get back to full guard.
Smith uses his free foot to push down on Burns's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Burns.
Burns keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Smith working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. Burns turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips Smith off and cradles Burns's limp body as Smith celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). Neil Smith!