PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shahpe Shanif (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David 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.

Shanif
vs
Smith

169 cm
20
248 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Shahpe Shanif!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, David Smith!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Ryoma Takatsuka and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith moves out of range of the body kick from Shanif.
Smith fails with the takedown.

Smith shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Smith was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Shanif really is a fat lump.
Shanif is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Shanif working to try and regain half guard.
Shanif slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Smith throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ground and pound from Smith.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith prevents Shanif from improving his position.
Smith not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Shanif moves into full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith throws an elbow that misses. Shanif uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Smith's guard. Nice move by Shanif!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shanif with a flurry of punches that miss.
Shanif might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Shanif distracts Smith with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Smith wants to sweep but no luck.
Shanif trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Smith avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Shanif postures up.
Smith is pulling down on Shanif's head. It's preventing any offense from Shanif, at least for the moment.
Smith trying to keep a closed guard but Shanif is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. David Smith hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Smith tries to score a power double leg takedown but Shanif sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Smith somewhat.
Shanif misses with a takedown attempt - Smith sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Smith is looking to clinch but Shanif is avoiding it.

Shanif gets the takedown into side control.
Shanif tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shanif is looking to take a break and control but Smith is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to improve position but can't.
Smith prevents Shanif from improving position.
Smith is trying to control Shanif's posture but Shanif avoids it.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Shanif working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Smith shoots and misses

and Shanif holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Shahpe Shanif has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of David Smith.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Shanif tries to circle away but Smith has him pinned against the cage.
Smith is struggling to control the position.
Shanif managing to block the knees to the body from Smith.
Shanif avoiding damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shanif managing to block the knees to the body from Smith.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Shanif.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Shahpe Shanif will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Smith scores a takedown into full mount!
Smith misses with a head shot.
Shahpe Shanif overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Shanif is trying desperately to improve position.
Shanif is working hard here to advance position.
Smith scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Shanif?
Shanif wants to hold on but Smith pushes him away.
Smith trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Shanif on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Shanif tries to get out of the position.
Shanif is desperately trying to improve his position but Smith has a good base and remains in mount.
Shanif tries to hold on but Smith postures up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith cracks Shanif with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shanif tries to hold on but Smith pushes him away.
Smith cracks Shanif with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Smith is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Shanif is surviving well by controlling Smith's body position as best he can.
Smith lands with some strikes.
Smith looking to control but Shanif is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Smith lands a big shot there that rocks Shanif but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shanif is trying to escape the mount.
Smith with a couple of short strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shanif is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
A nice elbow there by Smith.
Shanif is bucking up trying to escape but Smith cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

Smith is working close to his opponent, looking to work a submission by the looks of things. Oh, he's managed to get a guillotine from mount as his opponent reached up! That looks tiiiiight! Will he tap? YES, he's tapped! Impressive submission by Smith!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:42 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). David Smith!
David Smith seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.