PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ramon Hard Luck (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dzelaludin Smajlovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hard Luck comes to the cage accompanied by Moves Like Jagger. Ramon Hard Luck had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 186.3lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Hard Luck
vs
Smajlovic

185 cm
25
190 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ramon Hard Luck!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dzelaludin Smajlovic!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Valeri Chadov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smajlovic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hard Luck looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Hard Luck takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Hard Luck fails with a takedown attempt.
Smajlovic is looking to land body kicks.
Smajlovic is looking to clinch but Hard Luck is avoiding it.
Hard Luck fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Smajlovic avoids it really well and circles away.
Smajlovic scores with a head kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smajlovic moves in looking to clinch but Hard Luck pushes him off.
Smajlovic tries to clinch there but Hard Luck circles away.
Smajlovic fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smajlovic throws a right hand that Hard Luck ducks under and follows up with a left that Hard Luck also avoids with ease.
Hard Luck stuffs the takedown.

Hard Luck tries to keep at a distance but Smajlovic has taken the fight into the clinch.

Smajlovic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smajlovic tries to clinch up.

Smajlovic has Hard Luck up against the cage in a clinch.

Smajlovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Smajlovic throws a head kick but Hard Luck moves out of range.
Hard Luck shoots in looking for a takedown. Smajlovic tries to sprawl out of it but Hard Luck keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Smajlovic manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ramon Hard Luck. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smajlovic tries to clinch up but Hard Luck circles away and keeps his distance.
Smajlovic wants to clinch.

Smajlovic closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smajlovic doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Smajlovic is looking to control Hard Luck's arms but Hard Luck gets an underhook and turns him. Now Smajlovic has his back to the cage.
Smajlovic tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Smajlovic with a knee to the head.

Smajlovic successfully pulls guard.
Smajlovic seems keen to control Hard Luck's posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hard Luck tries to stand but Smajlovic is controlling from the bottom.
Hard Luck prevents Smajlovic from getting back to his feet.
Smajlovic tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hard Luck trying to control the position from guard on top but Smajlovic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Ramon Hard Luck.
Smajlovic doesn't manage to clinch there - Hard Luck circles away.
Smajlovic lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Smajlovic tries a head kick but it misses.
Smajlovic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Smajlovic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Smajlovic tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Hard Luck manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hard Luck changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Smajlovic tries to avoid it but Hard Luck manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Smajlovic to the ground. Smajlovic escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hard Luck slaps away a takedown attempt from Smajlovic, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hard Luck swats away the attempt to clinch by Smajlovic.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smajlovic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hard Luck misses with a takedown attempt - Smajlovic sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Smajlovic throws a nice head kick!
Smajlovic leaves Hard Luck with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Dzelaludin Smajlovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smajlovic shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hard Luck as he jumps to the side.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Hard Luck. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Smajlovic looks for the body kick but Hard Luck saw that one coming.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smajlovic shoots in and drives through. Hard Luck sprawls well.
Hard Luck throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Smajlovic's waist but Smajlovic gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hard Luck off to one side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dzelaludin Smajlovic dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Smajlovic looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Smajlovic tries to clinch but Hard Luck moves out of range.
Hard Luck is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Smajlovic.
Hard Luck circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hard Luck leaves Smajlovic with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Smajlovic throws a head kick that misses.
Smajlovic wants to clinch.
Smajlovic tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Hard Luck manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hard Luck keeps the fight on the outside.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Smajlovic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Smajlovic tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smajlovic tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hard Luck swivels and escapes.
Smajlovic shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hard Luck as he jumps to the side.
Ramon Hard Luck has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dzelaludin Smajlovic.
Hard Luck shoots in for a double leg but Smajlovic sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Smajlovic pushes Hard Luck up against the cage in a clinch.

Smajlovic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hard Luck is trying hard to land a takedown here. Smajlovic sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Hard Luck tries to keep at a distance but Smajlovic has taken the fight into the clinch.
Smajlovic tries a knee to the head but Hard Luck blocks it.
Smajlovic lands with a left to the head.
Smajlovic lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smajlovic lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Hard Luck is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Smajlovic gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Smajlovic putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hard Luck in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Smajlovic obliges.

Smajlovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dzelaludin Smajlovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Smajlovic goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Hard Luck misses with a takedown attempt - Smajlovic sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Smajlovic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smajlovic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hard Luck scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Smajlovic circles away from the clinch attempt.
Smajlovic throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smajlovic tries to clinch there but Hard Luck circles away.
Smajlovic shoots in looking for a takedown. Hard Luck tries to sprawl out of it but Smajlovic keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hard Luck manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Smajlovic tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hard Luck swivels and escapes.
Hard Luck fails with a takedown attempt.
Hard Luck swats away the attempt to clinch by Smajlovic.
Smajlovic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Smajlovic tries to clinch but Hard Luck is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hard Luck closes the distance and clinches up with Smajlovic, looking for a takedown. Hard Luck pushes Smajlovic against the cage but Smajlovic circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Smajlovic stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Smajlovic wants it to stay on the feet.
Smajlovic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Smajlovic closes the distance and clinches.
Smajlovic landing knees to the body.
Hard Luck wants to break the clinch but can't.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hard Luck.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Smajlovic obliges.
Hard Luck on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dzelaludin Smajlovic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Smajlovic throws a leg kick which misses Hard Luck's front leg but catches the back leg as Hard Luck tries to avoid it.
Smajlovic tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hard Luck swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Smajlovic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smajlovic throws a sloppy head kick and Hard Luck moves out of range easily.
Smajlovic has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Smajlovic fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smajlovic shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hard Luck but Hard Luck pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Smajlovic lands with a kick to the temple. Hard Luck shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Smajlovic misses with a double jab.
Hard Luck throws a wild body kick that Smajlovic sees coming a mile off.

Hard Luck throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Smajlovic was covering up waiting for the punch and Hard Luck finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Hard Luck seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hard Luck throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Smajlovic is on top in guard.
Hard Luck wants to stand but Smajlovic is controlling the position.
Smajlovic trying to control but Hard Luck is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smajlovic postures up.
Smajlovic wanted to stand there but Hard Luck had control of the position.
Smajlovic wants to control from the top but Hard Luck keeps moving.
Hard Luck tries to land a sweep but no joy.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Dzelaludin Smajlovic hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Hard Luck circles away from the clinch attempt.

Smajlovic moves into the clinch successfully.
Smajlovic jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hard Luck walks away with a smile on his face. Smajlovic gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Smajlovic lands with a kick to the temple. Hard Luck shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smajlovic fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ramon Hard Luck has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dzelaludin Smajlovic.
Smajlovic tries to close the distance and clinch but Hard Luck swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Smajlovic throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hard Luck throws an overhand right that lands on Smajlovic's shoulder, as Smajlovic tries to avoid the shot.
Smajlovic scores with a head kick.
Smajlovic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hard Luck avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Smajlovic wants to clinch

and Hard Luck counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Hard Luck has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Smajlovic uses from the top position.
Hard Luck trying to strike off his back.
Hard Luck is looking to stand up but Smajlovic isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hard Luck utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hard Luck keeping moving, preventing Smajlovic from controlling successfully.
Smajlovic postures up in Hard Luck's guard and throws a big left but Hard Luck blocks it.
Smajlovic is looking to work some ground and pound but Hard Luck has wrist control.
Ramon Hard Luck has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dzelaludin Smajlovic is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Smajlovic seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Smajlovic looking to sit in guard and control but Hard Luck gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dzelaludin Smajlovic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Smajlovic has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dzelaludin Smajlovic!
Dzelaludin Smajlovic decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.