PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eric Bush (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). John Smith will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Bush
vs
Smith

180 cm
22
205 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
210 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Eric Bush!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, John Smith!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, William Gold and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bush drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Bush wants to control but Smith is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bush moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

Bush is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Smith is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Smith prevents Bush from moving into mount.

Bush tries for a kimura but Smith is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bush tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
A lull in the action here as Bush stalls from top position.
Bush trying to control the action but Smith is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Smith is trying to improve his position.

Bush is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Smith has escaped the position, nice work there.
Bush wants to control but Smith is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is trying to escape the position but Bush is controlling the position.
Bush taking a break here but Smith is having none of it and regains half guard.
Bush seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Smith is trying to control but can't.
Bush perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Eric Bush just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Smith misses with a few strikes there.
John Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bush fails to land the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bush swats away the attempt to clinch by Smith.
John Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Bush shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Bush could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Smith looks gassed!
Well, if Bush is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Bush 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.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bush frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Bush moves to the back position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bush shoots in and drives through. Smith sprawls well.
Bush jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Smith scores with a hook.
Bush looks for a takedown but Smith sprawls well.
Smith throws a head kick but Bush moves out of range.
Bush tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Bush checks the leg kick.
Bush shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Smith pinned against the cage. Smith gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Bush. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bush fails with an attempt to clinch.
Bush shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Smith darts in and clinches Bush up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The is referee keeping an eye on Smith - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Bush wants a takedown.
Bush manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Bush wants a takedown but no success here.
Smith stalling in the clinch but Bush improves position.

Bush has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Smith regains guard immediately.
Smith is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Smith is breathing heavily.

Bush stands up and waves to Smith to follow him.

Bush clinches with his opponent.
Smith stops a takedown attempt from Bush.
Smith trying to stall but Bush improves his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bush wants a takedown but no success here.
Smith wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bush has him pressed against the cage.
Bush fails to pull guard.
Bush drops down looking for an ankle pick but Smith pulls his leg out and moves away.
Smith misses with a two punch combination.
A good leg kick by Smith.
No luck for Bush with that takedown attempt.
Eric Bush is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bush throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Smith's waist but Smith gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bush off to one side.
Smith throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Smith tries to clinch but Bush moves away

and Bush counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Smith's guard now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Bush tries to free his leg and advance position but Smith is retaining full guard.
Bush wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
Bush passes Smith's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bush gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Bush darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Eric Bush overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Bush is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Smith wants to improve his position but Bush is controlling well.
Still in half guard, Bush seems content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith trying to control but Bush postures up.
Bush wants to take a breather but Smith is having none of it.
Smith wants to control but Bush is keeping busy and won't allow it.

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

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bush shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Smith pinned against the cage. Smith gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bush will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Smith tries to clinch

and Bush counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Bush.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith can't keep his opponent in guard - Bush advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Bush dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Smith lets loose with a powerful body kick. Bush will feel that in the morning.
Bush shoots in looking for a takedown. Smith tries to sprawl out of it but Bush keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Smith manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Smith wants to clinch

and Bush decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Smith's guard.

Bush drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bush jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Bush trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bush trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.

Bush postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Smith is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Bush, into his guard.
Smith postures up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bush wants to sweep here but Smith controlling him for the moment.

Bush has his feet on Smith's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Bush shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Smith as he jumps to the side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Bush looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Bush is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Smith looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Bush controlling the pace.
Smith trying to hold on to Bush's head to control him but Bush postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is not content to let Bush control the position.
Smith punching from the bottom.
Smith is staying active underneath Bush, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Smith tries to get to full guard but Bush has control of the leg.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Smith throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Smith scores with a head kick.
Smith throws a lazy head kick

and Bush counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Bush.
Bush is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Bush throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Smith works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bush decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Bush shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Smith's guard.
Bush wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
Smith working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bush.
John Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bush trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Bush throwing strikes from guard but Smith blocks nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eric Bush showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bush, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eric Bush!