PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Gibson Rickenbacker v.2 (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 2 and Mike Smith. Rickenbacker v.2 comes to the cage accompanied by Back Stabber!. The key to victory for Gibson Rickenbacker v.2 has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Rickenbacker v.2
vs
Smith

175 cm
21
180 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

172 cm
31
172 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Gibson Rickenbacker v.2!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mike Smith!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Hugh Johnson and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smith closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Smith lands in his opponent's guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Rickenbacker v.2 pulls Smith in close to prevent any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smith accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rickenbacker v.2 wants to stand up but Smith is controlling him.
Smith throws a strike but Rickenbacker v.2 rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Rickenbacker v.2 wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rickenbacker v.2 advances position into side control!

Rickenbacker v.2 decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Gibson Rickenbacker v.2 seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rickenbacker v.2 wants to clinch.

Smith feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Smith throwing strikes but missing.
Smith throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Smith postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rickenbacker v.2 works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rickenbacker v.2 keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Smith postures up in Rickenbacker v.2's guard and throws a big left but Rickenbacker v.2 blocks it.
Rickenbacker v.2 preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Smith trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rickenbacker v.2 looking to control.

Rickenbacker v.2 has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Smith off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smith will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A slow jab from Smith misses its intended target.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rickenbacker v.2 looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A punch combination from Smith misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rickenbacker v.2 moves into the clinch.
Smith looking for a takedown.
Rickenbacker v.2 prevents the takedown attempt.
Gibson Rickenbacker v.2 has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Smith.
Smith wants a takedown but no success here.
Stalling in the clinch from Rickenbacker v.2.
Rickenbacker v.2 using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smith has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rickenbacker v.2 is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Smith is defending well for now.
Rickenbacker v.2 is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Smith is keeping busy.
Rickenbacker v.2 gets underhooks to prevent Smith's takedown attempt.
Rickenbacker v.2 looking to throw knees to the head but Smith is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rickenbacker v.2 connects with a knee to the head.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Rickenbacker v.2 tries to land a knee to the head but Smith blocks with his arms.
Smith is working for takedown but Rickenbacker v.2 is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rickenbacker v.2 looking to throw knees to the head but Smith is blocking nicely.
Rickenbacker v.2 lands a good knee to the midsection. Smith won't want to take too many of those.
Rickenbacker v.2 tries to land knees in the clinch but Smith avoids the damage to the body.
Smith drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rickenbacker v.2 pulls his leg out and moves away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Rickenbacker v.2 rushes Smith and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rickenbacker v.2 prevents the takedown attempt.
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 Gibson Rickenbacker v.2 will probably get the nod.
That's time! Rickenbacker v.2's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rickenbacker v.2 darts in and clinches Smith up against the cage.
Rickenbacker v.2 misses with a knee to the head.
Smith is looking to take this one to the mat.
Rickenbacker v.2 connects with a nasty looking knee right to Smith's face.
Rickenbacker v.2 is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Smith is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rickenbacker v.2 gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Gibson Rickenbacker v.2 has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Smith.
Smith is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rickenbacker v.2 gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Rickenbacker v.2 scores with a knee to the head.
Smith letting Rickenbacker v.2 take a breather here.
Rickenbacker v.2 misses with a knee strike.
Smith is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Rickenbacker v.2 is defending well.
Rickenbacker v.2 taking a breather.
Rickenbacker v.2 misses with a knee to the head.
The referee is keeping an eye on Rickenbacker v.2 - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Rickenbacker v.2 trying to control the position but instead, Smith has worked for underhooks and has pushed Rickenbacker v.2 into the cage.
Rickenbacker v.2 with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Smith goes for a takedown attempt but Rickenbacker v.2 pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rickenbacker v.2 scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Smith dives in and grabs Rickenbacker v.2's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rickenbacker v.2 pushes down on Smith's head and hops out.
Rickenbacker v.2 throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Smith.
Smith blocks a head kick by Rickenbacker v.2.
Rickenbacker v.2 lands a glancing blow to the side of Smith's head.
Rickenbacker v.2 tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rickenbacker v.2 lands with a kick to the ribs.
Rickenbacker v.2 lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Smith avoids the head kick by Rickenbacker v.2.
Smith lands a jab to the nose.
Rickenbacker v.2 fakes the leg kick and cracks Smith in the body.

Smith closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Rickenbacker v.2 is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Rickenbacker v.2 is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Smith off and has taken his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.

Rickenbacker v.2 is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Smith has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Smith preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Rickenbacker v.2.

Smith showing good submission defense here.

Rickenbacker v.2 is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Smith has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rickenbacker v.2 is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Smith defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Smith is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rickenbacker v.2 not allowing Smith to control his hands.
Rickenbacker v.2 has the hooks in. Smith is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gibson Rickenbacker v.2 dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rickenbacker v.2 lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Rickenbacker v.2 lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

Smith shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Smith lands a couple of digs.
Smith throws a big right hand that misses.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Smith cracks Rickenbacker v.2 with a solid left hand.
Smith working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Rickenbacker v.2 has wrist control.
Rickenbacker v.2 utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rickenbacker v.2 utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith throws a big elbow that misses.
Smith postures up in Rickenbacker v.2's guard and throws a big left but Rickenbacker v.2 blocks it.
Rickenbacker v.2 trying to control the position.
Smith with a flurry of punches that miss.
Smith postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Smith trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rickenbacker v.2 pulls Smith in close to prevent any damage.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Rickenbacker v.2 has wrist control.
Gibson Rickenbacker v.2 is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Smith trying to control but Rickenbacker v.2 is working from the bottom.
Smith scoring with some ground and pound.
Rickenbacker v.2 wants to sweep but no luck.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rickenbacker v.2 is on top in guard.
Rickenbacker v.2 slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Smith is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rickenbacker v.2 keeping full guard, as Smith tries to pass.
Rickenbacker v.2 lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Smith!
Smith is trying to escape the mount.
Smith wants to control but Rickenbacker v.2 is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rickenbacker v.2 is looking to stand but Rickenbacker v.2 has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.

Rickenbacker v.2 gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Smith takes a swing at Rickenbacker v.2's ribcage but misses.
Rickenbacker v.2 tries to clinch there but Smith circles away.
Rickenbacker v.2 wants to clinch.
Rickenbacker v.2 throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Mike Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rickenbacker v.2 tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gibson Rickenbacker v.2 is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Smith throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rickenbacker v.2 is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Smith.
Rickenbacker v.2 wants to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rickenbacker v.2 has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 29:28
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gibson Rickenbacker v.2!
After the big win, Gibson Rickenbacker v.2 made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Steel Penn's Laundry 93% and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.