PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nicolay Matviyenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Smith's choice of entrance music: In The Morning. Nicolay Matviyenko could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Mike Smith's chin.

Matviyenko
vs
Smith

188 cm
24
210 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

183 cm
31
217 lbs
20 - 18 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Nicolay Matviyenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mike Smith!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Donald Grub and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Smith moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Matviyenko clinches with his opponent.
Smith lands a left hand that snaps the head of Matviyenko backwards.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Matviyenko.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A head kick misses from Smith.
Smith misses with a hook
and Matviyenko counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Smith takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Smith lands with a right hand.
A punch combination from Smith misses.

Matviyenko instigates a clinch.
Smith lands a nice shot to the body.
Matviyenko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Matviyenko holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Matviyenko can't find room to land a body shot as Smith controls the action.
Smith is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith lands a left hand that snaps the head of Matviyenko backwards.

Matviyenko breaks from the clinch.
Some wild striking there from Matviyenko.
Smith throws a head kick that misses.
Nice body punch from Smith.
Smith waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Matviyenko.
Smith misses the shot to the body.
Smith moves into range and connects with a jab.
Matviyenko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Matviyenko is looking to clinch.
Matviyenko wants to clinch.
Smith misses with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matviyenko is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Smith looks to land a combination. Matviyenko sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fight stays on the outside here - Matviyenko looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Matviyenko misses with a double jab.
Smith keeps the fight on the outside.
Matviyenko blocks a head kick by Smith.
An inside leg kick lands from Smith.

Matviyenko pushes Smith up against the cage in a clinch.
Smith controlling the action here for a moment.
Matviyenko tries to throw a body punch but Smith avoids it by throwing Matviyenko back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Matviyenko is trying to maintain a safe position but Smith gets an underhook and turns Matviyenko into the cage.
Smith throws a knee to the head but misses.
Matviyenko misses with a hook to the ribs.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Matviyenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
Matviyenko throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Smith.
Smith throws a head kick that half lands.

It looks like Nicolay Matviyenko has been cut.
Mike Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Matviyenko wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
Smith looks to land a left hand but Matviyenko moved out of range nicely.
Smith throws a head kick that misses.
Mike Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Smith lands a nice looking body kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fight stays on the outside here - Matviyenko looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Smith lands a head kick. Matviyenko smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Good leg kick by Smith there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matviyenko uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Smith.
Matviyenko tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Matviyenko tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Matviyenko tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
Smith lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Smith throws a right hand that Matviyenko ducks under and follows up with a left that Matviyenko also avoids with ease.
Matviyenko is looking to clinch.
Smith tries a head kick but it misses.
Smith fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Smith throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Matviyenko.
Matviyenko misses with a wild body shot.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Smith dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nicolay Matviyenko's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Smith rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Matviyenko moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Matviyenko blocks the body kick.
Smith throws a body punch but Matviyenko moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Smith.
Smith throws a head kick that misses.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matviyenko moves away.
Matviyenko fails to land with a series of punches.
Matviyenko takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Smith lands a head kick. Matviyenko smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Matviyenko ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Matviyenko fails with an attempt to clinch.
Matviyenko tries to clinch up
and Smith counters with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith connects with a body shot that sends Matviyenko's belly button to the back.
Matviyenko tries to close the distance and clinch but Smith swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Matviyenko tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Matviyenko scores a takedown into full mount!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Matviyenko tries to control but Smith wriggling away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matviyenko looking to control and managing it successfully.
Matviyenko sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Smith wants to control but Matviyenko is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Smith is squirming around, avoiding Matviyenko's attempts to control the action.

Matviyenko stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

Smith tries to keep at a distance but Matviyenko has taken the fight into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mike Smith seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Matviyenko avoids the head kick by Smith.
Smith scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Matviyenko doesn't seem bothered though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matviyenko wants to clinch.
Smith throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Smith fails to land with a series of punches.
Smith takes a swing at Matviyenko's ribcage but misses.
Matviyenko on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Matviyenko tries to close the distance and clinch but Smith swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Matviyenko throws a jab but it's blocked by Smith.
Smith tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matviyenko was well out of range. Poor timing from Smith.
Matviyenko misses with a hook.
Smith throws a sloppy head kick and Matviyenko moves out of range easily.
Matviyenko moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matviyenko misses with a wild combination.
Matviyenko throws a right hand that Smith ducks under and follows up with a left that Smith also avoids with ease.
Smith lands a head kick!
Matviyenko takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Smith throws a head kick but Matviyenko moves out of range.
Smith is breathing heavily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matviyenko wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
Matviyenko blocks a head kick by Smith.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Smith is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Matviyenko is defending well for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Nicolay Matviyenko's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Crunch! Smith slams his shin into Matviyenko's torso.
Matviyenko misses with a wild combination.
Matviyenko misses with a combination
and Smith cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Matviyenko fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smith fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Matviyenko manages to avoid it.
Smith swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Matviyenko takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Smith scoring well with a low kick there.
Matviyenko tries to clinch up but Smith circles away and keeps his distance.
Smith scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Matviyenko doesn't seem bothered though.
Matviyenko slips a straight right by Smith.
Smith lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A jab lands there for Matviyenko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both fighters circling a little - Smith finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Smith throws a sloppy head kick and Matviyenko moves out of range easily.
Matviyenko tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Matviyenko takes a jab right on the kisser.
Smith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Smith throws a head kick that half lands.
Horrible takedown by Matviyenko or perhaps it was just good defense by Smith which made him look bad.
Smith throws a front kick that sends Matviyenko stumbling back into the cage.
Matviyenko tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Smith counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands a nice hook to Matviyenko's body. Matviyenko takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matviyenko wants to clinch but Smith slips to the side
and Smith counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Matviyenko is lucky that one didn't land flush.

Matviyenko clinches with his opponent.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Smith throws a head kick but Matviyenko moves out of range.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt.
Matviyenko throws a series of punches but Smith avoids them all with ease.
Matviyenko wants to clinch but Smith slips to the side
letting Smith counter with a right hand.
Smith throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Matviyenko moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
Matviyenko moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Smith throws a head kick that misses.
Nicolay Matviyenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matviyenko tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Matviyenko tries to clinch
and Smith counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Smith lands a high kick!
Smith swats away the attempt to clinch by Matviyenko.
Smith looks to land a combination but Matviyenko avoids it well.
Matviyenko lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Smith circles away quickly and effectively.
Matviyenko misses with a jab, cross combination.
Matviyenko blocks a head kick by Smith.
Nice sprawl there from Smith as Matviyenko shoots in.
Smith throws a body punch but Matviyenko moves out of range.
Smith throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Matviyenko misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matviyenko looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Matviyenko takes one to the side of the head.
Smith lands with a kick to the temple. Matviyenko shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Smith swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Smith scores with a hook to the body. Matviyenko takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matviyenko misses with an uppercut
and Smith counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mike Smith is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Smith lands with a good body shot.
Matviyenko sizes up Smith with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Matviyenko is trying to maintain a safe position but Smith gets an underhook and turns Matviyenko into the cage.
Matviyenko tries a body shot but Smith blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Smith winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Smith!
During a confident post fight interview, Mike Smith thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.